|
  |
|
|
Fishless Cycling - A Better Method
Introduction to Fishless Cycling The most important step, once you have set up your aquarium, is to ‘cycle’ it. This is the process where beneficial bacteria grow in your biological filter and in the gravel that will process the waste products produced by the fish. When you add fish to your tank ammonia and nitrite levels rise to high levels until the bacteria are sufficient to process them and break them down into harmless nitrates. Traditional methods of encouraging the production of bacteria have been to add a few hardy fish in order for their waste to ‘cycle’ the tank. This method works but it is very stressful for the fish and causes them physical damage. The toxic ammonia burns their gills causing permanent damage and even the strongest fish may die during the recycling. Even if they survive their life expectancy is significantly decreased. many will only survive for a few months instead of the normal three to ten years. In addition you may not actually want the fish normally used for ‘cycling’! Many people are advised to use goldfish for cycling the tank. DO NOT USE GOLDFISH! Firstly they are not tropical fish so they should not be kept in these conditions, secondly goldfish need different conditions so cycling your tank for goldfish is not ideal when you are going to have tropical fish. Lastly what will you do with the goldfish when you are finished cycling? Fortunately there is a faster and more humane way to ‘cycle’ your tank. I have been using this method for many years successfully. It involves using household ammonia instead of fish as the ammonia source and beginning with a bacteria culture. The Bacteria Starter Culture The bacteria culture can be obtained by using something, a handful of gravel, a rock or other decoration, from a healthy fish tank. This will start off the bacteria growth. If you do not have a source from another healthy tank there are commercial preparations that you can buy, Hagen’s Cycle (TM) Cycle or StressZyme are examples. If you don’t have any of these you can still do a fishless cycle although it may take a bit longer. The Ammonia You need to buy unscented, 100% pure ammonia.with no additives. Supermarkets sell this or some pet shop may also sell it. As I am a chemist I have a source of chemical grade ammonia from the lab, if you know a chemist or a science teacher this may be a way to obtain some! Temperature of the Tank Nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) grow best at between 30 and 35 C (85-95F) so while you are cycling the tank (without the fish) you can increase the temperature. remember to turn it down again when you are ready to add your fish. Testing Kit You are going to need a testing kit to monitor the changes and to indicate when your tank is cycled and ready for the fish. You will need to be able to test for ammonia and nitrite. Method If possible increase the aeration in the tank and through the filter. Bacteria need oxygen to grow so the more aeration the better. Inoculate your tank with the bacteria culture. Add about a teaspoon of ammonia to a small tank or more for a larger tank, Leave for about an hour then test the water. You are aiming for a level of between 3 and 5 ppm (or mg/L). Keep adding, resting and testing until the level is right. Now leave the tank alone for a few days. Now you can begin to test for nitrites. The ammonia level should begin to drop as the ammonia is converted by the bacteria into nitrites so the ammonia should go down and the nitrites should start to increase. When you see the nitrite appear you know the bacteria are doing their job. When the ammonia level drops to zero add a teaspoon of ammonia to give the bacteria something to ‘eat’. After a few days the nitrite levels will reach a maximum and begin to fall. The nitrites are being converted into the relatively harmless nitrates. Usually within 3 or 4 days of the nitrites spiking to a maximum the ammonia and nitrite levels will drop to zero. Your tank is now ‘cycled’. Now you can change about 60% of the water, being careful not to disturb the gravel bed or change any filter media. You don’t want to disturb your newly grown bacteria colony! Lower the temperature to about 25°C (or the ideal temperature for your intended fish) and leave for a few hours. Test the water again for ammonia and nitrites, which should still be zero, and your tank is now ready for your fish. Adding the Fish Although it is possible to add all the fish at once it is still better to add a few at a time to allow the bacteria to continue to grow and cope with the increased ammonia added by the fish. Even in a cycled tank adding all the fish at once will result in a spike of ammonia and nitrites which could cause problems and may result in diseased fish. Take about a month to add all the fish to the tank. Using the fishless cycling method is not only more humane but a very efficient method to produce a cycled tank in the shortest possible time. |
 
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Fishless Cycling - A Better Method" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
 |
|
This intel was contributed by janetra
|
February, 2012
| | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | | | | |
|
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
