Has Hubby messed everything up?

[BcBerri]

Hi! I currently have a 5 gal. tank that is doing wonderfull. I have decided to move up to a 20 gal tank. About a week ago I put down the gravel and put in the filter (AC50) and had put some of the old 5gal gravle in as well. I also put in the old whisper filter cart. when I canged it in my 5gal this past week. I hadn't planned on putting any fish in for about 2 weeks. Well hubby and I got into a tiff and as his way of saying sorry he came home from the store with 7 small goldfish. He put them in the new 20 gal. tank as a "surprise" This was on Sunday. So far none of them have died and all really look great. The water is testing at the same levels as my 5 gal is. Does this mean that the new tank has cycled? I wouldn't think so this soon but I am not sure. What do you guys think? And now that he has done this, what do I need to do moving forward? Goldfish were not in the plan for this new 20 gal tank! But I can't just toss them. They are kinda cute. Any advice?

 

[reiverix]

I'm glad you upgraded your tank. Most people do when they get the bug. However, 20g is too small for even one goldfish and if you have ever seen a full grown one, you will understand why. I would either take them back before you get attached to them, or upgrade to a larger tank. We are talking about ~120g for seven goldfish. I don't think a 20g will ever cycle properly with 7 goldfish.

 

[zazz]

I have to agree. sorry.

 

[wataugachicken]

as far as cycling goes, you may not have a problem with it if the bacteria from the gravel and filter cartridge are still alive. there is no point in putting in used gravel and filters and then letting everything die of starvation before you put the fish in.

timing - good
fish choice - not so good.

 

[BcBerri]

As I said, I had no plan on Goldfish. This was poor planning on his part. My question is what does this mean for the chemistry of the tank. Has he messed up the cycling process by adding these little buggers? Do I need to get them out asap or can it wait until this weekend? I have no intention of getting attached. I had planned on 4 zebra danios, 3 black skirt tetras and 3 little bottom feeders. on top of what I already have.(I already have 1 danio, 2 BS tetra and 1 alge eater) How well would a goldfish do in an outdoor pond? My neighbor has one and she said she might want to take them if they will live. No the pet store will not take them back.

 

[cyberbeer65]

The outdoor pond is good idea.
Goldfish are coldwater fishand will survive through the winter.

 

[wataugachicken]

i'm not sure what you mean by "messing up the cycling process". you need either fish or ammonia in there to even start the cycle.
you can wait to remove them. they will put in enough waste for the bacteria to keep feeding and reproduce as long as some were still alive. keep testing the water while the goldfish are there and after they are gone to determine if you are cycling or not. if you see ammonia in there, but after a few days there is less or none, that means there are bacteria in there eating it. if there is no change in the level then you will have to start from scratch with your cycling, if it goes down or is gone i think you should start adding fish slowly and keep testing. make sure you do water changes to keep the ammonia under .25 when fish are in there.

 

[zazz]

If your plan was to just let the tank sit empty for two weeks before adding fish, that would have been not a great idea.
Cycling, as has been mentioned, needs ammonia. the goldfish, in fact may have saved what live bacteria were in the old filter cartridge and gravel from starving.
You needn't worry about the fish messing up the cycle. You Might worry about amonia levels hurting the fish. even if they are only there for a couple of days. Id say test for ammonia and change as much water as necessary to get down to Below .25ppm.This sill not mess uo your cycle either.
Moving them to a pond is IMO a very nice idea. They are small, and they may not all survive, may be eaten etc. but those who do should be quite happy. ( I am assuming the pond is large enough and filtered in some manor) just introduce them gradualy so they dont experience sudden temp or ph changes.
Once they are gone, you can proceed with cycling in one of two ways.
Either without fish which means adding ammonia to the tank each day, watching the levels etc: When that is done, you you can add all your fish at once.

Read this:http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Or you can proceed by adding fish gradually. In this case the fish provide the ammonia necessary to feed the cycle. It also requires careful monitoring of levels.It also requires frequent water changes and exposes the fish to unhealthy spikes of ammonia and nitrites.
Sorry if i have misunderstood your post, hope this covers it

 

[BcBerri]

Zazz, Thanks! You totaly got my post. I had planned on using ammonia to do the cycling. So far the water is testing a good levels. The pond they will be put in is a BIG man made pond with a filter and pump. There are not any fish in it currently. I think that is where these little buggers will be going. While they are pretty and all I love my black skirted tetras the best. Thanks for the help.