scatty

...And how does it happen in an already cycled tank? I basically understand the process, and stuff like rinsing filter media in chlorinated water, or treating with chemicals that kill the bacteria could cause it, yeah? I just wondered if anything else could cause a tank to mini-cycle, something unexpected and not caused by outside interferance?

Shawnie

overstocked tanks , over feeding without proper water changes, adding or subtracting new fish, & not properly cycled to begin with are a few....a mini cycle, is something that occurs at any time when one or more of those things happen to a cycled tank and you have ammonia/nitrites appear but still have a nitrate reading...

peacemaker92

Nice well explained input, Shawnie. I myself never really understood what mini-cycle was truly about, now I do

And thanks for bringing it up, Scatty!

scatty

Thank you Shawnie, very succinct answer. Rather than feel stupid, I'm actually glad I asked now .

You're welcome Peace