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Isn't that contrary to the laws of entropy? Going from a lower state to
a higher state? I will need to research this, since energy would be
required to un-oxidize nitrite. Any references?

Wayne Sallee wrote:
In an oxygen environment, bacteria converts ammonia into nitrite, and in
an oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrite into nitrate.

In a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrate into nitrite, and
in a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrite into nitrogen gas.

George Patterson wrote on 1/2/2007 11:33 PM:

Wayne Sallee wrote:

Actually it's converted to nitrites, and then the nitrite is
converted to nitrogen gas. So yes, incomplete denitrification can
convert nitrates into nitrites.


So, why do we get a conversion of nitrites to nitrates? Seems to me
that, once an organism develops that converts nitrites to nitrogen, it
would replace the bacteria that convert nitrites to nitrates.

Hey, maybe it does. I suppose you wouldn't really know what's going on
once all the levels are 0.

George Patterson
Forgive your enemies. But always remember who they are.

Anon wrote:

Isn't that contrary to the laws of entropy?

well, it would be if it were not a biological process...

Going from a lower state to
a higher state?

If that happenned spontaneously, yes. But that is not what is going on.

I will need to research this, since energy would be
required to un-oxidize nitrite.

Indeed energy IS required. I don't understand why you think that would
be an issue? the bacteria doing the reaction obviously provide it. MOST
biolgical processes use energy...

Any references?

Wayne Sallee wrote:

In a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrate into nitrite, and
in a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrite into nitrogen gas.


OK, did a little research, and here is what happens:

Nitrate is reduced to nitite by the enzyme nitrate reductase.
Nitrite is then reduce to nitric oxide (NO) by nitrite reductase.
Nitric Oxide is then reduced to Nitrous Oxide (N20) by nitric oxide
reductase.
Nitrous Oxide is then reduced to atmospheric nitrogen (N2) by nitrous
oxide reductase.

So, it goes like this:

NO3--NO2--NO--N2O--N2

singing
We got to... eliminate the oxygen... accentuate the nitrogen
/singing

So, while it is correct to say that nitrate gets reduced to nitrite in
an anaerobic environment, that is in fact only the first step in a chain
that eventually leads to N2.

"Add Homonym" wrote in message
...
Pszemol wrote:
"Guayni; SAHS" wrote in message
.. .

I think I found a tolerable level were the fish does fine.
N and P are being removed from my tank without expensive investments.
They may be high under your standards but I chose fish that can tolerate
those levels.


The problem is, that your levels are "tolerable" for fish only
systems, not for reef tanks - do you understand the difference ?

Problem is I think some here don't know what a reef system is.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reef
Coral reefs are but only one type of reef in the ocean

Why are most of the posts fish related?

Those newsgroups dedicated to marine fish are not as interesting and
helpfull as this one.

Frankly, I only have fish in my tank to create fertilizer and crop the
hair algae.

Maybe you enjoy corals only with a few fish. The majority of people in this
group enjoy the fish as well and developing a coral reef system with its
natural inhabitants is a challenge many people like.

"Guayni; SAHS" wrote in message . ..
Why are most of the posts fish related?

Those newsgroups dedicated to marine fish
are not as interesting and helpfull as this one.

You can MAKE them interesting by posting fish-related articles
and helping people interesting in fish-only setups...
There is a place to discuss your fish-only filters and other
fish-only related methods NOT SUITABLE for reef tanks...
Posting fish-only subjects here CONFUSES USERS who might
think WRONGLY they apply to reef tanks, as well...
As we all discovered, perfect example is your "magical filter"
which helps you "lower down" nitrates to very high levels as 100mg/l
totaly not suitable for reef tanks.

Frankly, I only have fish in my tank to create fertilizer and crop the
hair algae.

Maybe you enjoy corals only with a few fish. The majority of people in this
group enjoy the fish as well and developing a coral reef system with its
natural inhabitants is a challenge many people like.

So following your logic, if we all enjoy sex, should we
start throwing sexually charged content here or should
we stick to the dedicated subject, which is REEF TANKS ?

Go ahead, make fish only forums more interesting by posting there... not here!