| The nitrogen cycle is an extremely important | | | | quicker ways to get your tank's nitrogen cycle |
| process for starting as well as maintaining key | | | | going. |
| biological functions in your tank. This allows for the | | | | Ultimately, having some initial patience will result in |
| proliferation of 'beneficial bacteria' in the aquarium | | | | a more stable system, and in the long run will |
| and in the filter media. These microbes first | | | | prove better for your live stock' health. This |
| convert ammonia to nitrite and then again from | | | | process may take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to |
| nitrite to nitrates. Don't worry if you are not that | | | | 1-2 months. Here are some ways to cycle your |
| chemically-inclined, as this article will explain these | | | | tank without fish. |
| processes. It is essential to understand this if you | | | | 1. Drop a small piece of raw fish or shrimp in your |
| want to be successful in keeping fish. | | | | tank. As it decomposes, it will release ammonia - |
| Briefly explained, here are the 3 main elements | | | | starting the cycle. |
| that affect the health of your tank and its | | | | 2. Use 100% ammonia. This method requires a bit |
| inhabitants. | | | | of 'keeping track.' Utilizing a dropper, add about |
| Ammonia - Harmful to all creatures. It is produced | | | | 5-7 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of water. |
| in the tank by fish waste and uneaten food. | | | | Use a test kit to measure your ammonia levels. |
| Nitrite - Developed by bacteria while breaking | | | | This process may be repeated daily or until you |
| down (oxidizing) ammonia. Although the process | | | | start to get nitrite measurements with your test |
| essentially eliminates ammonia, Nitrite is still | | | | kit. Once your nitrite is established, reduce the |
| harmful to the creatures in your tank. | | | | ammonia dosage by half until you get sufficient |
| Nitrate - This is another type of bacteria that | | | | nitrite readings. After this, do a 30% water |
| follows in the next stage. Although not as harmful | | | | change, and your tank will be good to go. |
| as nitrites or ammonia, nitrates can still, in large | | | | 3. Use liquid "solutions" that have beneficial |
| amounts, have noxious effects toward fish. | | | | bacteria. Products like 'Colonize' or 'Biospira' are |
| However, this compound is actually beneficial to | | | | available at reputable fish stores. Or use gravel |
| live aquarium plants, as it serves as fertilizer, but | | | | filter media from an established tank. These |
| still needs to be kept in controlled levels. | | | | methods are a little more costly, but are the |
| Now, there are two ways to get the nitrogen | | | | quickest |
| cycle established, with or without fish. Most purists | | | | 4. For saltwater tanks, use live rock. These should |
| will tell you that starting it with fish is ill-advised. | | | | be available at your local fish store. This is widely |
| Many fish are unable to survive this beginning | | | | accepted as one of the best ways to establish a |
| stage of cycling, as they are exposed to high | | | | biological filtration system in your saltwater tank. |
| levels of ammonia and nitrites. They may become | | | | Live rock has a "coating" of organisms that are |
| stressed, diseased, and eventually end up dying. | | | | naturally present in coral reefs. |
| There are certain species however that has | | | | Once the cycle has started only add one or two |
| proven able to endure the initial cycling. Danios or | | | | fish at a time. Wait a couple of weeks before |
| Barbs for freshwater and Damselfish for | | | | adding more fish. This will give your tank the time |
| saltwater, would be good examples. Although not | | | | it needs to catch up with the increased bio-load. |
| always guaranteed, this method is one of the | | | | |