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The fish aquarium cycle is vitally important when you're setting up your new fish tank.
In simple terms - it's the process by which beneficial bacteria, break down harmful waste such as ammonia, into less harmful substances called Nitrites, which are then broken down by more good bacteria, into Nitrates in which the underwater plants absorb, which then produce oxygen for the fish to breathe and swim happily.
Luckily, most fish species are hardy creatures, yet there is only so much of their own waste that they can handle!
In an aquarium they swim around in the same water that they leave their waste in and to keep fish healthy – and alive – it is important to go through a process called the fish aquarium cycle.
Everyone knows there are a few critical elements to an aquarium. These include the heater and the light, yet the most important part is the filter.
Its job is to remove the harmful waste from the water so that fish do not get sick. The filter needs to be conditioned by the fish aquarium cycle in order to do its job properly.
This is really all about bacteria. A brand new out-of-the-box filter will be clean and bacteria-free however, bacteria are needed to break down the toxins in the water so that they are not harmful to fish.
Here is the process that takes place in a cycling tank:
The process of cycling a tank is all about adding bacteria that can then break down toxic ammonia into a less toxic substance.
Going through a fish aquarium cycle is a process that can take several weeks.
It is also a process that needs great care and attention.
It is critical for any new aquarium. There is nothing more disappointing than seeing your fish become distressed or die because of toxins in the water and just a little bit of effort before the fish are added to your tank can pay big – rather priceless dividends.