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Generally, conditioning takes about four to six weeks, but the time needed depends on the temperature of the water, the type and number of filtration units, the size of your system, and the number of livestock (starter fish) doing the backstroke around your tank. Starting the Nitrogen Cycle Chapter 14: The Nitrogen Cycle and Water Testing The nitrogen cycle plays a very important role in your aquarium system (Figure 14-1). During the first part of the nitrogen cycle, as we have mentioned, beneficial bacteria called nitrosomonas convert lethal ammonia to less toxic nitrites. During the second part of the cycle, another beneficial bacteria (nitrobacter) convert nitrites to less harmful nitrates. Nitrates are harmful at high levels but can be removed though frequent water changes. About two weeks after you add starter fish to your aquarium, the ammonia build-up in your tank begins to peak. (You won’t really have any ammonia in your aquarium until after you add your fish and they start excreting waste, or leaving food uneaten.) You’re probably wondering what to do with the ammonia, right? Well, just sit back, because your friendly neighborhood bacteria take care of everything. During the weeks of the conditioning period, several types of bacteria multiply rapidly in order to remove toxic chemicals from the water. As the number of bacteria increases, they render larger amounts of waste product less toxic by converting them to less harmful substances in the nitrogen cycle. Encouraging nitrosamonas (good bacteria number one) When uneaten food and fish waste is broken down, it is turned into either ionized ammonium (NH4+, a pH lower than 7.0 will cause more ammonium) or non-ionized ammonia (NH3, a pH higher than 7.0 will cause more ammonia.) The ammonium is not harmful to your aquarium, but the ammonia is a whole other story and needs to be taken care of. As mentioned previously, during the first phase of the nitrogen cycle, the nitrosomonas bacteria in the aquarium water increase to detoxify and remove the ammonia from your aquarium. The by-product of this process is harmful nitrites. High levels of nitrites can still seriously kill or harm your fish, but they’re not as bad as ammonia. Nitrosomonas bacteria require a good oxygen supply (which can be provided though filtration and airstones) in order to multiply and grow correctly. 189
190 Part III: Water, Chemicals, and Plants Figure 14-1: The nitrogen cycle uses bacteria to create a livable environment for your aquarium fish. Your aquarium environment Plants and water changes remove nitrates from the water Nitrates Nitrites Ammonia Other bacteria convert nitrites to nitrates (NO 3) Filter and gravel bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites (NO 2) From fish, waste, and dead plants (NH 3) Your fish Fish gives off waste Dead plants gives off waste Food not eaten
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SPORTS, FITNESS, PARENTING, RELIGIO
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Ghost shrimp are freshwater inverte
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Pearl gouramis are generally timid
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Platys are colorful, friendly fish
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Freshwater

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