Goldfish in 2.5 gallon tank

Question
I started a goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank.  I treated the water with the water conditioner that came with the tank.  I have made 25% water changes every other day for 2 weeks since getting the tank.  I noticed that the fish was not swimming around alot and checked the water levels (pH, nitrate, etc).  The nitrites were to the roof.  I made a 50% water change and put some ammonia neutralizer in there.  I waited about 2 hours checked the levels again and they were still through the roof.  I made another 50% water change and waited another 2 hours.  The levels had come down, but were still in the stressful level.  What else can I do to help my tank cycle?  I ended up taking the goldfish out and moving it to another tank.  I vacuumed out the rocks and cleaned it out real good.  The water then tested for elevated levels still.  I am so confused!!!!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Donna.  Unfortunately, ANY goldfish needs at LEAST a 10 gallon tank, a 20 gallon tank being best. You will never have any decent water levels with a goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank, and it will kill them.  I'm sorry, but if you did research online about goldfish, you will see the same exact info.  They are very very messy fish and create a HUGE amount of waste.  They ideally need a filtered tank with a filter that is 2 times bigger then what is recommended for the tank (i.e. if you have a 10 gallon tank you should have a filter that can handle a 20 gallon tank).  That is your best bet.  I'm sorry for being so blunt, but I am a firm believer that pet stores should NOT be allowed to sell goldfish to put in bowls.  It is so misleading.

The best bet for you would be to get a Betta fish for the 2.5 gallon tank.  They do not need filters and are quite content in a small tank. And you can find really beautiful ones.  Just follow all directions with them.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.

FOLLOW-UP:  Hi Donna. I wanted to apologize for 2 things here. It took me so long to answer because I have been ill and have not been able to be at the computer, I'm sorry about that.  Second, I was not trying to be rude to you about your question, and I really do apologize profusely if you felt I was out of line. It's just that I do feel VERY strongly about how misunderstood goldfish are. The fact that these poor goldfish are allowed to be sold as fish that can live in fish bowls INFURIATES me, because in actuality, all you are doing (you as in the general public and the people allowing this to happen) is condemning these poor fish to death.  Yes, you might have one or two live for a year MAYBE, and under extreme cleaning conditions, but when you think of it this way "The average lifespan for a goldfish in the United States is 3 weeks.  YES, 3 WEEKS average lifespan.  It sickens me.  It is because people buy them and put them in fish bowls and their own waste kills them quicker then you can blink.  And it is not just you, this happens to so many people. And I blame the pet stores.  That's why I suggested that you do research in to these guys, especially if you like them that much.  2 "normal" goldfish in a 10 gallon tank would be quite happy.

Good luck, I wish you the best.