HomeCare SheetsAquatics InfoBlogOffersAbout UsContact Us
Aquatics Info -> The Nitrogen Cycle
Product Search:
Aquatics Info - The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

One of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy fish tank is water quality. Probably the most vital part of maintaining good water quality is your filter. A key aspect of knowing how your filter works is understanding the Nitrogen Cycle. The biological part of your filter removes toxic fish waste and other broken down waste and turns it into a fairly harmless substance, thus keeping your fish healthy. It does this via the Nitrogen Cycle.

The Nitrogen cycle is basically a four stage process:

STAGE 1 – Fish produce waste in the form of Ammonia. Further Ammonia can come from uneaten food or rotting plant matter.

STAGE 2 – Your filter is colonised by Nitrosomus Bacteria, which turn the Ammonia into Nitrites.

STAGE 3 – Your filter is colonised by Nitrobacter Bacteria, which turn the Nitrites into Nitrates.

STAGE 4 – Nitrates are removed by live plants (if you have them), which use them as food, or by performing a 10-20% water change weekly.



Things to Remember

1 – Never put any water into your fish tank, which hasn’t been dechlorinated first as this will kill the bacteria in your filter.

2 – Never wash your filter in tap water, only tank water as this will again kill your filter bacteria.

3 – Never change more tha 20% of the water in your tank at one time as this can upset your water chemistry and have adverse effects on fish and bacteria in the tank system.

4 – Never turn off your filter unless you absolutely have to. The bacteria in your filter need a constant supply of well oxygenated food rich water to survive.

Basket
You have 0 items in your basket.
FREE DELIVERY
On orders over £50*
(*excluding livestock/frozen)

Dry Goods £4.99
Live Food £3.99
Frozen Goods £15.99
Invertebrates £15.99

Other Livestock:-
England & Wales £50.00
Southern Scotland £55.00
Northern Scotland
(not offshore) £65.00


View Delivery FAQ

Testimonials
"It makes a refreshing change that a company deals so efficiently in sorting out problems, especially when the problem was out of their control to start with."

Gareth, Oxford
Order online or call our
ORDER HOTLINE
01909 518808

Newsletter
Newsletter
Sign up now for
our newsletter!

Name:

Email:

Sign Up
Copyright © 2009-2024 Blue Lizard Reptiles; All Rights Reserved