Tropical Fish Information – Your Fish Tank Guru

The Nitrogen Cycle Part of the Ecosystem of a Freshwater Aquarium
By Jason MacParland

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process in any aquarium. It begins as soon as you add the first fish to the tank. Their waste products include ammonia, which starts the nitrogen cycle. During the initial setup period, it is important that you test the water quality daily, so that you can watch your tank progress through the stages of the nitrogen cycle.

In addition to simply adding fish to the aquarium, there are other ways to jump-start the nitrogen cycle. Those with saltwater aquariums can add live rock to begin the process. If you are setting up a freshwater tank, it is possible to add a cup of gravel from an established tank. Although it will contain the beneficial bacteria necessary for the nitrogen cycle, it may also contain unwanted bacteria or parasites, so this method should be used with caution.

When your new aquarium is first set up, it’s important not too add too many fish. Adding too many fish results in high levels of waste, which your new tank ecosystem may not be able to handle. As the ammonia levels spike, your fish could die. In fact, many experienced fishkeepers recommend beginning with a few inexpensive fish to begin the nitrogen cycle if you plan to keep exotic tropical fish in the aquarium. This way, if your first nitrogen cycle does not go as planned, you won’t kill off an expensive and rare fish.

As you add fish to the aquarium, ammonia levels will start to rise immediately. All of the food you put into the tank will eventually be converted into ammonia by your fish. You can expect ammonia levels to fluctuate as the aquarium ecosystem settles into a routine. However, ammonia buildup is dangerous for your fish. Signs that the ammonia is too high include red or bloodshot eyes, red inflamed gills, or red streaks on the sides of your fish. Ammonia levels of 0.25 to 0.5 parts per million (ppm) can stress your fish, while above 1.0 is considered lethal. Although it’s best to let the beneficial bacteria eat the ammonia, continuing the nitrogen cycle, if the levels get too high you should change 15 to 25 percent of the water to reduce ammonia levels. Reducing the amount of food you are feeding will reduce future ammonia levels.

Within two weeks of introducing the first fish to your new aquarium, a beneficial bacteria will start to eat the ammonia. This nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia into nitrites. Your tank may become cloudy during this stage in the process, as the bacteria multiply quickly to eat the excess ammonia. At this point, nitrites should begin appearing on your water test results.

In another week or two, you will start to see increasing nitrate levels on the water test strips. Moderate levels of nitrates cause no harm to your fish. They can build up, however, especially if you are not diligent about changing the water in the tank. If levels go above 80 to 100ppm, a water change can help increase the water quality in the aquarium. In addition to regular water changes, live plants can also remove nitrates from the aquarium environment.

The nitrogen cycle is a very important process in your aquarium. You can expect the full cycle to take anywhere from three to six weeks to become established. This step is crucial if you want the aquarium to be healthy, and it must be monitored closely with water test kits.

James MacParland is a freshwater aquarium expert. For more great information on ecosystem of a freshwater aquarium, visit http://www.easyfreshwateraquariumcare.com to learn more about setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium. Check out my site to learn more about the ecosystem of a freshwater aquarium and more.

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By Jason MacParland

Aquariums contain substances that can be harmful for your fish if not kept in check. Aquarium water testing kits ensure that substances like ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are kept under control. Since there are various types of water testing kits, it can get confusing to choose the right kit. This article will elaborate on the various types of aquarium water testing kits available.

Checking the Ammonia levels in your Aquarium Water. Ammonia is released into the aquarium through fish poop and ammonia is also created by the gills of fish. This chemical is considered very toxic if the levels increase significantly. Water testing kits that test for ammonia indicate the levels of ammonia so that the owner knows when to change water in the aquarium.

What are Nitrites and Nitrate in Aquarium Water and why your should check the levels of both. Nitrite is created when the nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites. Nitrites are a lesser toxic form of ammonia but Nitrites are also dangerous. The nitrifying bacteria convert nitrites to a lesser toxic form known as nitrates. Nitrates are controlled in the aquarium with the help of filters and water changes. Aquariums that have completed the nitrogen cycle only have nitrates in them. Nitrite and nitrate testing kits work on the same principal as ammonia testing kits.

How to be checking out the PH in your Aquarium Water. PH is a term used to indicate the hardness of the water. The PH 7 is considered as a neutral level while anything lower than 7 is considered acidic. PH that is higher than 7 is considered alkaline. PH testing kits test the hardness of the water and these kits are only used by fish keepers who keep delicate species of fish. Fish keeps that keep certain cichlids often use PH testing kits to know if they need to alter the water chemistry.

There are various types of kits available in the market. The colorimetric test kit if easy to use and alerts the user that the specific substance in high in the aquarium through the change of colors. In order to use these kits the person requires to put a few drops of the aquarium water on the strips provided. The kit contains instructions on the various colors that will appear on the strip if the water contains a specific substance. Titrimetric test kits use a reagent to test the water. In this type of test kit the water a few drops of water have to be put in a glass container and the reagent has to be added to the water. If the water contains high levels of the specific substance then the color of the water will change. Stick on aquarium water testing kits are easy to use but they are not precise. A ticker is provided in these kits and these stickers have to be stuck inside the tank. These stickers change color when the water contains a specific substance.

Things to Remember about water chemistry in your freshwater aquarium. While using water testing kits you should remember that the PH of the water does not need to be changed for most fish. Most tap water after water conditioners are normally 7.0 Ph. If you feel the need to change the PH of the water then you should use driftwood to lower the Ph or crushed coral to increase the PH.

Jason MacParland is a freshwater aquarium expert. For more great information on how to find out ammonia levels in freshwater aquariums, and other water chemistry issues visit http://www.easyfreshwateraquariumcare.com to learn more about setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium.

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There are advantages and disadvantages in any possible situation. The same thing can be said about aquariums. There are pluses and minuses about both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Let us talk about freshwater aquariums in detail. It has already been proven that freshwater aquariums are much more comfortable in maintenance and aquarists usually have much less problems with them comparing to saltwater aquariums. Freshwater aquariums are a great decision not only for your interior decoration, but also for the decoration of offices and other premises in business centers and private rooms.

Experiences aquarists, who start up their aquariums either as a hobby or as a part of interior, are sure that there is nothing difficult about keeping aquariums. Believing them, beginners usually start aquarium as a perfect alternative to a cat or a dog. They think that it is unnecessary to care for an aquarium, but believe us, nothing is that easy, as it seems when it comes to aquariums. Don’t you believe those people, who try to convince you of acquiring aquariums and saying that it is going to be nothing, but a joy for you and your children. Of course, it cannot be denied that aquariums are beautiful and you will admire them, but you have to talk to competent people in order to get the proved information.

The aesthetic joy is going to be great if you have your own fish tank filled with a clear water and with colored fish living inside. Aquariums are considered to be a nice cure of psychological tensions and depressions, which can strike you everywhere – from your work to your home. They are advised and used to ease the nervous states and rather helpful when curing heart diseases. Now, imagine that you come home after a long and tiresome business day. You feel distressed and exhausted. You can easily ease your state by spending a half an hour, sitting in your favorite armchair in front of your fish tank and admiring a small beautiful underwater world, you have created with your own hands. Wonderful perspective, isn’t it? So why don’t you just examine several books on aquarium maintenance and go to the nearest pet shop? You will be offered a great option of species, which will make your aquarium look beautiful. Choose an average-sized aquarium, requiring o special place in your house. You will be able to install it on a solid wooden coffee table, on your desk or wherever you wish. If you want to have a larger fish tank, you will have to take care of a separate base capable of holding even the heaviest fish tanks. Such bases are even more comfortable, because you will not have to move objects or a fish tank itself in order to feed your species or clean your aquarium. Whatever fish tank you choose, it will become an inalienable part of your interior, making it cozy and comfortable.

For the info about fish aquariums, freshwater aquarium tips and resources to get fish tank table – please visit this blog.

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Hello All Tropical Fish Enthusist,

Check out my good friend Jason McParland’s new Tropical Fish website on Freshwater Aquarium Maintance – Easy Freshwater Aquarium Care. Join his 10 Day eCourse and check out his new ebook on Freshwater Aquarium Care.