The Nitrogen cycle helps break down the bacteria and waste from fish into harmless compounds. This is vital for the life of your fish in the aquarium.
Ammonia is excreted by fish when they eat. Ammonia is poisonous to fish. Beneficial bacteria (nitrifying organisms) transform this ammonia to Nitrite in a cycle tank.
Process
As fish waste and decaying food particles break into pieces in the aquarium, ammonia is produced. Ammonia can be toxic to fish and may damage their gills, therefore it must be converted into something that is less damaging by beneficial bacteria. This process is called the nitrogen cycle. The process usually occurs organically in nature as fish and other living things produce their own waste. However, because aquariums lock the water in one location, the nitrogen cycle needs to be established artificially.
The initial step of the process is adding ammonia sources to the tank. Ammonia is broken down by a chemical reaction bacteria referred to as Nitrosomonas which release Nitrites. Another type of bacterium, called Nitrifying Bacteria is then able to convert the nitrites into Nitrates. Finally, algae or underwater plants consume the nitrates and makes oxygen.
It is crucial that the aquarium you are building be properly “cycled” before adding fish to it. Nitrite and ammonia concentrations could reach dangerously high levels if the aquarium isn’t cycled. The result could be poisonous or kill fish. The best method of cycling the aquarium you just bought is to follow the method of filling it slowly by adding smaller fish. Then, you can add a bacterial starter like Fritz Zyme or Stability.
Be careful not to rinse the filter media with tap water because chlorine could cause the death of beneficial bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle. It is also recommended that you not mess with the pH of your aquarium until after the Nitrogen Cycle is complete.
Beneficial Bacteria
Beneficial bacteria are essential for a healthy aquarium. They take organic wastes such as dead fish, dead plants and other organic waste. These bacteria transform toxic ammonia as well as nitrite and other organic matter into harmless nitrogen. They also aid in eliminating the heavy organic dissolved loads in the water, and can lower phosphate levels. They reside on the filter media and on solid surfaces like gravel, rocks, and decorations in the tank.
The nitrogen cycle usually happens naturally as animals create waste. Nature then removes it, however aquariums keep the fish inside and must have a different process to guarantee safe water. When fish produce waste, it contains bacteria that could harm their health if they are exposed to it. The nitrogen cycle can break these harmful bacteria down and ensures that the water is safe for fish.
There are numerous products on the market that claim to “seed” an aquarium with these nitrifying microorganisms, but the best way to begin the Nitrogen Cycle is by doing regular water changes, and making sure you have a filter that is able to handle the weight. The nitrifying bacteria are actually everywhere, and are present in the be ca rong air. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow until they can start up the nitrogen cycle.
Ammonia Control
Regular water changes, even partial ones, is the most efficient method to reduce ammonia levels in fish tanks. When making the water changes try to use a small scoop or a bucket to replace the water, instead of throwing out the entire contents of the tank. This will minimize the disturbance to the substrate. Depending on the level of ammonia that is, it could be necessary to conduct these water changes more frequently.
Another option to limit ammonia levels is to reduce fish feeding. Ammonia is created when the protein contained in the fish food is digested through the digestive system. Ammonia is eliminated in urine it also breaks down into nitrites. The bacteria that convert nitrates to Nitrites are different. This is a part of the nitrogen cycle in an aquarium.
Both kinds of nitrifying bacteria require oxygen in order to thrive and grow. If the oxygen levels in your aquarium decrease, the bacteria stop functioning or die. Alkalinity is also required to allow these bacteria to function. If the alkalinity level in the water drops, nitrifying bacteria will stop working and ammonia levels will rise.
regular water changes are required to keep ammonia levels low when cycling a new aquarium. In addition, adding live aquatic plants as well as liquid starter solutions will aid in keeping ammonia levels in check. These products introduce beneficial bacteria into the filter substrate and medium, allowing them to reduce ammonia quicker.
Aquarium Water Quality Maintenance
To ensure that the water is healthy within your tank, you must monitor the pH, Ammonia and Nitrite. These are the natural chemicals created by fish waste, food and decomposing organic material, but in high levels they can kill fish and other creatures in the tank. You can detect these spikes more quickly by regular testing.
In all aquariums new to the market, a process is followed to build beneficial colonies of bacteria and get the filtration system to speed. It could take some time to get the new aquariums functioning. This process is known as “cycling”, or “nitrogen cycles”. Older aquariums can also be subject to periodic cycles.
Nitrification happens in the colony of bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite through natural respiration. Nitrite is converted into Nitrate by other bacteria within the aquarium’s filtration system. As it prevents oxygen exchange, it can cause harm to fish. It causes the fish to die. Nitrate should be controlled to less than 5 ppm in freshwater, and 0 ppm in marine and reef systems.
The most effective method to determine the type of maintenance for water quality you require is to use the test kit. Follow the instructions on the test kit to determine which type of water is present in your aquarium (Freshwater Saltwater Reef). You’ll need to monitor the levels of ammonia as well as nitrite every day, based on the way you maintain the water in your tank. Water changes are required when readings rise over zero.