fyrfighter

I originally posted a question like this in another room, but im just trying to get as much advice as possible because id hate to see any of my fish die. Ok, i have a 55g freshwater cichlid tank. I am running the whisper 60 filter(2 media slots, each containing carbon bag and black sponge) , the tank was cycled and it was time for my first vacuum / water change / filter change. Ill go on with exactly what i did, then what happened and what ive done to fix it. Hopefully someone can tell me whether or not im okay, or what else i should do. I removed all my decor, vacuumed my gravel, and removed approx 20% of my water. Heres where i messed up, i replaced both carbon bags with new ones ran them under my tap, and the killer, i washed both sponges under my tap! (don't hate me). I then replaced everything with my shinny new bacteria free media and added my distilled water, soon my water turned milky and cloudy, this has been going on for 4 days now. I had my water checked and began researching, eventually i found out where i had gone wrong and that i had started a mini cycle. I was advised to add zeolite with my carbon to help with the ammonia and use biozyme to help generate the needed bacteria. Now im playing the waiting game. Is there anything ive missed or should do?


I like to triple check everything i read/hear and am assuming that the proper method of maintaining my tank would be the monthly water change / vacuum and then to alternate changing my carbon filters every two weeks and leave my sponge in place correct?


Sorry im long winded, i just want to make sure all the bases are covered!

thanks

Butterfly

When you make multiple posts about the same thing your advice is spread out in several places. It will make more sense if it's all in one place and in Chronlogical order.
Carol