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nitrogen cycle

By , About.com Guide

Definition: Nitrogen cycle is the natural process through which nitrogen incorporated into food by photosynthetic organisms is consumed directly or indirectly by other organisms and subsequently excreted, acted upon by bacteria, and made available again for plant nutrition.

In an aquarium the establishment of the nitrogen cycle is often referred to as the break-in cycle, start-up cycle, or cycling the tank. The cycle begins once fish are introduced to the tank.

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