What is cycling?

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Simply put, cycling refers to the nitrogen cycle. This cycle occurs naturally in nature. Applied to aquaria, it is the natural formation of nitrifying bacteria to consume ammonia and nitrite. The end product is nitrate. In nature, nitrate is consumed by other organisms (ie: plants) to produce oxygen.

This process, due to the constraints of the aquarium, is deadly to tank inhabitants. In order to prevent fish deaths, water changes are performed to reduce these levels.

Test kits are used to monitor these levels. The preferred tests are the re-agent drops.

A completed cycle will have readings of: NH3=0, NO2=0 and NO3=20-40ppm.

HTH.
 
With all fish, Nitrites and Ammonia should be 0. The water parameters do not differ based on fish EXCEPT for the pH. That's the only reading that is different. S.A. Cichlids like a lower pH.
 
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