Bio spira is great stuff. It is meant to be used when you initially add your fish. The difference is, when you normally cycle with fish, you add fish slowly while building up the bio filter. Bio spira IS the bio filter, so you add the bio spira, and then immediately add your full bio load of fish all at the same time. Is there any way she could temporarily move the fish, drain the 30
gal. and refill it? That way she could start over AND get those last extra fish she wanted. I have used bio spira 3 times in emergency situations similar to what your friend is facing, and have had excellent results. If this sounds like an option, try and find it locally from a reputable
lfs (the stuff must stay refrigerated until used). You want to make sure you get live bacteria and not dead ones. If you can't find it locally, go to
www.fishstoretn.com and Bernie will take care of you. His store is in Tennessee, and I live in Florida. I get my package still cold in 2 days. If you are interested in learning more about bio spira, go to
www.fishgeeks.com and then to the general freshwater section. You should see a sticky about bio spira. I'd send you the link, but there are some site problems right now. Once you get the tank stabilized and manageable, try and get her interested in the forums as part of her new hobby, so she can learn how to cycle properly next time. I know my fish would all have died months ago without all this information!