Ever tried comparing natural water sources with a new aquarium that’s been filled with tap water? You are immediately going to notice a difference in “purity.” Fortunately, purity isn’t required in the wild because that’s what fish require to stay healthy. However, a standard fish tank at home is often too sterile, which means the ammonia levels rise rapidly and endanger your fish. This is why it’s time to learn how to instantly cycle a fish tank.
By learning how to instantly cycle a fish tank, you will start to optimize the living environment for your fish both now and well into the future.
The average fish owner doesn’t realize this until their fish starts developing health-related issues. This is why it’s recommended to take a step back, understand how the fish tank has to be prepped, and what’s required to flush out ammonia.
This guide is going to show how to instantly cycle a fish tank, which products to use for your fish tank, and what is healthy for your fish moving into the future.
Best Live Bacteria for Fish Tank (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Establishes biological filtration in new aquarium set-ups
- Reduces nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ammonia & organic carbon in all marine and freshwater aquariums with...
- Veterinarian Pathologist tested and recommended
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 Bacteria solution is a power-packed solution that’s fast-acting, easy to use, and in line with modern standards. The beauty of this product is knowing it will help instantly cycle a fish tank without compromising its integrity.
This product is Veterinarian Pathologist tested and has been made in the U.S. to ensure quality isn’t a concern for fish owners. Simply put this live bacteria to use and watch as the results pour in rapidly bringing the ammonia levels to 0 ppm.
How To Instantly Cycle a Fish Tank
Use the Best Live Bacteria for Fish Tanks
A good starting point is to introduce live bacteria into the fish tank.
The premise is simple as you are going to recreate what would happen in the wild. Instead of waiting for live aquarium plants to do the work, you are going to use a powerful, well-intentioned product that is going to do the work for you.
The formulations being made in the pet industry right now are impressive including the one highlighted above.
Your goal should be to introduce live bacteria into the fish tank right away. This is going to speed up the process and make sure the water is being filtered as required.
Several studies have been done on the use of live bacteria and as a solution, this continues to be a great way to get things started. The fish tank is going to respond well to the live bacteria and the ammonia levels will start to drop.
Your goal has to remain to keep an eye on the PH levels and that is only going to be done by using a good-quality aquarium PH kit such as the API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT.
Start with Fewer Fish
When it is time to instantly cycle a fish tank, you can also reduce how many fish are inside a new aquarium.
This is a manual change that is going to make things easier as a fish tank owner. You can reduce the amount of fish waste being produced per day by simply reducing the number of fish inside your tank. It’s a simple, yet effective way to regulate PH levels in the water.
How many fish should be inside a new fish tank?
You should be looking to go with no more than 1-3 fish at a time. This is going to be a great starting point as you learn more about the PH levels inside the aquarium. Over time, you can ramp things up but it shouldn’t happen right away when the water has just been added.
The goal has to remain to continue to test the water to see whether or not the ammonia levels are dropping. If not, then you know it is time to remain steady with what you are doing and not introduce new fish into the mix.
If you mistime this step, you are going to see the ammonia and nitrate levels shoot upwards. This is why it is better to remain cautious.
Reduce Feedings Before Ramping Up
Since fish waste can increase ammonia and nitrate levels inside a fish tank, why not consider reducing your feedings in the beginning?
If you are not giving a lot of food to the fish (i.e. overfeeding), you are going to have a far easier time reducing the fish waste’s impact. While this isn’t a tangible long-term strategy, it does work well when you are trying to set thing straight during the first few months.
As you learn more about the fish tank, its ammonia levels, and what the fish are doing to the water, it becomes easier to increase the food intake.
The amount of food you are giving to the fish is going to vary from situation to situation. In general, you want to take a look at what the average is and try to shoot for 10-20% less. This is going to be a smart way to start making changes without harming the fish.
Remember, there is a balancing act when figuring out how to instantly cycle a fish tank. You can’t rush the process and put your fish in harm’s way!
Be meticulous, understanding your type of fish, and then make adjustments to the food intake.
Keeps Tabs on the PH Levels
It’s wonderful to go out and learn how to instantly cycle a fish tank but that’s not enough.
You also have to keep tabs on what is going on after the changes are made. It’s one thing to cycle a fish tank and another to make sure the PH levels remain steady.
Otherwise, you may learn how to instantly cycle a fish tank but end up back in the same spot later on!
This is why using a high-grade aquarium testing kit for PH levels is the way to go. Something as simple as the API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT is going to get the job done.
What is the purpose of using an aquarium testing kit for PH levels?
The goal is to determine whether or not your changes are making a noticeable difference. You want to see a change in the ppm metrics that are in front of you. If there are subtle changes then you are pacing it perfectly. However, if things are changing rapidly or your fish’s health is deteriorating then you have to slow things down.
As mentioned before, there is a balancing act involved in learning how to instantly cycle a fish tank.
Use Live Aquarium Plants
What is the best way to see tangible results without having to introduce unusual or manmade formulations into the mix?
While using live bacteria is always welcome, it’s also smart to build a natural ecosystem inside the fish tank. This is going to generate tangible results, flush out the bad toxins, and make it an ideal environment for your fish inside the aquarium.
What is the premise behind using live plants to cycle a fish tank?
The idea is to reproduce what would happen in the wild as that is what ensures fish waste is appropriately and correctly handled by the environment. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen in a new aquarium, which is what leads to high levels of ammonia.
This is why you have to take the opportunity to purchase high-quality live aquarium plants and introduce them into the fish tank.
These plants are going to have a profound impact on the health of your fish and will also reduce the ammonia levels in your fish tank over the course of 4-6 weeks. To make sure the levels are okay, continue to check the PH levels throughout the coming months.
This should always be used as a good long-term solution when learning how to cycle a fish tank.
Final Thoughts
If the goal is to learn how to instantly cycle a fish tank, the tips listed in this guide are a wonderful starting point and will lead to good results.
Building a new fish tank, using fresh water, and hoping for the best is a common strategy for fish owners. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work as it doesn’t mimic the wild, which is essential when it comes to your fish and its health.
By learning how to instantly cycle a fish tank, you make it easier on yourself and the fish without having to wait long periods.
Just like taking the opportunity to purchase a brand-new fish tank, getting rid of foggy water in a fish tank, adding oxygen to a fishbowl, or getting rid of an unwanted fish tank odor, you have to start with the fish’s health in mind.
Begin with the advice listed here and figure out how to instantly cycle a fish tank!