Bacteria overgrowth??

[SarahO]

I’ve been doing a fishless cycle on my new tank for about a week, and today I noticed the filter is super nasty. I’ve never seen this in my tanks before and I’m not too sure about what to do. I put some water and live plants in from my other tank to get the cycle stared with bacteria, but now it seems that I did too much. Any advice on what to do? The ammonia is also pretty high, but given it’s a week into the cycle I feel like that’s normal? 

(Also the water is brown from the tannins in the driftwood I added).

[DaveO]

That goo was probably released from around the plant roots when you transplanted them. I would not worry about it. Just squeeze the sponge out in the old tank water during your next water change.

[ARMYVET]

Don’t change any large amount of water during your cycle unless you have livestock but since you said fish less leave it alone.  Let the process happen.  I just finished week 2 and yes my sponges look crazy but it finally hit zero yesterday.  And the plants are doing great.  So just be patient and you will be fine. 

[tonyjuliano]

On 6/26/2021 at 6:56 AM, ARMYVET said:

Don’t change any large amount of water during your cycle unless you have livestock but since you said fish less leave it alone.  Let the process happen.

This is very good advice.