Aquatic
A random survey of 100 fish owners by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) found that people who own fish have lower blood pressure, suffer from stress less frequently, sleep better, have more success in romantic relationships, and missed fewer days of work than those who don't own any finned friends.
The Nitrogen Cycle
In the natural world harmful ammonia & nitrite are constantly converted into less harmful nitrates, which in turn is used by plants and algae for food. Biological Filtration replicates this process in the aquarium. In the beginning of a newly established aquarium the levels of Ammonia and Nitrite will be considerably high. This is because the bacteria in the biological filter have not had a chance to multiply and begin breaking them down. The cycle works like this, Fish and Invertebrates excrete waste which is added to the ammonia produced by decaying food and organics. The ammonia is very toxic to the livestock. They would certainly die if there wasn't a way to get rid of it. Next nitrosomonas bacteria convert the ammonia to a still dangerous but less toxic nitrite. Then another bacteria Nitrobacter, breaks down the nitrite to a safer substance nitrate. Which then is used as food by plants and algae, which are consumed by fish and invertebrates and the cycle begins again.
http://shell.pubnix.net/~spond/filter/nitrogen.html
Beginner FAQ: The Nitrogen Cycle, and ``New Tank Syndrome''
A Typical Break-In Cycle
Animated Nitrogen Cycle
How to break-in and maintain a fish tank.
- Fill aquarium with tap water and add water conditioner (Start Right, Stress Coat etc.)
- Check and adjust pH.
- Add no more than 3 small fish (tetra) per 10 gallons of water for first 6 weeks.
- Perform a 30% water change (using a gravel vacuum) each week for first 6 weeks.
- Try to only feed your fish what they will eat in 2min. once or twice daily.
- After the 6 week period add no more than 2 fish every 2 weeks until you have the tank stocked with the amount of fish you desire. (Note: more fish = more water changes).
- For a lightly stocked tank (6 Tiger Barbs in a 10 gallon tank) one or two 30% water changes per month should be fine.
- Check pH weekly, check nitrate monthly. Also change carbon and/or filter cartridges monthly (sponge type you can usually rinse).
- For fish that require a heater try to maintain a constant 78 degree temp.
- Add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water when you first set up the tank, to make the tank break-in easier on the fish's gills.
Lighting Duration
Just how long should an aquarium light be kept on each day?
In planted or reef aquariums, 10 to 12 hours should be sufficient to give plants the energy to produce sugars and oxygen by photosynthesis - assuming the light is intense enough as well. Duration cannot be substituted for intensity.
Fish-only tanks can receive shorter periods of illumation; it's really only "necessary" to have enough light to see to eat. However, fish do seem to benefit from consistent day length, resulting in more robust and colorful specimens. Five to eight hours of daylight is a good range. Keep in mind that anything over 5 hours in some fish only aquariums can contribute to minor algae problems.
Darkness is beneficial as well; both plants and fish require periods of rest in dimmed or no lighting.
An electric timer is an inexpensive yet reliable way to provide proper day length for both fish and plants.
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