The Nitrogen Cycle: Simple Step by Step Guide For Beginners

The Nitrogen Cycle is something you can’t avoid when owning your own aquarium.

In this article, you’re going to learn exactly how to cycle your tank so you’re able to provide a happy and healthy environment for your aquatic pets.

Let’s get started.

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

You might have heard the terms Biological Cycle, Nitrification Process, or New Tank Syndrome being thrown around. But, they all refer to the same cycle – The Nitrogen Cycle.

So what is it, and why is it so important?

Would you like to be surrounded by your own pee and poo all day every day? Probably not, and neither do fish.

Your fish’s waste releases ammonia into the water, which will kill your fish. Death by poo? No thank you.

The Nitrogen Cycle helps avoid this. It’s a process where beneficial bacteria becomes established in your tank and filter media, allowing ammonia (toxic) to convert to nitrite (toxic), then nitrite to nitrates (non-toxic).

That’s why it’s so important! The beneficial bacteria in your filter will supplement your fish’s environment by neutralizing their waste. 

However, if you allow the nitrate levels to get too high it can lead to a loss of color/appetite and will allow algae to bloom. That’s why water changes are necessary.

How Long Does the Nitrogen Cycle Take?

Anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on who you ask. Best answer is it will be finished when it’s finished.

But you have to do it if you’re planning on keeping fish.

And you’ll need to monitor the cycle every other day. Best way to do this is to purchase an aquarium test kit so you can check the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH levels.

During this process, ammonia levels will rise and then drop as nitrite starts to take hold. Nitrate won’t appear until your tank has significant levels of nitrite. Once it hits the correct levels, nitrate will form and your nitrite levels will fall.

When you can no longer detect nitrites, you can assume that it’s safe to add your fish.

The Nitrogen Cycle Time Line

The process involves three stages:

  • Stage 1: Ammonia
  • Stage 2: Nitrites
  • Stage 3: Nitrates
Graphic of a fish in a fish tank showing the 3 stages of the nitrogen cycle

Stage 1: Ammonia

Introduced into your aquarium via fish waste or uneaten food, depending on the pH levels in your aquarium. Below 7, and it will produce ionized ammonium (NH4). Above 7, and you’ll get ammonia (NH3).

Ammonia will continue to build up until the bacteria that eats it start to form. Your tank may become cloudy when this bacteria starts to form.

When the ammonia levels spike and start to decline, you know you’re entering the second phase.

Stage 2: Nitrites

The levels will rise as you see the ammonia declines. Nitrate is a byproduct of a bacteria called Nitrosomonas, this organism will oxidize the ammonia – turning it into nitrite.

Essentially, this bacteria eats ammonia and produces nitrite, which is also highly toxic to your fish.

Just like the first stage, you’ll have to build up the levels of nitrite until a colony of bacteria forms to dispose of them. You should see the nitrite levels start to rise at the end of the first week or during the second week.

Stage 3: Nitrates

The final product of the Nitrogen Cycle. Once your nitrite levels have reached a certain point a bacteria called Nitrobacter will develop.

They’ll convert the nitrites into nitrates. When the levels of nitrite and ammonia reach 0ppm (parts per million), your tank has been cycled.

Now, that’s not to say you can sit back a relax. Nitrates aren’t toxic in low concentrations, but, if they reach above 20ppm (depending on the species), they’ll become toxic. So you’ll need to monitor the levels in your aquarium.

There are two methods you can use to maintain acceptable levels. Perform regular partial water changes (20-50% every 1-4 weeks, depending on stock levels).

This will also benefit your tank by removing substances such as DOCs (dissolved organic compounds), solid fish waste and replenish dissolved materials that your plants and animals may need.

If you own a freshwater fish tank, you can add aquarium plants can help use up some of the nitrates. Own a saltwater tank? live rock and deep sand beds can have anaerobic areas where denitrifying bacteria can break down nitrates into harmless nitrogen gas.

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    How to do a Fish-In Cycle

    Let me start by saying, this is not the preferred method. You’ll expose your fish to ammonia and nitrites during the process and a lot of fish won’t be able to make it through.

    You run the risk of stressing your fish, which can cause disease.

    However, some species can handle it better than others. And if you’ve made the mistake of buying your aquarium and fish on the same day, this may be your only option.

    Part 1: Introducing a Small Number of Hardy Fish

    Your aim is to populate the tank with fish that produce waste. But can also survive the high levels of ammonia and nitrite long enough to allow for the beneficial bacteria to grow.

    You should add approximatley 1-2 fish per 10 gallons of water. Adding too many fish will lead to excess waste. This can cause an ammonia spike and kill off your fish.

    Here are a few good choice for cycling fish:

    • Cherry or Tiger Barbs
    • Banded Gourmis
    • White Clouds
    • Most Minnows
    • Most Guppies
    • Zebra Danios
    • Pupfish
    • X-ray Tetras
    • Pseudotrophius Zebra

    Part 2: Feeding Your Fish

    Feed your fish sparingly, be careful not to overfeed them. As a general rule of thumb feed your fish once every 2 days. And only provide them with moderate-sized meals.

    Why?

    Because when fish eat more they’ll produce more waste. This increases the level of toxins in your tank before the good bacteria is able to colonize your aquarium.

    And you feed them smaller meals because leftover food will rot and produce even more toxins!

    Part 3: Water Changes

    Your fish are being exposed to potentially lethal amounts of ammonia and nitrate, so regular water changes are a must. It will help ensure the toxin levels don’t get too high.

    Aim to do 10-25% water changes every 2-3 days. Any more, and you’ll risk removing the ammonia and nitrite that beneficial bacteria needs to feed on.

    Make sure you add de-chlorinator to the water. Adding chlorine/chloramines will kill the bacteria and ruin the cycling process.

    Part 4: Testing Toxin Levels

    You’ll need to purchase a test kit so you can monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels in your aquarium.

    Although it’s not essential to test for ammonia, it’s highly toxic. So keeping track of the amount in your tank will help you manage your fish throughout the process.

    Testing for nitrate is a must have. Like we discussed, at the beginning, there won’t be any nitrite in your tank, but after a few days, it will rise.

    Testing is important because you’ll need to know when the levels drop back down to zero – the signal to say the cycling process has finished.

    Testing every day is recommended, but, you can get away with testing every two or three days.

    Part 5: Adding More Fish

    Now that the toxin levels have reached zero in your aquarium, you can start adding more fish.

    But wait!

    You’ll need to do this gradually, only introducing one or two fish at a time. After each addition, wait for about a week and test the water again. If the ammonia and nitrite levels are still low, add some more.

    It’s super important to do this slowly. Adding too many fish will cause the ammonia and nitrite levels to rise. This will stress your fish and can lead to disease.

    How to do a Fishless Cycle

    This is the method I would recommend you use. And it’s very popular for one reason: it’s humane.

    I would like to add, there are other methods to doing a fishless cycle. However, it’s likely you’re a beginner, so I suggest using this simple technique.

    Part 1: Getting the Ammonia Started

    You’ll need to create an environment where ammonia is produced. You have no fish in the tank, so what do you do?

    A nice simple way to do this, is to begin by dropping a few flakes of fish food into your tank. Add the same amount you would if you were feeding fish. You can do this every 12 hours.

    Now, all you have to do is wait. The flakes will begin to decay – releasing ammonia into your tank.

    Part 2: Testing for Ammonia

    You’ll need a test kit and monitor the ammonia levels in your tank ever few days. And you’ll want the level to be at least 3ppm (parts per million).

    If there’s not enough ammonia in your tank, add more flakes and let them decay.

    Test every other day, and try and maintain the ammonia levels at 3ppm. Nitrosomonas will begin to grow and start consuming the ammonia.

    You should replenish them by adding more flakes whenever it drops below 3ppm.

    Continue this for a week.

    Part 3: Testing for Nitrites

    Once your week of ammonia has finished, it’s time you test for nitrites. You can use a commercial test kit for this.

    As soon as you detect nitrites in your tank, you’ll know the cycle has started. continue to add ammonia as you did before.

    Part 4: Testing for Nitrates

    After you’ve been testing for ammonia and nitrite for a few weeks, you’ll see the nitrite levels start to drop – now it’s time to start testing for nitrates.

    When this happens, it’s a sing the cycle is nearly completed.

    Once the ammonia and nitrite levels have returned to zero, the cycle is complete. However, if your nitrate reading is above 40, you’ll need to do some water changes to bring this number down.

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      Part 5: Adding Your Fish

      Now that you can’t detect any ammonia or nitrite, it’s safe to start adding your fish.

      Again, don;t just go adding a load of fish. You need to do this gradually. As mentioned above, don’t add more than a few fish at a time. And wait at least a week or two before introducing more.

      Consider cleaning any substrate with a siphon or hose before adding fish. It’s possible decaying food is trapped in there.

      If it’s trapped and you leave it, the ammonia won’t enter your tanks water, but if it’s disturbed, it could release a dose of unwanted ammonia rather quickly.

      How To Speed Up The Nitrogen Cycle

      Yes, the nitrogen cycle can be sped up. If you don’t want to wait 6-8 weeks, you can use these techniques.

      You will need access to an established tank to use most of them.

      Add Filter Media From an Established Tank

      Filter media from an established tank will have nitrifying bacteria attached. You won’t have to wait for the bacteria to start growing naturally, so your tank will cycle quicker.

      Pro Tip: If you’re cycling with fish, it’s best to use filter media from a tank that’s a similar size, and has a similar number of fish.

      Add Substrate From an Established Tank

      If you have access to an established tank which uses an undergravel filter, bacteria will be attached to the gravel. This will have the same effect as using media filter.

      Take roughly a cup of gravel and hang it in a mesh bag in your filter, if you can. If not, and you’re using an undergravel filter, lay it over the top of the gravel in your new tank.

      ‘Season’ Your Filter

      Attach your filter (the one you’ll be using on your new tank, duh) to an established tank, and let it run along with the existing filtration system.

      The bacteria from the ‘mature’ tank will colonize in your new filter. Let it run for about a week or so, and then move your now ‘seasoned’ filter to your new tank.

      Use Live Plants

      Living plants, not fake plants, can help to introduce bacteria to help nudge the process along. Especially, if you get them from an established tank.

      And they won’t just bring the beneficial bacteria. Plants use a process called protein synthesis to moderate the ammonia levels in your tank.

      Pro Tip: Using fast-growing plants like Vallisneria and Hygrophila will help absorb more ammonia.

      Warning! Beware of Cross-Contamination

      This is important, a HUGE downside of using an established tank to speed up your Nitrogen Cycle is that you could transfer some nasty stuff.

      It’s possible it could contain unwanted pathogens like harmful bacteria and parasites.  So be aware, never transfer anything from a tank that’s known to be contaminated with harmful organisms.

      There’s No Magic Pill!

      It doesn’t matter what method you use, there’s no ‘magic pill’ or ‘silver bullet’ that’ll immediately cycle your tank.

      You can shorten the time. But, testing the water, performing water changes and regular maintenance is essential if you want to be a successful hobbyist.

      Solving Common Nitrogen Cycle Problems

      It’s always good to be prepared in case you run into any problems. Here are some common problems you may experience and how you can combat them.

      Ammonia Poisoning

      This is a serious threat to your fish if you’re cycling your aquarium with fish. The symptoms to look out for are:

      – Lethargy and lack of movement
      – Loss of appetite
      – Staying at the bottom of the tank
      – Inflamed gills, eyes, or anus
      – Red streaks in the fins
      – Gasping for air at the surface

      It’s important you deal with this quickly, or these symptoms can lead to death. To lower the ammonia levels, perform water changes more frequently – changing a greater portion of the water each time.

      Aquarium Won’t Start Cycling

      Ammonia tends to start rising around day 3. If by day 5 you can’t measure any, and you’ve removed the possibility that you have a faulty test kit. Your tank may not be cycling.

      The most common reasons for this happen, is that there’s no source of ammonia or somethings eating it too fast for the bacteria to get to it.

      Try adding some more ammonia. If you have a lot of plants in the tank, try removing some of these and see if there’s a change.

      Test again after a few days, if there’s still no ammonia or nitrites, try adding more ammonia.

      Ammonia is Not Dropping (Fishless Cycling

      Three main reasons this can happen: pH is too low, you’re using chlorinated water, or you’ve been cleaning too much.
      If the pH is under 7, ammonia will be mostly present as ammonium which the nitrifying bacteria can’t feed off. Use a pH kit to increase the level.

      Using chlorinated water will disinfect your tank – killing all the beneficial bacteria. So make sure you’re adding a de-chlorinator to the water before putting it in your tank.

      The bacteria you need lives in the gravel, filters, and decorations in your tank. If you clean them too much, you’ll remove the bacteria before is has a chance to establish.

      My Nitrate Levels Aren’t Rising Enough

      The reasons for this are similar to ammonia levels not dropping. If your Nitrate levels won’t budge from 0, it’s likely you’re killing them off before they get a chance to establish themselves.

      Again, make sure you’re not using chlorinated water or cleaning your tank to vigorously.

      Algae Blood During Cycle

      Unfortunately, cycling your new aquarium can be an ideal environment for algae to grow.

      If you suffer from an algae bloom, try turning off your aquarium lights. If you’re using plants, you can’t just turn off your lights. So make sure your plants don’t get more than 6 hours of light a day.

      Avoid over-fertilising your tank and using a CO2 injector can also help.

      The Nitrogen Cycle Never Ends

      The Nitrogen Cycle is unavoidable, you have to do it if you want to keep healthy and happy fish. Try to remain patient, and keep and eye on the water chemistry.

      But, once you’ve cycled your tank and your ammonia and nitrite levels are 0. It doesn’t mean you’re home free. The Nitrogen Cycle never ends.

      The process establishes your tank, creating a balanced ecosystem. It repeats itself endlessly in your tank, so you should still regularly test the water and check for ammonia spikes.

      Christopher Adams
      Christopher Adams

      Hey there, my name is Christopher, and I've successfully ran freshwater aquariums for the past few decades. The mission of this site is to make it simple for anyone to run their own freshwater aquarium.

      48 Comments

      1. Omg i love you! Finally!!! A frigin sigh of relief for finding you!!! I have read AND UNDERSTOOD every si gle laymans english word you wrote here!!(bow to u..bow )… Im so tired of talking w fish people who look at me lime im stupid. Like GIMME A BREAK!! YOU WERE ONCE NEW TOO. Gosh whatever happened to humilty and grattitude for BEING INQUISITIVE and LOVING THIS HOBBY TOO? Thank you! As a creature liver myself of land ,air and water I am blessed to have the curiosity of knowing…researching and finding the people who ..like you…speak to me…who take the time to break it down enough to ACTUALLY CARE TO COMMUNICATE THOROUGHLY AND MINDFULLY. I am NOT a scientist or chemist in the least. Im more operatiinal from the right brain of artistic thoughts. So ive been doi g my best at understanding the Nitrogen Cycle and well…Repetition is the mother of skill! That combined wth so many other contributi g factors im starting to get the hang of this! Now time will tell if im able to reflect and example what ive learned here!?. I just bought a 65 gal for my buddies that were growing too big for the 16 gallon. And i successfully transferred them tonight via the weeks help with cycling tank from the established 16 gal via filter media in external pump AND tank media …water..decor..plants…..there were just a couple thgs i did too fast compared to what you suggested here however there were more thgs i did correctly so THATS a plus! Now ive got to watch my numbers and do water changes until new tank is fully cycled! Im so tired but had to just say THANK YOU SO MUVH and i hope to stay in touch! Dianna!

        • Dianna, I love your attitude! The goal of this site is to make it easy for anyone to start the hobby and provide proper care for their aquatic buddies, so I’m so happy you’ve found it useful. I wish you all the best, and please feel free to share your experiences with us. This hobby has so many variables (it’s part of the fun and frustration) it’s great to hear what works and doesn’t work for others. If you find anything we’ve suggested doesn’t work for you or you find better methods, please share, I might be able to update this post over time with more useful content. Happy fishkeeping.

      2. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m glad
        that you simply shared this useful info with us.
        Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

      3. Hello! It’s Ericka again! Based on what you told me last time, I do plan on doing the fishless cycle! I do have some questions and I’ve been taking notes as well so I make sure I do this right. When the level of nitrite starts to drop do you keep adding ammonia to the tank??? I like to make sure on things and you never specifically said to keep adding ammonia, so I’m just wondering. Also what type of water would I need to do this fishless cycle? Could I use tap water if I use the betta purification liquid thing (I’m not sure what it’s called, it’s suppose to clean the water of chlorine or something?)

        • Hi Ericka, to answer your question, I don’t believe adding anymore ammonia to the tank is necessary once the nitrates are present. The nitrifying bacteria should do it’s job from that point on… Sometimes adding TOO much ammonia can kill the good bacteria off during the cycling process and that’s the last thing you will want considering how long it takes to cycle a fish tank… Also, if you have a test kit, it can sometimes be a good idea to test your tap water! Obviously there will be no nitrites or nitrates in your water (there may be some ammonia depending on where you live and the quality of your water) but it can be beneficial to test the pH of your tap water to see where the natural levels are at and if you’ll need to adjust them at all… For tropical tanks, you’ll want your pH to sit at about 7-7.5. Any lower, then as Christopher mentioned, it can be a bit more of a pain because the nitrifying bacteria struggles to feed off of the ammonium, therefore there will be ammonia present in your tank for a lot longer than is necessary when trying to cycle it… Also, I ALWAYS recommend to add tap water conditioner to your water whenever you’re putting even the slightest bit of tap water in your tank. It’s safer for your fish because it will dechlorinate it, plus you know your fishies are swimming around happily and their gills aren’t burning…

          -Emmi (I know I’m a couple years late, your tank is definitely cycled by now, but I’m just hoping this helps someone else)

      4. this is great, exactly what i was looking for. Please can you tell me when is best to add live plants, before or after the tank is cycled?

        • Thank you for your comment, Emma. Live plants can actually help the Nitrogen cycle so you have the freedom to add them before or after.

      5. thanks so much for the advice. By the way, can i say a big thank you for your really well constructed information. I have read so much all over the web, but yours is the most easily digested. I am really excited to get my tank cycled and then populated, nothing fancy, just beautiful fish. I am keeping your page in favourites for quick reference! take care and thank you again!

        • Thank you so much for your comment, Emma! Really happy you enjoyed the guide and I wish you all the best. Happy fish keeping!

          • Great article! The only question I have, I’m doing a fishless cycle on a new planted aquarium, my ammonia is 0 and my nitrite is 0, PH 6.5-7, but my nitrates are over 200ppm. Should I continue to do 10%-25% water changes every other day before I add any fish? Or should I just wait a few weeks and hope the plants help reduce the nitrate?

            • Hello Daymon, thank you for your comment :). Yes, plants will naturally reduce the nitrates, but you could also try a nitrate remover as well.

      6. You are a rare writing talent. A complicated topic for non-insiders explained in a very magnetic article! Thank you veeeeery much.

      7. Your blog is the most easily understood one I have read. I have been trying to understand why my local pet shops would tell me its okay to add fish after one week but it’s still better to wait. Now after reading your blog I understand. In my last set up I added guppies and after one week then lost one to dropsy then I added two more. Two weeks later, I lost the lot – all to dropsy. I do believe that one of the first fish was ill because the other fish was stalking him on day one but I also understand now that some if it was my impatience. I have just drained the tank to start again. I have a 38 litre (10 gallon) tropical tank. Decided to get driftwood and an Anubias Nana for it to hopefully reduce maintenance. It annoys me that pet shops have told me not to worry about testing for nitrates too. Going to keep and print this blog for maintenance. Thank you ❤️

        • Thank you so much for your support, Debbie. I’m very happy you have a better understanding after reading the blog :D. I wish you all the best and happy fish keeping!

      8. Your blog is the most easily understood one I have read. I have been trying to understand why my local pet shops would tell me its okay to add fish after one week but it’s still better to wait. Now after reading your blog I understand. In my last set up I added guppies and after one week then lost one to dropsy then I added two more. Two weeks later, I lost the lot – all to dropsy. I do believe that one of the first fish was ill because the other fish was stalking him on day one but I also understand now that some if it was my impatience. I have just drained the tank to start again. I have a 38 litre (10 gallon) tropical tank. Decided to get driftwood and an Anubias Nana for it to hopefully reduce maintenance. It annoys me that pet shops have told me not to worry about testing for nitrates too. Going to keep and print this blog for future reference. Thank you

      9. I had planned to set up an South American themed tank and did my best to add driftwood etc. to keep the PH as low as possible it sits around 6.6 to 6.8. I have just started the cycling process and now I read the ammonia devouring bacteria are non functional at a PH. below 7? This begs one big question: How does anyone have a true South American Amazonian environment when it is not possible to cycle the tank? Please explain! Thank you

        • Thank you for your comment, Olaf. Most South American tanks will do fine with a stable pH range of 6.5 to 8.0. Now, when I say stable, I mean you keep it from changing too much. Also, when I say 7, it’s not a rule that’s 100%, more of a guide, target, or a potential fix to an issue. Some studies suggest it can occur with a pH as little as 4.0, however, when it comes to creating the Nitrogen cycle in the most efficient way, 7 is an ideal number to aim for. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions.

      10. This was the best guide I’ve read on the subject – and I’ve read a lot the past few weeks! Recently set up my tank and will begin properly cycling it from tomorrow following your advice. I want to ensure everything is done meticulously to ensure the fish will have comfortable and healthy lives from the very beginning. Thanks for writing this.

      11. I have completed a fishless cycle previously but must say this is an easy and excellent explanation of how to do it, so easy to understand and follow.
        Well done !!!

      12. Many thanks for clearly explaining this. I’ve read a ton of pages on the topic and this is, BY FAR, the most understandable. Well done!

      13. Best thing I’ve read on how to cycle your aquarium! Honestly so lost before this, I gauged the general gist of how to do it before and seriously just winged it with my first tank just hoping my fish wouldn’t die but now I’ve got it down packed and I feel a whole lot more comfortable with cycling my fish tanks. I wish the people in fish stores informed people of how to properly start a tank so that the fish have the best and healthiest life. All the times I’ve asked people in the store about cycling a tank they basically just said set up the tank, sprinkle some food in and wait a few weeks and then add fish.

      14. Newly fish hobby to be ,just bought 55 gallon fish tank.My first ever tank very clueless thank godness for google save me a lot of money of buying books for research.Thank you vry much for thouroughly explanation.

      15. I have to agree with everyone else- this has been an incredibly helpful guide and the first one I’ve read that I actually feel confident about following! The employees at the pet shop I went to were helpful, but I think also really distracted and busy with other things, so while I could get one question answered, I would have five more there was no time to ask- as well as an armload of products I didn’t understand shoved into my hands. I am disappointed though, as they also told me the cycling process was only a week, and that it would be okay for me to take my betta home in a temporary tank until the cycling process was done on the larger one I bought. Now I am concerned for him in the smaller tank, as it doesn’t have anything- heater/filter/etc. I used water conditioner in it, and he’s happy still at the moment (I only got him yesterday) but I’m anxious I’ll do something detrimental to him while waiting to move him to his new tank. Sigh- I suppose I will just test his water as I test the aquarium’s water and if anything seems off I will buy products to adjust it.

      16. As the comments on your post already reads I second everything they have said! Well written for a frustrated newb like me. Unfortunately I went into the tropical fish set up thinking we (my partner knew what we were doing). Oh boy how we were sadly mistaken. I got the tank cycled with the fish but got a bit lost along the way listening to advice from others. We have now lost a few fish and are trying to bring back the levels into a new nitrogen cycle. I am in the process of a week into it and think I am seeing an improvement with testing every or every other day to monitor it and complete the tasks needed to reduce the levels of ammonia, chlorine and nitrite or I could mean nitrates. I get a bit confused with the two but I know when I look at the testing kit. I am trying to leave off fiddling with it too much (as I did before) and letting it do its magic. I am crossing my fingers this time otherwise it will become a very expensive hobby.
        I will ask for your very good advice it seems if I fail miserably this time.
        Wish me luck
        Nata

      17. I’m just wondering if we put all the decoration and then we start the nitrogen cycle or we need to leave the tank empty to start the cycle so then we can put decorations on the tank.
        This is a great article thanks for all the new information and for spending for time doing this piece of writing that people can never find.

      18. I’m just wondering if we put all the decoration and then we start the nitrogen cycle or we need to leave the tank empty to start the cycle so then we can put decorations on the tank.
        This is a great article thanks for all the new information and for spending for time doing this piece of writing that people can never find. Thanks again

      19. Great article! I’ve been cycling our tank for over four weeks now, have used de chlorinator in the water and also a bacteria improver (Seacem Prime and Stability) as recommended by by the pet shop, we added some fish after a week but ran into problems. We contacted the shop and took the fish back. We started again with a 50% water change and started to cycle the tank again with a little fish food for a couple of days and Tetra Filter active bacteria daily after a week the Ammonia was at 4.0 ppm, no Nitrate or Nitrite, PH 7.2, temp 26.5C. Now after a 25% water change and a further two weeks the Ammonia is 2.0ppm. Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0 and has not changed for a week, should I be adding a little food regularly or not as nothing seems to be happening! Am I being impatient or just thick? A novice fish keeper just wanting to enjoy a hobby in my retirement!
        Thanks
        Paul

        • Hi Paul, don’t do water changes if it’s a fishless cycle. You’ll reset the process. Water changes are only needed if you have fish in the tank

      20. Hello!!

        This was very helpful especially when most of our newbie experiences are unique.

        I began my fishless cycle Saturday 7/17 with live plants, substrate, water conditioner and frtiz 7. There was an ammonia and nitrite spike and i did a water change with conditioner. Rinsed out the valve sponge and trimmed some plants. I do not have air stone yet.

        Today 7/19 in the late morning ammonia was 0 nitrite 0 and nitrate 0.
        This evening Ammonia was 0 and nitrate 0 but nitrite was 0- .25

        Should i do a small water change or wait to see in the morning if its increased or stayed the same?
        I am using API test on my 6 gallon tank.

        Thank you!

        • Hello, for a fishless cycle, don’t do any water changes. Water changes are only needed if you’re doing your cycle with fish. You’re doing the right things just keep going.

          Letting ammonia build up encourages the ammonia eating kind to grow. Then, letting nitrite build encourages the nitrite eating kind to grow

      21. Thank you so much for the advise!
        Thankfully the ammonia since the spike has been 0. The nitrite spike decreased and this morning is 0. Yesterday my nitrates were increasing to 5. Today 7/21 the nitrates are 5.

        So…i will wait this afternoon and tomorrow readings to start shopping for endlers. Just a few.

        Youve been great!

      22. Hi! I had a previously cycled tank that I ignorantly crashed by changing the filter without seeding the new one. I have other already established media in the filter so I thought I would be okay. Unfortunately my ammonia has been high ever since. It was steady at .25 for a week or two but has now climbed to 2.0 despite having 0 nitrite and 10-20 nitrate. I am not sure what is the best course of action to get my ammonia to come down to safe levels. In the meantime I am using Prime to bind it so it won’t harm my ACF.

        • Hi Whitney, It can be so tough when you have to recycle a crashed tank. Don’t feel bad about it, it happens to everyone if they’re in this hobby long enough. You’re doing the right thing when it comes to the Prime. This effectively detoxifies the ammonia by turning it into ammonium but still leaves it in a state that beneficial bacteria can eat. I would recommend doing water changes every few days to bring the level down to a more manageable level. Other than the water changes and the Prime, the only thing you can really do is stay vigilant wait it out.

      23. Great article, BUT….. the cycle is most definitely not complete when ammonia and nitrite are zero, that is why we have to do regular water changes, to remove NITRATE. In a full cycle nitrate can be processed by anaerobic bacteria thereby reducing the need for such frequent and/or large water changes. Most aquariums never reach this magical point though due to lack of anaerobic bacteria which requires very large amounts of the correct media to grow within. They take around 4 to 6 months to fully populate the media, THEN you will have a full cycle with the nitrate being converted to nitrogen and released harmlessly into the atmosphere. It’s not easy to achieve but it’s worth understanding and aiming for because any amount of nitrate-eating anaerobic bacteria is better than none!

        • Thank you for your comment, Steve. You are right, and that is why our last paragraph is about how the nitrogen cycle never really ends. Appreciate your comment and willingness to share more details with fellow readers.

      24. Hello!
        I am new to the hobby and just got my first tank last week. I had a question about the fish less cycling process. I got a 10 gallon tank and am planning to put 1 betta, a small school of peaceful schooling fish, 1 snail or some sort of small pleco. I have planted a wide variety of live plants and am using the Fluval Stratum substrate. For the last week I’ve been adding fish food every other day and trying to get the tank to cycle. I put in some beneficial bacteria (API quick start) to try and jump start the process. When I first started testing the water, my ph was 7, ammonia was 1 ppm, nitrite was .25 ppm, nitrate was 5 ppm. I was expecting a spike in ammonia but ever since that initial reading everything other than the nitrate has gone down. Now the ph is 6.8, ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrate is still 5 ppm. I didn’t have any used filter media, I started practically from nothing so I don’t really know what to make of these numbers. There is no way the tank has already completed a cycle since it’s only been a week. How will I know when my tank is safe to put fish in when it’s already showing me the numbers that are ideal for fish? Would love some advice from an experienced aquarist! Thanks!

        • Hi Bella, there is no official time frame with the nitrogen cycle. It’s ready when it’s ready. If all your parameters are safe for your fish, you can add them. If you’re worried, you could also just give it another week, test again and ensure you’re getting consistent readings.

      25. Thank you for explaining that is well. I have owned many tanks and never quite understood the nitrogen cycle. Thanks so much!

      26. Wow! I, too, am new at this fish keeping and, although I have read many articles about the nitrogen cycle, I’ve never come across anyone except YOU who explained it so succinctly and at a level us “newbies” can easily grasp. Now it seems so simple! The Step by Step information was priceless. Understanding the cycle is one thing, but how to do it is equally important. Thank you so very much, Christoper! Now I can proceed more confidently setting up my new tank or tanks!

      27. I just lost one of my glo danios, I feel like such a failure. It stated with his eyes, which made me think it was popeye but then I checked my ammonia levels, OMG, I am surprised I have any fish left! I did a water change, added conditioner, and AmmoLock. It is a fine line I walk/swim with a nano tank. Thanks for your article, it helped me feel like I was not as much as a failure as I could have been.

        A little background info: I have a betta in a 4 gallon biorb, It is doing well. And I have a 9 gallon Fluval Flex which I feel is a bit more of a challenge. I recently put a Seachem Purigen pack in the Fluval, it helped with the nitrates but now its the ammonia I am dealing with, I just cannot get a good balance.

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