Before you jump into the responsibility of starting a new aquarium system in your own home, you must first understand the ways how the nitrogen cycle applies and how you must attend to it. Most fish enthusiasts commit the mistake of not even considering to look into this, and over time, their pets pay the price. In new aquariums, there is the toxin called ammonia, which is deadly for most living organisms like fishes. This substances is annihilated by good bacteria being produced by fishes. But for new aquariums, it is obvious that problem begins how to remove the ammonia since there are still no fishes to kill it.
Considering the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle of aquariums are so-called cycle because they never end. It takes place as long as you continue to pursue your aquatic pet keeping. The concept of it is very easy to understand. First, when fishes eat, they would excrete waste. This waste produce, along with all other collected debris from the water environment, become ammonia. But, the fishes also produce nitrifying bacteria that takes care of this. The bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrite, which is a less concentrated toxin. And then from nitrite, the bacteria will then convert to nitrate. Nitrate, which is basically harmless, is then cleaned off by filters.
Preparing the aquarium is a very important step you should make before going out fish shopping. You do not want to introduce your fishes to a very unstable and unsanitary environment, do you? So, you should pay attention to this. Begin by washing your tank and all other additional accessories with water. As much as possible, avoid using cleaning detergents as their chemical ingredients may be deposited inside your tank. Use de-chlorinated water when you’re already filling up. Don’t forget to attach lightings and filters. Once done with the set-up, check the water whether its PH level and temperature is right.
Fish buying is the most fun part of the starting process because you get to browse and select various types. If you do not have any in depth experience with fishes, start out with the ones that are not so hard to maintain. Few choices would be live bearers, gouramis, danios and barbs. Also, be patient and go for four or five fishes at most in the mean time. Just add up gradually as you prefer. Remember, more fishes means more responsibility. One more note, when you are already transferring your fish from their bags to the aquarium, be careful not to transfer the water as well. This is so you could avoid contamination and water disturbance.
When feeding the fishes, give only the right amount. If you give more than necessary, your fishes wouldn’t be able to finish all. And the remains are dissolved into the water, which later on becomes waste deposits. These deposits, as said earlier, cause increase in the water’s ammonia levels. This is highly essential, most especially for newly established aquariums as there isn’t the abundance of cleansing bacteria yet. Always monitor the condition of your aquarium and fishes. If the water becomes blurry, use a clarifier. Make sure your fishes are regularly swimming, as it is an indicator whether they are healthy or not. Idle fishes are usually the sick ones. Just keep your eyes open for the needs of your aquarium, and maintenance would not be that hard.
