This is where most hobbyists new to fish keeping go wrong. They have a filter and a tank, so they are all set, right? NO. If you are reading this before you started your cycle, its not too late! I will show you everything you need to know about the nitrogen cycle in this chapter.
New Tank Syndrome is another name for a tank that has not been cycled yet, and if your fish die only after a few days you set it up, the killer was most likely NTS. If you already have the fish and you haven’t cycled your tank yet, RETURN THEM NOW, and read this chapter.
What is a nitrogen cycle? In very basic words, its the process of building beneficial bacteria that your fish need to keep a healthy and stable life. The nitrogen cycle is the process of adding ammonia (fish waste, harmful bacteria) and letting nature take its course for beneficial bacteria to eat it away, creating a new product: nitrite. After nitrite has been eaten away, next in the cycle comes nitrate which you need a reading of in order for your tank to be cycled.
It seems hard, right? But its not at all, actually. All you need is an ammonia source (to “feed” the beneficial bacteria that is growing in your tank) to kick start the cycle, then it practically runs the course itself. However, there are different ways to cycle your tank, and methods differ due to the type of ammonia source you use. There are two popular methods that are constantly being debated about on which is more effective. The first method was developed back from the stone age of fish keeping, which was using plain old fish to provide the ammonia needed to cycle a tank. But there are always other ways. The second way was established rather recently. They developed a way to complete the nitrogen cycle without fish. You see, even though fish put off the waste that is needed to carry on with the cycle, it doesn’t mean that the waste still doesn’t hurt them during the cycle. In fact, most fish will die. The second method is doing a fish-less cycle meaning that no fish have to be involved in the cycle, because you can complete it without fish. Hardy fish are fish that don’t get as harmed when put in during the cycle. Since fishless cycles are a fairly new process, people with more years of experience prefer to cycle with fish just as they did in the old days. This is really a matter of opinion over effectiveness, but I prefer to cycle with fish.
To do a nitrogen cycle without fish, find an ammonia source. The easiest way is to use fish food or adding pure ammonia. Add a pinch every day and test your water every week to make sure you aren’t doing anything wrong. It takes about 2 weeks for each level to rise, then get consumed by the beneficial bacteria, so your cycle should take around 6 weeks, but expect 8 weeks for delay and unexpected changes in the cycle. When your ammonia and nitrites are 0 and you have a nitrate reading of under 20, your tank is cycled!
To cycle with fish, find hardy fish. I strongly advise against goldfish because they are weaker than most hardy fish, and they also have way more diseases which can affect your future fish. Fish like tiger barbs, mollies, and zebra danio are recommended “cycling” fish because they are hardier than most types.
While your tank is cycling, research fish that you want, as well as if they are compatible with your tank or not. A good website program is called AqAdvisor, a website that lets you punch in your tank size, your filter size, the fish you want, and how many you want, and it will tell you if your tank can handle the bioload as well as how often to do water changes and how much. Don’t expect a wide variety from chain stores like Petco or Petsmart. You may want to order fish online (note that shipping costs can be expensive) or from your LFS (local fish store.)
However there is one more method which I have left out. These are for the more impatient ones. You can quicken the cycle by adding things from a tank that has been cycled already, like filter media, substrate, nitrifying bacteria, and live plants. It will be much quicker to cycle your tank if you have a separate tank that has been up and running already. If you do not, you can buy media and bacteria at your LFS or pet store as well. However if you do not feel like spending money, then you can turn to the DIY nitrogen cycle steps.
This is a sample from a chapter about nitrogen cycles from the book that I am currently writing. If you liked my article, I will notify you when my book is published on iBooks 2, so the book will be available for your iPad!
