subject: Setting Up and "Cycling" Your Aquarium [print this page] Setting Up and "Cycling" Your Aquarium Setting Up and "Cycling" Your Aquarium
Setting up your first ever aquarium can be a daunting task. Whether it's a goldfish starter kit or a giant tropical tank, if the same rules are followed it can be a walk in the park.
It is vitally important when getting any new pet to make sure you understand the needs and responsibilities they require to live a full and happy life. Keeping fish is no exception. The most important factor to remember when starting out in your fish keeping hobby is that your new pets are living in an environment that is un-natural and different to our own. Thefishes environment is essentially its home, play area, bedroom and even toilet.
The Nitrogen Cycle
When an aquarium is first set up it has to go through a maturation process which we call the "Nitrogen Cycle". This is a process of building up two main types of good bacteria in your tanks filter system which will keep the water clean and free from pollutions.
When a fish goes to the toilet, the waste that is produced is Ammonia. This waste is highly toxic to fish if allowed to build up. The first bacteria that colonises your filter is "Nitrosomonas". Millions of these bacterias get to work consuming the ammonia and convert it into another chemical, Nitrite. Nitrite is slightly less toxic than ammonia but if left to build up in the aquarium it would soon become toxic. So the second form of bacteria to grow in your aquarium is called "Nitrobacters". This bacteria consumes the nitrate in the aquarium and converts it into harmless nitrate. Nitrate must be dilluted by doing regular water changes as it can contribute to algae growth.
There are two main ways of going through the "Nitrogen Cycle". The first way, after treating your water with awater conditioner to remove all chlorines and chloromines, is by adding a few hardy fish that can with stand the changing water conditions during the cycle and use these fish to feed the bacteria with ammonia. It is advised top use a bacterial supplement product such as Waterlifes bacterlife.
The second way is to use a synthetic ammonia additive to feed the bacteria and leave your tank fish free. This can take longer but will put less stress on your fish and is a more ethical way of maturing your tank.
The full process of the nitrogen cycle can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks depending on your tank situation and how you choose to mature your tank. It is advisable to test your water regularly either at home or by bringing a water sample in store to be tested for free.
