The Nitrogen Cycle helps break down fish waste and bacteria into non-harmful substances. This is essential to ensure the health of your fish in the aquarium.

Ammonia is excreted from fish when they eat. Ammonia can be poisonous for fish. In a cycling tank, beneficial bacteria (nitrifying bacteria) consume the ammonia and convert it to the nitrite.

Process

When the waste of fish and decaying food break into pieces in the aquarium and ammonia is released. Ammonia is poisonous to fish and can cause gill burns, so it must be converted into something less damaging through beneficial bacteria. The nitrogen cycle is the name of this process. This process is usually organic in nature as fish and other living things produce their own waste. However, because aquariums lock the water in one location, the nitrogen cycle must be established artificially.

The initial step is adding ammonia into the tank. The ammonia is broken down by a chemical reaction bacteria called Nitrosomonas which release nitrites. Another type of bacterium called Nitrifying Bacteria transforms the nitrites into Nitrates. Finally, algae or underwater plant life consumes the nitrates, and creates oxygen.

Before adding fish to the aquarium, it is crucial to “cycle” an aquarium. If the aquarium is not cycled, nitrite and ammonia levels will rise to dangerously high levels that can poison or kill the fish. It is recommended to gradually introduce a fresh tank of small fish over time and include an bacterial starter like Fritz Zyme, Stability or Stability.

Make sure not to wash the filter with tap water because chlorine can kill beneficial bacteria that are needed to complete the nitrogen cycle. You should also wait until the Nitrogen Cycle has completed before changing the pH in the aquarium.

Beneficial Bacteria

Beneficial bacteria are vital to a healthy aquarium. They remove organic waste such as dead plants, fish waste and other organic matter. The bacteria convert toxic ammonia, nitrite, and other organic waste into harmless nitrogen. They also assist in removing large organic compounds in the water, and lower phosphate levels. These heterotrophic, obligately aerobic bacteria (that means that they have to consume other food items) reside in the filter media as well as on solid surfaces in the tank like stones, gravel, decorations and plants. It requires a lot of flow of water through these areas and a bit of time for them to establish themselves.

In nature, the nitrogen cycle occurs naturally when animals produce waste, and then nature cleanses it. However, an aquarium needs a different process to maintain safe water. The bacteria in fish waste can be harmful to the fish if exposed. The nitrogen cycle eliminates the harmful bacteria, making the water safer for the fish.

There are numerous products available which claim to “seed” an aquarium with these nitrifying bacteria however the most effective way to get started on the Nitrogen Cycle is by doing regular water change and making sure you have a filter that can take on the weight. The nitrifying bacteria exist everywhere, and can be found in the air. It takes time to allow them to develop enough to get the nitrogen cycle to begin.

Ammonia Control

The levels of ammonia in a tank tank can be regulated periodic partial water changes. When you are performing the water changes make sure using a small scoop or bucket to replenish the water, rather than throwing out the entire contents of the tank. This can help reduce the risk of disturbance to the substrate. Based on how high the ammonia level is, it might be necessary to perform these water changes on a regular basis.

Reduced consumption of fish is a different option to cut down on ammonia. Ammonia is generated when the protein in fish feed is broken down through the digestive system. This ammonia is then eliminated in urine and also breaks down into Nitrites. Nitrites are converted into the nitrates form by a different type of bacteria. This is a part of the nitrogen cycle that occurs in an aquarium.

Both types of nitrifying organisms require oxygen in order to function and grow. The bacteria cease to function or end up dying if the level of oxygen in your aquarium is reduced. They also require alkalinity for their function. If the alkalinity in the water decreases then nitrifying bacteria stop working and ammonia levels will rise.

regular water changes are necessary to keep the ammonia levels lower when cycling a brand new aquarium. Ammonia levels can be kept down by adding live aquatic plants or liquid starter solutions. These products will introduce good bacteria to the filter substrate and medium, allowing them to breakdown ammonia more quickly.

Aquarium Water Quality Maintenance

The maintenance of healthy water in an aquarium requires regular surveillance of pH levels, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. They are produced naturally by food wastes from fish and decomposing organic matter, but at high levels, they could kill the fish and other species. Regular testing can help you spot these spikes swiftly.

In all new aquariums it is the norm to follow a specific procedure to establish beneficial bacteria colonies and to get the filtration system running at speed. This process is referred to as “cycling” or “nitrogen cycle” and may take time to achieve in new aquariums. Older aquariums can also be subject to periodic cycles.

The bacterial colony eats ammonia via its natural respiration process. It then transforms it into nitrite through the process of nitrification. Nitrite is transformed into nitrate by the filtration system of the be ca rong aquarium by bacteria. Because it hinders oxygen exchange, it can be harmful to fish. It can cause them to suffocate. In freshwater, nitrate levels should not exceed 5 ppm. For reef and marine systems, nitrate concentrations should be maintained at 0 per milliliter.

Test kits are the most effective method of determining what type of maintenance is necessary for your aquarium’s water. Follow the guidelines on your test kit to determine what kind of water is present in the aquarium (Freshwater Saltwater Reef). In accordance with the method you choose for your tank’s cycle, you’ll need to check ammonia levels and nitrite levels daily and make the water change every time readings are above zero.