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Question
Hi Karen! I need help!!!!!!!! I'm cycling a 30 gal. tank-on the 9th day. This morning we had a short power outage (10 min or so) My filter wheel stopped turning, so hubby thought he'd be helpful and put 3 glasses of straight tap water into the filter box!!!!!!! Do I have to start over? My ammonia spiked a couple of days ago, and nitrite was high today. Also-I'm cycling fishless if that helps. I got the tank free off freecycle, so it's used. I cleaned it out really good w/ HOT water as well as all accessories-Now it has some sort of plant growing! If I raise my temp. will it kill the plant? I read that the temp needs to be in 80's to grow bacteria. It's set at 78 degrees. thanks for your help!!!!

Answer
Dear Kari,
I think your tank will be ok, but it probably wouldn't hurt to buy some extra bacteria to add just to help things out.  I usually buy what is called "Cycle" and add it to my tanks when starting out.  It really helps to add the extra "good" bacteria to help it to get cycled.  Also, it sounds like you are using a filter with a biowheel and be sure if the power goes off or if you happen to be cleaning the tank and there is a chance that it could dry out before the filter is turned back on, just drop your biowheel into your tank so it will stay wet and the bacteria won't die.  About the strange "plant" growth it is probably some type of algae.  I don't think the rise in temperature will kill the plant. Sounds like you are doing a good job with your tank, since you are waiting before adding your fish to give you tank a chance to start cycling.  Just be sure not to add too many fish at first to not overload the bacteria.  Do it gradually so it doesn't hurt the fish. Best of luck!
Hope this helps!
Karen