Tank stopped cycling

[javajo]

Hello -

My tank recently stopped cycling & I think I realize why.

There was a period not too long ago where my air pump failed.

I perhaps let it go for too long with it only producing a minimum amount of air bubbles. Beneficial bacteria need air to as part of their growth cycle correct?

Anyway - I've since replaced my air pump but am now faced with a tank with high levels of amonia/amonium.

I've been doing 10-15% water changes every other day with no real luck and only a small decrease in amonia/amonium.

I read in this forum that you should perhaps feed the fish only the bare minimum until the amonia levels have dropped.

Also, I've been aggressively cleaning the gravel with each water change sucking up the brown "mum" - (old food/waste)

Is this a good idea or am I sucking up beneficial bacteria? Is mum the same as beneficial bacteria?

 

[mrnewbie]

bigger water change @ this point would be a good idea 50% then do small daily water changes of around 10 % , monitor your ammonia levels closely until they read 0 ppm, your nitrates @ 40 % is also a lethal level the water changes will help with this ,

and u have far 2 many fish in the tank , that is where your ammonia problem is more than likely coming from ,(can be helped by doing the above)

 

[Bol]

javajo,

I mentioned this in your plant post, but I'd also go with something like mrnewbie suggested. Do a 50% change today, and smaller changes every day or other day after that, until the ammonia is under control.

And, me, personally, I'd lay off the vacuuming for now. Sounds like you've cleaned it pretty well recently, so I'd let it sit. Maybe just vacuum up the stuff on the surface.

Yes, beneficial bacteria are aerobic -- they need oxygen.

Feeding less would probably help, too.

Sounds like you just have an air pump/air stone, and no filter? Is this correct?

 

[javajo]

Actually no - I have a Whisper power filter along with my air pump/air stone setup.

Question - Does "mulm" - that brown crud that you suck up with the vacuum contain beneficial bacteria?

 

[Bol]

The way I understand it, pretty much any surface is a potential bed for bacteria growth.

However, chances are the stuff you are vacuuming up is decomposing material, which is most likely releasing ammonia and nitrates into your water. It's most likely doing more harm than good in your tank at this point.