Well to maintain a healthy aquarium one needs understand the nitrogen cycle process and its effects on the overall health of your aquatic inhabitants.
Nitrogen cycling process (The Nitrogen Cycle)
“CYCLING” refers to the establishment of an active “biofilter” where the bacteria’s break down nitrogenous aquatic animal wastes. In a brand new (un-cycled) aquarium, the levels of ammonia and nitrite will rise, and these toxic compounds can reach to levels which are harmful for fish. Once the bacterial populations become established, they break down these compounds into non-toxic forms, and the tank is then considered to be "cycled".
For easy understanding, let’s go stepwise. It is also depicted in the pictorial form below:
Step 1:
The first step is the decay of waste products of fish, plants, and invertebrates, along with any dead organisms or uneaten food. As these materials decay, ammonia is produced, which at even low levels will burn the gills of fish and choke off their oxygen supply.
Step 2:
Bacteria called Nitrosomonas consume this ammonia; during this process a chemical by product called nitrite is created. Although nitrite is toxic (it prevents blood from carrying oxygen) but fish can withstand roughly (2x) the amount of nitrite in the water compared to ammonia.
Step 3:
This Nitrite is consumed by other bacteria called Nitrobacter and, in turn, releases a less toxic chemical called nitrate.
(Note: Step 2 & 3 - Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to aquatic animals, and this is where the main problems with new aquariums occur.)
Step 4:
Nitrate requires anaerobic conditions to turn it into harmless nitrogen gas. The parameters needed to create this condition are not commonly present in most aquariums. Hence, water changes are necessary to dilute nitrate levels.
How long does it take to Cycle the tank?
Typically, new aquariums can be cycled in 2 to 6 weeks, but the actual length of time depends on many factors:
• The amount of ammonia being produced during the cycling period
• The efficiency of the biological filtration
• Whether live plants are used in this process
• Whether you boost bacteria colonies with additives and bio media
Following are the some ways in which you can cycle your tank:
1. CYCLING WITH FISH
Majorly aquarists establish their aquariums by cycling the tanks using fish (hardy ones) or other aquatic organisms. While this is an effective way to cycle a tank, it can be lethal to the fish unless conducted properly. Considered as a cruel method coz it exposes the fish to ammonia.
When cycling with fish or other aquatic organisms followings points are to be considered:
• Begin with the smallest number of fish possible.
- For Example: when you first fill your tank with water, you can add about two to three 1” fish per ten gallons of water in your tank. However, these are not just any fish but ones considered hardy, like guppies, mollies, etc.
• Goldfish are not ideal fish for tank cycling. Though some people had success using feeder goldfish for cycling.
• One of the most important things is to remember to limit the number of fish with which you cycle your tank. If you cycle the fish tank with a large number of fish, you could have devastating results.
- For example:
o There would be a high production of excess waste, causing a great deal of stress to the fish. When this happens, chances are you will have fish die and the risk of disease rises significantly.
o Water problems would increase dramatically during the cycling process
o When you cycle with a large number of fish, the tank will develop a very unpleasant odor
Another, potentially better alternative to cycling your tank is to use "fishless cycling," or cycling your tank without the use of fish. For this process, you will need test kits for ammonia, pH, nitrite and nitrate, and a source of ammonia. Possible sources for the ammonia are easily decomposed materials such as frozen shrimps or any small dead fish (you can get it from any LFS, be careful it may have died due to disease).
• Set up the aquarium using dechlorinated water and let it run for 1 or 2 days. This will ascertain that all the equipments are working properly and also it will allow any excess dissolved gases to
dissipate.
• Then, test the water for all of the above listed parameters and record the results; as starting measurements.
- Ideal Test Results (during cycling period)
pH: 6.0 - 8.0
ammonia: < 1.0 ppm
nitrite: < 1.0 ppm
nitrate: 0 - 10 ppm
• Monitor the water results every day or two. When the ammonia level begins to drop and the nitrite levels to rise, add another small piece of ammonia source to keep feeding the bacteria.
• Keep monitoring the water quality, and when the nitrates begin to rise again dose the tank with the ammonia source. At this point, you should see a small rise in the ammonia level (that’s obvious), a small rise in the nitrite level and a continuation in the rise of the nitrate level.
• When the ammonia drops to zero, the nitrite drops to zero and the nitrate is readable the aquarium can be considered cycled. However before you add animals to the aquarium, do a 20% water change to lower the level of the nitrates. Continue doing 10 to 15% water changes each week to keep levels down.
- Ideal Test Results (for established tank)
pH: 6.0 - 8.0 (& steady)
ammonia: 0 ppm
nitrite: 0 ppm
nitrate: < 40 ppm
Liquid ammonia for fishless cycling
Some hobbyists have used household ammonia to provide the ammonia source for cycling a new tank. Information on this method can be found on various websites. However, this method should be used with caution. Household ammonia is very strong, so only very small amounts (drops) are needed.
CAN WAIT THAT LONG? HAVE LESS PATIENCE?
Well guys there is also a way in which one can Speed up the cycling process, for that you’ll need decorations or a filter from an already established tank which can be added to the new aquarium. This will seed the tank with a population of bacterial biofilm. Beneficial bacteria usually cling to solid surfaces inside a tank, so the transfer of water from an old tank will be less effective than the transfer of substrate, ornaments, or filter media.
Heavily planted tanks are also likely to cycle more quickly. Live plants, once established, will consume some nitrogenous waste products. I have somewhere that - live plants can directly consume ammonia and nitrite, which will decrease the toxicity of these compounds during the cycling process. Live plants are also likely to bring beneficial bacteria with them.
-----
Amol
I had never read before .
