Maturation Cycle
Of all the events to take place in the life of a marine aquarium, the initial maturation of the biological filter must rank as the most important.
About Maturation
- Nitrosomonas Bacteria -
The filter rids the aquarium of metabolic waste products quickly and efficiently. Failure to set it up correctly results in a swift build-up of ammonia and nitrites, which are extremely toxic and can result in the death of livestock within hours. To avoid this tragic scenario it is vitally important that, before any livestock are introduced, the aquarium becomes home to several species of “friendly” ammonia-consuming bacteria.
These bacteria also produce waste products called nitrites, slightly less toxic to livestock, but still dangerous. These in turn are consumed by other bacteria from the genus Nitrobacter. These too produce a waste product consisting of even less harmful nitrates, which may be broken down by yet another species of bacteria under anaerobic conditions.