Nitrites and Nitrates

[mellowyellow]

I heard that it isn't really important to measure nitrites and nitrates in freshwater tanks and that just measuring the ammonia is good enough. What do you think? Everyone?

 

[HN1]

Totally false. Ammonia just gives one piece of the nitrogen cycle picture.

 

[StuG]

Keep in mind that as your tank goes through the Nitrogen cycle Nitrites are going to be the next thing to rear their ugly heads after Ammonia.
If all you are reading is Ammonia, you may get low readings on that, while you are getting big, toxic, Nitrite spikes.
This can also be said for Nitrates, it's just that it takes greaterlevels of these to be toxic, but it's still important to keep an eye on them.

 

[mellowyellow]

Thanks HN1 and Stug: I agree.