Fishless Cycling in Marine Aquarium

Fishless Cycling in Marine Aquarium

The most important step to prepare a marine aquarium before introducing tropical fish into it, is the seeding or cycling (nitrification cycle) of the tank. A fully cycled tank with the right balance of ammonia and nitrites is vital to provide a safe healthy home for your tropical fish.

Fish emit ammonia as a part of natural body functions (like respiration and excretion). Decaying waste, foods, and plants in the aquarium often contaminate water and may result in diseases in fish or even killing them at times. For the longest time, cycling was done with the help of some cheap fishes called “starter fish” or “suicide fish” or even “disposables.” These were kept in saltwater tank first for a few weeks before introducing the expensive tropical animals.

Fishless Cycling
The process of establishing biological filter and setting the nitrogen cycle without the help of fish is called Fishless Cycling. Organic Chemist Chris Cow invented the Fishless Cycling method in 1999. It is a simple method of maturing a marine aquarium, achieved by using pure ammonia sets the nitrogen cycle in motion.

Things needed for Fishless Cycling

Pure Ammonia: Please ensure it does not contain additives, colors, or detergents. To check its purity, you may shake the bottle and see. Pure ammonia does not foam.

Dropper

Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate testing kits

Procedure
Add 4-5 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of water in the tank. Once the nitrite levels are measurable, reduce the dose of ammonia to 2-3 drops per 10 gallons of water each day. Anywhere between 10 days to 3 weeks, ammonia and nitrite levels will both be at 0 ppm level and the nitrate will be measurable. Now your tank is cycled. Finally, a 25% water change is recommended before introducing your fish to the tank.

Tips:

1. You can use a simple dechlorinator while carry out the cycling.

2. Bacteria growth thrives at 27 degree Celsius. Therefore, place the tank in an appropriate location.

3. Clouding of water in a tank is a perfectly normal phenomenon that may occur during cycling.

4. The tank must have ample supply of oxygen.

The fishless cycling process comes highly recommended by aquarists, as it is much faster than the traditional fish cycled tanks. For a better understanding of the process, it is advisable to read about the nitrogen cycle.

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