Help! - emergency water change during cycle!

[Emilywoodham1997]

Hi! So I have had my tank cycling for a little while now- it’s a bit complicated, I had started it over 2 weeks ago ghost feeding but wasn’t able to get my ammonia levels up (like no ammonia at all no matter how much food I added but I was reading 1ppm nitrites which was weird.) So I got some ammonia online and added that a couple of nights ago which took it up to 4ppm. But today I saw a detritus worm in my tank (guessing because of the amount of food I added.) I instantly panicked (I know they’re harmless but I hate them) and did a 50% water change and gravel sweep, and now my ammonia level has halved to 2ppm. Is this going to be okay or should I add more ammonia? Have I messed up the cycle?

 

[Essjay]

No you haven't messed up the cycle, provided you remembered to use water conditioner (dechlorinator) in the new water. Just add a bit more ammonia, enough to get it back to 3 ppm, then carry on as if nothing had happened.

 

[Emilywoodham1997]

No you haven't messed up the cycle, provided you remembered to use water conditioner (dechlorinator) in the new water. Just add a bit more ammonia, enough to get it back to 3 ppm, then carry on as if nothing had happened.

Okay, thank you. Yes I remembered to condition the water. Would you recommend cleaning out the filter too? (In some tank water obvs.) I haven’t touched the filter since setting the tank up. I’m worried they’re lurking in there..after a couple of minutes of watching the tank I’ve just seen another one wiggle through the gravel

 

[Essjay]

If you are concerned you can clean the filter, but very, very gently. The bacteria we want to grow live in the biofilm attached to surfaces but in a cycling tank the biofilm is only just beginning to form and it's easy to dislodge it. Unlike cycling where only ammonia is used, your fish food may have been sucked into the filter so it's a good idea to very gently remove it.

 

[Emilywoodham1997]

No you haven't messed up the cycle, provided you remembered to use water conditioner (dechlorinator) in the new water. Just add a bit more ammonia, enough to get it back to 3 ppm, then carry on as if nothing had happened.

I might leave it a little while longer in that case. Or have a look and see if it is clogged up and if it is try to remove some. I think I will continue to do 50% water changes a couple of times a week and keep topping up the ammonia to where it should be at that stage in the cycle until I am happy they’re gone haha! Thanks for your help.

 

[Essjay]

Test for ammonia before you do the water change and add enough after the water change to get the pre-water change level. The only 'danger' is that it may take longer to grow enough nitrite eaters as you don't add that directly, you have to wait for the ammonia eaters to make it.

 

[Emilywoodham1997]

Test for ammonia before you do the water change and add enough after the water change to get the pre-water change level. The only 'danger' is that it may take longer to grow enough nitrite eaters as you don't add that directly, you have to wait for the ammonia eaters to make it.

Okay true. I’ll have to keep an eye on the nitrite levels then. If they continue to rise and don’t fall/nitrate isn’t going up I’ll stop with the frequent water changes.