No cycle in aquarium that was not used for two weeks?

[serjuanca888]

I have a 75g aquarium. It had two 6 inch oscars in it. They have since then left the tank leaving it empty. After a week of running it empty I turned off the filters leaving the water motionless. I kept they aquarium like this for two weeks. Then I wanted to cycle the aquarium so I could put 2 full grown oscars in. I added 20 goldfish to cycle. I tested the water every day. So far the fish have been in there for two weeks. The ammonia was at .5 for two days then went to zero and the nitrite was zero the whole time.

Is it possible that the bacteria survived? I tested the water and my LFS tested it and the tests were identical so there is no error in my testing.

If it makes a difference here are some details.

75g aquarium
Filstar XP3
Aquaclear 500
Heater set at 78 F

[famman]

Yes, your bacteria probably survived. Once a tank is well established it takes quite a lot to kill off the culture.
good luck
:)