![]() In a healthy, cycled aquarium, Nitrosomonas bacteria oxidize ammonia into nitrite.įish can withstand nitrite much better than they can ammonia however it is still quite toxic to fish. Highly toxic ammonia is produced as waste and excess food is broken down by bacteria. The nitrogen cycle is the process that nature uses to break down these toxic nitrogen compounds. While all three nitrogen compounds are harmful to fish, ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic. The concentrations of nitrogen compounds found in an aquarium are ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Nitrogen compounds are produced from the waste coming from fish, uneaten fish food, decaying plant matter, and other organic matter that is breaking down in the aquarium. Water temperature is also an important factor and should be kept in the high 70s° to low 80s° Fahrenheit. ![]() This process can take as long as three months, even longer if the process is interrupted by water changes or chemicals. ![]() When an aquarium has a good nitrogen cycle working in it, the aquarium is said to be "cycled". If there aren't enough bacteria in the aquarium the levels of ammonia can rise to a point that fish can develop tissue and organ damage which can lead to poor growth, illness, and death. In order to understand how biological filtration works one should have a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle.Ī fish tank that has not been properly cycled can develop what is referred to as "New Tank Syndrome." Wastes, excess food, decomposing plants, etc all contribute to producing ammonia in an aquarium. The likely reason for the water getting cloudy and having the fish die is due to an improperly cycled tank. Earlier in this article, we asked the question "Have you ever tried to keep Goldfish in a bowl only to have the water go cloudy and have the Goldfish die?" Biological Filtrationīiological filtration in an aquarium refers to the process of using beneficial bacteria to break down waste to help make the water safer for fish. There are other types of chemical filtration available besides activated carbon.Ī relatively new product called Purigen, made by a company named Seachem, is marketed as a product that leaves your water crystal clear and can be recharged and reused. Most hobbyists recommend changing their activated carbon about once a month depending on the number and type of fish that are kept in the aquarium.
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