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How to Build Beneficial Bacteria in a New Tank

Building beneficial bacteria in a new aquarium is essential because the bacteria is needed to help dispose of waste. When starting a new tank, you need to develop the beneficial bacteria prior to adding fish, as they can die when exposed to waste. You have to filter the water of chlorine through several steps and then test the water until it is at a level safe for fish. The bacteria live in the filter and the gravel, or substrate, at the bottom of the tank.

Things You'll Need

Nitrite and ammonia testing kit
Drop bottle
Pure ammonia
Beneficial bacteria

Instructions

- 1
  Install your tank's pump, filter, air-pump and heater. Set the heater to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the pump, filter and heater on for 24 hours a day and for three to four days.
- 2
  Place the beneficial bacterias into your tank. You can purchase good bacteria at your local pet store or specialty fish store, often by finding used substrate.
- 3
  Add ammonia one drop at a time and do a reading with your ammonia kit after each drop. Keep dropping ammonia until your reading displays "5 ppm (parts per million)." Note how many drops it took you to reach that measurement.
- 4
  Use your nitrite reading kit daily to measure the nitrate amounts until your nitrite readings are above zero.You want to get the nitrite readings above zero before adding the ammonia drops once more, which may take several days.
- 5
  Add half the amount of ammonia drops you added in step 3 daily and continue to measure the nitrite. Keep doing this until both ammonia and nitrite levels are zero. This ensures that the water is completely free of chlorine and allows the beneficial bacteria to thrive.
- 6
  Pour out all of the water from your tank until it is only enough to cover your gravel. Replace with clean water and run your filter for one hour. Measure the nitrite levels and replace the water if the reading is above 35. Replace half of the water if the reading is above 10. When the nitrite levels are at 10 or below, your tank is ready for sea life.

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