Assistance With New Tank

[BATTLESTAR007]

Dear All

Sorry if this topic has been raised before but im new to all this stuff. I have a tank (approx 200 litres) which I stocked recently and nearly all the fish died. I took out the remaining few fish into a smaller tank and started again. Ive been running an empty tank now for about 4 weeks using the filter media from the tank so I know it has good bacteria in it. Only problem im reading that perhaps all the bacteria in it will be dead now as they have nothing to live on? Also have not put the heater on again this may have been an error! Anyway ive bought the tester kits and shows the water coming out the tap is around 7 and its now about 7.6 - 7.8 in the tank with nothing in it! Im not going to panic about it as I am aiming for a stable PH rather than panic about maintaining a 7. The ammonia is 0.25 nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 0.

What should I do next? I dont want to put the 'survivors' back into the tank to become statistics again and ive spent a fortune on this new tank and cant use it!!

One final questions.... sand or gravel or does it make a difference? Ive used both in the past and all they have done is both raise the PH ... go figure.

Thanks in advance

 

[BigbruiserAl]

You were in a fish in cycle hence why the died all the toxic waste will have built up and the filter would not have been mature.
If you have been running the tank new with no heater with just a filter and added no means of ammonia to feed the bacteria it will have done nothing for 4 weeks.
Normal gravel and sand will not change you PH they are inert.

As you say this topic is raised almost daily so please read the FAQ/beginners section on fishless cycle then once you understand it please post any thing that does not make sence or you need help on its much faster for all

EDIT: welcome to forum here is that link for you http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/