| With most fishes, including the Garra Rufa, a high | | | | ammonia poisoning. For a new tank, frequent |
| ammonia level is a horrible problem. In order to | | | | water changes are advisable even if there is a |
| fully optimize your Garra Rufa's enthusiasm to | | | | proper bio filtration system in your new tank. It |
| nibble, good water quality management is | | | | normally takes about 1-2 month's time for the |
| essential. The nitrogen cycle is a big part of water | | | | cycle to stabilize, then less frequent water |
| quality management, and understanding it will truly | | | | changes are necessary. |
| help increase the success level of your tank. | | | | While the surge of ammonia in your tank is a |
| All organisms excrete ammonia as waste. Proper | | | | problem for your fish, it will encourage the growth |
| waste management is crucial in order to maintain | | | | of nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas sp., to process |
| a healthy living environment. In aquatic | | | | the ammonia into less toxic nitrite. The resulting |
| environments, aquatic organisms excrete | | | | surge in nitrite will encourage yet another group |
| ammonia into their own living system. The | | | | of nitrifying bacteria, Nitrobacter sp . to convert |
| nitrogen cycle takes place throughout a mature | | | | them to even less toxic nitrate. Nitrous oxide and |
| system in a man-made tank. In this environment, | | | | nitrogen gas will then be produced with the help |
| nitrogen products are recycled by different | | | | of other bacteria and aquatic plants. The complete |
| colonies of beneficial bacteria into different forms. | | | | nitrogen cycle will normally take 1-2 month's time |
| The highly toxic forms of these nitrogen products | | | | to mature and fully stabilize. After this period, a |
| are ammonia and nitrite. | | | | healthy population of beneficial bacteria will then be |
| In a matured fish tank system with a well | | | | able to work on harmful ammonia and nitrite in |
| circulating nitrogen cycle, many other toxins, | | | | the water system. Nevertheless, the number of |
| mainly ammonia, are converted into harmless | | | | fish and the amount of food given to those fish is |
| nitrate, nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas. This cycle | | | | an important factor in contributing the amount of |
| will make sure that the nitrogen level in the water | | | | ammonia in a system. Too much food will be a |
| is in check, hence, maintaining it below the toxic | | | | problem for you fish. Moreover, you must be |
| level in your fish tank. | | | | moderate when it comes to the cleaning of your |
| Normally, in a newly set up tank, the nitrogen | | | | bio-media filters. If your system is too clean, the |
| cycle may not yet be mature, which means it | | | | beneficial bacteria will be eliminated. Partial water |
| may not be a complete one. There will be a surge | | | | change and constant removal of excess food and |
| of ammonia and nitrite in the water system (New | | | | solid waste from the filters are crucial to the |
| Tank Syndrome) mainly due to amount of food | | | | health of your tank. |
| the fish are fed and the wastes that are | | | | Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate kits are available at |
| produced. This may cause your Garra Rufa to die | | | | abundance in your local fish store. Proper handling |
| if the ammonia level in the tank reaches the | | | | according to the instructions of these kits is |
| toxicity point. This is commonly known as | | | | essential. |