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The water in which fish live is extremely important to them. It carries their oxygen to them, contributes to metabolic functions
and transports away waste products. The water also provides necessary amino acids, vitamins and minerals needed in daily
physiological functions.
Fish produce waste as a natural part of metabolic functions. These wastes need to be processed; otherwise they will
accumulate to dangerous levels in the environment. Filtration helps accomplish this in aquariums. Ammonia (NH4) is the
primary nitrogenous waste product created by fish. In elevated amounts under certain conditions, ammonia will burn sensitive
tissue areas on fish, such as fins and gills. Nitrites (NO2) are another waste product created by fish that is harmful in elevated
doses and inhibit oxygen transportation to the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide (CO2) from fish respiration is yet another waste
product that can be lethal if not regulated. By properly monitoring and managing the water characteristics through filtrations
and aeration, these toxic waste products are prevented from causing harm.
Filtration is what allows us to keep fish alive outside their native habitat. It helps clean the water so that the fish can live for
extended periods of time without constant maintenance. Aquarium filters accomplish this for us.
Biological filtration is by far the most important for keeping fish in an aquarium. From the moment fish are introduced into
the aquarium, they begin releasing ammonia, their principle waste. If allowed to build, this ammonia can kill fish by
burning the gill tissues and preventing them from taking oxygen. Beneficial aerobic (oxygen-loving) bacteria help us filter
the water through biological filtration. Essentially, waste laden water passes over bacteria, which consume the waste and
convert it into less toxic compounds.
Nitrosonas bacteria are traditionally held as the bacteria that are responsible for converting ammonia into compounds
called nitrites. The establishment of a healthy reproducing colony of these bacteria takes about 2-3 weeks. Once created
in the filter media, these bacteria will instantly change all ammonia present in the water into nitrites.
Nitrites, though, are fairly hazardous compounds to fish health as well, so the filter must employ the use of another group
of bacteria to adequately filter the water. Nitrobacter or Nitrospira bacteria are held accountable for the conversion of
nitrites to nitrates. These bacteria behave in a similar fashion to the Nitrosomonas bacteria in that they will consume
nitrites and excrete nitrates as a waste product. Two weeks are generally necessary for these bacteria to fully seat
themselves into a filter’s media. Again, once established, these bacteria will instantly change (through an oxidation
process) all nitrites present into nitrates.
takes 4-6 weeks for the cycling to complete. The amount of bacteria that grow or colonize in the aquarium and filter is
dependent on the amount of “food” (waste products) available in the aquarium. However, once complete, the bacterial
colonies will continue to reproduce on their own, sustaining themselves on fish waste until the filter is cleaned.
Bacteria Bloom (cloudy water) will occur 2 to 4 days after fish are added to the tank. The cloudiness, caused by initial
bacteria growth, is not harmful to tank inhabitants, and will clear on its own. Have patience! If your water does not clear
after 10 days, consult with your Profishional Concepts Fish Specialist.
It is critical to remember that the media involved house billions of living bacteria, and the presence of these bacteria is
what keeps your fish healthy and thus the absence of these bacteria can result in the loss of all other living organisms in
the aquarium. When it becomes necessary to clean the filter media, usage of the aquarium water to rinse the media is
essential. If the media is instead rinsed with chlorinated tap water, these important bacteria will be killed and the fish’s
toxic waste will not be removed. Ideally, the rest of the tank is left untouched when cleaning biological media, for it too
houses bacteria, and they will help pick up the slack when the main component of bacteria are under stress from
cleaning.
Nitrate, the final end product (NO3) derived from nitrite (NO2) in the nitrogen cycle is not harmful to your fish. However,
one problem which can develop from high levels of nitrate is excessive algae growth. High levels of nitrate act like
fertilizer, producing a carpet of algae on the tank floor and walls. Live plants in an aquarium will feed on this fertilizer,
helping to reduce nitrate levels and thus reduce algae growth.
Home test kits should be used to monitor ammonia, nitrite, pH, Nitrate and other water quality conditions at the beginning
and through the life of your aquarium.
Your Profishional Concepts Specialist can show you how to test the water.
Once your tank is established (after five weeks), then partial water exchanges should be done every 2 to 3 weeks, never
more than 1/3 of the water at a time. An established aquarium, one operating 6 months or more, will also need to have its
gravel siphoned occasionally to free solid wastes from the bottom of the aquarium.
