In a new tank, however, the nitrogen cycle is yet to be established. Because there arent any beneficial bacteria in a new tank, the chemicals cant be converted into less harmful chemicals. The tank will go through a few chemical spikes as it tries to achieve perfect balance. Any fish in the tank at this time will suffer the effects of chemical poisoning. First, ammonium will continue to build up until Nitrosomas begin to build up. The ammonium levels will then decrease to safe levels. However, because there arent Nitrospira bacteria, the nitrites will also build up until the Nitrospira bacteria colonize the tank.When nitrates appear, the tank has finished cycling and you have nothing more to worry about New Tank Syndrome.
*In order to measure the amount of chemicals, you need to buy a kit from your local fish store.bacteria colonize and convert the ammonium into nitrites.
So how do I cycle a tank?
There are two ways- Cycling with fish or without fish, both ways take a couple of weeks- Cycling with fish- for this to work you need to purchase a hardy fish such as a zebra danio. Only buy a few, like 1 or 2, so that the chemical spikes are not drastic. Feed them regularly and measure the amounts of chemical everyday. If you encounter a huge spike, do small water changes until the levels are safe. Once ammonium and nitrite levels read 0ppm and nitrate is present, the tank has finished cycling.
- Fishless cycling- for this you need pure ammonia. Begin by adding as man drops needed to bring ammonium readings to 4-5ppm. When it drops to 1ppm, add more ammonia to bring it back up. When it lowers to 1 in less than a day, test for nitrites. Continue adding ammonia to keep the level stable at 1ppm. When the nitrites reach 0ppm, the tank has finished cycling.
