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View Full Version : Question about nitrites..

vegas2k
10-02-2009, 06:08 PM
Ok bear with me, I am sure this is so obvious that It's been thought about and can't be done before...I am no chemist so I figure I'd ask. Ammonia is eaten by the first bacteria to produce Nitrite. The Nitrite is then ingested by the second bacteria to create Nitrate.

My question is, is it possible to add Ammonia AND Nitrite ions to the water so that while you're waiting for your ammonia to create nitrite, you can facilitate the other bacteria with adding some kind of a nitrite solution like you do with ammonia?

Doable? Doable but too expensive? I can't find anything about that in google..maybe because it is simply just impossible lol.
MonkeyPox
10-02-2009, 06:35 PM
Solvent nitrite is not a commercially available compound, to the best of my knowledge.
Cristoff
10-02-2009, 06:50 PM
Monkey is right. Nitrite is highly toxic in any kind of concentrated form and I don't know of any non industrial (i.e. Sodium Nitrite in meat packing) way to attain it.

I'm not even sure what form you would use for this application. Best to stick with the "Natural" approach!
vegas2k
10-02-2009, 07:48 PM
lol..it was just a thought, to kick start the nitrite eating bacteria...but I guess if it's toxic..then..yeah..no lol. I'm sure that topic has been thru R&D before, having nitrite solution to help get the slow nitrite eating bacteria going..and can't do it hehe
rangur1
10-03-2009, 12:45 AM
what a genuinely great question! my guess is the nitrite needed is unstable and readily reacts and changes its composition when left in nature.
Lab_Rat
10-03-2009, 12:58 AM
what a genuinely great question! my guess is the nitrite needed is unstable and readily reacts and changes its composition when left in nature.

It's highly toxic and not available to the general public, afik.
vegas2k
10-03-2009, 02:26 AM
It's highly toxic and not available to the general public, afik.


if it's highly toxic, then how come the nitrite left in nature in your tank is ok but not if stored and sent out? I would take the statement of it being unstable and by the time you get it it isn't usable by the bacteria anymore...but damn cmon scientists an make it work damnit! :)
Lab_Rat
10-03-2009, 02:34 AM
It's about concentration. In your tank it is diluted to maybe a spike of a couple of parts per million. Pure stuff, or even 1% would be too dangerous for the general public to have.
vegas2k
10-03-2009, 02:37 AM
It's about concentration. In your tank it is diluted to maybe a spike of a couple of parts per million. Pure stuff, or even 1% would be too dangerous for the general public to have.


ok let's say they dilute for us a big ole gallon of 5 ppm nitrite or something...add that bad boy as needed to tank :)
Gramazing
10-03-2009, 02:44 AM
It's a good idea for a product for Petsmart et al in my opinion. They could sell live filter material too, in fact I don't know why they don't..... considering you can buy special veggie clips and magnetic floating algae scrubbers and little fake treasure chests that make bubbles.
Cristoff
10-03-2009, 02:45 AM
Quoted from Wiki:

"Because of the toxicity of nitrite (the lethal dose of nitrite for humans is about 22 mg per kg body weight), the maximum allowed nitrite concentration in meat products is 200 ppm. Under certain conditions, especially during cooking, nitrites in meat can react with degradation products of amino acids, forming nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens."


That being said - no thank you! :hmm3grin2orange:
Lab_Rat
10-03-2009, 02:48 AM
Lol, throw some lunch meat into the tank.
Gramazing
10-03-2009, 03:32 AM
You don't mean Spam!

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Lab_Rat
10-03-2009, 03:41 AM
:spamguy: :spamguy: :spamguy: :spamguy:

Nitrites in a can!!! I'll take it with eggs and bacon pls...
vegas2k
10-03-2009, 05:12 AM
hahaah there it is...toss some oscar meyer into the tank!!!!

Yeah in all seriousness...they can make good money maintaining a fishless tank full of just filter material all cycled that all they need to do is keep adding a lot of ammmonia to feed the stuff. I would buy it in a heart beat!
vegas2k
10-03-2009, 05:13 AM
Quoted from Wiki:

"Because of the toxicity of nitrite (the lethal dose of nitrite for humans is about 22 mg per kg body weight), the maximum allowed nitrite concentration in meat products is 200 ppm. Under certain conditions, especially during cooking, nitrites in meat can react with degradation products of amino acids, forming nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens."


That being said - no thank you! :hmm3grin2orange:


so your tank water is toxic to us once cycled? They should have it just dilluted..ammonia is toxic..but we can buy that in 10% concentration or more... =p
Lab_Rat
10-03-2009, 05:18 AM
You'd think more LFS would go with that idea and sell seeded media, especially those that run sponge filters. Sell used sponge filters for $8 or so a pop, would be an easy money maker. I talked mine into selling me a used sponge filter, I just bought them a new one and they switched it out. I would have paid more though.
vegas2k
10-03-2009, 07:03 AM
I should make a seeded media tank filled to the brim with media, maintain it, and sell it lol. the only food? Ammonia! haha... Live nitrifying bacteria for sale!