Start by setting up the aquarium with live plants if they are desired (I highly recommend them) including the filtration system and the heater. The key is to not let the amount of ammonia being produced in the aquarium outpace the bacteria that is growing in the tank. The easiest way to cycle an aquarium is to let nature do it for you. The problems associated with old tank syndrome can be reduced with regular partial water changes. Some hobbyists even take advantage of this when they are raising fish that like acidic water.

Over time the concentrations of acid that is produced can become too high for many species of fish. As bacteria break down nitrogen compounds acid is produced. Over time a well-cycled tank can develop what is called 'old Tank syndrome'. An added benefit to plants is that they help provide a nice habitat for the fish in the aquarium. Live plants are also helpful in reducing nitrate levels and in consuming carbon dioxide that is expelled by the fish. Emptying the aquarium all the way will kill much of the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium and it will have to be cycled once again. Note: Never empty the aquarium all the way unless the water in the aquarium presents an immediate danger to the fish. How much water and how often it should be changed depends on how much waste is being produced in the aquarium and the size of the aquarium. Nitrate levels can be reduced by doing periodic partial water changes. Nitrate is much less toxic to fish than ammonia or nitrite however nitrate can build up in an aquarium over time. Nitrobacter bacteria, in turn, consume nitrite and release a less toxic nitrogen compound called nitrate. In a healthy, cycled aquarium, Nitrosomonas bacteria oxidize ammonia into nitrite.įish can withstand nitrite much better than they can ammonia however it is still quite toxic to fish. Highly toxic ammonia is produced as waste and excess food is broken down by bacteria. The nitrogen cycle is the process that nature uses to break down these toxic nitrogen compounds. While all three nitrogen compounds are harmful to fish, ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic. The concentrations of nitrogen compounds found in an aquarium are ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Nitrogen compounds are produced from the waste coming from fish, uneaten fish food, decaying plant matter, and other organic matter that is breaking down in the aquarium. Water temperature is also an important factor and should be kept in the high 70s° to low 80s° Fahrenheit. This process can take as long as three months, even longer if the process is interrupted by water changes or chemicals. When an aquarium has a good nitrogen cycle working in it, the aquarium is said to be 'cycled'.

If there aren't enough bacteria in the aquarium the levels of ammonia can rise to a point that fish can develop tissue and organ damage which can lead to poor growth, illness, and death. In order to understand how biological filtration works one should have a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle.Ī fish tank that has not been properly cycled can develop what is referred to as 'New Tank Syndrome.' Wastes, excess food, decomposing plants, etc all contribute to producing ammonia in an aquarium. The likely reason for the water getting cloudy and having the fish die is due to an improperly cycled tank. Earlier in this article, we asked the question 'Have you ever tried to keep Goldfish in a bowl only to have the water go cloudy and have the Goldfish die?' Biological Filtrationīiological filtration in an aquarium refers to the process of using beneficial bacteria to break down waste to help make the water safer for fish. There are other types of chemical filtration available besides activated carbon.Ī relatively new product called Purigen, made by a company named Seachem, is marketed as a product that leaves your water crystal clear and can be recharged and reused. Most hobbyists recommend changing their activated carbon about once a month depending on the number and type of fish that are kept in the aquarium.

2 gallon fish bowl