help!

chrtnp · 09/17/2013, 12:49 PM

I have been cycling my tank for 3 weeks and the stages were going along correctly. I was on the last stage of the cycle and the nitrate seemed to be low enough. During the third week, the electric shut down for about 8-12 hours or more so my filter, heater and air pump for the skimmer went off.. The tank seemed fine after that and a few days later i found a snail inhabiting in my tank. I tested the water and i got high ammonia. Zero nitrite and zero nitrate. Is my tank recycling?

Psyops · 09/17/2013, 02:51 PM

probably not recycling, but due to no water flow, the ammonia built up. Or your ammonia kit is not accurate for some reason. Usually if your ammonia is high, your nitrate/nitrite should be through the ceiling. Make sure you increase your circulation, maybe add some carbon to your system, and get some kind of a battery backup or a low watage pump to run when the electricity goes off. Hope this helps.

Alex

kentuckyclowns · 09/17/2013, 02:59 PM

If the tank water and parameters fluctuated significantly, there's a chance the bacteria you established did die off and could be recycling. I would re-test the water and if you get similar results, wait a week and re-test. I would also wait to introduce fish/livestock until everything comes back to "normal"

09/17/2013, 12:49 PM	#1
chrtnp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 11	help! I have been cycling my tank for 3 weeks and the stages were going along correctly. I was on the last stage of the cycle and the nitrate seemed to be low enough. During the third week, the electric shut down for about 8-12 hours or more so my filter, heater and air pump for the skimmer went off.. The tank seemed fine after that and a few days later i found a snail inhabiting in my tank. I tested the water and i got high ammonia. Zero nitrite and zero nitrate. Is my tank recycling?

09/17/2013, 02:51 PM	#2
Psyops Still Learning Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Where my wife decides Posts: 714	probably not recycling, but due to no water flow, the ammonia built up. Or your ammonia kit is not accurate for some reason. Usually if your ammonia is high, your nitrate/nitrite should be through the ceiling. Make sure you increase your circulation, maybe add some carbon to your system, and get some kind of a battery backup or a low watage pump to run when the electricity goes off. Hope this helps. Alex __________________ GOT REEF! One tank short of a trial separation. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon reef. Just starting to convert to mainly SPS.

09/17/2013, 02:59 PM	#3
kentuckyclowns Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 121	If the tank water and parameters fluctuated significantly, there's a chance the bacteria you established did die off and could be recycling. I would re-test the water and if you get similar results, wait a week and re-test. I would also wait to introduce fish/livestock until everything comes back to "normal"