New Tank Water Conditions
Establishing an aquarium is easy if you understand the nitrogen cycle.
Water Quality
The water in which fish live is extremely important to them. It carries their oxygen to them, contributes to metabolic functions and transports away waste products. The water also provides necessary amino acids, vitamins and minerals needed in daily physiological functions.
Fish produce waste as a natural part of metabolic functions. These wastes need to be processed; otherwise they will accumulate to dangerous levels in the environment. Filtration helps accomplish this in aquariums. Ammonia (NH4) is the primary nitrogenous waste product created by fish. In elevated amounts under certain conditions, ammonia will burn sensitive tissue areas on fish, such as fins and gills. Nitrites (NO2) are another waste product created by fish that is harmful in elevated doses and inhibit oxygen transportation to the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide (CO2) from fish respiration is yet another waste product that can be lethal if not regulated. By properly monitoring and managing the water characteristics through filtrations and aeration, these toxic waste products are prevented from causing harm.
Filtration is what allows us to keep fish alive outside their native habitat. It helps clean the water so that the fish can live for extended periods of time without constant maintenance. Aquarium filters accomplish this for us.
Nitrogen Cycle
Some call it the biological cycle, the nitrification process, new tank syndrome or even the start-up cycle. They all are referring to the same cycle - The Nitrogen Cycle. This very important cycle is the establishment of beneficial bacteria in the aquarium and in the filter media that will help in the conversion of ammonia to nitrite and then the conversion of nitrite to nitrates.
This process can take from 2 weeks to 2 months or longer to complete. It is vital for anyone planning on keeping aquarium fish to understand this process. Learning about this process will help you to be successful in keeping fish and it should definitely improve your chances when keeping tropical fish. The best way to monitor the nitrogen cycle is to purchase an aquarium test kit that will test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph.
Test your aquarium water every other day and write down your readings. You will first see ammonia levels rising. A few weeks or so later you should see the nitrite levels rising and the ammonia levels dropping. Finally, after a few more weeks you should see the nitrate levels rising and the nitrite levels dropping. When you no longer detect ammonia or nitrites but you can detect nitrates you can assume that it is safe to add your tropical fish.
Stage 1
Ammonia is introduced into the aquarium via tropical fish waste and uneaten food. The tropical fish waste and excess food will break down into either ionized ammonium (NH4) or un-ionized ammonia (NH3). Ammonium is not harmful to tropical fish but ammonia is. Whether the material turns into ammonium or ammonia depends on the ph level of the water. If the ph is under 7, you will have ammonium. If the ph is 7 or higher you will have ammonia.
Stage 2
Soon, bacteria called nitrosomonas will develop and they will oxidize the ammonia in the tank, essentially eliminating it. The byproduct of ammonia oxidation is Nitrites. So we no longer have ammonia in the tank, but we now have another toxin to deal with - Nitrites. Nitrites are just as toxic to tropical fish as ammonia. If you have a test kit, you should be able to see the nitrite levels rise around the end of the first or second week.
Stage 3
Bacteria called nitrobacter will develop and they will convert the nitrites into nitrates. Nitrates are not as harmful to tropical fish as ammonia or nitrites, but nitrate is still harmful in large amounts. The quickest way to rid your aquarium of nitrates is to perform partial water changes. Once your tank is established you will need to monitor your tank water for high nitrate levels and perform partial water changes as necessary. There are other methods to control nitrates in aquariums besides water changes. For freshwater fish tanks, live aquarium plants will use up some of the nitrates. In saltwater fish tanks, live rock and deep sand beds can have anaerobic areas where denitrifying bacteria can breakdown nitrates into harmless nitrogen gas that escapes through the water surface of the aquarium.
One dose of StartSmart instantly cycles new aquariums, allowing the addition of new fish, right away, without amonia or nitrite toxic'
Remember : Water Changes , Water Changes , Water Changes.
"The Solution To Pollution Is Dilution"
10 - 15% Water Changes Every 7 - 10 Days