Nitrogen cycle FAQ - New Tank Syndrome
 

Since questions have come up recently with regard to new ponds and water
problems, I thought I would post this link that describes the nitrogen
cycle, and how to avoid "new tank syndrome", and issue which is relevant to
ponds as well:

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

Enjoy!

George

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

I find this article misleading as it makes it sound like once a system is
cycled you can add fish and everything is hunky-dory, when the truth is,
with every addition all tanks and most ponds will again show ammonia, then
nitrite and then again be cycled to included the added member(s).

After all he gives this warning: *Warning: AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO GET MORE
FISH UNTIL AFTER YOUR TANK HAS FULLY CYCLED! More fish means more ammonia
production, increasing the stress on all fish and the likelihood of fish
deaths. Once ammonia levels reach highly stressful or toxic levels, your
tank has succumbed to ``New Tank Syndrome''; the tank has not yet fully
cycled, and the accumulating ammonia has concentrations lethal to your
fish. *

Which means, #1 he is cycling w/fish in the tank, otherwise why would he
mention "MORE FISH" and not FISH, and "more fish means more ammonia"?

Personally I like this website's definition, though it has it flaws also,
note this quote "The cycle begins when fish eat and then excrete ammonia."
And that's has always been my understanding, that a pond meant for fish
won't start cycling till they're included. The only way to minimize it, is
to add lots of plants that will take nutrients out, not to mention will
already be playing host to good bacteria, if not permanganated off. And to
add no more than 2 fish at a time, if small, 1 if larger. YMMV based on
size of pond and size of fish. If you have 10,000 gallons, putting in 6
small koi and you'll be lucky to see much variance in the cycle.

Another good tip though is when introducing new fish, continue to feed only
what you were feeding prior for the first 2 weeks, then slowly increase.

AND it is always a good idea to invest in a tub of Choram-X. ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

Personally I like this website's definition,

http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/dan.html (bsigh) ~ jan


~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

I find this article misleading as it makes it sound like once a system is
cycled you can add fish and everything is hunky-dory, when the truth is,
with every addition all tanks and most ponds will again show ammonia,
then
nitrite and then again be cycled to included the added member(s).

Umm, after reading through the article, I must point out that it does
mention that fact, maybe not to your liking, but nevertheless, it is there.
Hence, he stressed not to overfeed or to add too many critters at one time.
But I agree that perhaps he could have clarified this point. Dilution is
the solution (I hate this phrase, but in this case it is accurate), since a
small number of critters in a large volume of water are not going to
produce enough ammonia to cause significant problems, and in fact, are
beneficial since they are providing vital bacteria with essential nutrients
while not overburdening the pond with an excess.

After all he gives this warning: *Warning: AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO GET
MORE
FISH UNTIL AFTER YOUR TANK HAS FULLY CYCLED! More fish means more ammonia
production, increasing the stress on all fish and the likelihood of fish
deaths. Once ammonia levels reach highly stressful or toxic levels, your
tank has succumbed to ``New Tank Syndrome''; the tank has not yet fully
cycled, and the accumulating ammonia has concentrations lethal to your
fish. *

Which means, #1 he is cycling w/fish in the tank, otherwise why would he
mention "MORE FISH" and not FISH, and "more fish means more ammonia"?

I knew you would object to this, and the thought did cross my mind. The
fact is that many people have used this method with success for many years.
Marine aquarists often use hardy blue damsel fish to cycle their new tanks.
Is it the best way to do it? Probably not. It certainly is not healthy
for the "sacrificial lambs" being used. An alternative would be to simply
add nutrients as the tank/pond is cycling to give the bacteria something to
eat (they have to eat too, ya know). Having said all this, I posted it
because it is, after all, a place to start (hence the name: Beginner FAQ).
Not all new pond enthusiasts know even the basics, so this is as good a
place to start as any.

Personally I like this website's definition, though it has it flaws also,
note this quote "The cycle begins when fish eat and then excrete
ammonia."
And that's has always been my understanding, that a pond meant for fish
won't start cycling till they're included. The only way to minimize it,
is
to add lots of plants that will take nutrients out, not to mention will
already be playing host to good bacteria, if not permanganated off. And
to
add no more than 2 fish at a time, if small, 1 if larger. YMMV based on
size of pond and size of fish. If you have 10,000 gallons, putting in 6
small koi and you'll be lucky to see much variance in the cycle.

Another good tip though is when introducing new fish, continue to feed
only
what you were feeding prior for the first 2 weeks, then slowly increase.

AND it is always a good idea to invest in a tub of Choram-X. ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

I agree.

"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
Personally I like this website's definition,

http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/dan.html (bsigh) ~ jan


~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

It is simpler, but doesn't go into a lot of detail for those who want that
detail. But for the beginner, it will suffice. I like the graph on the web
site I provided because it shows the complete cycle, and shows clearly
where a water change is desireable (although one can obviously do so at a
much earlier time if the need arose).

George wrote:
"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
Personally I like this website's definition,

http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/dan.html (bsigh) ~ jan


~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

It is simpler, but doesn't go into a lot of detail for those who want that
detail. But for the beginner, it will suffice. I like the graph on the web
site I provided because it shows the complete cycle, and shows clearly
where a water change is desireable (although one can obviously do so at a
much earlier time if the need arose).

This is a good page also http://www.pondkoi.com/nitrogen.htm

Read all of the other pages too and then you will have the big picture.