#newtanksyndrome

[bettaworldforbettas]

New tank syndrome

If there haven't been enough beneficial bacteria established in an aquarium when fish are added, fish can die from ammonia and nitrite poisoning.

This is often called "new tank syndrome," and it can happen with uncycled or overstocked aquariums.

Fish waste creates ammonia (very toxic); beneficial bacteria eat the ammonia and produce nitrite (toxic); more bacteria convert nitrite to nitrates (less harmful).

In uncycled aquariums there will be a spike in ammonia from the newly added fish, but the beneficial bacteria will need time to establish.

Cycling an aquarium can take several weeks. It's important to test water parameters before adding fish. Ammonia and nitrite should always be 0, and there should be low levels of nitrates. Water changes and live plants help reduce excess nitrates.

⭐ Beneficial bacteria live on surfaces like substrate, decorations, and especially the filter (not in the water column).

[bettaworldforbettas]

New aquariums need time to establish colonies of beneficial bacteria that will convert toxic compounds like ammonia and nitrite into less harmful compounds like nitrate.

When you add a fish to a tank, its waste and uneaten food break down into ammonia. If the aquarium is not cycled, there will not be enough bacteria to break down ammonia fast enough, and toxins will build up which is stressful and can even be fatal for fish.

This is often called “new tank syndrome” and can happen when fish are added to uncycled aquariums. It can take several weeks to cycle an aquarium before it is safe to add fish.

Please sign this petition asking Aqueon to stop manufacturing under one gallon betta fish aquariums:

https://www.change.org/Aqueon-betta-tanks