Still confused about nitrate
- Thread starter gharner
- Start date
rykna
Active Member
In the nitrogen cycle, the waste products of the fish, plants, and invertebrates, along with any dead organisms or uneaten food, are broken down by bacteria and fungi into the resulting chemical, ammonia. Ammonia is extremely toxic to all of the aquarium inhabitants. It is broken down by an oxygen-loving bacteria, Nitrosomonas. The Nitrosomonas* bacteria feed on both oxygen and ammonia, and with their biological activities, they excrete a chemical called nitrite. Although nitrite is not as toxic as ammonia, even at low concentrations in the aquarium, it can be harmful to fish and invertebrates. Another bacteria Nitrobacter*, which also utilizes oxygen in its respiration, acts in a similar way as Nitrosomonas, and essentially changes the nitrites into a relatively harmless chemical called nitrate. The bacteria that will feed on nitrates are anaerobic, meaning they grow in areas of little or no oxygen. They require low-oxygenated stagnant water, and can be found in more elaborate filtration systems and within live rock. Here they breakdown nitrates into free nitrogen.
Newly-set-up aquariums lack the colonies of bacteria that are necessary to perform the biological filtration. Because of this, the aquarium must be "cycled." "Cycling" refers to the process of establishing and maturing the biological filtration. In order to establish the system, we need to provide a source of ammonia for the Nitrosomonas bacteria in the filtration system so they can live, reproduce, and colonize.
As the fish in the new system are fed and begin to thrive, they will, through their biological activities, produce ammonia. The Nitrosomonas bacteria, will begin to feed upon that ammonia and will start populating the aquarium. Their population will be greatest in the media that contains the highest level of oxygen and surface area, which will normally be within the filtration system. At this point, because the numbers of bacteria are limited, they will not be able to convert all of the ammonia that is present in the system, so the ammonia levels will continue to rise. As the amount of ammonia increases, the population of bacteria will also increase, but at a much slower rate than the ammonia. The ammonia level will eventually reach a peak and then start to decline as the population of bacteria becomes large enough to break down the ammonia faster than it is being produced. Because there is still ammonia within the system, however, the bacteria will continue to live and feed on the ammonia until it reaches a level undetectable by testing. At this point, a balance has been achieved in which the rate of ammonia production equals the rate at which it is broken down by the bacteria. The number of bacteria, from this point on, will change as the levels of ammonia (their food source) changes.
Figure 2. Biological filtration cycling process
Nitrites are produced through the biological activities of the Nitrosomonas bacteria as they feed on the ammonia. As their numbers increase, so does the amount of their waste product, nitrites. The Nitrobacter bacteria, because of the increasing supply of nitrites, will multiply and increase in numbers. They, too, will be most densely populated in the area with the greatest surface area and oxygen content. The nitrite levels will rise until the number of bacteria has increased to the point at which they break down the nitrites faster than it is being produced. At this point, the peak level of nitrites has occurred, and the bacteria will continue to metabolize and feed upon the nitrites that are produced. The nitrite level will decrease until it becomes undetectable. As with the Nitrosomonas, the Nitrobacter will constantly alter their numbers as the amount of nitrites changes, keeping a balance at which the nitrites are undetectable.
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The end product of this whole process is nitrate. Nitrates, in low to moderate concentrations, are not toxic to fish and invertebrates. Nitrates, however, can serve as a nutrient source for bacteria and plant life, and be the cause of other problems in the aquarium, such as excess algae. The anaerobic bacteria will break down the nitrates. Plants within the system will also feed on nitrates and are a good natural way of controlling this nutrient. Otherwise, the nitrate level needs to be controlled by chemical filtration and partial water changes.
The length of time required for this cycle to be completed in the new aquarium depends on many factors. These factors include: the amount of ammonia being produced during the cycling period; the efficiency of the biological filtration; and whether live rock or live plants are used in this process. The typical time period in most aquariums is going to be 3 to 6 weeks. It is important that if any of the fish used during this process perish, that they be replaced with another hardy fish in order to maintain the input of ammonia.
Newly-set-up aquariums lack the colonies of bacteria that are necessary to perform the biological filtration. Because of this, the aquarium must be "cycled." "Cycling" refers to the process of establishing and maturing the biological filtration. In order to establish the system, we need to provide a source of ammonia for the Nitrosomonas bacteria in the filtration system so they can live, reproduce, and colonize.
As the fish in the new system are fed and begin to thrive, they will, through their biological activities, produce ammonia. The Nitrosomonas bacteria, will begin to feed upon that ammonia and will start populating the aquarium. Their population will be greatest in the media that contains the highest level of oxygen and surface area, which will normally be within the filtration system. At this point, because the numbers of bacteria are limited, they will not be able to convert all of the ammonia that is present in the system, so the ammonia levels will continue to rise. As the amount of ammonia increases, the population of bacteria will also increase, but at a much slower rate than the ammonia. The ammonia level will eventually reach a peak and then start to decline as the population of bacteria becomes large enough to break down the ammonia faster than it is being produced. Because there is still ammonia within the system, however, the bacteria will continue to live and feed on the ammonia until it reaches a level undetectable by testing. At this point, a balance has been achieved in which the rate of ammonia production equals the rate at which it is broken down by the bacteria. The number of bacteria, from this point on, will change as the levels of ammonia (their food source) changes.
Figure 2. Biological filtration cycling process
Nitrites are produced through the biological activities of the Nitrosomonas bacteria as they feed on the ammonia. As their numbers increase, so does the amount of their waste product, nitrites. The Nitrobacter bacteria, because of the increasing supply of nitrites, will multiply and increase in numbers. They, too, will be most densely populated in the area with the greatest surface area and oxygen content. The nitrite levels will rise until the number of bacteria has increased to the point at which they break down the nitrites faster than it is being produced. At this point, the peak level of nitrites has occurred, and the bacteria will continue to metabolize and feed upon the nitrites that are produced. The nitrite level will decrease until it becomes undetectable. As with the Nitrosomonas, the Nitrobacter will constantly alter their numbers as the amount of nitrites changes, keeping a balance at which the nitrites are undetectable.
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The end product of this whole process is nitrate. Nitrates, in low to moderate concentrations, are not toxic to fish and invertebrates. Nitrates, however, can serve as a nutrient source for bacteria and plant life, and be the cause of other problems in the aquarium, such as excess algae. The anaerobic bacteria will break down the nitrates. Plants within the system will also feed on nitrates and are a good natural way of controlling this nutrient. Otherwise, the nitrate level needs to be controlled by chemical filtration and partial water changes.
The length of time required for this cycle to be completed in the new aquarium depends on many factors. These factors include: the amount of ammonia being produced during the cycling period; the efficiency of the biological filtration; and whether live rock or live plants are used in this process. The typical time period in most aquariums is going to be 3 to 6 weeks. It is important that if any of the fish used during this process perish, that they be replaced with another hardy fish in order to maintain the input of ammonia.
gharner
Member
thanx for the info. my tank is a 12 gallon aquapod. it has been set up for 2 1/2 weeks. the ammonia=0 and nitrite=0. nitrate was at 40 but i did a 10% water change.(my first water change ever in this tank). i will check the nitrate in a few minutes. if everything is ok i start my clean up crew tomorrow.
rykna
Active Member
It's the age of your tank. It takes any where from 2 months up to 4 months for a tank to cycle, and build up enough bateria(the clean up crew) to stabilize your levels of Amonia, Nitrate & nitrites to 0 across the board. What you are currently having now is "spikes" your tank will be on a "rollercoaster" levels as it goes through the process of "cycling".
As for the snails and such you will need them when you first round of algae shows up. Make sure that you get food pellets for(the hermit crabs) them, cause your tank is so new there isn't much for them to eat right now. The left over food will help the process of the the first algae bloom. This is red slime, which is an unwanted type of algae. As your matures, you will know if your tank is getting enough lighting, because the next step is when the good greean algae takes over. The red stuff doesn't like a lot of light..so it dies of as the green takes over. At this point my tanks average an age of 1 month to a month and a half.
After this point the "pod" population starts to grow. Amphipods are a very crucial part of the clean system as well as part of the food chain. Many Mandrine Gobies have perished due to the lack of pods present in a tank. These pods are their main food source.
As for the snails and such you will need them when you first round of algae shows up. Make sure that you get food pellets for(the hermit crabs) them, cause your tank is so new there isn't much for them to eat right now. The left over food will help the process of the the first algae bloom. This is red slime, which is an unwanted type of algae. As your matures, you will know if your tank is getting enough lighting, because the next step is when the good greean algae takes over. The red stuff doesn't like a lot of light..so it dies of as the green takes over. At this point my tanks average an age of 1 month to a month and a half.
After this point the "pod" population starts to grow. Amphipods are a very crucial part of the clean system as well as part of the food chain. Many Mandrine Gobies have perished due to the lack of pods present in a tank. These pods are their main food source.
gharner
Member
ok. i have red algea right now and plenty of it. thats why i wanted to get some snails and hermits. so it is ok for me to get a few of them now?. from what i understand my ammonia levels and nitrite levels will be fluctuating for a while. after a month or so i will be able to get my first fish, right?.
rykna
Active Member
Definatley get the clean up crew to start mowing down the red algae. I make sure to feed the crew at least once a week, especially when the tank is so new. Just be careful how much you feed, I sure you know over feeding leads to more spikes.
With crabs, snails, and live rock you should be well on your way to cycling your tank. Depending on what type of tank you plan to keep..reef, fish only....it depends alot on the critter's stamina. With the seahorse tank I am setting up I have been cycling the tank for almost 4 months now. Not only to achieve balanced water levels, but also to allow the pod population to grow. If I was doing a fish only I would go ahead an get 2-3 fish after 2 weeks.
How many lbs of live rock do you have in the tank? What critters are you planning to put in the tank?
Hearing that you have a bloom of red algae I would agree that's its time to pick up a clean up crew. Once they start cleaning up the tank, I would introduce your 1st fish in another week~pending on the tank levels.
Do you have any pics? :happyfish
With crabs, snails, and live rock you should be well on your way to cycling your tank. Depending on what type of tank you plan to keep..reef, fish only....it depends alot on the critter's stamina. With the seahorse tank I am setting up I have been cycling the tank for almost 4 months now. Not only to achieve balanced water levels, but also to allow the pod population to grow. If I was doing a fish only I would go ahead an get 2-3 fish after 2 weeks.
How many lbs of live rock do you have in the tank? What critters are you planning to put in the tank?
Hearing that you have a bloom of red algae I would agree that's its time to pick up a clean up crew. Once they start cleaning up the tank, I would introduce your 1st fish in another week~pending on the tank levels.
Do you have any pics? :happyfish
S
saltfreak4
Guest
Is this red slime algae? Because the cleanup crew will not eat this.