The Nitrogen cycle is a process that breaks down waste and bacteria into harmless compounds. It is essential for your fish in the aquarium to survive.
Fish eat and release ammonia into the water. This ammonia is poisonous to fish. Beneficial bacteria (nitrifying organisms) convert this ammonia into the nitrite that is found in a tank cycling.
Process
As the decaying and waste from fish food break into pieces in the aquarium and ammonia is released. Ammonia is poisonous to fish and may damage their gills, therefore it must be converted into something that is less damaging through beneficial bacteria. The nitrogen cycle is the name of this process. It occurs naturally in nature when fish and other living things produce waste. However, because aquariums lock the water in a single location the nitrogen cycle has to be artificially established.
The first step is to add ammonia into the tank. Nitrosomonas bacteria breaks down the ammonia, releasing nitrites. Nitrifying Bacteria is another type of bacteria that converts nitrites to nitrates. Then, algae or plants consume the nitrates, and creates oxygen.
Prior to adding fish, it is crucial to “cycle” a new aquarium. If the aquarium isn’t cycled, ammonia and nitrite levels will rise to dangerously high concentrations which could kill or poison the fish. The best way to cycle an aquarium that is new is by using the method of introducing it slowly over time with smaller fish, and then adding bacteria starters such as Fritz Zyme or Stability.
Be careful not to rinse the filter with tap water since chlorine could kill beneficial bacteria that are essential to complete the nitrogen cycle. It is also recommended that you not mess with the pH of the aquarium until the Nitrogen Cycle is complete.
Beneficial Bacteria
Beneficial bacteria are essential for a healthy aquarium. They take organic wastes such as dead plants, fish waste and other organic debris. The bacteria convert toxic ammonia as well as nitrite and other organic debris into non-toxic nitrogen. These bacteria also decrease phosphate levels and also eliminate organic loads. These obligately aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria (that means they need to consume other food items) reside within the filter media, as well as on the solid surfaces of the tank such as gravel, rocks, decorations and even plants. However, it requires a lot of flow of water through these bo be ca rong dai dep spaces and some time for them to establish themselves.
The nitrogen cycle is usually carried out naturally as animals create waste, and then nature cleans it up, but aquariums keep the fish in one place and must have a different procedure to guarantee safe water. The bacteria present in the waste of fish can be harmful to fish when exposed. The nitrogen cycle can break these harmful bacteria down and ensures the water is safe for fish.
Many products are available on the market that claim to “seed’ an aquarium with nitrifying bacteria. But the most effective way to begin the Nitrogen Cycle would be to make regular water changes with an aquarium filter capable of managing the load. Nitrifying bacteria are found everywhere around us and even within the air. It takes a while for the bacteria to expand to the point where they can begin the nitrogen cycle.
Ammonia Control
Regular partial water changes are the best method to reduce ammonia levels in fish tanks. When you are performing the water changes try to use smaller scoops or a bucket to replace the water instead of dumping out the whole contents of the tank. This will reduce the chance of disturbing the substrate. In the event of how high the ammonia level is, it may be necessary to perform the water changes more often.
Reduced fish feeding is another option to cut down on ammonia. Ammonia is created when the protein in fish meal is digested through the digestive system. Ammonia that is produced this way is excreted by urine and breaks down to nitrites. The bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites differ. This is part of the nitrogen cycle that occurs in an aquarium.
Both types of nitrifying bacteria require oxygen for their perform and to expand. If the oxygen levels in your aquarium fall, the bacteria stop working or cease to exist. These bacteria also need alkalinity in order to function. If the alkalinity of the water decreases then nitrifying bacteria stop functioning and ammonia will increase.
Regular water changes are necessary to keep the ammonia levels at a minimum when you are cycling a new aquarium. The addition of live aquatic plants and liquid starter solutions will help to keep ammonia levels down. These products will introduce beneficial bacteria to the filter medium and substratum that will enable them to breakdown more ammonia.
Aquarium Water Quality Maintenance
To ensure that the water is healthy in your aquarium, it is essential to be aware of the pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. They are produced naturally by the waste of fish, food, and decomposing organic matter However, at higher levels, they can kill the fish and other species. Regular testing can reveal these spikes quickly.
In all aquariums that are new there is a procedure followed to build beneficial colonies of bacteria and to get the filtration system up to level. It could take some time to get the new aquariums operating. This process is also known as “cycling”, or “nitrogen cycles”. Even older aquariums could have periodic cycles.
Nitrification occurs in the colony of bacteria that converts ammonia into nitrite by natural respiration. Nitrite is converted into the nitrate form by other bacteria that are part of the filtration system of the aquarium. Nitrate is harmful for fish since it hinders the flow of oxygen in their bloodstreams, causing them to die. In freshwater, the nitrate level must not exceed 5 ppm. For marine and reef systems, nitrate levels should be kept to a minimum of 0.01 per milliliter.
A test kit is the best way to find out what type of maintenance is needed for your aquarium’s water. Choose the best kit to suit your aquarium’s type of water (Freshwater, Saltwater or Reef) and follow the directions. Based on the method you choose to cycle your tank you’ll need to check ammonia and nitrite daily, and do the water change every time you see readings that are over zero.