Can I Dose sodium nitrite?

[Jeevan]

Hello Reefers!

Can I Dose sodium nitrite instead of sodium Nitrate to increase nitrate ?

 

[Jeevan]

Sodium nitrite

 

[gbroadbridge]

Sodium Nitrite can be toxic, as it needs to be converted to Nitrate.

Why not just use Potassium Nitrate or Calcium Nitrate which are much more aquarium friendly and easily accessable in most places.

 

[Azedenkae]

Sodium Nitrite can be toxic, as it needs to be converted to Nitrate.

Why not just use Potassium Nitrate or Calcium Nitrate which are much more aquarium friendly and easily accessable in most places.

If it is just a matter of introducing nitrite into the aquarium, would it not be fine so long as it is kept to a low enough concentration? I mean nitrite needs to be very, very high to be toxic to marine fish anyways, right? And the nitrate concentration one'd probably aim for would correspond to an even lower ppm of nitrite most likely far from being toxic to marine fish?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

If I had nitrite pop up on a test kit I’d be concerned. No matter how high my nitrates get I never see ammonia or nitrite pop up. I wonder how long it would take for this stuff to turn into nitrate

 

[Jeevan]

Thank you for the advice.. I'll just go for sodium Nitrate =)

 

[gbroadbridge]

If it is just a matter of introducing nitrite into the aquarium, would it not be fine so long as it is kept to a low enough concentration? I mean nitrite needs to be very, very high to be toxic to marine fish anyways, right? And the nitrate concentration one'd probably aim for would correspond to an even lower ppm of nitrite most likely far from being toxic to marine fish?

Yes, what you say is correct. Nitrite generally is not toxic to marine fish as it would be to freshwater fish.

There is a great article by Randy Holmes-Farley on the topic at http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php

However, I can't see the point of using Sodium Nitrite when there are cheap and safer alternatives available if you wish to add Nitrate to the tank.

I honestly dont see that the risk is worth it.

Regards
Graham.

 

[Azedenkae]

Yes, what you say is correct. Nitrite generally is not toxic to marine fish as it would be to freshwater fish.

There is a great article by Randy Holmes-Farley on the topic at http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php

However, I can't see the point of using Sodium Nitrite when there are cheap and safer alternatives available if you wish to add Nitrate to the tank.

I honestly dont see that the risk is worth it.

Regards
Graham.

Gotcha, no that's a fair enough point.

 

[Duncan62]

If it is just a matter of introducing nitrite into the aquarium, would it not be fine so long as it is kept to a low enough concentration? I mean nitrite needs to be very, very high to be toxic to marine fish anyways, right? And the nitrate concentration one'd probably aim for would correspond to an even lower ppm of nitrite most likely far from being toxic to marine fish?

Ask the PHD. Lots of academics here think nitrite isn't harmful at all until it kills your fish. Only then is it harmful.

 

[ZoWhat]

You go buying potassium nitrate in bulk, you end up on the FBI NSA Watchlist

 

[Azedenkae]

Ask the PHD. Lots of academics here think nitrite isn't harmful at all until it kills your fish. Only then is it harmful.

I am a PhD lol. I found Randy's article a long time ago, and have access to peer-reviewed articles to verify the data. And I found extra articles since then. They all verify the same thing.

Nitrite is indeed not a killer of marine fish until it gets to really, really high concentrations whereby if it does actually get there in our tanks, something is VERY wrong.

Though nitrite can be toxic to marine fish at concentrations below that (25ppm), at least upon prolonged exposure.

 

[Duncan62]

I am a PhD lol. I found Randy's article a long time ago, and have access to peer-reviewed articles to verify the data. And I found extra articles since then. They all verify the same thing.

Nitrite is indeed not a killer of marine fish until it gets to really, really high concentrations whereby if it does actually get there in our tanks, something is VERY wrong.

Though nitrite can be toxic to marine fish at concentrations below that (25ppm), at least upon prolonged exposure.

Though nitrite can be toxic to marine fish at concentrations below that (25ppm), at least upon prolonged exposure.

 

[Azedenkae]

Though nitrite can be toxic to marine fish at concentrations below that (25ppm), at least upon prolonged exposure.

I have not actually seen any evidence of this. Certainly would be interesting to read up on it. Can you link where you found this?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Though nitrite can be toxic to marine fish at concentrations below that (25ppm), at least upon prolonged exposure.

Well show me a properly documented case where this has been proven.

I'm always eager to learn.

The overwhelming peer reviewed evidence points to the contrary.

 

[Duncan62]

I have not actually seen any evidence of this. Certainly would be interesting to read up on it. Can you link where you found this?

I

I have not actually seen any evidence of this. Certainly would be interesting to read up on it. Can you link where you found this?

I copy and pasted it from your post. Lol. I thought another professor would ask for proof. Not the guy who typed it. Lol

 

[Duncan62]

I

I copy and pasted it from your post. Lol. I thought another professor would ask for proof. Not the guy who typed it. Lol

Well show me a properly documented case where this has been proven.

I'm always eager to learn.

The overwhelming peer reviewed evidence points to the contrary.

See above.

 

[Azedenkae]

See above.

Gotcha, guess I did not even recognize my own text haha and misunderstood it.

Oh well, here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10499-015-9965-9

Our favourite fish, the ocellaris clownfish!