Another Newbie Is Confused - Help!

[barbiedahl]

Okay, I've read through a lot of the posts and I'm not sure I know the best solution to my problem yet. I am establishing an 80 gallon tank and were following suggestion to use a goldfish to start the cycle. Goldfish (named Finn) is fine and continues to be brightly colored and apparently healthy. Finn was removed (at lfs suggestion) to prepare for new fish. Yet the tank stats are weird. Normal ph, Ammonia 0ppm and Nitrites went off the chart. They're back down to 1ppm after 25% WC, but we have not added any more ammonia/fish/poop or pee. Could the bacteria be gone? Where should we go from here? We have neighbors with established tank that we could talk out of some gravel, if necc. Where are we in the cycle? I'm so confused!

 

[rabbut]

Without food, in the form of ammonia, your bactiria will die. If the fish has been out for more than 12 hours, you are more or less back to square one I'm afraid I would now run a fishless cycle, as it is safer for your fish. See [topic="113861"]this thread[/topic] for more details on how to do this. Mature media from your neighbor would realy help. Gravel won't be much use, unless they run UGF (under gravel filter). Foam or ceramic from their filter would be more useful Offer a replacement, and I'm sure they wont mind

All the best
Rabbut

 

[barbiedahl]

Okay, I've read through a lot of the posts and I'm not sure I know the best solution to my problem yet. I am establishing an 80 gallon tank and were following suggestion to use a goldfish to start the cycle. Goldfish (named Finn) is fine and continues to be brightly colored and apparently healthy. Finn was removed (at lfs suggestion) to prepare for new fish. Yet the tank stats are weird. Normal ph, Ammonia 0ppm and Nitrites went off the chart. They're back down to 1ppm after 25% WC, but we have not added any more ammonia/fish/poop or pee. Could the bacteria be gone? Where should we go from here? We have neighbors with established tank that we could talk out of some gravel, if necc. Where are we in the cycle? I'm so confused!

Thanks, Rabbut. Will try again . . .

Without food, in the form of ammonia, your bactiria will die. If the fish has been out for more than 12 hours, you are more or less back to square one I'm afraid I would now run a fishless cycle, as it is safer for your fish. See [topic="113861"]this thread[/topic] for more details on how to do this. Mature media from your neighbor would realy help. Gravel won't be much use, unless they run UGF (under gravel filter). Foam or ceramic from their filter would be more useful Offer a replacement, and I'm sure they wont mind

All the best
Rabbut

Thanks. Will try again . . .

Barbie