Healthy Aquarium Water Fish need clean, chemically balanced water to thrive. Your aquarium’s environment An aquarium is a delicately balanced ecosystem that relies on “good” bacteria to keep fish healthy. When everything is working right, helpful bacteria grow in the aquarium’s gravel and filter. There, they help break down the ammonia and nitrite found in fish waste—which, if left unchecked, would be toxic to your fish. When you first set up your aquarium, you’ll need to encourage the growth of these beneficial bacteria. The process, called cycling, can take 4 to 6 weeks. Using bacteria starters can reduce the cycling time to 1 to 3 weeks. Here’s how to start: 1. Set up and fill the aquarium with water. Do not add fish. Run the aquarium filter for at least 24 hours. 2. Introduce a small number of danios, gouramis, or livebearers—hardy fish that aren’t as sensitive to ammonia or nitrites. (The number of fish will depend on the size of the aquarium) ...
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