Every new aquarium must be matured to be able to welcome fish and cope with the biological load they entail. There are three basic ways to mature the aquarium.
By introducing small numbers of fish until it stabilizes.
Using special products and correspondingly artificial introduction of biobacteria.
By introducing water from an existing aquarium, the so-called "inoculation".
The maturation process of the aquarium includes 2-3 days when the aquarium will be at rest and then an increase in the levels of Ammonia – NH4 – is observed until about the 20th day and their gradual decline over the next 2-3 days, from about the 12th day an increase of levels of Nitrites – NO2 – until around the 32nd day when they will be zero, while shortly before Nitrates – NO3 will begin to be created and the aquarium will have passed the basic maturation phase.
One of the most classic methods of maturing the aquarium is to introduce a small number of hardy fish until the aquarium is stabilized. But this implies great stress for the fish since NO2 and NH4 values will fluctuate at high, dangerous levels. For this reason, it is recommended to check the NO2 and NH4 values frequently and refresh the water at regular intervals to keep the NO2 and NH4 concentration at levels tolerable for the fish. This process takes about 32 days or more.
Maturing the aquarium using special products - biobacteria - is the safest solution. The process involves introducing biobacteria into the aquarium and feeding them – using special bacteria food – until the NO2 and NH4 values exceed a level, at which point the bacteria feeding can be stopped. Frequent checks should be made on the aquarium. When the NO2 value drops to zero, then it is ready to accept fish. This process takes from about 14 days in fresh water to 40 days in sea water.
The "vaccination" of the aquarium requires the introduction of water from an existing mature aquarium and the introduction of a small number of resistant fish. The amount of water that will enter should exceed 30% of the total water in the aquarium. The basic condition is the mature water that will enter to be of acidity - pH - corresponding to the aquarium being prepared. Differences in acidity will cause the death of the beneficial microorganisms contained in the "boli". And in this case the aquarium should be checked frequently for the level of NH4 and NO2 concentrations and small water freshenings should be done to keep their values at low levels until the aquarium stabilizes.
An ideal solution is a combination of the above. Specifically, the use of special biobacteria in combination with the introduction of a small number of fish. Introducing biobacteria into the aquarium will reduce the maturation time from 32 to 14 days and keep the toxin levels at levels tolerated by the fish. Biobacteria should be added after dechlorinating the aquarium water. Because the biocultures contained in most formulations are dormant and take about a day to wake up, the first fish should be introduced the next day so that the biobacteria can find food once they wake up. It is important during the maturation period not to add other fish and to feed small amounts of food.
Even the "vaccination" of the aquarium is suggested to be combined not only with the introduction of a small number of fish but also with the use of biobacteria, as a quantity of mature water will enter the aquarium but the greater part of the biological culture should be gradually developed on its surfaces aquarium and mainly in the filter materials. Also to speed up the maturation process and make it safer for the fish in the aquarium.
It should be noted that filling one's aquarium and letting it run empty for a period of time, be it a week or a year, will have no effect on its maturation unless live organisms are introduced.
The process described above concerns the basic ripening phase. The aquarium will have stabilized after the 3rd - 4th month while in some cases, especially regarding the marine aquarium - this period reaches one year.
It is important that the introduction of fish after the period of maturation should be done gradually so as not to observe a sudden fish load in the aquarium and a corresponding increase in the biological load which the aquarium will not have time to cope with.
Finally, it should be pointed out that actions such as large water changes (over 50%), washing the filtering materials in the tap, replacing the bottom of the aquarium result in the loss of a huge part of the biological cultures of the aquarium and the need to mature the aquarium again. Abrupt changes in an ecosystem are detrimental.
So good preparation of your aquarium with patience and safety, will reward you with the beauty and tranquility an aquarium offers