The Nitrogen Cycle breaks down fish waste and bacteria into non-harmful substances. It is vital for your fish in the aquarium to survive.

Fish eat and release ammonia in the water. Ammonia can be poisonous for fish. In a cycle tank beneficial bacteria (nitrifying bacteria) consume this ammonia and convert it to Nitrite.

Process

When the waste of fish and decaying food items break into pieces in the aquarium, ammonia is produced. Ammonia is toxic to fish, and it could even cause gill burns. Therefore, it needs to be converted by bacteria to produce something which is not as harmful. The nitrogen cycle is the name of this process. It occurs naturally in nature when fish and other organisms produce waste. However, since aquariums are designed to keep water in one location, the nitrogen cycle must be artificially established.

The initial step of the process is adding a source of ammonia to the tank. Nitrosomonas bacteria breaks down the ammonia, and release nitrites. A different type of bacterium known as Nitrifying Bacteria is then able to convert the nitrites into Nitrates. In the end, algae or plant life consumes the nitrates and produces oxygen.

It is very important that a new aquarium be properly “cycled” before adding fish to it. Nitrite and Ammonia levels can reach dangerously high levels if the aquarium isn’t cycled. It could cause poisoning or kill fish. It is best to slowly stock a new aquarium with small fish over time and include an bacterial starter like Fritz Zyme, Stability or Stability.

Be careful not to rinse the filter media with tap water as chlorine can destroy beneficial bacteria essential to complete the nitrogen cycle. It is also suggested that you do not tamper with the pH of the aquarium until after the Nitrogen Cycle is complete.

Beneficial Bacteria

Beneficial bacteria are vital to a healthy aquarium. They remove organic waste like dead fish waste, dead plants and other organic matter. These bacteria transform toxic ammonia and nitrite into non-toxic nitrate. These bacteria also decrease phosphate levels and also eliminate organic load. They live in the filter media as well as solid surfaces, such gravel, rocks and other decorations within the tank.

The nitrogen cycle occurs naturally when animals produce waste and nature cleans it up, but aquariums keep the fish in one place and must have a different method to make sure that the water is safe. Fish produce waste and that waste contains bacteria that are harmful to their health if they are exposed to it. The nitrogen cycle eliminates the harmful bacteria, making the water safe for fish.

Many products are available on the market, which claim to “seed’ an aquarium with nitrifying bacterium. The best method of starting the Nitrogen Cycle would be to conduct regular water changes by using a filter that is capable of handling the load. Nitrifying bacteria can be found all around us and in the air. It takes time to allow the bacteria to develop until they can begin the nitrogen cycle.

Ammonia Control

The levels of ammonia in a tank tank can be regulated using regular partial water changes. When making the water changes you should try to use smaller scoops or a bucket to replace the water, rather than emptying the entire contents of the tank. This can minimize disruption to the substrate. The water changes might need to be performed more often in accordance with the levels of ammonia.

Reduced consumption of fish is a different method to lower ammonia levels. The protein present in fish meals is broken down in the digestive tract and creates ammonia. Ammonia produced in this way is excreted by urine and then breaks down to the nitrites. The bacteria that convert nitrates into Nitrites are different. This process is part of the nitrogen cycle in aquariums.

Both types of nitrifying bacteria require oxygen to grow and function. If the oxygen levels of an aquarium drop, these bacteria will stop functioning or die. The bacteria also require alkalinity to function. If the alkalinity level in the water drops then nitrifying bacteria stop functioning, and ammonia will rise.

In the case of a new aquarium being cycled, the ammonia level should be controlled by ensuring frequent water changes. The levels of ammonia can be controlled by adding live aquatic plants or liquid starter solutions. These products introduce beneficial bacteria into the substratum and filter medium and allow them to break down more ammonia.

Aquarium Water Quality Maintenance

Keeping healthy water in an aquarium requires regular monitoring of pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. These are substances that naturally occur from fish wastes, food, and decomposing organic matter, but at high levels, they could kill the fish as well as other animals. Regular testing can help you spot these spikes swiftly.

In all new aquariums, a process is followed to create beneficial colonies of bacteria and bring the filtration be nuoi ca system up to level. This is called the “cycling” or “nitrogen cycle” and may take time to accomplish in new aquariums. Even older aquariums can have periods of cycling at times.

Nitrification happens in the colony of bacteria that transforms ammonia into nitrite via natural respiration. Nitrite is converted into the nitrate form by other bacteria that are part of the filtration system of the aquarium. Since it blocks oxygen exchange, nitrate can be toxic to fish. It can cause the fish to die. In freshwater, the nitrate level should not exceed 5 ppm. For marine and reef systems, nitrate concentrations should be kept to a minimum of zero per milliliter.

The best way to determine the type of maintenance for water quality you require is to use a test kit. Follow the instructions on the test kit you purchased to determine what kind of water is present in the aquarium (Freshwater Saltwater Reef). You will need to check ammonia levels and nitrite levels daily depending on how you maintain your aquarium. Water changes are required when readings rise above zero.