Biological Filtration

Biological purification of water is accomplished by various beneficial strains of bacteria. There are several important sources of waste produced in most aquariums. Fish generate nitrogenenous waste as they breathe and excrete organic matter. Plants shed leaves as they grow. Invertebrates and corals also shed organic substances.

Beneficial bacteria known as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobactor, commonly referred to as nitrifying bacteria, prefer lodging in the filter system. Superior oxygen levels exist due to constant incoming water, while biological filter media provide an excellent habitat for these desirable bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria utilize two very toxic nitrogenous compounds, ammonia, and nitrite, as an energy source, and produce nitrate, a relatively harmless by-product. Nitrate is easily controlled through regular water changes and is used by plants as a food source.

The Nitrogen Cycle refers to the conversation of toxic nitrogenous compounds, ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. This phenomena is commonly encountered when first starting an aquarium, or if certain events take place which eliminate or reduce beneficial nitrifying bacteria, such as disease treatments or prolonged power failures. Bacteria take time to establish themselves. Nitrifying bacteria reproduce every eight hours. The initial nitrifying bacteria to populate tend to be Nitrosomonas, which convent ammonia to nitrite. This takes approximately ten days. The levels of ammonia during this stage are often toxic and fish populations should consist of a few very hardy species. Additional water changes are recommended, always ensuring that pH levels are not increased (to avoid increasing the toxic ammonia component, NH3). The use of cycle is highly recommended to introduce significant quantities of ideal bacterial strains, critical for rapid biological establishment and purification. The second group of nitrifying bacteria to populate are those of Nitrobactor, which convert nitrite to nitrate. This period takes up to approximately twenty one days, after which nitrate should be almost gone. During this phase, it is highly beneficial to perform additional partial water changes. Nitrite is also a very toxic compound. When present in high enough concentrations, it is lethal and can affect levels persist for more than twenty one days, additional partial water changes should be performed, along wish supplemental doses of Cycle.

It is important to understand that water chemistry, temperature, pollutants and other factors can affect the performance of nitrifying bacteria. Maintaining stable temperature, pH and water quality is important for all tank inhabitants, even for those that are invisible to the human eye, specifically, bacteria. Although ammonia and nitrite readings may be zero, after approximately one month, the aquarium has not reached full biological stability.

For new aquariums ensure the following:

-Avoid overfeeding. Feed only twice a day in the amount that is consumed by the fish in approximately 2 minutes.

-Regular testing of ammonia, nitrite, and pH.

-Stock the aquarium slowly. Spread it over a 3 to 4 month period.

-Regular removal of organic debris such as dead plant leaves should be done.

-Use Aqua Plus with all water changes. It eliminates toxic elements and reduces stress.

-Put in the Regular dosage of cycle. It builds up and maintains superior biological filtration

Superior Biological filtration through Bacterial supplementation

The aquarium is a closed system, unlike many natural bodies of water which receive constant fresh water from environmental processes. Aquarists should include regular filter maintenance, partial water changes and regular supplementation of optimal bacteria to ensure superior water quality.

Cycle incorporates 12 stains of bacteria at extremely high concentrations to provide aquariums with unique advantages. Inoculating the aquarium beneficial bacteria on a weekly basis will not only benefit water quality, but also promote the dominance of these particular strains. One of the additional advantages is a concept termed competitive exclusion, a situation where the most abundant bacteria prevent the which can be responsible for fish disease. The 12 stains of bacteria have been carefully selected to function as a team. Some are responsible for breaking down organic waste from fish and plants, products to harmless compounds that are recycled by plants and diluted through regular partial water changes.

Oxygenation

This process takes place at the water surface, the interface between water and air. The most efficient way to increase oxygen levels in water is to move and agitate the surface. Be careful to not cause stress to aquarium inhabitants. The greater the surface movement, the greater the oxygenation rate. Symptoms of oxygen deficiency sometimes occur in heavily stocked aquariums and are demonstrated by fish exhibiting exaggerated and rapid gill movement. It is important to note that temperature is also a factor. Higher temperatures result in lower dissolved oxygen levels.

Planted aquariums should employ gentle surface movement. This will reduce carbon dioxide loss, a key element of photosynthesis for plants.

Power filters and power heads and much more efficient in oxygenation versus air pumps, because of greater water movement over a much larger water surface area.

C02 In The Aquarium

Carbon Dioxide is a gas which is highly soluble in water in relation to the other two important gases found in H20, specifically oxygen and nitrogen. Dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in water are very important since they directly affect water chemistry in plants.

There is a gas exchange which takes place at the surface of the water between carbon dioxide, and oxygen. The exchange results in carbon dioxide leaving the water and oxygen entering due to the fact that there is more oxygen in air than water and vice versa for carbon dioxide. Agitation the water surface accelerates this effect.

The significance for planted aquariums is that surface agitation should allow just enough oxygen for fish and not so much that it drives out all available carbon dioxide for plants.

Planted aquariums will often benefit from the addition of carbon dioxide. Concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide are linked to pH and KH values, with the ideal pH range being 6.8 to 7.0, and a carbonate hardness value of 90mg/l. When adding carbon dioxide to an aquarium, it is advisable to maintain a KH value of 90mg/l and allow the addition of CO2 to slowly lower the pH value to the ideal range. Different species of fish many react differently with respect to dissolved carbon dioxide levels, so it is advisable to monitor their reactions and take appropriate action with respect to its administration.