Biological filtration?

[silverdollar101]

Hi iam wondering about biological filtration, ive read about it on the net but dont fully understand it. I have a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium with a hang on filter. Is there anything i need to hel pthe life of my fish.

 

[theotheragentm]

Biological filtration is bacteria that is living on the surfaces of your tank, decorations, and filter. Very little lives in the water column. The idea of a filter is to circulate water through a high concentration of bacteria which handles waste.

Fish produce ammonia. Bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite. Bacteria than convert nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is normally removed with water changes. Plants and filter feeders, such as clams can use nitrates as a nutrient source.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

 

[silverdollar101]

thank you for your help and the link.