Patience Or Punt?

[Baneen]

Also be aware that if you are in the UK Glo-fish® are illegal because they are genetically modified

I know ... I don't live in an area that's woo woo crazy like California.

 

[Overload]

Also be aware that if you are in the UK Glo-fish® are illegal because they are genetically modified

I know ... I don't live in an area that's woo woo crazy like California.

Good good, just don't want your fish getting seized and destroyed by customs

 

[Baneen]

Ok ... I can't stand the look on my son's face when I tell him we are another day not ready for fish.

I have since changed the filter did a few 10% water changes and borrowed some gravel and water from a friend up the street that looked pretty dirty. I added the water behind the filter and placed the gravel in cheesecloth and dunked it like a tea bag and let it sit on the bottom and still, 3 days later, the ammonia just isn't budging. I haven't seen any nitrites and the last I checked, several days ago, there were no nitrates.

I am beginning to think my tank is sterile or there's something killing off any or all bacteria.

The pH is 7.2 and the temp is 78. I have an air stone, 3 decorations and some fake plants.

It's killing me and more so my son.

Is this unusual?

Any more advice?

 

[Overload]

The gravel and water wont have done anything. What you need is mature media from an established filter, maybe see if your friend will give you some. You can take upto 1/3 from his filter and replace it with new Media without much trouble.

 

[white9870]

adding water from another tank or adding gravel (unless they are using an under gravel filter) from another tank wont do nothing to the ammonia or nitrites

 

[Crick]

Ask if you can steal some of his filter content!

 

[Baneen]

If his filter is like mine the media for growth is a permanent part of the filter.

I have determined that I probably used 10X too much Neutral Regulator by Seachem when I first set up the tank.

I don't know what's in it but I did another 90%ish change and retreated the water for chloramines.

The pH went up to 7.4.

I'm worried that the phosphate buffers in the Regulator is sitting down under the gravel. I disturbed the substrate when I removed the water so maybe that'll help.

The ammonia when from 5 to 0.5 so I think I was right on and didn't over spike the ammonia.

I guess I'll respike the ammonia back to 5 and wait it out.