New tank issue...

[StingrayKid]

I recently had to completely re-do a 55 gallon tank. To make a long story short, a fish died and contaminated the whole tank, thus leaving me the only option to clean it out and get the survivors in a temporary home. Its now in a new room and under my watch. It looks pretty good and I've decided to make it into a Discus tank, along with my two Clown Loaches and Rapheal Catfish that survived the wreck.
My only concern is my cycle. Since Im only using the filter from the old tank, theres no real bacteria there. So, I got the idea to rinse my filter media out in the tank from my mature tank. What I didnt expect is that there was a TON of waste in the filter and I rinsed it without taking a good look. So now, the tank is in a flurry of crap, to say the least. Its clearing up but, there is a thin layer of sediment gathering at the bottom. I'm really concerned because discus are so fradgile and the water has to be really good for them. I figured that I'll cycle it out with a bunch of Tetras and Danios. Should I take another course of action? Is there something fatal I could do? I'm not real good with the whole cycle process, so any help would be great... Thanks.


EDIT: I'm going to vacum out the sediment. It does not look good.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Well, as you know, Discus are Fragile fish, but if you can maitain good water quality you souldn't have problems. The thing is though, that Discus are much better off in a matured tank (over 6 months) because the water conditions in that tank will be more stable. I WOULD be keeping discus right now, but it's too risky with a recently cycled tank, so i would suggest skipping the Discus for now, but that's just my two cents.

As for the cycling process, i'd say it's best to just wait out the month of cycling (sometimes less or more) and add hardy fish or buy some ammonia to add to the tank and help the beneficial bacteria build up. You know that your tank is done cycling once your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are at 0 and have stayed this way for a week.

Edit: the most fatal thing you could do is assume your ammonia levels are at 0. Make sure to test this often and carry out water changes. Bi-weekly for discus, but test your water parameters once a week.

 

[StingrayKid]

Ok sounds good. I'll cycle the tank out with some of my more hardy fish. After the tank is cycled I will decide if I do want Discus. Thanks.

 

[Fish_Mike]

No problem and good luck with your tank!