NITROGEN CYCLE--links to some articles

[SGypsyMermaid]

here are a few links to some articles on the nitrogen cycle in the aquarium. if you you know of others that you have found useful, please post them.


http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

http://www.algone.com/cycle.htm

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

http://www.versaquatics.com/nitrogencycle.htm

*edited to replace broken links.

[SGypsyMermaid]

fishless cycling:

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=895&start=0

http://articles.aaquaria.com/articles/4/1/The-Nitrogen-Cycle-and-Fishless-Cycling

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/faustus/nicoldaquaria/fishless.htm




edited to replace broken links.

[SGypsyMermaid]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&siteid=6&acatid=266&aid=652

http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/NitrogenCycle.pdf

[Jeff F.]

This is another one I found today.
http://www.algone.com/water_parameters.php

[franknbeanz]

Google nitrogen cycle.

[franknbeanz]

Add water, Add fish, Add Nutrafin Cycle. Test water when fish appear stressed. Then use Prime and put a puragen pack in your filter. Dont do 2 many water changes. If fish are still eating everyday then theres no need to worry. Cichlids are hardy fish just keep the ph in range and you will be ok. Also algae is a good thing let it grow for a wile.

[Glaive]

Chemicals like purigen are not necessary for cycling and are typically frowned upon much like carbon. Unlike carbon I feel purigen has no place in the hobby. Just my two cents.

[franknbeanz]

Realy it worked great, reusable and supposedly does not effect the bio filter. Once you get through the cycle there is no need for it.

[Glaive]

I'm not a fan of using chemical filtration except for the removal of medications. My question is at what point do you know the purigen is saturated?

[franknbeanz]

it goes from a pearl white do a dark brown. Purigen is a synthetic polymer that is porous. Its used to remove soluble and insoluble waste from the tank, helping control ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

[Glaive]

Yep I am aware of the product and how it works, just did not know it changes colors. It's another resin based product that chemically traps the big three.

[RustyNut]

Glaive, tsk tsk.... Purigen is unneeded but an excellent product none the less! Purigen will remove a larger array of toxins (EG: poisoning) that carbon will so it has a place. The colorchange is one of the main reasons I like it!

[rachel]

Found a really great link, helped me a lot!!!:

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-archive/19630-2-ammonia-methods-cycling-your-fishless-tank.html

check it out!

[msudawgs56]

http://www.tropical-fish-success.com/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle.html

[why_spyder]

I'll add a couple to fill out the 'link library'. :)

Wikipedia: Aqarium - Nitrogen Cycle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarium#Nitrogen_cycle)
New Aquarium Blues: The Nitrogen Cycle (http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/kumar_nitrogen.html)
The Nitrogen Cycle for Aquarium Enthusiasts (PDF) (www.amake.us/documents/writing/ncycle.pdf)

[55gallon]

I found this one: http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/

[eocsorymmot]

Hey everyone... I know a lot of these show a fishless cycle which requires PURE ammonia.

Now I spent a lot of time searching for pure ammonia and my local grocery stores (trading co, krogers, meijers, walmart, albertsons, etc.) and then I looked into the drug stores (walgreens, Rite Aid) still no PURE they all had scents and additives, so I went to home depot, lowes, and ace hardware. I still could not find any PURE ammonia...

After getting very frustrated and thinking of just doing the tried and true "cruel" method of using tough fish, I actually found a brand that is pure and is CHEAP, I mean dirt cheap, talking $6.00 for a case of 6-64oz bottles... Its called LA's Totally Awesome: Pure Ammonia...

It's sold at nearly every dollar store... Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar General... So, if you can't find usable ammonia to start your cycle with, then hit up the local dollar stores and try to find LA's Totally Awesome.... Hope it helps.

[DogWalker]

Good tip! Thanks for sharing.

[purple]

I went out and purchased this ammonia based on your post and upon opening it I can almost smell something when I waft it towards me. Also, it feels soapy? To test this I poured a little into a plugged sink and ran the water. It soaped up like dish-soap or hand-soap would. Is it possible that I bought the same brand from the Dollar Tree store but it contains surfactants? My understanding was that it shouldn't bubble.

Did yours do this?


Hey everyone... I know a lot of these show a fishless cycle which requires PURE ammonia.

Now I spent a lot of time searching for pure ammonia and my local grocery stores (trading co, krogers, meijers, walmart, albertsons, etc.) and then I looked into the drug stores (walgreens, Rite Aid) still no PURE they all had scents and additives, so I went to home depot, lowes, and ace hardware. I still could not find any PURE ammonia...

After getting very frustrated and thinking of just doing the tried and true "cruel" method of using tough fish, I actually found a brand that is pure and is CHEAP, I mean dirt cheap, talking $6.00 for a case of 6-64oz bottles... Its called LA's Totally Awesome: Pure Ammonia...

It's sold at nearly every dollar store... Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar General... So, if you can't find usable ammonia to start your cycle with, then hit up the local dollar stores and try to find LA's Totally Awesome.... Hope it helps.

[55gallon]

I went out and purchased this ammonia based on your post and upon opening it I can almost smell something when I waft it towards me. Also, it feels soapy? To test this I poured a little into a plugged sink and ran the water. It soaped up like dish-soap or hand-soap would. Is it possible that I bought the same brand from the Dollar Tree store but it contains surfactants? My understanding was that it shouldn't bubble.

Did yours do this?


Just go go ACE hardware and buy their janitorial strength ammonia. Problem solved......

[purple]

thanks (i think) for your curt response, 55...
but i was inquiring directly about the other ammonia...

i have projects in mind that require a lot of ammonia and there is only 1 Ace's HW in North Austin and it's a long drive from me... if there is another place or a work around for ammonia I'd rather do that then drive an hour to Ace's

whatever

[pford65]

I've read about cycling your tank, but still have questions on how to remedy problems. If I could just get some advice as to what to do next with where I am in my cycling. Here is the short end of it.

After setting up tank a month ago and putting a dozen "Tuffy's", small guppy like fish, in the tank I took my first reading on 10/7.

Date Test Results

10/7 Ph 7.8

Nh 0-2.5

NO2 5, scale only goes to 5

NO3 0

After test I added Ph down. Following day tested ph and it was down to 7.2 (will explain soon). About a week later changed approx. 15% water, cleaned sponges in old tank water, rinsed off amonia rings and charcoal bags & returned them to my Fluval 205 canister. (Mistake, I know, but have question about that later). I also cleaned my Fluval C3 HOB. The following day I retested all and found the following results:

Date Test Result

10/17 Ph 7.2
NH 0
NO2 2-5 (colors are so close, leaning 5)
NO3 80 - 160 (colors are so close, leaning to 160)

I'm using an API Master test kit. Is this normal? Any help is much appreciated.

I lowered my ph because I've decided go go w/

4 Black Veil Angel 75-82° F, KH 1-5, pH 5.8-7.0

3 Rainbow fish 72-77° F, KH 9-19, pH 7.0-8.0
12 Jumbo Cardinal Tetra 73-81° F, KH 2-6, pH 5.5-7.5
3 Rams 72-79° F, KH 5-12, pH 5.0-7.0
3 Apistogrammas 72-86° F, KH 2-15, pH 5.0-7.0

I put this list together w/ Tom of Rainforest Farms International. Any knowledge of him, good or bad?

Thanks for your time and any input.

Phil

[surfsca]

I have been doing water changes everyday since about the forth day of starting a brand new tank. I am doing this because every day the ammonia and or the nitrite levels are too high according to a chart I found at this website:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

The chart recommends things like 25% to 50% water changes and cutting food by half or all untill the levels lower.

Am I changing water too often or is all this nessasary?

[pford65]

Am I changing water too often or is all this nessasary?[/QUOTE]

Surfsca,

Yes, you are changing your water way too much. At the beginning of any new aquarium, you need a few "sacraficial fish" to help your tank complete its cycling. Stop changing the water and let the tank "cycle" for about 4-6 weeks. During that time the readings are going to be way off on the amonia, nitrites and nitrates. In time the numbers will fall into line. Look for the details about cycling on this site. It's a great site, filled w/ info for all aquarists. I'd suggest reading the the beginner info.

good luck.