Broken filter blues

[Lund]

My on back filter broke down, leaving me with only my under gravel filter to do the work. I have done frequent water changes about 30% at a time. My Nitrates, and amonia levels went through the roof. I finally replaced my broken filter, and I'm using carbon in the media. Because of this, will my tank have to go through another cycle, or should it clear up within a couple of days?

Also would something such as purigen by worth purchasing?

 

[Watcher74]

It would be a good idea if something like this happened again, to squeeze as much gunk out of your broken filter as you could into the tank. That would displace a lot of the beneficial bacteria into the water column and perhaps help to prevent the Ammonia levels from spiking very high.

Sorry about your problems. I hope everything gets well for you soon.

 

[IceH2O]

I would think since you were running 2 filters that you wouldn't go through a full cycle. It should only take a couple of days for the new bacteria to replace what was lost.