amonia, nitrite, nitrate

[Ruddy Roach]

What do they mean to your fish and what are they?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Hi RR

You should look in the begginers questions.

Amonia is caused by fish waste and decaying food and is highly toxic to the fish, this will then be turned into NitrIte by good bacteria and this is less toxic to the fish, finallly it will be turned into NitrAte which is not as toxic to the fish in small amounts and can only be removed by water changes.

Do you have a tank? Do you know about cycling, the process where the good bacteria is built up?

HTH

 

[jaywings19]

What do they mean to your fish and what are they?

Sounds like you are just getting into fish keeping. Please give this article a read and feel free to ask any more questions here:

New Tank Syndrome

 

[Tropjunky]

well i tend to try and keep all these levels to a minimun like 0ppm and at most 0.2ppm as the levels can be toxic to ur fish.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

well i tend to try and keep all these levels to a minimun like 0ppm and at most 0.2ppm as the levels can be toxic to ur fish.

Amonia and NitrIte should always be at 0 in a properly cycled tank that is not overloaded.

NitrAtes should be under 40. If they are higher before you change the water than they were the last time, then the bioload needs to be decreased or more water changes.

 

[Lateral Line]

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NitrAtes should be under 40. If they are higher before you change the water than they were the last time, then the bioload needs to be decreased or more water changes.
<<<

If with frequent water changes, your nitrates do not go down, it is worth testing your tapwater, (or whatever water you use). In some areas, the tapwater has considerable amounts of nitrate in it.

If that is the case, either try a nitrate absorber in your filter, or lots of live plants.