In a message dated 4/16/2002 9:10:43 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> Sorry, but the "good" bugs don`t kill the "bad" bugs in an aquarium. The
> biological filter works by the bacteria (neither good nor bad) converting
> nitrates from fish poo and uneated food into less harmful nitrites. The
> cure for it is less fish and more partial water changes.
> Nitrogen build-up is the real name for "new tank syndrome".
> Marshalee, former aquarist...
>
Ok I tried to simplify it so everyone would understand a little better. Like
I said I wasn't going to go into depth as I considered it off topic. Guess I
should have went into depth. Many people don't understand the Nitrates and
Nitrogen cycle unless they have had an aquarium and many have had one and
wondered why the fish died. LOL Here ya go though....
Nitrosomonas sp. will develop to naturally oxidize the ammonia into nitrite.
This bacteria is an aerobic bacteria meaning that it requires oxygen. A well
aerated and circulated aquarium is important.
When this first species of bacteria has developed the ammonia levels in the
aquarium will drop rapidly as well as fish distress. For a while.
Then the Nitrosomonas bacteria is producing nitrite like crazy until the
concentration reaches toxic proportion. High nitrites will cause the fish
great distress and usually for a much longer period than the ammonia.
The nitrites can inhibit the ability of the fish’s body to use oxygen. Just
like in the first cycle, the nitrites will become so high that a second
species of bacteria will develop Nitrobacter sp. This bacteria is also
aerobic. It will oxidize the nitrite molecules into nitrate. Nitrate is
relatively harmless to fish. Regular partial water changes and a little algae
can keep nitrates under control.
So to make it all short CS kills these good bacteria's that break down all
this stuff (ammonia from excreted urine or whatever you want to call it and
fish Poop as you say) and your aquarium has to start all over in the process.
Then in the mean time watch out for diseases that can arise unless your fish
are already dead. Time to start all over with the cycling and probably new
fish too.
Which is very similiar to what happens when we have yeast infections. Its an
overgrowth of bacteria that would normally be kept in check with another
bacteria (not going to go into all the names here but I am sure someone will)
had we not killed it because of an antibiotic or other means.
Geez I hate getting technical. Looks like thats what you guys want though
and I frankly don't have the time for it. It's not that big a deal to me nor
probably half the others on this list.
Time to go to bed for me. I have been up way too long now playing these
games.
Nite Nite
