£0.00(0 Items)
Posted by CD Aquatics on Nov 02 2022
Whether you are cycling a new fish tank or cycling an established tank, it is important that you complete the job properly to help keep your fish happy and healthy. Our guide to Cycling your fish tank includes everything from how to cycle your fish tank with fish, how to speed up an aquarium cycle and how long cycling a fish tank should take along with tips on how to keep your fish healthy during the process.
When it comes to preparing your fish tank for new fish or keeping your existing fish tank healthy, cycling your fish tank is an important part of fish care. Cycling a fish tank refers generally to the nitrogen cycle of a fish tank. This is the process of breaking down harmful elements in your tank such as toxic waste into an environment that is safe for your fish. Cycling your tank allows good bacteria to grow in your tank which will help support your fish health. Unhealthy elements such as ammonia, created when fish waste breaks down, will be converted into nitrates, then non-toxic nitrates.
During a fish tank cycle, ammonia will be created and added to the fish tank water, either through waste from your fish or through ammonia additives. Bacteria will then start to form which converts the ammonia into nitrates, you should notice this stage when the PH level of your tank rises above 7. At this point, the water may start looking a little cloudy.
Once the nitrates have levelled out, the new bacteria in your fish tank will start rooting out the harmful ammonia. It is important to keep checking your fish tank water regularly to ensure nitrate levels stay below 20ppm.
If you are cycling a new fish tank and need to know how to cycle a fish tank without fish, the good news is that it is relatively simple. During the usual fish tank cycling process, the fish will create the ammonia in the water that starts the cycle. However, when cycling an aquarium with no fish, these elements will need to be added manually.
To cycle a tank without fish, ensure you have set up the fish tank with the correct living environment, including the correct temperature for the fish you intend to house in your new tank. Then, simply add the ammonia up to 5ppm and maintain that ammonia level, the bacteria will then start to break down the ammonia as it would if it were created by fish waste. Doing this before you add fish to the tank reduces the risk of the fish tank water harming fish through unsafe levels.
It is important that when you choose your new fish tank, you choose one that is a suitable size for the number and type of fish that you intend on keeping in the tank. If you choose a tank too small then cycling your tank before adding fish will not help as the surplus of fish waste will build up too quickly in your new tank once fish are added. Getting the right fish tank filter will also reduce the amount of time your fish tank needs to cycle.
The length of time it will take to cycle your fish tank will depend on a number of conditions such as the ammonia levels or PH levels of your fish tank, whether it is a new fish tank, how many fish your keep in your tank and more. In general, fish tank cycling tends to take a few weeks. This depends on you regularly changing the water of your fish tank and checking the water for toxins.
Whilst there is no instant way to cycle a fish tank, especially not one that is safe for your fish, there are ways to help speed up your fish tank cycling somewhat. The first thing you should keep track of during the cycling process is that your PH level stays above 7. If your fish tank dips below this level, the bacterial growth that helps your fish tank to cycle will slow down meaning it will take longer to complete the process. You should also make sure that you use dechlorinator to treat tap water before adding to to your fish tank and keep your fish tank filter turned on.
Using the right tools to care for your fish is important at any stage of your fish tank’s life. At CD Aquatics, we provide a wide range of fish tank accessories to help you care for your fish. Take a look at our aquarium supplies now or contact our team for specialist advice on fish tank care.
Sign up to receive the latest offers & news
