Weird Situation With Cycle

[Bluejay]

I've been cycling for about 3 weeks now and about 5-6 days ago my filter wasn't working so I took it apart to check it was ok. I was very careful with the filter media but since then my ammonia hasn't been going down (Beforehand it was dealing with 2-3ppm in about 12 hours). Every day since then I've gotten the same reading on ammonia but yesterday and today my nitrite level took a very rapid drop and are now at 0. I'm concerned that because no ammonia is being processed the nitrite eating bacteria will have nothing to eat and will die out and my cycle will be back to square 1. Any ideas? I really want to try and avoid my cycle getting totally destroyed.

Any help would be great.

 

[rdd1952]

Try doing a large water change, 75% or more and then add the ammonia again. It's odd that the bacteria to process ammonia would have been completely wiped out but you still have bacteria processing nitrite.

 

[Bluejay]

Ok will do, do I need to worry about temperature much or should I just go for it?
Thanks very much btw

 

[rdd1952]

I would try to get the new water at least somewhere close to the tank temp. I always mix hot and cold water for water changes. I just run the hot for about a minute to make sure any impurities are out of the line. I'e never had any problems from it. If you do use straight cold water, make sure you let you heater sit for 10 or 15 minutes after you have refilled the tank before you plug it back in.