Having a healthy population of beneficial bacteria is critical for maintaining a stable aquarium environment. Beneficial bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen cycle by converting ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate. When starting a new aquarium or after cleaning the tank, the bacteria population needs time to establish and multiply. There are several things you can do to help speed up the growth of these essential beneficial bacteria in your aquarium.
Use a Bacterial Starter
One of the fastest ways to seed your aquarium with beneficial bacteria is by using a bacterial starter product. These supplements contain concentrated live bacteria that immediately establishes a colony in your tank. Some popular options include:
- Tetra SafeStart
- API Quick Start
- FritzZyme Turbo Start
- Seachem Stability
Follow the directions on the product and add the bacteria directly to the aquarium when first setting it up. This provides a boost of the necessary nitrifying bacteria to jumpstart the nitrogen cycle.
Seed Filter Media
In established aquariums, most of the beneficial bacteria live in the filter. This is because the filter provides a porous surface for colonization along with a constant flow of oxygen and nutrients from the water. To speed up the cycling process in a new tank, you can seed the filter media with bacteria by:
- Using media from another tank’s filter
- Adding bioballs or ceramic media from an existing filter
- Placing a bit of established filter floss into the new filter
Seeded media introduces nitrifying bacteria to the filter which then multiplies and spreads. Make sure to only take media from a healthy tank, not one treating fish diseases.
Add Filter Feeders
Filter feeding organisms can also inoculate your aquarium with beneficial bacteria. Their waste and left-over food provides an ammonia source to feed the establishing bacteria colony. Good options include:
- Snails – Ramshorn, trumpet, nerite
- Clams
- Oysters
- Mussels
Start with just a few individuals and be sure to quarantine them first before adding to avoid introducing diseases. The population can be reduced later once the tank cycles.
Use Live Rock or Live Sand
Live rock and live sand are often used in saltwater reef tanks but also provide an excellent source of beneficial bacteria. The porous surfaces harbor massive amounts of nitrifying bacteria that can seed your tank. To use for cycling:
- Add 1-2 lbs live rock per gallon
- Layer 1-2 inches of live sand as substrate
Live rock and sand should be cured before use to remove die-off and prevent ammonia spikes. Then simply placing them in the aquarium is all it takes to introduce large amounts of beneficial bacteria.
Supplement With Pure Ammonia
Providing a source of ammonia is crucial for allowing the bacteria populations to establish. Pure ammonia can be added to the tank in the beginning to feed the bacteria. Here are some tips for using ammonia:
- Use pure ammonia without additives, approx. 3-5% concentration
- Add ammonia to reach 3-5 ppm daily
- Stop adding ammonia once nitrites appear
- Resume adding ammonia when nitrites decrease
Dosing with ammonia gives the bacteria a nitrogen source allowing the colonies to rapidly multiply. Monitor using test kits and only add more ammonia once previous amounts are processed.
Increase Oxygenation
Like all living organisms, beneficial bacteria require oxygen to thrive. Making sure your tank water is highly oxygenated will encourage bacteria growth. Some options to increase oxygen include:
- Agitating the water surface
- Using air stones and bubble wands
- Adding waterfalls and churning water features
- Increasing water circulation with powerheads
Proper aquarium circulation and surface agitation is key. Stagnant zones in the tank can limit bacteria growth due to lack of oxygen. Target 10-30 times tank volume turnover per hour.
Maintain Proper Water Parameters
Ensuring appropriate water conditions will also accelerate the multiplication of beneficial bacteria. Ideal aquarium parameters include:
- Temperature 72-80°F
- pH 6.5-8.5
- Alkalinity 80-150 ppm
- 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites
- Less than 40 ppm nitrates
Use aquarium heaters and chillers to maintain temperature. Adjust pH upward with baking soda or downward with peat. Perform regular partial water changes to control nitrate. Proper water parameters prevent stress on the beneficial bacteria.
Avoid Toxins and Medications
Certain water treatments can inhibit or kill populations of beneficial bacteria. Avoid the following when cycling a new tank:
- Antibiotics or anti-parasite medications
- Algaecides
- Surfactants and soaps
- Harsh chemicals and cleaners
- Tap water with chloramine
Many of these substances are designed to kill microorganisms and can damage establishing bacteria colonies. Use aquarium-safe products and dechlorinated water when preparing the tank.
Test Water Parameters
Testing the water is important to monitor the progress of beneficial bacteria. Use aquarium test kits to check levels of:
- Ammonia – Goal of 0 ppm
- Nitrite – Goal of 0 ppm
- Nitrate – Goal of
Ideally, check levels every few days when first cycling the tank. Ammonia and nitrites should decline to zero as the bacteria colonize. Only add more ammonia when previous amounts are fully processed.
Conclusion
Cycling a new aquarium doesn’t need to take weeks with the right strategy. Adding commercial bacteria supplements, filter media from an established tank, live rock and sand can all immediately seed your system with large amounts of beneficial bacteria. Provide surplus ammonia and optimal water quality to encourage rapid multiplication. Within 1-2 weeks, levels of bacteria should be high enough to fully process the nitrogen cycle allowing you to safely add fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of beneficial bacteria?
The most common beneficial bacteria in aquariums are:
- Nitrosomonas – convert ammonia to nitrite
- Nitrospira – convert nitrite to nitrate
- Nitrobacter – also convert nitrite to nitrate
Where do beneficial bacteria live in an aquarium?
Beneficial aquarium bacteria primarily live on surfaces including:
- Filter media
- Substrate
- Decorations
- Gravel
- Biofilm on glass
- Live plants
Any porous surface in contact with water circulation can house beneficial bacteria. Filters tend to have the highest populations.
What is the nitrogen cycle in an aquarium?
The nitrogen cycle is the process of beneficial bacteria converting fish waste from toxic ammonia and nitrite into safer nitrate. It has three main steps:
- Fish excrete ammonia which is toxic
- Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite
- Nitrospira and Nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrite into nitrate
Understanding this cycle allows proper management of waste chemicals in the aquarium.
How long does it take to cycle a new tank?
A fishless cycle using pure ammonia typically takes 2-6 weeks for bacteria to fully establish. Cycling can be accelerated down to 1-2 weeks by:
- Adding filter media from an existing tank
- Using commercial bacteria supplements
- Seeding with live rock or live sand
- Adding hardscape and decor from cycled tanks
With the proper bacteria seeding, populations can multiply quickly to complete the cycle in under two weeks.
What are signs that my tank is fully cycled?
Indications that aquarium beneficial bacteria are fully established include:
- 0 ppm ammonia
- 0 ppm nitrite
- Presence of nitrates
- Rapid conversion of added ammonia
- Reduction of initial bacterial supplement dosing
Test kits should show ammonia and nitrite are removed within 24 hours meaning bacteria levels are sufficient.
Summary of How to Speed Up Beneficial Bacteria
Here are some key tips to quickly establish populations of beneficial bacteria in a new aquarium:
- Use commercial supplements containing nitrifying bacteria
- Seed filter media from mature tanks
- Add live rock, live sand, decor from existing tanks
- Supplement with pure ammonia for bacteria food source
- Increase oxygenation and circulation
- Maintain ideal water parameters
- Avoid medications, toxins and tap water
- Frequently test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels
Combining several of these methods can help you safely cycle your new tank in as little as 1-2 weeks. Patience and proper fishless cycling is key to establishing a healthy foundation of aquarium beneficial bacteria critical for long-term success.