Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I wrote in my last post (no replies) my salt is acting screwy. My eel still hasnt eaten since this happened. Water got cloudy, like cycling again?
Only thing I can think that I did different was I added a new decoration to the tank the day before this happened. A rather large piece at that. I added the big decoration and about 4 fake plants... all pieces that were SUPPOSED to be for aquarium use. I did a big emergency water change tonight chaning almost half the tank (its 100 gallons). Then after getting my salinity stablized I did another reading on my water. The nitrites are now readable at least..but still WAY high at 5.0!!! And Amonia is just above .25. PH, Nitrates are fine. I dont understand these levels though... I vacumed the tank, and I really didnt find much when I moved the decorations around or sifted the sand. My Canister is recently cleaned... Could this new piece of decoration be causing this?!
I am freaking out. I'm terrified my eel will die.... The other fish are eating just fine. Well, all but the new Lionfish..got him the day before this happened as well..go figure. So I'm also struggling with trying to get him to start eating in poor water conditions...not good not good. Any ideas.... please

I believe that your lionfish has caused the tank to recycle they are the oscars of the saltwater world if I were you I would do daily 10-25% water changes until the cloudiness subsides also try bribing your eel and lionfish with either live food or food on a feeding stick hope this helps

The lionfish can cause it to recycle?! *cries*
Well I got the lion to eat... at first he would only eat live. But tonight I tricked him into eating thawed. yay. I havent seen my eel today. He just hasnt been happy. I do feed with a feeding stick..well 24 inch hemostats. That is what my eel has been used to. But now when he sees me near his cage he just dashes his head back into his hole. And when I see him out swimming around and I attempt to feed him he just goes the other way from the food. He wants nothing to do with it. All my other fish are eating fine... The Volatin Lion, Porcupine Puffer, Huma huma Trigger, Niger Trigger, and Panther Grouper. None are shy or act like anything is wrong. I really dont understnad what is going on with this eel... He used to eat 3-4 silversides a day.
I finaly managed to get my water under control last night after another 50% water cahnge, water purifiers, a PH buffer, and some new substrat stuff I got for my filter. Everything was perfect.. but once again, tonight my water is back to the same...grrrr. I'm hopingthis new stuff I put in the filter will help get it cycled AGAIN as fast as possible...as that is what is is supposed to help with. Eheim Substrat Pro I believe its called... That and I'm pouring in the stress zyme... this is getting expensive!!!
The lionfish wont continue messing things up right? And HOW does that work anyhow?!