Hey all! So I had this 40 gallon running for quite some time with fish and plants, then accidentally nuked it with hydrogen peroxide. Im finally setting it back up after it sat untouched for a month or two. I dosed it 3 times with Dr tims ammonia, I did 2 teaspoons each dose, and this is how we are looking. Original test showed 0 for everything. Possibly some bacteria survived the nuke? Its been so long since I cycled a tank im second guessing my own knowledge. Truly cycled after 3 doses and less than a week of trying?
Posted by Busy_Specialist_8645
2 Comments
Possibly but probably not.
Chuck a pinch of food and let it rot and go through a cycle. You need to see the nitrates nitrites and ammonia go up then back down to know it went through a cycle.
Do you know of anyone with a tank and a piece of dirty sponge. Best way to kickstart a tank IMHO.
Dose again with ammonia until it registers on the test. Then see if it disappears in 24 hrs. If it does then it’s probably good to go.
I’ve had used sponge filters sit stagnant in a bucket of water for like three months come back to life and cycle within a week. I dunno, it seems possible you retained some bacteria, but best to do your due diligence and challenge with a good dose of ammonia before you trust it.
Edit: Even if it does clear the ammonia overnight, I would let it run for a week or two while feeding the tank to really give it the opportunity to bulk up your biofilter before adding any livestock.