mini cycle?

[missie]

My twenty gallon tank is home to 3 baby cichlids until i get my 55 set up next week. ive had this tank going for nearly a year.. did a fishless cylce. what is causing ammonia and nitrate ? i have 3 filter pads in my filter so i could put one in my new tank to help with bacteria...is 3 too many? help!! oh- i should also mention...this is a new thing ..been going on for a few weeks... this is not normal as i test weekly usually.

 

[Terrance]

Rinse the filter pads every week.

Many waste is hard to find or stuck somewhere during weekly water changes. Take out 75% of the water, then dump in a bucket of water into your tank and you will see a lot of come out of the crevices. Then siphon until there is 50% of the water. Then fill it all the way back up.

No overfeeding please.

 

[missie]

my biowheel wasnt working....all good now! thanks!

 

[missie]

just to make sure.... my biowheel not working could be the cause of my water parameters being out of wack correct?

 

[Hobgob]

I would say so. The water wouldn't have been circulating as much and bot enough of it went through the bb in your filter.
Edit. I would keep testing thought just to make sure.