What is the cycle process.(short and simple)?

Question

ive been reading about it, still dont understand it. and when they say CHANGE THE WATER do they literally mean take old water out of tank with everything,, then put everything back with new water?Wont that disrupt the cycle process?

Answer 1

The fish waste (ammonia) is converted into nitrites by bacteria. The nitrites are then converted into nitrates by other bacteria. There isn't much to do with nitrates but feed plants (or algae) and there are also other toxins that are produced. You need to change (remove and replace) about a quarter of the water once a week to keep the leftover toxins and nitrates in check. If you change too much water, or it isn't the same temperature, or it has chlorine in it, the bacteria gets stressed and dies. There a chemicals which remove chlorine at pet stores, or you can let the water stand in a container overnight.
If you use a gravel washer/siphon to remove the water, it will remove the large bits of fish waste without having to disturb the bacteria too much.
A

Answer 2

A new tank goes thru a "cycle" where ammonia and nitrites rise to levels dangerous to most fish because there is not yet enough "good" bacteria to break it down. Goldfish are usually used because they are a "dirty" fish & put a lot of bactiria into the water. There are also chemicals you can buy that will speed up this process. When doing a water change, usually only about 25 to 30% of the water is removed at a time. That way, you are not getting rid of the bactiria you need. Also, when you set up a new tank, you must use chemicals to get rid of the chlorine and other things in our drinking water that is toxic to fish.

Answer 3

Those previous two posts are good. The only part that I disagree with, is the bacteria is not in the water. It's in the filter, gravel, decorations, etc. You don't want to take out all the water, because then you're looking at ph and temperature changes, which can shock/kill the fish & bacteria. That's why they recommend anywhere from 15-50% water changes. Basically the water changes are diluting the nitrates in the water so they're not at a harmful level to the fish. And that's also why you should do weekly water changes, not monthly-it's just easier to maintain the same level that way.
Don't worry, one day it'll all just click and you'll get it :) I remember store employees explaining it to me, and I must've looked like a typical dumb blonde staring at him like HUH? Just keep reading on forums and stuff you'll learn a lot.

http://www.aquariumboard.com/forums/home.php
http://www.aquariacentral.com/
http://www.fishforums.com/forum/

Answer 4

Short and simple. Waste contains ammonia NH3 (very very toxic.) Bacteria converts it to NitrItes (toxic.) Other bacteria convert it to NitrAtes (not nearly so toxic.) Before tank has cycled fish waste will produce toxic ammonia and stress fish. Partial water changes dilute the NitrAte levels in a cycled tank keeping them tolerable. In an uncycled tank the reduce ammonia and NitrIte levels as well. I like 15 -20% weekly water changes in my fresh water tanks. Don't remove everything and clean it as this will reduce the beneficial bacteria from the tank and disrupt the cycle.

Answer 5

When I was a lot younger I was told by Pet Shops to take about half of the water out and then add to the rest. It has been years so I suppose there is a different way to do it now, but water is water so I do not see anything different unless you use bottled water in Gallon jugs. I never had any problems with my fish when I use to have them as a kid so something must have worked right. Hope this helps and is the right info for you.

Answer 6

NO BUT IF U TAKE OUT D FISH AND FRY IT AND EAT IT DAT MITE END THE CYCLE ALL 2GETHER