Is This Why My Tank`s Not Cycling?

[maisy12345]

Thanks Standbysetting ,i didn`t want to add another filter,i`ve got an interpet internal power filter on[ pf3].at the moment,with the media from my 28l tank,haven`t cleaned old filter media for 5 months ,or new one for 2 months,would this slow down my cycle if i cleaned it ,or should i leave it until the tanks cycled?Thanks for your advice.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

^ If the filter has become clogged with muck then that won't be helping. The beneficial nitrifying bacteria needs 4 things;

1. Water
2. Oxygen
3. Ammonia source
4. Surface area to grow on

By becoming clogged up with muck there will be slower flow, less oxygen & less surface area. The only & primary purpose to cleaning the filter is to keep it running properly & efficiently. As long as you don't over-clean it but rather only gently clean it to remove some of the excess solids stuck in the media, then cleaning the filtration when necessary will not negatively affect the cycling of the tank.

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks for that ,will squeeze sponges out in tank water ,and clean outside of filter as some brown mulm on outside.