| The nitrogen cycle is a natural process in any | | | | red or bloodshot eyes, red inflamed gills, or red |
| aquarium. It begins as soon as you add the first fish | | | | streaks on the sides of your fish. Ammonia levels of |
| to the tank. Their waste products include ammonia, | | | | 0.25 to 0.5 parts per million (ppm) can stress your |
| which starts the nitrogen cycle. During the initial setup | | | | fish, while above 1.0 is considered lethal. Although it's |
| period, it is important that you test the water quality | | | | best to let the beneficial bacteria eat the ammonia, |
| daily, so that you can watch your tank progress | | | | continuing the nitrogen cycle, if the levels get too |
| through the stages of the nitrogen cycle. | | | | high you should change 15 to 25 percent of the |
| In addition to simply adding fish to the aquarium, | | | | water to reduce ammonia levels. Reducing the |
| there are other ways to jump-start the nitrogen | | | | amount of food you are feeding will reduce future |
| cycle. Those with saltwater aquariums can add live | | | | ammonia levels. |
| rock to begin the process. If you are setting up a | | | | Within two weeks of introducing the first fish to |
| freshwater tank, it is possible to add a cup of gravel | | | | your new aquarium, a beneficial bacteria will start to |
| from an established tank. Although it will contain the | | | | eat the ammonia. This nitrifying bacteria converts |
| beneficial bacteria necessary for the nitrogen cycle, it | | | | ammonia into nitrites. Your tank may become cloudy |
| may also contain unwanted bacteria or parasites, so | | | | during this stage in the process, as the bacteria |
| this method should be used with caution. | | | | multiply quickly to eat the excess ammonia. At this |
| When your new aquarium is first set up, it's | | | | point, nitrites should begin appearing on your water |
| important not too add too many fish. Adding too | | | | test results. |
| many fish results in high levels of waste, which your | | | | In another week or two, you will start to see |
| new tank ecosystem may not be able to handle. As | | | | increasing nitrate levels on the water test strips. |
| the ammonia levels spike, your fish could die. In fact, | | | | Moderate levels of nitrates cause no harm to your |
| many experienced fishkeepers recommend beginning | | | | fish. They can build up, however, especially if you are |
| with a few inexpensive fish to begin the nitrogen | | | | not diligent about changing the water in the tank. If |
| cycle if you plan to keep exotic tropical fish in the | | | | levels go above 80 to 100ppm, a water change can |
| aquarium. This way, if your first nitrogen cycle does | | | | help increase the water quality in the aquarium. In |
| not go as planned, you won't kill off an expensive | | | | addition to regular water changes, live plants can also |
| and rare fish. | | | | remove nitrates from the aquarium environment. |
| As you add fish to the aquarium, ammonia levels will | | | | The nitrogen cycle is a very important process in |
| start to rise immediately. All of the food you put into | | | | your aquarium. You can expect the full cycle to take |
| the tank will eventually be converted into ammonia | | | | anywhere from three to six weeks to become |
| by your fish. You can expect ammonia levels to | | | | established. This step is crucial if you want the |
| fluctuate as the aquarium ecosystem settles into a | | | | aquarium to be healthy, and it must be monitored |
| routine. However, ammonia buildup is dangerous for | | | | closely with water test kits. |
| your fish. Signs that the ammonia is too high include | | | | |