Expert Advice
The Nitrogen Cycle |
March 01, 2008
Ed Duncan Jr. |
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Nitrogen Cycle in a new aquarium
Mother Nature has provided us with great tools for maintaining healthy aquatic environments. Even with great filters, we still need Mother Natures’ help in the form of friendly bacteria that grow in any aquatic environment.
All aquatic animals produce waste, which if not managed properly will cause sickness and perhaps death. The job of the friendly bacteria is to convert the toxic, waste Ammonia & Nitrite to non-toxic Nitrate. These microscopic bacteria will grow and attach to every surface in your aquarium where there is dissolved oxygen available to them. Good filters provide great places where the bacteria love to grow.
When you introduce the first fish to your new aquarium, they produce waste and some hitchhikers (good bacteria) as well. In the initial phase, the fish produce ammonia, which is toxic. The ammonia-eating bacteria (nitrosomonus) multiply and after 2-3 weeks, the ammonia is converted to nitrite. Then a nitrite-eating bacteria (nitrobacter) will multiply and after another 2-3 weeks, the nitrite is converted to nitrate. Nitrate is not toxic, but high levels cause algae and poor water quality for the fish. Nitrate is removed through partial water changes and becomes fertilizer for live plants.
The typical Nitrogen Cycle occurs during the first 4-6 weeks of a new aquarium. Once the cycle is over, the aquarium has a bacteria population large enough to handle the amount of fish you have. If you add more fish, the bacteria will multiply to handle the new waste.
The bacteria grow slowly and the ammonia waste increases. Under normal conditions it takes 2-3 weeks for the bacteria population to consume all the toxic ammonia and convert it to nitrite (also toxic).
It is very important to add fish slowly and in small quantities, which will allow the bacteria to grow. This will also keep the waste levels low until the bacteria handle it. We suggest adding not more than 25% of your total fish population at one time and waiting at least a week between additions. Also, testing ammonia & nitrite weekly (see test kits) is recommended so you know when it’s safe to add more fish. Eddie’s offers free expert water testing for walk-ins and will discuss the results with you.
In a hurry? There are several excellent products available to speed up the nitrogen cycle. (Read about them). Stress- Zyme and Nitromax could reduce the cycling time by up to 50%. Turbo start is a refrigerated live bacterium and could completely cycle your aquarium in less than 1 week.
Once the aquarium has an established bacteria population, these waste converters will do a good job as long as you maintain good water quality. Some medications can suppress or kill some or all of the bacteria, so ask for advice. Proper aquarium cleaning techniques are necessary, as over cleaning can suppress or eliminate the bacteria. (Read about aquarium maintenance).
Eddie’s knows that helping you understand this concept is a key to keeping a successful aquarium...Enjoy!
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