Speeding up cycling

[Trainer_Ruby_]

My 20g was having nitrate problems so I did some massive water changes and had to get a new filter cartridge because the old one had what appeared to be mud on it and it wouldn't come off and that restarted my cycle. How can I help speed it up to prevent fish loss? The ammonia is high but everything else is 0 and I've already lost 3 danios


Keep calm and drum on

 

[PassengerTN]

Bacteria in a bag/bottle

Marineland has one called beneficial bacteria at petsmart
Tetra safestart (avail at Walmart)
Dr tims one & only
BioSpira


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[Tigerbarb12]

You can try BB in a bottle but its better to cycle without fish. I never throw filter media away

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[Trainer_Ruby_]

I typically don't either but it was so bad I couldn't get all the sludge off it. After I cleaned it as best I could I took water that came off it and tested it for nitrate, I shook the bottle for 30 seconds and it was already registered at 160


Keep calm and drum on

 

[Fishy Steve]

I had a similar situation when ich meds crashed my cycle. I used API Quick Start, but added it to my HOB filter's reservoir rather than straight into the tank. I figure that's where the bacteria need to be and hopefully it would help to avoid any negitive side-effects for my fish by filtering it and dispersing the stuff a bit more evenly. Worked great for me.

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