FISH FACTS: LIFE IN A GLASS BOX Creating a balanced ecosystem in an aquarium
Rob Homer, Exotic Aquatic, Oakland Park
T
he basis of all healthy aquariums is what we call biological filtration. This is the presence of good nitrifying bacteria that breaks down raw fish waste (ammonia) into a less toxic form of waste (nitrates). This process begins when fish are introduced into the aquarium. Because the fish are being fed they are producing waste. The nitrogen cycle begins as the invisible good bacteria start to populate the aquarium clinging to all surface areas and feeding on this waste. It takes an average of four weeks for a freshwater aquarium to go through this process and about six weeks for a salt-water aquarium. Because water conditions are at their worst for this period it is important to start with hardy fish that can endure these conditions and never overfeed or overpopulate the new aquarium.
that claim to cycle an aquarium but in my experience, this is one works really well. Once an aquarium is established ammonia should never be present again unless the tank is grossly overfed or these good bacteria are over disturbed and killed off by cleaning all surfaces in the aquarium. In general, I recommend a water change every 3-4 weeks using a gravel vacuum to tumble the substrate removing debris and 1/3 of the water, then replace that water with clean, dechlorinated water of the same
There is a company marketing a living culture of these bacteria which once introduced take 1-5 days to balance the aquarium. It is refrigerated and has a shelf life of less than 3 months before it expires. There are many other products that can be found on the pet store shelf PET JUNCTION
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APRIL 15 - JULY 15 2019
