jknut
03-25-2005, 02:27 AM
I've noticed lately the number of new members asking questions regarding cycling tanks, and while reading the new Dr. Foster & Smith catalog I found an article entitled "Take Time to Understand the Nitrogen Cycle." So here's the article, and I hope you all enjoy this great information:
Understanding the nitrogen cycle is fundamental in keeping a successful aquarium. It keeps the water free of toxic compounds that result from the respiration of its inhabitants and from the decay of waste products and uneaten food. When we understand this cycle, we can anticipate situations that affect this process and prevent potential loss of fish.
What is the nitrogen cycle?
The nitrogen cycle is the process by which various bacteria convert harmful organic waste in the aquarium into less toxic substances. It involves 4 steps:
1: Fish, plant and invertebrate waste, as well as dead organisms or uneaten food, begin to decay, producing toxic ammonia. Even at low levels, ammonia can burn the gills of fish and choke off their oxygen supply.
2: Bacteria called Nitrosomonas consume the ammonia, but create a chemical byproduct called nitrite in the process. Although nitrite is highly toxic (preventing blood from carrying oxygen), fish can typically withstand twice the amount of nitrite in their water than ammonia.
3: Next, bacteria called Nirobacter consume the nitrite, and in turn relase a less toxic chemical called nitrate.
4: Nitrate requires anaerobic conditions, which are not common in most aquariums, to be converted into harmless nitrogen gas. Therefore, water changes and proper feeding regimen are the most effective ways to keep nitrate in check.
The nitrogen cycle and your new aquarium:
New aquariums lack adequate number of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter necessarty to efficiently complete the nitrogen cycle. Because of this, the aquarium must be "cycled." Cycling is the process of establishing and maturing bacterial colonies to a sustainable level where they can provide efficient biological filtration.
To build your aquarium's bacterial colonies, you need to provide a source of ammonia (such as fish or live rock) for the Nirosomonas to feed on so they can live, reproduce, and colonize. You can use commercially available bacterial additives to quicken the cycling process. You can also use a small amount of gravel (substrate) from a healthy and well-established aquarium to seed your new aquarium. Since this gravel already houses beneficial bacteria, it helps speed up the cycling process. If you question the source of this gravel, it is the best not to use it and wait for the bacterial colonization to occur naturally.
Bacteria levels climb during cycling:
During cycling, bacterial populations increase steadily, but are not yet able to keep up with ammonia and nitrite. With daily testing you will know when you've reached the point where bacteria populations have grown and sustained themselves successfully to keep in pace with ammonia and nitrite production. When bacterial population peaks, both ammonia and nitrite levels begin to drop to the point where they are undetectable by testing- balance has been achieved. Ammonia production is in balance with the rate of biological filtration.
Now it's time to stock your aquarium. Add fish and livestock to your system gradually since your system will once again need time to adjust to the increased ammonia added by each specimen by growing additional bacteria.
Thanks again to Dr. Foster & Smith for providing the very useful information.
Understanding the nitrogen cycle is fundamental in keeping a successful aquarium. It keeps the water free of toxic compounds that result from the respiration of its inhabitants and from the decay of waste products and uneaten food. When we understand this cycle, we can anticipate situations that affect this process and prevent potential loss of fish.
What is the nitrogen cycle?
The nitrogen cycle is the process by which various bacteria convert harmful organic waste in the aquarium into less toxic substances. It involves 4 steps:
1: Fish, plant and invertebrate waste, as well as dead organisms or uneaten food, begin to decay, producing toxic ammonia. Even at low levels, ammonia can burn the gills of fish and choke off their oxygen supply.
2: Bacteria called Nitrosomonas consume the ammonia, but create a chemical byproduct called nitrite in the process. Although nitrite is highly toxic (preventing blood from carrying oxygen), fish can typically withstand twice the amount of nitrite in their water than ammonia.
3: Next, bacteria called Nirobacter consume the nitrite, and in turn relase a less toxic chemical called nitrate.
4: Nitrate requires anaerobic conditions, which are not common in most aquariums, to be converted into harmless nitrogen gas. Therefore, water changes and proper feeding regimen are the most effective ways to keep nitrate in check.
The nitrogen cycle and your new aquarium:
New aquariums lack adequate number of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter necessarty to efficiently complete the nitrogen cycle. Because of this, the aquarium must be "cycled." Cycling is the process of establishing and maturing bacterial colonies to a sustainable level where they can provide efficient biological filtration.
To build your aquarium's bacterial colonies, you need to provide a source of ammonia (such as fish or live rock) for the Nirosomonas to feed on so they can live, reproduce, and colonize. You can use commercially available bacterial additives to quicken the cycling process. You can also use a small amount of gravel (substrate) from a healthy and well-established aquarium to seed your new aquarium. Since this gravel already houses beneficial bacteria, it helps speed up the cycling process. If you question the source of this gravel, it is the best not to use it and wait for the bacterial colonization to occur naturally.
Bacteria levels climb during cycling:
During cycling, bacterial populations increase steadily, but are not yet able to keep up with ammonia and nitrite. With daily testing you will know when you've reached the point where bacteria populations have grown and sustained themselves successfully to keep in pace with ammonia and nitrite production. When bacterial population peaks, both ammonia and nitrite levels begin to drop to the point where they are undetectable by testing- balance has been achieved. Ammonia production is in balance with the rate of biological filtration.
Now it's time to stock your aquarium. Add fish and livestock to your system gradually since your system will once again need time to adjust to the increased ammonia added by each specimen by growing additional bacteria.
Thanks again to Dr. Foster & Smith for providing the very useful information.