| By setting some time aside to proper cycling, | | | | nitrobacter bacteria was believed to be very |
| your aquarium will be much easier to maintain, | | | | powerful converters of nitrite to nitrate, but |
| since the cycling process aim to produce a thriving | | | | scientific studies have now showed that nitrospira |
| population of beneficial bacteria that will convert | | | | bacteria are much stronger converters. Some fish |
| harmful waste products into less dangerous | | | | stores still sell nitrobacter bacteria, even though |
| compounds. You need two types of beneficial | | | | nitrospira bacteria are a better choice. |
| bacteria in your aquarium. | | | | Another method of cycling the aquarium is the so |
| The first type converts ammonia into nitrite, while | | | | called 'fishless cycle'. This cycling method is much |
| the other type converts nitrite into nitrate. | | | | less frequently used compared to the one that |
| Ammonia will be produce by the metabolism of | | | | uses cycling fish, but it has grown increasingly |
| your fish and extracted from the gills and in fish | | | | popular during the last few years. During fishless |
| poo. High levels of ammonia are dangerous to fish, | | | | cycling, you will add small amounts of pure |
| but fortunately enough there exist a group of | | | | ammonia to the water together with nitrifying |
| bacteria that can convert ammonia into nitrite. | | | | bacteria and wait for them to form large colonies. |
| Nitrite is actually even more toxic than ammonia, | | | | You will need a test kit to measure the amounts |
| but the second group of bacteria will turn the | | | | of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Investing in a test |
| nitrite into nitrate, which is much less toxic. The | | | | kit is however a good idea even if you use fish to |
| nitrate can then be removed by regular water | | | | cycle your aquarium. |
| changes. | | | | A third cycling method uses plants and is |
| The beneficial bacteria will of course need to be | | | | commonly referred to as 'silent cycling'. This |
| introduced to the aquarium, and this can be made | | | | method requires a densely planted aquarium with |
| by simply adding one or two sturdy fishes from | | | | thriving plants. You should therefore avoid |
| species that cope well even with high levels of | | | | sensitive, demanding and slow growing plant |
| soluble waste. Their waste products will contain | | | | species. During the silent cycling, the plants will |
| live bacteria than can start to colonies suitable | | | | consume nitrogenous compounds and use them |
| homes in the aquarium, such as sponge filters and | | | | as nutrition. Aquarists fond of this method like it |
| gravel. If you want to jump start the process, | | | | since it does not produce the ammonia and nitrate |
| you can purchase a bacterial solution from the | | | | spikes that are common during other forms of |
| fish store that contains the right type of nitrifying | | | | cycling. You should keep in mind that when plants |
| bacteria. You can also use gravel or sponge from | | | | absorb nitrogenous compounds they incorporate |
| an already established aquarium when you set up | | | | them leaves and stems. If the plant, or a part of |
| a new one, but you should keep in mind that this | | | | the plant, dies and starts to decay, the |
| can introduce benevolent bacteria as well. | | | | compounds will therefore be re-released into the |
| When you purchase a bacterial culture form the | | | | water. Pruning the aquatic plants and removing |
| fish store, you should always carefully read the | | | | any dead parts are therefore important. |
| label and avoid getting nitrobacter bacteria. Earlier, | | | | |