Cylcing Your New Aquarium
From Materials to Fish
The nitrogen cycle is a chain reaction in nature resulting in various types of nitrifying bacteria. This acts as a filter which allows you to be able to support livestock.
The three parts is the cycles are ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. You will want a water testing kit so that you can test to see where you are in the cycle and can be sure when it is complete. In general the cycle usually takes about 30 days, but, each aquarium is different
In order to get the cycle going, add live rock and live sand. This will start the process. Eventually nitrite will start to appear, and the Ammonia level will do down. This is the second stage. Lastly the nitrate will rise and the nitrite will lower. Once the ammonia and nitrite levels have dropped to zero you can start preparing your tank for livestock. Clean out any organic waste that you may see and do a 50-75% water change. This will help bring the nitrate level down. Too much nitrate is bad for your livestock. Also rinse out any filters you may have. Do not run carbon when your tank is cycling.
Now you are ready to add livestock. The key here is patience. I know that it is easy to be excited and to just want to stock your tank right away, but that's not the way to do it. Carefully plan out what you want to add to your tank and be sure to consulate an experience reef keeper before making your purchases.
First buy a cleaner crew of some crabs and snails. Do your research on them first. A brittle starfish is also a great addition. After you have monitored your tank for say, 2 weeks, you are ready to add your first fish. Be sure that you can now keep your tank's water parameters stable. If you cannot work on doing water changes and giving your tank more time to mature. Gradually you can add fish, but I would recommend spacing them out to make sure that your system can take the new waste.
Published by Mateo
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1 Comments
Post a CommentHelpful article thanks!