1. Graham Ramsay Fair City Aquarist Society

2. Understanding the nitrification process is the single most important step to success in keeping fish

3. Nitrification is the conversion of toxic fish waste (Ammonia) into Nitrite then Nitrate

4. An aquarium is a “Closed System” – fish have to live in their own waste material – this is mainly Ammonia

5. Ammonia is a product of fish respiration and is excreted via the gills

6. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish – there is no safe level

7. The higher the temperature and pH the more toxic it is

8. Gill irritation – scratching and gasping at the surface Skin, eyes and gill damage Lethargy, loss of appetite Clamped gills, lying on the bottom Death

9. Bacteria consume the ammonia and excrete Nitrite

10. Nitrite is toxic to fish – there is no safe level

11. Ulcers, fin rot Gill irritation and lethargy Brown gills and respiratory distress Death

12. Bacteria consume Nitrite and excrete Nitrate

13. Nitrate is safe at low levels High levels encourage algae and weaken fish Very high levels are toxic to fish

14. Nitrate levels are kept in check by regular water changes

16. Bacteria live on surfaces – gravel, plants, filters Require food and oxygen

17. Keep filters clear – rinse in tank water

18. New tanks won’t have enough bacteria

19. Fish die when added to a new tank Fish excrete Ammonia and levels build up

20. Start with only one or two fish Feed very little Wait until bacteria build up

21. Consider starting your tank without fish Requires a source of Ammonia Levels need to be measured regularly

22. You can add fish when the process is finished Start with a few then add slowly

23. Happens when no water is changed Nitrate levels rise pH falls Water discoloured

24. Nitrifying bacteria die Ammonia is present but not toxic pH may crash

25. New fish added die quickly – shop blamed Existing fish seem fine

26. Sudden water changes raise pH Ammonia becomes toxic again

27. Regular water changes Keep filters clean

28. Fish excrete toxic waste Bacteria convert it to nitrate Remove nitrate by doing water changes

29. New tanks don’t have bacteria Start slowly – without fish if you can

30. Don’t forget your water changes!!!