How Do I Cycle My Aquarium?

Cycling is a way to create beneficial bacteria in a tank which will break down fish waste and prevent the water quality from becoming toxic right away. It needs to be done to any new tank in order to have a lasting healthy environment for your fish later on. If you do not cycle the tank in any way, the first fish you put into the tank will have to endure a long painful process, and might even die.

How Do You Cycle A Tank?

Cycling with fish: There are 2 methods to cycle a tank, with many variations. The most common one, even though not the best one, is cycling with fish. In my opinion, it is pretty much ignoring the whole cycling process. You put fish into the tank and feed them normally. They will create waste, and that is what gets the bacteria "started".

The waste decomposes, and becomes ammonia. With absolutely no bacteria in the tank yet, the ammonia will take a long time to break down into a less harmful substance. Over time, the beneficial bacteria will be created, and the tank will be able to break down ammonia much faster.

Fishless Cycling: Another method to cycle is to use ammonia. I believe this works better than the previous method. You might not be able to find a bottle of ammonia at your local pharmacy, as it is a hazardous substance, so you can use something else that decomposes into ammonia. Fish food is fine. I have also heard some people use a raw shrimp... Just "feed" your tank with food with more than what you would normally feed your fish. With ammonia, there are certain amounts you should use depending on the concentration of that particular ammonia. They are measured in drips, not capfuls :)

You can fishless cycle an aquarium for a long time before you add fish, or you could do it for only a week. Before you add fish, you must perform a large water change, about 50% to get rid of the broken down substances, as they are still harmful to fish in large quantities. This is why water changes are required.As the title states, with this method, you should NOT already have fish in the tank.

Remember, bacteria builds up and grows on hard objects such as the gravel bed, the filter "sponge", and the aquarium decor, so it is a good idea to have those present during the cycling process. The filter must be on for the whole process.

Using Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate test kits are a good idea for fishless cycling, but are not necessary.