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This is an in-depth guide on how to best use FritzZyme bacteria (FritzZyme 7 or FritzZyme TurboStart 700) to establish a healthy, stable biofilter that cycles your new aquarium or help re-establish an existing system’s biofilter that has “crashed” or needs fortification. If you are cycling a saltwater tank, click here.
The ammonia, or nitrogen, “cycle” is the process of ammonia NH3 being oxidized by Nitrosomonas sp. bacteria into nitrite (NO2-), followed by the produced nitrite being oxidized by Nitrobacter sp. bacteria into nitrate (NO3-). These processes can happen simultaneously, continuously and are influenced by water parameters.
Making sure your water is ideal for Nitrifying bacteria growth will reduce the amount of time needed to establish a healthy and stable biological filter.
FritzZyme can be used with tap water but the water must be conditioned first. Fill your aquarium with water and add a water conditioner like FritzGuard, Fritz Complete or Fritz A.C.C.R.) to remove chlorine and chloramines. These two chemicals are toxic to bacteria so they must be neutralized before adding FritzZyme bacteria. FritzZyme is a biological product and does not dechlorinate water.
If using RO/DI water, it’s to add a product like Fritz R/O Recharge to replenish minerals, electrolytes and buffering capacity.
Your water parameters are very important to maintaining a healthy population of nitrifying bacteria. Just like fish and other aquatic life, FritzZyme bacteria will grown and thrive in the right environment. Most issues with nitrifying bacteria performance are due to one of the parameters below being out of range.
The ideal parameters table on this page are where the Nitrifying Bacteria in FritzZyme 7 (Freshwater) will perform the best. The preferences for most freshwater aquatic species will fall within these parameters or very close. Nitrification will still occur outside of the ideal range, but may be slowed. Far outside the range, where noted, nitrification will stop completely.
The average pH range for optimal nitrification is 7.3-8.0. Above or below this range, you can expect the bacteria to continue to work, but become slower. Nitrification is completely inhibited below pH 6.0.
Need to raise pH? Try Fritz pH Higher
Note: All ammonia in a system that is below pH 6.0 is ionized into its non-toxic form of ammonium (NH4+). Ammonium is itself is generally safe for livestock, however as pH is increases above 6.0, the ammonium present will converted to toxic ammonia and can quickly kill any livestock if not addressed with added nitrifying bacteria, a water change, or an ammonia-binding product like Fritz A.C.C.R. or Fritz Complete.
Alkalinity is a crucial for the conversion of ammonia to nitrite. A small amount of KH is consumed during nitrificaiton, and can quickly become a limiting factor if not maintained above a minimum level of 4.5 dKH or 80 ppm KH.
Over time, alkalinity will naturally decrease and must be added with a product that raises KH, or a water change using source water with a sufficient KH level. A low KH level can also lead to instability of pH. A large swing in pH in a short period of time will negatively affect your livestock, as well as your biological filter.
Need to raise KH? Try Fritz RO Recharge, or Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer.
The phosphate level should always be maintained above 0 ppm. Phosphate is necessary for Nitrobacter sp. bacteria to convert nitrite to nitrate and is consumed in the metabolic process. If it is depleted, nitrite conversion will stop. This is referred to as called “Phosphate Block.”
Need to increase Phosphate? Use a phosphate-based buffer like Fritz pH Neutralizer, or a water change with dehclorinated tap water which typically contains phosphate.
Freshwater systems should use FritzZyme 7 or FritzZyme Turbo Start 700. Saltwater and reef systems should use FritzZyme 9 or FritzZyme TurboStart 900. The bacteria strains in each formula are optimized for their specific freshwater or saltwater environment and are not interchangeable.
Most brackish systems should use the freshwater formulas of bacteria, FritzZyme 7 or Turbo Start 700. These freshwater strains of bacteria are fully functional in systems from 0 – 6 ppt (1.000 to 1.0045 sg). Above this range, you can expect the bacteria to continue to work, but the nitrification process will become slower as the with higher salinity up to 15 ppt (1.011 sg). If your system is above 15 ppt, we recommend to switch to the saltwater formulas, FritzZyme 9 or Turbo Start 900.
If you’ve prepared your water and have checked the parameters, it’s now time to add FritzZyme Nitrifying Bacteria.
Follow the dose and instructions on the label, or the directions and dose calculator on the FritzZyme 7 or FritzZyme TurboStart 700 product page.
The species of bacteria in FritzZyme require ammonia and nitrite to survive. Although the end goal of the nitrogen cycle is to eliminate these compounds, you’ll need to add an ammonia source initially to get the cycle going
Adding fish and beginning to feed them normally will start the production of ammonia, and subsequently nitrite, through normal respiration. This is the most simple way to establish your bacterial population to the proper size, and support it passively, since the nitrifying bacteria population will grow to the level of ammonia your livestock is producing.
Adding a dry or liquid ammonium chloride, such as Fritz Fishless Fuel, is an alternative way to add an ammonia source to the system prior to adding fish. Some hobbyists prefer this method if they want to set up and cycle a system in advance of introducing more sensitive species or livestock that may be stressed due to transport. Others prefer to “overbuild” their biofilter if expecting to introduce a heavy bioload.
Note: You should never add an ammonia product to a system while fish are present.
Also known as “ghost feeding,” this method involves adding organic material such as flake or pellet fish food which then decays and releases ammonia. While this method can work, Fritz Aquatics generally does not recommend it because it is unpredictable. Different foods break down at different rates, and the amount of ammonia released is inconsistent. Excess decomposing food can also fuel unwanted bacteria, cloudy water, and nuisance algae.
Note: The ammonia concentration needed for the cycling process is very minimal. Any detectable level below 4 ppm is sufficient.
Every system will proceed through the ammonia cycle at its own pace. The only way to know what stage the cycle is in is through regular testing of the water parameters.
The ammonia concentration during the cycling process does not need to reach or remain at a specific level. Any detectable level below 4 ppm is sufficient to start the cycling process. Try the Fritz Ammonia Test Kit.
Nitrite is produced from ammonia being oxidized by nitrifying bacteria. The level of nitrite during the cycling process will vary, as it can increase from bacteria processing ammonia, but simultaneously decrease from bacteria processing the nitrite into nitrate. Try the Fritz Nitrite Test Kit.
The nitrate concentration will indicate if the cycle is progressing as expected. The presence of nitrate indicates that the bacteria are performing properly and the tank is cycling. The amount of nitrate at the end of the cycle does not need to reach any specific level, any detectable amount is an indication that the cycle has matured and the biofilter is stable.
Nitrate is the end product of the cycle and is not harmful to livestock in low concentrations. You will see the concentration build up slowly over time. Regular partial water changes will reduce the Nitrate concentration and keep it in check. It’s recommended to keep a Nitrate level below 20 ppm. If your nitrate level is consistently high, consider increasing your water change frequency or reduce feeding. Live aquatic plants can also consume excess nitrate.
Try the Fritz Nitrate Test Kit!
Once your system is managing the ammonia and nitrite and keeping them at undetectable levels, the tank is considered “cycled.” For most new systems, FritzZyme 7 will become established and complete the cycle in 7-14 days. FritzZyme Turbo Start 700 can become fully established in as little as 3-4 days.
Both FritzZyme 7 and TurboStart 700 allow safe, immediate introduction of fish to a new aquarium. With a reasonable number of fish and ideal parameters, ammonia and nitrite levels should remain well below the level that is toxic to fish.
Do not overstock or overfeed, monitor water parameters and allow the system to complete the nitrogen cycle and stabilize before adding additional livestock. This approach supports long-term tank stability and healthier fish.
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