{"id":3266,"date":"2022-05-13T13:25:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T13:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/?p=3266"},"modified":"2023-03-29T09:16:19","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T09:16:19","slug":"turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle\u00a0&#8211; Complete Guide &#038; Diagram"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-TURTLE-NITROGEN-CYCLE-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle\" class=\"wp-image-3844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-TURTLE-NITROGEN-CYCLE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-TURTLE-NITROGEN-CYCLE-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-TURTLE-NITROGEN-CYCLE-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-TURTLE-NITROGEN-CYCLE.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>This turtle tank nitrogen cycle guide will cut out all the complicated stuff and explain it in simple easy to understand terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ht-block-toc is-style-rounded htoc htoc--position-wide toc-list-style-bulleted\" data-htoc-state=\"closed\"><span class=\"htoc__title\"><span class=\"ht_toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/span><span class=\"htoc__toggle\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\"><g fill=\"#444\"><path d=\"M15 7H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><path d=\"M15 1H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1zM15 13H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/span><div class=\"htoc__itemswrap\"><ul class=\"ht_toc_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-what-is-the-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">What Is The Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-stages\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Stages<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-diagram\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Diagram<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-do-turtles-need-the-nitrogen-cycle\">Do Turtles Need The Nitrogen Cycle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-do-you-start-a-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">How Do You Start A Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-long-does-it-take-to-cycle-a-turtle-tank\">How Long Does It Take To Cycle A Turtle Tank?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-do-you-maintain-the-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">How Do You Maintain The Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-do-i-increase-my-biological-filtration\">How Do I Increase My Biological Filtration?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-summary\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Summary<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-closing-thoughts\">Closing Thoughts On The Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle &#8230;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-what-is-the-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">What Is The Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-symbol-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-symbol-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-symbol-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-symbol-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-symbol.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The nitrogen cycle (also known as the nitrification cycle) is a process where naturally occurring nitrifying bacteria (beneficial bacteria) convert toxic substances in your aquarium water into a much less harmful substance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It basically converts toxic water into safe water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How and why this occurs is because turtles are just like us, what goes in one end must come out the other end!! When we&#8217;ve done &#8220;our thing&#8221;, we flush, and away it goes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A turtle doesn&#8217;t have that option, they have to swim around in their own toilet. Their poop then starts to break down in the water and releases ammonia which is toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of that, any food they missed during feeding, dead tankmates, or any dead plant matter trapped in the tank will start to rot and release ammonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nitrogen cycle is nature&#8217;s way of dealing with it all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in a new aquarium, there aren&#8217;t enough beneficial bacteria to get rid of these toxins quickly enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It takes time to establish these bacteria and stabilize the cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-stages\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Stages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 3 stages to the turtle tank nitrogen cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1 &#8211; Ammonia &#8211; NH3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-amonia-symbol-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"NH3\" class=\"wp-image-3982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-amonia-symbol-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-amonia-symbol-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-amonia-symbol-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-amonia-symbol.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Turtle poop, leftover food, and rotting vegetation begin to break down and release ammonia into the tank water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2 &#8211; Nitrite &#8211; NO2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrite-symbol-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"NO-2\" class=\"wp-image-3983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrite-symbol-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrite-symbol-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrite-symbol-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrite-symbol.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once you have ammonia in your water, naturally occurring nitrifying bacteria called <em>Nitrosomonas<\/em> will begin multiplying on your aquarium&#8217;s surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These bacteria consume ammonia and convert it into nitrite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although nitrite is less toxic than ammonia, it&#8217;s still not good for turtles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3 &#8211; Nitrate &#8211; NO3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrate-symbol-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"NO-3\" class=\"wp-image-3984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrate-symbol-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrate-symbol-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrate-symbol-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/022-nitrate-symbol.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now you have nitrite in your water, there is another form of beneficial bacteria called <em>Nitrobacter<\/em>, that will consume nitrite and turn it into nitrate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nitrate is far less harmful, but it still needs to be kept at safe levels of &lt;40ppm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You keep the nitrate at safe levels by <a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/how-to-clean-a-turtle-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3822\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"832\">cleaning your aquarium<\/a> and performing partial water changes when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-diagram\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Diagram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be easier to visualize with this turtle tank cycling chart diagram:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/006-NITROGEN-CYCLE-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Image\" class=\"wp-image-3270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/006-NITROGEN-CYCLE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/006-NITROGEN-CYCLE-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/006-NITROGEN-CYCLE-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/006-NITROGEN-CYCLE.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Turtle tank nitrogen cycle diagram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-do-turtles-need-the-nitrogen-cycle\">Do Turtles Need The Nitrogen Cycle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, they do as it helps remove toxins and odors from the tank water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While turtles aren\u2019t as sensitive to ammonia and nitrite as fish, it still isn\u2019t good for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a naturally occurring process that just needs a bit of time to establish itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-do-you-start-a-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">How Do You Start A Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cycling a turtle tank is the same process as cycling a fish tank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have an in-depth post on<a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/how-to-cycle-a-fish-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"833\"> how to cycle a fish tank<\/a> that will guide you through the various options step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Option 1 is by far the easiest, quickest, and best way to cycle a tank, so check it out if you want to cycle your tank <em>FAST<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-long-does-it-take-to-cycle-a-turtle-tank\">How Long Does It Take To Cycle A Turtle Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The nitrogen cycle in a turtle tank takes anywhere from 2-8 weeks to complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It all depends on which method of cycling your tank you choose to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-do-you-maintain-the-nitrogen-cycle-in-a-turtle-tank\">How Do You Maintain The Nitrogen Cycle In A Turtle Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can maintain the nitrogen cycle in a turtle tank by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Equipping your turtle tank with a high-quality<a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/best-filter-for-turtle-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"834\"> water filter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not overstocking your tank<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not overfeeding your turtles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removing any dead fish they may have snacked on<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removing any rotting plant matter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testing your water regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cleaning your turtle tank and performing a partial water change when Nitrates exceed 40ppm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase your biological filtration if necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-do-i-increase-my-biological-filtration\">How Do I Increase My Biological Filtration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need to increase your biological filtration in your turtle tank, one option is to add some biological filtration media to your filters, such as ceramic rings or bio balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These products increase the surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow on which will reduce the amount of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in your aquarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re having difficulty keeping your nitrate levels under control, another option is to add some<a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/best-plants-for-turtle-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"835\"> plants<\/a> to your turtle tank, as they feed off the nitrates in your water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be aware, that if there aren&#8217;t enough nitrates in the water to feed the plants, they may die unless you fertilize them with something like API Leaf Zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-turtle-tank-nitrogen-cycle-summary\">Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the turtle tank nitrogen cycle summarized in 5 sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Turtle poops in the water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turtle poop and other organic matter rot and release ammonia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beneficial bacteria grow and convert ammonia to nitrite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Another kind of beneficial bacteria converts nitrite to nitrate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You remove nitrates with water changes and plants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-closing-thoughts\">Closing Thoughts On The Turtle Tank Nitrogen Cycle &#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know how to cycle your turtle tank successfully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Told you you don&#8217;t need to be a chemistry nerd to understand it! \ud83e\udd13<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you keep your nitrogen cycle balanced, you&#8217;ll have a thriving aquarium with a happy and healthy turtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Should your turtle become sick you can<a href=\"https:\/\/arav.site-ym.com\/search\/custom.asp?id=3661\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"836\"> find your local turtle vet here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/turtles\/\" data-type=\"category\" data-id=\"28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"837\">turtle section<\/a> for more in-depth guides and product reviews and the<a href=\"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/aquarium-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"838\"> aquarium health<\/a> section for guides on keeping your aquarium in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding the nitrogen cycle is an important part of keeping the water clean and healthy in a turtle tank, but you don&#8217;t have to be a chemistry nerd to understand how it all works. It&#8217;s actually pretty straightforward!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3269,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[12],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3266"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquaristgeek.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}