When setting up a new aquarium, we always aim to create a healthy and thriving environment for our fish. The cycling process is an integral part of creating that ecosystem. Cycling your aquarium involves creating the biological filter of beneficial bacteria that allow your aquarium to sustain life by breaking down waste materials, such as ammonia and nitrate. This article will discuss the steps involved in correctly cycling a freshwater aquarium.

Bottled bacteria is a good way of speeding up a cycle for a new aquarium (please see cycling section) using these products can shorten a cycle down from upwards of 6 weeks to as little as 3-7 days. If using a bottled bacteria to cycle a fresh aquarium, please note although your aquarium is cycled and ready for wet pets, it is still a very immature system, so slowly adding fish is still the best option.