What color is a cycled filter?

[c4talys7]

I am currently on day 13 of cycling my tank and the filter media is green? I do have live plants and some of them were dying so when I took them out a bunch of dead pieces are floating around my tank. I was told that this is good to get the cycle going but I am concerned that it will back up my filter. The water level inside my filter is about a half inch from the top, is this ok if I have nothing limiting the water intake? I also just topped off my water level with treated water as well.

Any input would be great :)

[MoePaac]

I wouldn't use color as an indicator as to whether a tank is cycled or not, however, you are going to start to see discoloration of your filter media when bacteria colonies start to develop. "Gunk" will develop on the media, and to wash this i would just swish it around a little in some used aquarium water (don't use tap water that hasn't been treated). I would do this about once a month. The media should still be brownish... but shouldn't have a lot of gooey build up on it.

Hope this helps!

[c4talys7]

Thanks! It does, I think its green from me taking out the plant because I noticed my heater had a green coat as well. I just swished it around in the tank water to get some of the random pieces off.