Filter Stopped

EmHan

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Hi, sorry, I will introduce myself properly soon,
 
We had a power cut about 36 hours ago and I suspect the filter may have stopped then, only discovered it an hour ago when I noticed the water was slightly cloudy. I know! I should have noticed sooner.
 
So I've done a 30% water change then tested the water. I'm horrified to tell you the following
 
Ammonia 0.6
 
Nitrite 0.8 (never been that high ever)
 
Nitrate 10 (a few plants)
 
P.H 7.5 (hard water area)
 
It's only a little tank of 60 litres, I've cleaned the filter and impeller and it's now working
 
When should I do another water change or is the medium in the filter completely knackered. Please advise of next step.
 
Thank you in advance. 

P.S, no fish are dead, all accounted for.
 
The bacteria are tougher than you think; they won't have died off, although a few may have started to go dormant, they'll soon bounce back.
 
In the meantime keep an eye on the stats and do as many water changes as necessary to keep both ammonia and nitrite as near to zero as possible. You do need to do one now, but it should only take a couple of days, at most, for your filter to recover.
 
Thank you fluttermoth, so it's ok to do another water change after only an hour? Then, what every hour or so this evening?
 
Another 30% water change
 
Ammonia between 0 and 0.6 (definitely paler yellow)
 
Nitrite down to between 0.1 and 0.3
 
Will do another change shortly.
 
EmHan said:
Thank you fluttermoth, so it's ok to do another water change after only an hour? Then, what every hour or so this evening?
 
Yes; as long as the new water is temperature matched and dechlorinated, you can do pretty much as many water changes as you like (unless you're dealing with an old, neglected tank that hasn't had regular water changes; then it's a bit different).
 
It is better to do fewer, larger water changes than many small ones. Opinions may vary but 70% every day for a couple of days wouldn't be far off the mark.
 

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