How To Cycle Aquarium | Nitrogen Cycle | How To Cycle New Fish Tank Guide For Beginner, by Aqua Life Kingdom on YouTube. 9 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 4 to 6 weeks
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Set up the tank with the filter, heater, substrate and decorations. Fill it with tap water, add dechlorinator and start the filter. Bring the water to about 24 to 26°C, or 75 to 79°F.
Add your ammonia source until the test reads 2 ppm. Use liquid ammonia without surfactants, or add a small pinch of fish food. Test after adding to confirm the level.
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every day and write down the results. Ammonia should begin to fall while nitrite rises as the bacteria grow.
Top up the ammonia to 1 to 2 ppm whenever it drops to zero. This keeps feeding the bacteria and stops the cycle from stalling.
Wait until ammonia and nitrite both read zero within 24 hours of adding ammonia. Nitrate should also be present. That means the tank is cycled.
Do a large water change of about 50 to 80 percent to lower nitrate. Refill with dechlorinated water at the same temperature, then test again.
Add a few hardy fish slowly. Float the bag, net the fish into the tank and feed lightly for the first week. Test ammonia and nitrite daily.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not use ammonia with perfumes, dyes or surfactants; check the label or use a fishless cycling product.
Keep the filter running all day and do not clean it with tap water during cycling.
If ammonia or nitrite climbs above 4 ppm, do a partial water change to protect the bacteria.
Treat 7-day and 24 to 48 hour cycle products as a boost, not a replacement for testing.
Questions
How long does it take to cycle a new fish tank?
Most tanks take 4 to 6 weeks without fish. Faster products can shorten it, but test until ammonia and nitrite stay at zero.
Can I add fish on day one?
No. Wait until the tank can process ammonia and nitrite. Adding fish early exposes them to ammonia burns and stress.
What ammonia level should I aim for?
Aim for 2 ppm at the start and top up to 1 to 2 ppm when it drops to zero. Keep nitrite below 4 ppm if possible.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
