Download The Nitrogen Cycle

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Adding
StressZyme
or Cycle will
add beneficial
bacteria to
your aquarium.
Stage three:
General
In this final stage of the cycle, Nitrobacter bacteria
convert the nitrites into nitrates.
Your tank is fully cycled once nitrates are being produced
Nitrates are not highly toxic to fish in low to moderate
levels. Routine partial water changes will keep the
nitrate levels within the safe range.
You are now free to gradually add more fish and plants
in safe levels (and ammonia and nitrite levels are zero).
to create a beautiful and rewarding aquarium.
The table below represents a typical tank cycling process:
Live aquatic plants in established tanks will also aid in
keeping your nitrate levels within a safe range.
The buildup of toxins in the cycle
Testing and monitoring your tank and fish health
at this critical stage will make the start of your fish
keeping journey a manageable one.
•
Don’t be tempted to add more fish until the cycle
is completed
of your tank water into Animates in a clean, soap-free
•
Don’t change the biological filter media – the
Make sure that the temperature on your tank is
•
Don’t overfeed the fish – when in doubt underfeed
your fish. Remember that anything going into the
tank will produce wastes one way or another
•
Don’t try to alter the pH – the beneficial bacteria
can be affected by changes in pH. Unless there is a
serious problem with the pH, leave it alone during
Stage two:
During this stage Nitrosomonas bacteria will develop
and oxidise the ammonia, thus eliminating it. However,
the by-product of ammonia oxidation is nitrite, which
is also highly toxic to fish.
the start up cycle process.
Ammonia (NH3)
50
Nitrite (NO2)
40
Nitrate (NO3)
30
20
NO2
10
Test kit with
ammonia, pH, nitrite
& nitrate test strips
Hardy fish
•
Begin testing one week after adding the fish
Tank set up
•
Continue testing every second or third day,
seemingly gasping for air take immediate action.
If levels are elevated or fish seem distressed, perform
40
Substrate
Filtration
as rapid breathing or hanging near the surface
30
Beneficial bacteria
such as Cycle or
StressZyme
Test for nitrites:
If at any time fish show signs of distress, such
Days
Gravel syphon
•
20
50
Recommended supplies:
Stage two – what to do:
until it reaches zero
Water
NO3 Change
NH3
0
Nitrite usually begins rising by the end of the first or
second cycling week.
60
10
beneficial bacteria are growing there. Don’t disturb
them until they have become well established
vessel and we will test it for you.
holding at 25ºC in your tropical tank.
Mg/Litre
What not to do
It is best to have a test kit at home or bring a sample
The Nitrogen
Cycle
Fish food
Ammo Lock or Prime
(optional)
AquaPlus or
StressCoat.
Using a test kit at
home is the easiest
way to monitor your
aquarium’s health,
and keep your
fish happy.
an immediate 25-50% water change and test daily until
levels drop.
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6763 ANI Nitrogen Cycle FA.indd 1
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Fish
respiration
The
nitrogen cycle
is a necessary
process that every
new tank must go
through. It’s a chain
of biological reactions
that produce chemical
results and it all
starts with
fish / plant
waste.
The Nitrogen Cycle
Stages of the nitrogen cycle
There are three stages of the nitrogen cycle
Nitrosomonas
bacteria removes
ammonia to
produce
AMMONIA
NITRITE
NITRITE
Excess
food
Fish
excrement
& urine
Plant remnants
Nitrobacter
bacteria removes
nitrite to
produce
NITRATE
NITRATE
Stage one:
The cycle begins when a bacterial food source
(ammonia) is introduced to the aquarium.
Faeces, urine and/or decaying food are quickly broken
Toxic gases
PLANT
FERTILIZER
ANAEROBIC
BACTERIA
down into either ionised or unionised ammonia.
The ionised form, Ammonium (NH4), is present if the
pH is below 7, and is not toxic to fish.
The unionised form, Ammonia (NH3), is present if the
Introduction
There are a number of different names for the
process that is the nitrogen cycle:
Not allowing your new tank to go through this cycling
pH is 7 or above, and is highly toxic to fish.
process is the biggest contributor to fish loss.
Any amount of unionised Ammonia (NH3) is dangerous.
Understanding the process and how to deal with it will
Ammonia usually begins rising by the third day after
greatly increase success and enjoyment in your fish
introducing fish.
•
Start up cycle
•
Breaking in cycle
•
Biological cycle
•
Nitrification cycle
•
Cycling
There are a few ways to kick off the nitrogen
•
New tank cycling.
cycling on your tank:
Testing for Ammonia:
This is a necessary process that every new tank
Firstly set up your new tank (read “Setting up your
•
must go through. It is a chain of biological reactions
New Aquarium” care sheet).
that produce chemical results and it all starts with
fish / plant waste.
All living creatures produce waste products, these
keeping journey.
How to kick off the cycling process
Stage one – what to do
The key for success at this stage is testing the water for
ammonia and taking action quickly when problems occur.
Start testing on third day after adding your fish
and continue daily until your ammonia levels
begin to drop
Then introduce the following:
•
•
Continue every second day until your ammonia
level reaches zero
Introduce 2 – 3 fish – there are some species that
are hardier than others and can tolerate the process
nitrogenous products naturally break down into
•
Watch your fish closely during this time, if at
a little better. Zebra Danios, Catfish or Barbs (for
any stage you notice signs of distress such as
tropical tanks) or Comets (for coldwater tanks). But
rapid breathing or gilling, clamped fins, erratic
In nature, the volume of water per fish is very high
make sure that you are treating your issues vigilantly
swimming or gasping at the surface for air, take
but in your household aquarium it is not, so the water
as you don’t want your fish to be overly stressed at
immediate steps to eliminate the problem.
chemistry must be controlled in order for your fish to
any time – remember your water may look clear and
live healthy lives.
clean but to a fish it can be a toxic wasteland
ammonia. Ammonia even in low levels is toxic to fish.
Cycling the tank refers to the process of establishing
A product such as Ammo Lock or Prime will
immediately detoxify your ammonia levels or do a
Filtration and the addition of beneficial bacteria
25% water change to dilute the ammonia levels.
beneficial bacterial colonies in the tank that convert
found in products such as Cycle or StressZyme
Add AquaPlus or StressCoat to the water.
harmful ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. This
will aid in the breakdown of toxins. Follow the
process can take 5 to 7 weeks (in tropical tanks and
instructions on the label.
even a little longer in cold water tanks) to sustain a full
biological load, so patience and vigilance are required.
6763 ANI Nitrogen Cycle FA.indd 2
NITRATE
BUILDUP
•
AquaPlus or StressCoat – these products both protect
fish by replacing their natural protective mucus coating
Armed with an understanding of how the nitrogen cycle
and contribute to a positive sedating effect against stress
works and knowing the proper steps to take, you can
related to transportation, handling and introduction.
sail through the break-in cycle with very few problems.
Follow the instructions on the label.
4/5/09 9:12:21 AM