Power Failer!

[Barbie Bubbles]

I cleaned out my canister filter (as usual changing only half of the biological media and rinsing the rest with tank water) Then I did my usual 20% water change. (Did nitrate test just before change it was it's normal 20 ppm, which is when i always do a water change) Then later that evening we had a power outage for about one hour and a half. This morning my water readings were:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
I just added some "Bio-support" live bacteria.

Is my aquarium going to get thrown into a cycle again, what else should i watch for or do?? I'm worried!!

 

[docbanzai]

There really isn't much you can do at the moment. Keep testing ammonia levels and pray. If you're going to go into a 'new' cycle then all you can do is regular water changes and add any bio boosters you can.

I have to say that my gut feeling is that you will be ok. I've had similar experiences on more than one occasion. Even when the filter is off for several hours, there will be a 'core' population of bacteria which will rapidly reproduce (12-36 hrs so I'm told) and will keep the filter healthy and your fish happy.

Just monitor things and resist the temptation to over-react and panic.

Good luck,

DB

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

There really isn't much you can do at the moment. Keep testing ammonia levels and pray. If you're going to go into a 'new' cycle then all you can do is regular water changes and add any bio boosters you can.

I have to say that my gut feeling is that you will be ok. I've had similar experiences on more than one occasion. Even when the filter is off for several hours, there will be a 'core' population of bacteria which will rapidly reproduce (12-36 hrs so I'm told) and will keep the filter healthy and your fish happy.

Just monitor things and resist the temptation to over-react and panic.

Good luck,

DB

Thanks DB I feel a bit better. I hope those li'l bacteria R in the mood and reproduce fast as you said! I really do think there is a base to strart on, after all this is not a brand new set up, and there must be basteria hiding out all over the place (I hope) When this happened to you was it from over cleaning your filter or from a power failer? Just wondering...

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

Just an update in case anyone out there had the same problem with a no nitrate reading due to overcleaning and killing off bacteria. Well just like Doc B. said that the bacteria should multiply back in 12 to 36 hrs, well it DID!!!I took a reading 36 hrs later and I've never been so happy to see such a high reading (30ppm) I guess there was enough bacteria in the canister after all to restart it again PHEW am I ever releived. It was a lesson well learned and thankfully with no problems to my li'l babies. Thanks for the advice.