Broke my filter, cycle questions

[SuburbanGirl]

I have a sponge filter in my 20 gallon tank. While cleaning it yesterday I broke it and it was making too much noise. When I looked today I figured out what I had done and realized I need a new filter.

I purchased a new sponge filter. I understand that this is going to force my cycle to set back for a while. Does anyone know how long it will take for me to get my cycle back to normal?

Last night my tank was at 20* ammonia .25, nitrate 0, nitrite 40. I changed about 60% of my water last night, and I'll test my water again today.

Also, I have my other tank cycled, but I can't seem to keep the nitrite below 40 for more than three or four days. Any ideas why the nitrite is staying so high even though I'm doing about 50% water changes every week? This tank is also at about 20* could that be part of my problem?

 

[auntiejude]

Do you still have the filter media, and have you kept it wet in the tank?
If you have you can put it in the new filter to kick start the cycle, if not you'll have start a fresh cycle. You'll need to read up on "fish-in" cycling.

It may not take as long as a first cycle as you'll have some bacteria on your tank walls & ornaments.

In the short term with no filter you'll need to do daily water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrites down - as tou've already discovered they spike quite high with no filter bacteria to convert them.

 

[SuburbanGirl]

I have the new sponge filter in the tank and it is bubbling. The old sponge is in a bucket and still wet, but not in the tank. Should I put it back in?

I do still have the same sand and ornaments in the tank, so I know that there are some bacteria in there. I hope this means it won't take as long. I did read up on the fish-in cycle so I'll make sure to check my levels daily and change the water daily until my cycle in up again.

 

[Kaini]

I would stick the old sponges back in the tank if you can, hopefully the bacteria have stayed alive. Putting the old sponges back will make your cycle go much faster and be easier on your animals.

 

[NadeZ]

Just to clarify, are there animals in the tank? Or were you doing a fishless cycle when the filter broke?
As long as the filter media (sponge in this case) has been kept wet, the beneficial bacteria should have survived and your cycle will continue where it left off. However, the beneficial bacteria in the media will die off if they are left without a source of ammonia and water flow for too long. Depending on the age of the tank, a lot of bacteria will be on the ornaments and substrate. If compatible, put the old sponge on the new filter.
Speaking from experience, the bacteria should survive at least a day in a bag/bucket. I moved house recently and so my filter media were in a bag of water for about a day before being placed back in the filter. I've taken constant readings of the water and as far as I can tell, the cycle has not crashed. Ammonia: <0.25, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 20.

 

[SuburbanGirl]

There is one Jack in the tank, so there is still an ammonia source. I will put the old sponge back in the tank when I get home. I'll check the water then as well to see if my cycle is still ok. The pump has been on through this whole thing, so I'm thinking I"ll be ok.