The Fish Tank Nitrogen Cycle - Why it’s Important and How it Works - Fishless Aquarium Cycling With Ammonia
Posted by sharon seals on
Fish tanks are exciting! Once you get one, the urge is almost always immediate to start looking for an upgrade. This is great! We love the aquarium hobby as much as you do (obviously…) but there are a few things you need to know before simply filling that tank with fish as the pet store guy told you to.
What is Aquarium Cycling?
Cycling a tank is the process of growing beneficial bacteria that help to regulate the environment inside your aquarium. Basically, you are attempting to recreate a natural ecosystem in a tiny little space. This sounds tricky, never underestimate the power of an aquarium though, people often don’t realize that there's a lot of hardcore science going on there! While not necessarily easy, we have figured out the best ways to recreate nature and keep happy and healthy aquatic life. Cycling is your first step. Don’t be overwhelmed if it seems like a steep learning curve, it’s done regularly in everyone’s aquarium and you’ll soon get the hang of it naturally.
What Cycling Does
As extra food, excrement and old plants break down they begin to form what is known as ammonia. Ammonia can take the form of a liquid or gas and is toxic to your aquarium inhabitants. To counter the deadly compound, you do need to keep your tank clean and not overfed or overstocked.
Fish and plant waste are the first things that are going to build up in your aquatic system. Like your septic tank, these need to be removed before you end up with problems. In the case of aquariums, the toxicity that this waste puts off is deadly and will kill everything if not handled properly.
Naturally, there is a way to get rid of ammonia, and that is in the way of bacterial growths that feed off the nasty stuff. As bacteria grow, they convert ammonia to nitrites. Nitrites are less toxic than ammonia but will still kill your fish. However, as nitrites build up another form of bacteria begins to grow that then converts these nitrites to nitrates, once this happens, your tank is safe for fish to live in.
Moving forward, if too much waste is built up or the beneficial bacteria are harmed then your ammonia or nitrites can come back. As long as you keep your tank on a regular maintenance schedule and know that it is cycled you should continue to have a happy and healthy aquarium.
How to Cycle Your Aquarium Using Ammonia and No Fish

1. SET UP AND DECHLORINATE
Set up your tank and ensure that you have as much filter media as possible to begin growing bacteria. Depending on where you live, your water may be less or more toxic in the substances it contains. Chlorine is found in most tap water and will kill your fish. Once you’ve filled up your tank one of the first things you should do is add a dechlorinator to the water.
2. ADD AMMONIA DAILY

3. WAIT FOR HIGH NITRATES AND DO A WATER CHANGE
4. THE BEST STEP: TANK STOCKING!
Share this post
- 0 comment
- Tags: aquarium setup, cycling