| By setting some time aside to proper cycling, your | | | | bacteria was believed to be very powerful converters |
| aquarium will be much easier to maintain, since the | | | | of nitrite to nitrate, but scientific studies have now |
| cycling process aim to produce a thriving population of | | | | showed that nitrospira bacteria are much stronger |
| beneficial bacteria that will convert harmful waste | | | | converters. Some fish stores still sell nitrobacter |
| products into less dangerous compounds. You need | | | | bacteria, even though nitrospira bacteria are a better |
| two types of beneficial bacteria in your aquarium. | | | | choice. |
| The first type converts ammonia into nitrite, while the | | | | Another method of cycling the aquarium is the so |
| other type converts nitrite into nitrate. Ammonia will be | | | | called 'fishless cycle'. This cycling method is much less |
| produce by the metabolism of your fish and extracted | | | | frequently used compared to the one that uses cycling |
| from the gills and in fish poo. High levels of ammonia | | | | fish, but it has grown increasingly popular during the last |
| are dangerous to fish, but fortunately enough there | | | | few years. During fishless cycling, you will add small |
| exist a group of bacteria that can convert ammonia | | | | amounts of pure ammonia to the water together with |
| into nitrite. Nitrite is actually even more toxic than | | | | nitrifying bacteria and wait for them to form large |
| ammonia, but the second group of bacteria will turn the | | | | colonies. You will need a test kit to measure the |
| nitrite into nitrate, which is much less toxic. The nitrate | | | | amounts of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Investing in a |
| can then be removed by regular water changes. | | | | test kit is however a good idea even if you use fish to |
| The beneficial bacteria will of course need to be | | | | cycle your aquarium. |
| introduced to the aquarium, and this can be made by | | | | A third cycling method uses plants and is commonly |
| simply adding one or two sturdy fishes from species | | | | referred to as 'silent cycling'. This method requires a |
| that cope well even with high levels of soluble waste. | | | | densely planted aquarium with thriving plants. You |
| Their waste products will contain live bacteria than can | | | | should therefore avoid sensitive, demanding and slow |
| start to colonies suitable homes in the aquarium, such | | | | growing plant species. During the silent cycling, the |
| as sponge filters and gravel. If you want to jump start | | | | plants will consume nitrogenous compounds and use |
| the process, you can purchase a bacterial solution | | | | them as nutrition. Aquarists fond of this method like it |
| from the fish store that contains the right type of | | | | since it does not produce the ammonia and nitrate |
| nitrifying bacteria. You can also use gravel or sponge | | | | spikes that are common during other forms of cycling. |
| from an already established aquarium when you set | | | | You should keep in mind that when plants absorb |
| up a new one, but you should keep in mind that this | | | | nitrogenous compounds they incorporate them leaves |
| can introduce benevolent bacteria as well. | | | | and stems. If the plant, or a part of the plant, dies and |
| When you purchase a bacterial culture form the fish | | | | starts to decay, the compounds will therefore be |
| store, you should always carefully read the label and | | | | re-released into the water. Pruning the aquatic plants |
| avoid getting nitrobacter bacteria. Earlier, nitrobacter | | | | and removing any dead parts are therefore important. |