Nitrates and nitrites

[AquariumBoiler]

I just got back from chem and I'm watching my fish and wonderin,"What exactly are the nitrites and nitrates are in tank water?" Are they bonded with something? Are they free flowing ions and occasionally making bonds with hydrogen ions to form trace amounts of nitrous and nitric acid? Does anyone know?

 

[BigTank]

Dont know any thecnical answer, but from my understanding nitrates are a by product from amonia, which can be very toxic in high amounts....As far as ions & or bonds dont have a clue..