Growing healthy bacteria in a fish tank is mission-critical for maintaining a healthy aquarium. Here you will find a step-by-step guide to making sure that you are growing healthy bacteria in your fish tank.<\/p>\n
How do you grow healthy bacteria in a fish tank? There are 8 steps to growing healthy bacteria in a fish tank:<\/strong><\/p>\n
The good bacteria in a fish tank are nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia and nitrite. An alternative method for growing good bacteria will be discussed. It is possible to grow healthy bacteria in a fish tank without adding starter fish, but this technique presents its own challenges, which will be discussed in this guide.<\/p>\n
The good bacteria in the fish tank aren\u2019t that different from those in our digestive tract. Good bacteria help to break down waste and clear out toxins. In short, these helpful bacteria are going to help keep your water clean and, therefore, your fish healthy.<\/p>\n
There are two types of nitrifying bacteria that you want thriving in your freshwater fish tank. These bacteria are critical for the nitrogen cycle to roll smoothly within the tank.<\/p>\n
As we know, too much ammonia is toxic to the fish, as are nitrites in large quantities. Fish eliminate ammonia from their blood through their gills. When they excrete ammonia, they are also releasing nitrogenous waste.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, some bacteria like to eat that waste. And they are the same bacteria that are beneficial to your fish: nitrifying bacteria.<\/p>\n
The two types of nitrifying bacteria you want in your fish tank are:<\/p>\n
Fish have a layer of mucus over their scales that protect them from small concentrations of ammonia, but they are susceptible to higher concentrations of ammonia. It can build up in their bodies and \u201cburn\u201d their gills. Their gills may appear to be bleeding, as you\u2019ll begin to see reddish streaks near the gills.<\/p>\n
Nitrogen compounds can rise to dangerous levels in a freshwater fish tank quite quickly. You will want to establish colonies of good bacteria in the filter bed of your aquarium that converts ammonia into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates. <\/strong><\/p>\n
But where do you get these bacteria?<\/p>\n
According to this article from Duke University<\/a>, the desired species of nitrifying bacteria for cycling your aquarium can be found everywhere, including the air.<\/p>\n
Every species of nitrifying bacteria needs an adequate supply of micronutrients in the fish tank in order to survive and thrive. Most critical of all is the need for phosphorus to provide energy for cellular functions. Phosphorus generally exists in fish tanks in the form of phosphate (chemical formula PO4).<\/p>\n
Nitrobacter bacteria, which are responsible for breaking down harmful nitrites into nitrates, are hit particularly hard when there is not a healthy supply of phosphate in your fish tank.<\/p>\n
Typically, a sufficient level of phosphate can be found in your drinking water.<\/strong> However, the filter in your fish tank may determine how much phosphate is made available to the bacteria in your fish tank.<\/p>\n
High-tech water filters have become increasingly popular over time in the home aquarium industry. The high tech water filters are able to perform advanced purification procedures on the water in the fish tank, including de-ionizing, distillation, and reverse osmosis.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, these high-tech water filters may strip the water of essential nutrients such as phosphates if they are used improperly.<\/strong><\/p>\n
High-tech water filters do an excellent job of purifying the water in a fish tank but using them may require you to consider other options in the extreme case that nitrifying bacteria are unable to thrive in your fish tank.<\/p>\n
You can find out how much phosphate is in your fish tank by using a phosphate test kit<\/a>, such as the one found in the link. Generally, phosphate levels are not as much of a concern in fish tanks as other chemical parameters such as ammonia, nitrate, and acidity.<\/p>\n
Phosphates are more of a concern in saltwater tanks with coral reefs in them, according to this article<\/a>. This is because coral reefs are used to living in low nutrient conditions.<\/p>\n
Your first step in cycling your fish tank will involve introducing good \u201cstarter fish\u201d into the brand new aquarium environment. The reason you want these fish is that you want to give the good bacteria something to eat: ammonia from fish excretions.<\/p>\n
\u201cStarter fish\u201d are defined as species that are hardy, easy to manage, and inexpensive. These species of fish will be the first to introduce ammonia to the tank, which the bacteria will then feed on.<\/strong><\/p>\n
You should introduce only one or two individuals of these species at the start.<\/strong> By adding more than one or two fish at the start of the aquarium\u2019s life, you will run the risk of causing the nitrogen cycle to spin out of control.<\/p>\n
Good starter fish for freshwater aquariums include:<\/strong><\/p>\n
You should avoid using feeder fish for your aquarium because they can often introduce diseases to your fish tank, according to this article<\/a>. Stick to the types of fish above and don\u2019t bring in too many at once.<\/p>\n
With a little patience, you can cycle your fish tank without adding fish first to be a source of ammonia. You can add ammonia manually to attract nitrifying bacteria.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The downside to this method is that it is more difficult than adding fish to provide a steady supply of ammonia. With this method, you will need to constantly monitor the water chemistry using the test kits described earlier in this article.<\/p>\n
How to Get Healthy Bacteria in an Aquarium Without Adding Fish?<\/strong>
\nYou will need to manually add ammonia by using a form of ammonia such as ammonium chloride. You can find ammonia chloride sold in a form specifically designed for use in aquariums. Dr. Tim\u2019s Aquatics makes a solution of ammonium chloride for fishless cycling that can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Monitor nitrite levels by using nitrite test strips to test for the presence of bacteria that break down ammonia into nitrite. Then you will need to begin monitoring for bacteria responsible for breaking down nitrites into nitrates. You will want to continue monitoring ammonia levels during this entire process.<\/p>\n
Ammonia levels should be monitored daily. You will want to make sure that you add small amounts of ammonia into the tank when the ammonia levels drop to 0 ppm.<\/strong> It is important not to cut off the cycle. Once it is clear that the fish tank is cycling, you can start to add a few fish after performing a water change.<\/p>\n
Before you add your first fish to the tank, you will need to change out some of the water to remove excess nitrate and ammonia in the tank.<\/p>\n
Add fish when you have determined that the ammonia levels are continuously dropping during the day, and the nitrite levels are at 0 ppm, as is recommended here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
You will typically want to remove at least 50% of the water in the tank.<\/p>\n
Nitrifying bacteria have temperature preferences, just like the fish themselves have temperature preferences. The optimal temperature range for the growth of nitrifying bacteria is approximately 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Pond Trade Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n
You can find thermometers for your fish tank that will stick to the side of your aquarium. These specialty thermometers, such as the LCD digital aquarium thermometer<\/a>, are affordable ways to ensure that the desired temperature range is being met.<\/p>\n
Species of nitrifying bacteria are sensitive to different types of light. They can be especially sensitive to blue light and ultraviolet light.<\/p>\n
The time period that nitrifying bacteria are sensitive to this light is limited<\/a> to the time before the bacteria colonize a surface.<\/p>\n
In order to make sure that you have a healthy population of nitrifying bacteria within your fish tank, it is recommended<\/a> that you buy chemistry test kits for your aquarium.<\/p>\n
You will be able to determine that the nitrogen cycle is occurring properly by purchasing test kits. When nitrate can be detected in your fish tanks, you will know that the nitrogen cycle is taking place, and you likely have a healthy population of bacteria within your tank.<\/p>\n
You can start off by buying a simple nitrate test. Test kits for your aquarium are affordable and can be purchased online:<\/p>\n
You can ensure proper care of your freshwater aquarium by buying complete test kits that measure more parameters than just nitrate.<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One of the parameters you can test other than nitrate is ammonia. Testing ammonia can become necessary if your aquarium does not seem to be a healthy environment. High levels of ammonia in a tank that has been well established would indicate that the nitrogen cycle is not taking place.<\/p>\n
You can find ammonia test kits such as the API Nitrate Test Kit<\/a> and nitrite test kits such as this one<\/a>\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n
You can find master test kits<\/a> such as the one found here that include test strips for measuring all relevant parameters for freshwater aquariums.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ammonia concentrations should be measured at least once a week, as is recommended in this article<\/a> from the University of Florida. In an established tank, ammonia concentrations should not be at levels that can be detected by the test kits you buy online or at aquarium supply stores.<\/p>\n
If ammonia is detected, possible causes include<\/a>:<\/p>\n
The nitrogen cycle can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks in a brand new freshwater fish tank. The amount of time it takes for a brand new fish tank to go through a nitrogen cycle the first time depends upon a variety of factors.<\/p>\n
For one thing, it depends upon the amount of ammonia being produced during the cycle. This is why it is ideal to stock an aquarium with only a couple of fish at the start.<\/p>\n
The time it takes for the first nitrogen cycle to take place also depends upon whether additives that provide habitat to bacteria are used.<\/p>\n
The acidity of the water of your fish tank will also have an impact on the growth of nitrifying bacteria. This is yet another thing you\u2019ll have to test for.<\/p>\n
The optimal pH range for Nitrosomonas is approximately 7.8-8, while the optimal pH range for the Nitrobacter bacteria is 7.3-7.5, according to this article<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n