shadowavenger

Will performing a routine tank cleaning cause a bacteria bloom? I did a gravel vacuum and water change and the tank has been setting for about 2 hours and the water is still cloudy but the chucks have settled. I could see how bacteria would bloom seeing as how all the turbulence would stir up all sorts of bacteria and toxins into the water. If it is a bacterial bloom will it help to speed up the Cycle?

jdhef

Are you cycling with fish?

A too through vacuuming can kill off some bacteria, causing a bacteria bloom as new bacteria forms to digest the now excess ammonia. But it would not be immeadiate. If this happened right after vacuuming, it is probably just dust and stuff that got disturbed during the vacuuming.

But during cycling you will probably get cloudy water on two occasions. Once as the ammonia eating bacteria developes, and then when the nitrite eating bacteria developes. But the tank will clear up again after a few days.

shadowavenger

I am cycling with fish.

I did a near thorough vacuum but only went to 50% of 14 gallons. The cloudyness has cleared up but now the nitrite levels have shot to dangerous levels. I am trying to figure out how to detoxify the nitrites. I don't know what they were before the water change but after 50% they shouldn't be that high.

CWO4GUNNER

Use prime for high nitrite. Prime recommends in an nitrite emergency to use 5 times the normal dose of 5 mil per 50ga however I only use 2 times the normal dose because more can deplete the water of oxygen rapidly due to chem reaction. If you feel you must use the max 5x dose do it in steps of of no more then 2xdose in 20 min intervals to keep oxygen levels from falling too quickly and use an air wand full blast to oxygenate the water.

Lucy

It would be a good idea to continue 50% water changes daily until your tank is cycled. Use Prime as mentioned above to detox.
How high are your nitrites?

jdhef

I'm guessing that the cloudiness was cause by a bacteria bloom of the type of bacteria that digests ammonia. It is now converting the ammonia into nitrites, but you haven't yet developed the bacteria that converts nitrites into nitrates. That would explain the lack of ammonia/high nitrites. So basically you are half way thru the cycle.

You best course of action is daily 50% water changes until nitrites drop to zero and you are showing some nitrates. At that point you will be fully cycled.