Can A Major Trim Un-cycle A Tank?

eschaton

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My tanks were absolutely choked with ugly algea-busters before, including some species of stalklike thing (can't remember the name) which seemlingy doubled in length every week or so. But they were really unsightly, so I did some major rescaping; planted some new things, moved some others, and took out a shopping bag full of crappy plants.

Then, this week, I noticed my fish were acting odd in both tanks. In one tank the corys' fins were becoming ragged again (last time that happened was back when the tank wasn't done cycling). In the other the tiger barbs were starting to point their noses downward (and one is getting pop-eye, but he was already a runt and blind in one eye, so I figured it was a matter of time).

Anyway, tested my water (hadn't done so in over two weeks I'm afraid), and found while all other readings are fine, one tank (the one which had more plants removed/no new ones planted, and where I had to temporarily rehome some snails and a clam) now has nitrite close to 1, and the other a reading of .25. Did immediate water changes needless to say.

From what I understand, aquatic plants prefer to use nitrogen directly from ammonia, so the more you have, the less you actually have a bacterial cycle, except maybe for "overflow." So with a major trim, the ammonia/nitrite bacteria quickly grew to where they should be, but the nitrite/nitrate ones are taking longer.

Besides the one fish who was probably going to die eventually anyway, I don't think any permenent damage was done. I'm curious if people think my hypothesis is right, and have had any similar experiences.
 
Sounds possible I guess, but first time Ive heard of it.

Sam
 

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