Cycling Tank
- Thread starter jamesp
- Start date
twoods71
Active Member
Cycling a tank is required to establish the biological filter.
The nitrogen cycle is a process of breaking down very harmful ammonia into harmful nitrite and then into less harmful nitrate.
Also nitrates can be broken down further with the proper setup like having a DSB for example to complete the nitrogen cycle.
If a tank is not cycled properly the ammonia from fish waste or rotting uneaten food will most likely kill the fish.
With the proper bacteria present however, which takes a little time to develop properly, the ammonia can be broken down into less harmful but still potentially lethal nitrite.
Then with the proper bacteria the nitrite will be reduced to much less harmful nitrate and so on.
Ammonia needs to be present to start the cycle.
Some people use damselfish for this because they are tough and most often will survive the ammonia concentrations that will build up.
Some people use raw shrimp because the rotting food will also supply the needed ammonia to start the cycle.
In your case you are using clown fish, a tough fish that may survive the cycle but less likely then a damselfish.
Good Luck !!!
The nitrogen cycle is a process of breaking down very harmful ammonia into harmful nitrite and then into less harmful nitrate.
Also nitrates can be broken down further with the proper setup like having a DSB for example to complete the nitrogen cycle.
If a tank is not cycled properly the ammonia from fish waste or rotting uneaten food will most likely kill the fish.
With the proper bacteria present however, which takes a little time to develop properly, the ammonia can be broken down into less harmful but still potentially lethal nitrite.
Then with the proper bacteria the nitrite will be reduced to much less harmful nitrate and so on.
Ammonia needs to be present to start the cycle.
Some people use damselfish for this because they are tough and most often will survive the ammonia concentrations that will build up.
Some people use raw shrimp because the rotting food will also supply the needed ammonia to start the cycle.
In your case you are using clown fish, a tough fish that may survive the cycle but less likely then a damselfish.
Good Luck !!!
twoods71
Active Member
During the cycle you will see the ammonia rise, reach a peak level, and then decline. At about the same time the ammonia level is coming down to zero the nitrite level will rise, peak, and then decline.
When both the ammonia and nitrite levels have reached zero then you can move forward with your plans for the tank.
Do not do a water change during the cycle as this could delay the process.
When both the ammonia and nitrite levels have reached zero then you can move forward with your plans for the tank.
Do not do a water change during the cycle as this could delay the process.
