Can the Tank Decorations Cause High Nitrites?

Nitrite is a toxic organic compound that can manifest in aquariums. All aquariums have the potential to have issues with nitrite, since all fish produce its chemical precursors. In terms of decorations, only rotting organic matter can produce nitrites. Virtually the only aquarium decoration that can produce nitrites is aquarium plants when not properly cared for.

  1. Nitrite

    • Nitrite is a nitrogen-based compound. Almost always, it enters aquariums indirectly. Any biochemical reaction that breaks down proteins, including digestion and decay, produce ammonia. Bacteria in aquariums break down this ammonia, converting it into somewhat-less-toxic nitrite. An additional suite of bacteria break down the nitrite, converting it into more-or-less harmless nitrate. The process of building up populations of various bacteria to break down these nitrogen compounds is called cycling an aquarium.

    Sources of Nitrite

    • Usually, nitrite starts out in aquariums as ammonia. Bacteria convert the ammonia into nitrite. So nitrite issues usually go back to ammonia issues. Animal waste is the main source of ammonia in tanks. However, anything dead and rotting can contribute to ammonia. Very few aquarium/terrarium/vivarium decorations rot. For example, the kinds of woods sold for pets are usually more-or-less chemically inert. Almost anything sold at pet shops won't hurt water chemistry. However, live aquarium plants can die or shed leaves that can decay and produce ammonia, which becomes nitrite.

    Preventing Rot

    • Keeping live aquarium plants is harder than it looks. Research the needs of the plants you want to keep. Most aquarium plants require bright lighting, and possibly supplemental carbon dioxide. Additionally, aquarium plants have different preferences for their substrate. You should only keep aquarium plants if you've done your homework to avoid problems with ammonia and nitrite. Additionally, always remove dead plants and shed leaves as soon as possible to avoid decay and fouling the water.

    Control

    • You have several ways to control excessive nitrite levels. First, if it reaches a crisis -- for example, if your fish show signs of distress -- you can always perform a water change to get the nitrite back to a safe level. Additionally, happy, thriving aquarium plants will actually absorb nitrite and ammonia. The best long-term solution is to give the aquarium time to cycle. Do not rush the process, which can take the better part of two months. Add fish only when nitrite and ammonia levels are at 0 ppm.