Metal poisoning As a basic principle, aquarium or pond water is no place for metal! Many metals release free metal ions (charged particles) into the water which act as a poison to invertebrates, fish and microorganisms. The more acidic the water (pH-level below 7) the higher the percentage of soluble metal ions in the water. An extreme situation occurs with (acid) rain, when the rainwater is collected from roofs and is used: the low pH level of the rainwater dissolves large amounts of copper ions from the drainpipes, which often contain copper, which can then lead to symptoms of copper poisoning.

Using a good water conditioner (JBL Biotopol or JBL Biotopol plus binds (chelates) the metal ions. The water should be changed when symptoms of poisoning are observed. Care should be taken with mains water: lead, copper or zinc (from the pipes) is often to be found in mains water. Therefore it is important to use a good water conditioner when changing the water. The use of warm water boilers can also be a problem if there is metal piping.

Nicotine poisoning

Nicotine not only poisons people, but also animals. It gets into the aquarium from the air in the room and can cause massive damage. Typical symptoms are stiff pectoral fins, reeling and sinking. Marine aquariums are particularly sensitive to nicotine. If aerators are also operated, the nicotine intake increases significantly. The only remedy is to keep the room smoke-free. However, nicotine levels in water decrease very rapidly – almost immediately once there is no more smoking. If an aerator is used, a small pre-filter with active carbon is helpful (JBL Carbomec activ or ultra).

Nitrite poisoning

External symptoms are similar to those of oxygen deficiency, with rapid breathing, vigorous gill movements and hanging around at the surface of the water. Rubbing is also a frequent symptom! The reason is the toxicity of the nitrite (NO2) (JBL Nitrite Test Set) which leads to the fish suffocating internally. It blocks the transport of oxygen in the blood. Nitrite levels above 0.1 mg/ l are critical and should be corrected.

The reasons for increased nitrite levels are: an imbalance in the bacteria in the aquarium due to bactericide medications, very low or high pH levels (<6 or >8), over-stocking with fish, insufficient filter capacity or overfeeding.

In saltwater, salt reduces the toxicity of nitrite. This is also the reason why freshwater fish are often transported or held in temporary quarters with an addition of salt.

Remedy: Immediately change 1/3 water, never at the same time as cleaning the filter, but not until a week later (add JBL FilterStart ), add JBL Denitrol (bacteria which break down nitrite)to the water, use ground cleaner (JBL AquaEX or JBL Aqua in-Out) when changing some of water and reduce feeding (only as much as can be consumed in 3 minutes).

Ammonia poisoning 

Can be recognized by the behavior of the fish: the fish dart back and forth in the water. Ammonia is produced from non-toxic ammonium (NH4). The higher the pH level (over pH 6.5), the more ammonium converts to toxic ammonia (NH3).

Ammonium can be quickly and easily measured using the JBL Ammonium Test Set If the pH level is known, the resulting ammonia level can be calculated from the enclosed table.
There are two options for critical levels: either changing 50% of the water or reducing the pH with JBL pH-Minus  to a pH level at which the ammonia level decreases to a level which is not a problem (when pH levels fall, ammonia is converted back to non-toxic ammonium).

Further steps: regular partial changes of water (10 %), never clean the filter at the same time, but not until a week later (add JBL FilterStart ), add JBL Denitrol (bacteria which break down ammonium/ammonia and nitrite) to the water, use ground cleaner (JBL AquaEX or JBL Aqua in-Out) when changing some of water and reduce feeding (only as much as can be consumed in 3 minutes).