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Cycle Chemistry
Nitrogen Cycle Overview
The complete biological process by which fish waste ammonia is converted to nitrite to nitrate - the foundation of every stable aquarium.
Unit: cyclical Code: N_CYCLE Scale: process
📖 Overview
The nitrogen cycle is the single most important concept in fishkeeping. Fish produce ammonia (highly toxic). Nitrosomonas bacteria oxidise ammonia into nitrite (still toxic). Nitrobacter and Nitrospira convert nitrite into nitrate (relatively harmless). Weekly water changes then export nitrate. A tank that has not completed this bacterial colonisation is not ready for fish - and adding fish before cycling is the #1 cause of new-tank fish death.
❓ Why It Matters
The cycle takes 4-6 weeks to establish. Understanding and respecting this timeline is the difference between success and repeated fish loss.
🧪 Testing Methods
Test ammonia and nitrite regularly. When both read 0 after ammonia dosing, cycle is complete.