Cycling a Tank

The nitrogen cycle is the basics of any aquarium. This is what happens every time we set one up, or "over clean it", which IS possible. Nature keeps this balance naturally, but when we bring mother nature inside and confine her to a box, we also have to give her some help along the way.

Let's follow the diagram. The yellow arrows represent the beneficial bacteria growing and reproducing in your tank. Starting with fish waste, which is Ammonia, the bacteria work to break it down, to Nitrites. Ammonia and Nitrites are both toxic to fish, and can be lethal in high concentrations. As the bacteria continue to break things down, the Nitrites is converted to Nitrates. Nitrates is also plant fertilizer. I encourage planting of any/every aquarium possible. If you have followed along in the diagram above, you will then see that we have plant waste, and nowhere for it to go. This is where we step in to help out, by removing 15% - 20% of the water once/week to "flush the toilet". With regular maintenance, every aquarium can be healthy!

When we perform a water test on water from a new and cycling aquarium, we watch for the different "spikes" as the bacteria reproduce and break down the Ammonia to a healthy and safe level for fish. The scale to the right is an approximate. Each tank is an individual, and will cycle at a different rate. Use this chart to make your own, and see how your aquarium compares!

Water Testing At Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets we offer water testing in our fish room 4 days/wk (Monday - Thursday) until 7pm. We ask that on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays you call ahead before bringing in a water sample due to the amount of traffic in the store, and limited number of staff to help everyone. We thank you always for your patience and understanding for wait times. If you have an emergency situation with your aquarium, calling ahead will ensure you receive the help you need without worry. In Joe's Fish Room, we're here to help you and your fish!

Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets is a firm believer in the education of our customers. Education means success, and success means happy and healthy fish, happy and satisfied customers, and a team of happy and satisfied staff members who can go home at night knowing that we did our job right! When you bring us your water sample we won't leave you with "it's fine" as an answer. In Joe's Fish Room we will help determine causes for problems and the best ways to fix them. We will give you a copy of your test results for future reference, and we will teach you how to perform your own tests at home when you are ready to purchase your own test kits for the first time.

(Due to the cost of supplies and staff training to assist your needs, there is a $1/test charge for water testing. Fee waived with a $25 or more purchase same day)

Preparing a water sample

The type of container is important. When dealing with water chemistry, things need to be noted about collecting and transporting for testing.

A new plastic zip lock bag is the best way to transport your water. This is a sterile environment and will provide for the most accurate test results.

A GLASS or NEW plastic container that has never been used for anything else are the next best options. These can be found at places like Dollar stores and Discount stores. 1 measuring cup full of water should be transported to the store within 1 hr from removal of the tank. Beyond that time, test results become inaccurate due to changes that take place in water chemistry.

If returning with a deceased or ill fish, please put fish in a separate container from your water sample to be used for testing.

When you bring in your water sample we will ask a number of questions about your situation so we can best determine how to help you. To speed up the process, we ask that you have the following information available at the time of testing:
We have a Adobe Acrobat form that you can fill out then print to bring with you when you come in, click here.

*Size of aquarium (# of gallons)
*Is your aquarium set up freshwater or saltwater?
*How long the aquarium has been setup
*What fish and how many are in the aquarium (species are important to know)
*Are there live plants in the aquarium?
*What make/model filter are you using?
*Are you using a CO2 unit?
*Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day?
*When did you perform your last water exchange, and how much water was changed?
*How often and what foods do you feed your fish?
*Is your aquarium light incandescent or fluorescent and how often is it kept on?
*What specific concerns bring you in with a water sample at this time?