Do I need to recycle my tank

[Renn242]

So I recently changed one of my filters to another filter, and I was unable to move the biological filtration media due to the fact the only one used cartridges and the new one doesn’t. I still have my supplementary filter working but had to rinse it out for a cleaning due to me not being able to clean it for months due to vacaction. So when I rinsed it out I may have killed bacteria on my biomax because I was doing this outside, and the sun was hitting it for a good 20 minutes. I remembered this and ran instide to rinse it with de chlorinated water, but I accident,y used the wrong water and by the time I figured out wht was the right water, I have little hopes If anything survived. My current water parameters look like this: 0.25 ppm ammonia, 0.25 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates. Do I need to recycle or can I get away with adding one of those instant bacteria bottles.

 

[Dunk2]

So I recently changed one of my filters to another filter, and I was unable to move the biological filtration media due to the fact the only one used cartridges and the new one doesn’t. I still have my supplementary filter working but had to rinse it out for a cleaning due to me not being able to clean it for months due to vacaction. So when I rinsed it out I may have killed bacteria on my biomax because I was doing this outside, and the sun was hitting it for a good 20 minutes. I remembered this and ran instide to rinse it with de chlorinated water, but I accident,y used the wrong water and by the time I figured out wht was the right water, I have little hopes If anything survived. My current water parameters look like this: 0.25 ppm ammonia, 0.25 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates. Do I need to recycle or can I get away with adding one of those instant bacteria bottles.

Bottled bacteria may or may not help speed up the cycling process. The results are mixed.

Whether you use bottled bacteria or not, I’d suggest testing your water parameters daily and changing enough water to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

 

[Renn242]

Bottled bacteria may or may not help speed up the cycling process. The results are mixed.

Whether you use bottled bacteria or not, I’d suggest testing your water parameters daily and changing enough water to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

i tested again today and got 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 10 nitrates so assuming my tank is cycled and everything is normal now?

edit: nvm lol I just read the results wrong everything g the same as yestereday

 

[RayClem]

Test your water again in a few days. A single test showing levels of 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and not sufficient to confirm that the tank is cycled. I might be that enough bacteria remained in the system such that the biofilter recovered quickly. However, double check to be certain that it has.

 

[Renn242]

Welp nitrates at 5 and ammonia and nitrite at 0 so successful

 

[Edsland]

Glad it worked out for you, when I do a water change I put some of the old tank water in a bucket and rinse filters in that. Never have to worry about killing bacteria.