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the tank floor and walls. You can help prevent this problem by adding live plants to your aquarium. Live plants will help to consume the nitrites, thus reducing algae growth.

StressStress from the ammonia and nitrites will undoubtedly have some ill effects on your fish if some preventative measures are not taken. Aquarium test kits should be used to monitor ammonia, nitrites, pH and other water quality conditioners at the beginning and through the life of your aquarium. Your Petland pet counsellor can show you how to test your water. Signs of stress in your fish may include gasping, shaking back and forth, clamped fins or lack of colour. They may also refuse food. Should your fish exhibit any of these signs or are not behaving normally, contact your Petland pet counsellor.

The Nitrogen Cycle

Ammonia (NH3)

from respiration& feces

NitrifyingBacteria

Nitrites (NO2)

Nitrates (NO3)

NitrifyingBacteria

Removed by liveplants & waterchanges

PET TIPS

NEW TANKSYNDROME

Rev. 09/07/11 JH

®

Shop onlinewww.petland.ca

NEW TANK SYNDROME could be compounded if too many fish are Remember, more fish in your aquarium added to the tank in the beginning. More fish = means that more ammonia is being

The addition of an aquarium in your home more breathing = more bodily wastes = produced, so it is best to add them slowly.should be a relaxing and enjoyable ammonia build-up! On top of all that, some experience. Unfortunately, many people find Water Changespeople tend to over feed their fish. Over the first four to six weeks frustrating.This tip When your tank is going through its cycle, feeding contributes greatly to high ammonia sheet will help to explain what is happening in partial water changes done with a gravel levels. Ask your Petland pet counsellor your aquarium after you put in your first fish, vacuum are necessary to help keep the high exactly how much food to feed your new fish.and what you can do to curb problems that will toxic levels down. Reduce the waste load in occur. There are many things which contribute to the your aquarium by performing small water

production of ammonia; however, ammonia is exchanges (25%) once a week for the first five Every new aquarium must go through a needed, in proper amounts, to begin the weeks. A Petland pet counsellor will be happy process called the “nitrogen cycle.” Since the cycling process. Since ammonia starts the to show you how to use your gravel vacuum. nitrogen cycle only begins when new fish nitrogen cycle, it stands to reason that fish Water conditioners and supplements, such as arrive in an aquarium, we call this cycling must be added to start the cycle. Nutrafin® Cycle®, should be added after p r o c e s s , “ N e w Ta n k S y n d r o m e . ” each water change. Once your tank is Understanding New Tank Syndrome is Adding Your First Fish established (approximately five to seven important for learning how to keep your fish The type and quantity of fish will depend on weeks), a 25% change must be done every happy and healthy. the size of aquarium you have and the three to four weeks to keep your fish happy

species of fish you want to keep. The first fish and healthy. An aquarium operating for six It takes approximately five to seven weeks for that are added should be hardy. months or longer, will require fewer water the cycle to run through. It is during this time changes.that many fish enthusiasts feel frustrated. Once you have added your first fish, they will Why is my tank cloudy? Why can’t I put in all of immediately begin to produce ammonia (as Nitritesthe fish I want all at once? Why did some of we discussed above). For the first day or two, There will be a significant drop in your my fish die? your fish and aquarium will look normal; aquarium’s ammonia level once the bacteria

however, don’t be surprised if after day two population is hefty; however, your concerns A key factor in enjoying this relaxing and (sometimes up to day four or five) if your should not be lessened. Remember, that the rewarding hobby is realizing that your aquarium water goes cloudy. This is called good bacteria changes ammonia into aquarium is much like a mini eco-system. In “bacterial bloom.” This cloudiness is caused NITRITE. At this point in the cycle, a second order for your fish and plants to thrive, specific by initial good bacterial growth and is not type of bacteria develops, which helps to care must be taken, right from the beginning, harmful to your fish. It will clear up on its own. consume nitrites.to ensure a healthy environment. As you will see, you need this bacteria growth

for a healthy aquarium. At this point, there is NitratesBefore we discuss the steps that your rarely a cause to perform a water change. Nitrites converts into a compound called aquarium will go through after adding your “Nitrates.” Nitrates, unless found in high first fish, we need to talk about toxic ammonia! Good Bacteria levels, are generally not toxic to your fish!

During the first week that your aquarium is set Unfortunately, this second type of good Ammonia up with fish, bacteria will begin to grow in the bacteria is slow in multiplying. It may take up Fish take in oxygen and release carbon gravel. It will also grow in many other places, to five weeks for this bacteria to gain control dioxide into the water – that’s how they such as your filter’s carbon and sponge over the nitrites in the water.breathe. During this process, a by-product inserts. This is “good” bacteria, which will called ammonia is also released. Even more consume the toxic ammonia and convert it Algae Growthammonia is released into the water as your into a chemical called “nitrite.” It takes a while Do nitrites cause any other problems in an fish eat and produce natural bodily wastes. to grow this good bacteria; usually one to aquarium besides being toxic to your fish? Although these are natural functions, the three weeks, at which point it will be abundant The answer is yes. High levels of nitrites act ammonia is toxic to your fish. It’s enough to handle the ammonia in your tank. like fertilizer, producing a carpet of algae on understandable that this ammonia problem

Join TodaySave every day!

Join TodaySave every day!

©Petland Inc. 2006

™

the tank floor and walls. You can help prevent this problem by adding live plants to your aquarium. Live plants will help to consume the nitrites, thus reducing algae growth.

StressStress from the ammonia and nitrites will undoubtedly have some ill effects on your fish if some preventative measures are not taken. Aquarium test kits should be used to monitor ammonia, nitrites, pH and other water quality conditioners at the beginning and through the life of your aquarium. Your Petland pet counsellor can show you how to test your water. Signs of stress in your fish may include gasping, shaking back and forth, clamped fins or lack of colour. They may also refuse food. Should your fish exhibit any of these signs or are not behaving normally, contact your Petland pet counsellor.

The Nitrogen Cycle

Ammonia (NH3)

from respiration& feces

NitrifyingBacteria

Nitrites (NO2)

Nitrates (NO3)

NitrifyingBacteria

Removed by liveplants & waterchanges

PET TIPS

NEW TANKSYNDROME

Rev. 09/07/11 JH

®

Shop onlinewww.petland.ca