jenkins2212
New Member
Just curious to how your tank cycles and builds bacteria in the filter without a source? Im new to this so if its obvious sorry
Thanks!!!!!
Thanks!!!!!
how does the cycle work?
- Thread starter jenkins2212
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reefkprz
Active Member
Stages of the Nitrogen Cycle
There are three stages of the nitrogen cycle, each of which presents different challenges.
Initial stage: The cycle begins when a source of biological ammonia is introduced to the aquarium (raw shrimp fish food etcetra), these are quickly broken down into either ionized or unionized ammonia. The ionized form, Ammonium (NH4), is present if the pH is below 7, and is not toxic to fish. The unionized form, Ammonia (NH3), is is present if the pH is 7 or above, and is highly toxic to fish. Any amount of unionized Ammonia (NH3) is dangerous, however once the levels reach 1 ppm, the fish are in grave danger, this is also affected by temperature as well as ph as to how much unionized ammonia is present. Ammonia usually begins rising by the third day after introducing an ammonia source.
Second stage: During this stage Nitrosomonas and other bacteria oxidize the ammonia, thus eliminating it. However, the by-product of ammonia oxidation is nitrite, which is also highly toxic to fish. Nitrites levels as low as low as 1 mg/l can be lethal to some fish. Nitrite usually begins rising by the end of the first week after introducing fish.
Third stage: In the last stage of the cycle, Nitrobacter and other forms of bacteria convert the nitrites into nitrates. 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. Established tanks should be tested for nitrates every week to ensure that levels are not becoming extremely high.
There are three stages of the nitrogen cycle, each of which presents different challenges.
Initial stage: The cycle begins when a source of biological ammonia is introduced to the aquarium (raw shrimp fish food etcetra), these are quickly broken down into either ionized or unionized ammonia. The ionized form, Ammonium (NH4), is present if the pH is below 7, and is not toxic to fish. The unionized form, Ammonia (NH3), is is present if the pH is 7 or above, and is highly toxic to fish. Any amount of unionized Ammonia (NH3) is dangerous, however once the levels reach 1 ppm, the fish are in grave danger, this is also affected by temperature as well as ph as to how much unionized ammonia is present. Ammonia usually begins rising by the third day after introducing an ammonia source.
Second stage: During this stage Nitrosomonas and other bacteria oxidize the ammonia, thus eliminating it. However, the by-product of ammonia oxidation is nitrite, which is also highly toxic to fish. Nitrites levels as low as low as 1 mg/l can be lethal to some fish. Nitrite usually begins rising by the end of the first week after introducing fish.
Third stage: In the last stage of the cycle, Nitrobacter and other forms of bacteria convert the nitrites into nitrates. 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. Established tanks should be tested for nitrates every week to ensure that levels are not becoming extremely high.