| When starting a new aquarium it is important to | | | | Fish eat food and generate waste. That waste |
| understand the nitrogen cycle. Many new | | | | along with excess food and plant debris become |
| aquarium owners jump into the hobby of fish | | | | ammonia in the aquarium. Ammonia is toxic to fish |
| keeping too quickly. Before purchasing fish, the | | | | and needs to be broken down. That's why the |
| aquarium must be cycled. This could take | | | | nitrifying bacteria is important. This bacteria, turns |
| anywhere from twenty four hours to four | | | | the ammonia into nitrites which are more tolerable |
| weeks. In an established aquarium there are | | | | to fish than ammonia. Next, different nitrifying |
| certain bacteria that help the breakdown of | | | | bacteria will turn the nitrites into nitrates, which |
| ammonia to nitrates, but they are not present in | | | | are even less toxic to the fish and other aquarium |
| a new tank because they are generated from | | | | life. The nitrates are collected and minimized by |
| existing fish. If there are no existing fish, then | | | | filters; however they will eventually accumulate in |
| there are no good bacteria. | | | | the tank. Regular water changes are required to |
| The basic principle of the nitrogen cycle is this. | | | | remove the nitrates from the water. |