Goldfish Question

>
> OK....
> It's a good thing that the Goldies have only been in this tank since
> Saturday. I had thought you said since May. That's where my confusion
> came from.
> So, it's probably a combo of lack of space, and play for now.
> Very, very quickly those nitrites are going to explode.
> One average fish in that tank would suffer from the coming "new tank
> syndrome" (aka nitrite soup) in no time, but you have 5 - mega waste
> producers.
> Here's the deal. You obviously have a pond and are wintering your
> goldies. However, you weren't prepared properly for the wintering
> process.
> You have a decision to make very, very soon. This weekend would be
> good. That's how soon I'm talking about. You can save them if prevent
> them from being damaged by the nitrite soup to come. Their gill tissue
> will have burns so bad from it that the damage scars (if they
> survive).
> The more scarred gill tissue, the less oxygen they can get out of the
> water column. Just an FYI for any of those out there that don't know
> this.... Goldfish do NOT get O2 from the surface. That's actually them
> suffocating. =A0Just to clarify, many fish will take a few gulps at the
> surface. That's not what I'm talking about.
> I'm talking about not swimming around, just hanging at the surface,
> gulping constantly. That's suffocation.
> If you had great filtration, but had a nitrite soup situation.....you
> would see the fish desperately trying to get out. Some may even jump
> (fishicide).
> Now if you don't want to get a larger tank I would take Ingrid's
> suggestion of getting a "Rubbermaid" type tub. It has to be new,
> rinsed out and scrubbed with a clean paper towel. Then fill it, add
> your plants and fish.
> I would suggest getting BioSpira and adding it. Make sure to use the
> proper amount. Never less than you need....and you cannot use too
> much. The more bacteria the better, so you can't really over do
> BioSpira. This *will* cycle the tank. It has the correct- live
> bacteria in it. Products like *Cycle* do NOT work. It has the wrong
> bacteria in it. You need a product that has nitrospira =A0bacteria in
> it. Most of those cycling products have other bacteria in it that
> aren't what you need when starting a tank.
> If you can't get BioSpira as it is hard to find because it needs to be
> refrigerated, you'll have to cycle the tub (or larger tank) with the
> fish.
> This will require lots of water changes to keep the nitrite levels
> down. It has to be that way in order to cause the least amount of harm
> to the fish.
> It shouldn't make a difference that they cost like 25 cents each.
> Those fish you have can grow to 16 inches each, and can live over 20
> years.
> Just out of curiosity, how large is the pond?
> I had to ask that one.
> Ponds became very popular these last few years here in the States, and
> sadly many didn't research the fish's needs before doing so. That's
> not a jab, that was just a matter of fact comment on the downside to
> the recent popularity of ponds.