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Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi there,
I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank and gravel in the bath. The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be any good for what I'm talking about? Thanks for any advice. Regards, Stephen |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
First of all, it is absolutely essential to have a filter when keeping
goldfish. Without one, the water will quickly become toxic and slowly poison your fish. Are you aware that goldfish also need a minimum of 10 gallons of water each in order to be happy and healthy? It really would be best to upgrade to a larger tank, but until then please think about getting a filter. With goldfish you should be getting the water turned over between 8-10 times per hour so look for a filter good enough to do this. Fluval make filters for small tanks, or you can buy sponge filters which attach to an airpump which would be better than nothing. Also, 100% water changes aren't good for the fish. In an adequately stocked tank a 30% water change per week is usually sufficient but that's when keeping 1 fish in 10 gallons or more. If your tank is really small then I'd suggest a 30% water change every day using dechlorinated and temperature matched water. You can buy gravel vacuums which suck any debris for the gravel at the same time as removing the water and it would be wise to get one.You can also buy little sponges on sticks which clean the algae from the glass as well. You can do all this without removing the fish from the tank so it will be less stressful for them. I wouldn't go adding any other fish to your tank, even if you think they will help keep it clean. I suspect that you are already overstocked, and any addition to the tank is going to create extra waste of it's own which you really don't need. There is no substitute for a good gravel vacuum and a water change I'm afraid. Mel. "ste ©" wrote in message ... Hi there, I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank and gravel in the bath. The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be any good for what I'm talking about? Thanks for any advice. Regards, Stephen |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
give teh fish to somebody with a larger tank. you absolutely must have a filter for
GF unless you are going to do water changes every day. Ingrid "ste ©" wrote: Hi there, I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank and gravel in the bath. The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be any good for what I'm talking about? Thanks for any advice. Regards, Stephen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
You cannot keep goldfish without filtration. Goldies expel and enormous amount
of ammonia into the water. Your fish are swimming in their own waste, and will eventually be ill. You don't say how small the tank is, but rule of thumb is 10g per fish. You can get an Aquaclear 150 for a 10g tank and keep 2 fish, because it's over filtered (I know, because I've had to do this for about a year), but you also need some kind of bubble bar or other aeriation. Don't over wash the gravel (I could be wrong, maybe you're not supposed to wash it at all, I use sand) because the gravel contains the bio-bugs - benficial bacteria - to keep the tank healthy. I don't know what a water hoover is, unless it's a python, but that's just a modified syphon hose. You need to do a litte research, goldfish can grow over 12" long and live over 20 years, they need lots of space. I have a new 150g tank for just 6 fish. Deanna |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hey there,
First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going to say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than keeping them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare to their natural habitats. But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. :-) I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank also came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can identify it! ;-) If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank and be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if anyone can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our aquarium, then please let me know. So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) Thanks, Stephen "ste ©" wrote in message ... | Hi there, | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank | and gravel in the bath. | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be | any good for what I'm talking about? | | Thanks for any advice. | | Regards, | | Stephen | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths.
Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish since the GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. Also, a common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a mistake since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish will graze on algae so you don't need one. Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or 2. I have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a goldfish. LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some fantails, and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he scooped up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 months old and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my big tank set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the little tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, so I finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my smallest fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I haven't bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and Angelfish and they have their own tanks. Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean you should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do their homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks dedicated to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are here to help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... -- } Tammy { Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from this address: http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project Watkins Business Opportunity www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 Me and my fish Thank You!! "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hey there, First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going to say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than keeping them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare to their natural habitats. But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. :-) I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank also came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can identify it! ;-) If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank and be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if anyone can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our aquarium, then please let me know. So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) Thanks, Stephen "ste ©" wrote in message ... | Hi there, | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank | and gravel in the bath. | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be | any good for what I'm talking about? | | Thanks for any advice. | | Regards, | | Stephen | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
That's great news Stephen!! Another one converted...g
Your fish will be so much happier in their nice new tank and I bet you that in 6 months you'll understand why they need the 10 gallons when you see how big and healthy they they have become. You'll probably find that the Fluval 2 will do the job while the fish are smallish, but once they start growing bigger and producing more waste you'll probably find you need to upgrade or add another. To keep the water crystal clear it's best to have a filter/or a combination of filters which will turn the volume of your water over between 8-10 times per hour. Again, this might sound excessive (like the 10 gallons rule!) but once you've got it you'll see why. As for plants, most will get wrecked within hours with goldfish. I have had success with Java fern which I grow on chunks of bogwood but anything else I've tried has been eaten.They do sometimes last a bit longer if you give the goldfish a supply of romaine lettuce on a veggie clip as they tend to pick at that instead of the plants. Some plastic plants do look a bit tacky, but there are some better ones around. Silk ones tend to look more realistic and although I've never bought them I've seen them around in a few shops round here so I expect they're readily available.The plastic ones will look better with age though as they get a coating of algae etc. As for other mates for your fish, opinion becomes divided. I have heaters in my goldfish tanks so keep a couple of bristle places with them. These are just about the only type which are suitable with goldfish so don't be tempted to try anything else. Unlike most other places they stay herbivorous for their entire lives and only get to 6 inches max. They would need a piece of bogwood to hide under and chew. Trouble is once they were all full grown your tank would be overstocked again so only get one of you know you can upgrade when the time comes. I also have an apple snail. Despite what people tell you they aren't that great at cleaning the algae off the tank (like the bristlenoses), and also create an awful lot of poop. Hillstream loaches would be another option. These are coldwater, stay very small (3 inches ish) and are safe with goldfish. They like a lot of current though so you might need to add the other filter to keep them happy. Hope this helps anyway, Mel. "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hey there, First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going to say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than keeping them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare to their natural habitats. But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. :-) I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank also came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can identify it! ;-) If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank and be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if anyone can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our aquarium, then please let me know. So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) Thanks, Stephen "ste ©" wrote in message ... | Hi there, | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've been | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their tank | and gravel in the bath. | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are there | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for example? | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that be | any good for what I'm talking about? | | Thanks for any advice. | | Regards, | | Stephen | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for your post. I don't mind the fish eating the plants, so long as it does them no harm. But obviously, my main objective is to have a plant that looks pretty for me! ;-) When you say that Wisteria, you said it's pretty but requires a lot of light. I've got a single light in my hood, would this be okay, or not enough? It looks bright enough for me, but I don't know that particular needs of plants. I wouldn't mix tropical fish with goldfish, and I'm not using a heater in the tank either so probably couldn't. When I move house later this year, I'd then like to get a bigger tank to house some tropical fish on their own. That's a cute little story about your swordfish, perhaps you could sell this story to the makers of Finding Nemo 2, in case they are looking for a story! :-) Thanks for the advice, and I am a big reader! Perhaps I should have read more before I got the first fish, but no going back now, just onwards and upwards! :-) Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. | Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. | Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of | hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and | not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, | too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. | | As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish since the | GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. Also, a | common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a mistake | since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish will | graze on algae so you don't need one. | | Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or 2. I | have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a goldfish. | LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some fantails, | and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he scooped | up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 months old | and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my big tank | set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the little | tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, so I | finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my smallest | fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I haven't | bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and Angelfish and | they have their own tanks. | | Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any | concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean you | should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do their | homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks dedicated | to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are here to | help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... | | | | -- | } Tammy { | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from | this address: | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | Watkins Business Opportunity | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | Me and my fish Thank You!! | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hey there, | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going | to | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than | keeping | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare | to their natural habitats. | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. | :-) | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank | also | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can | identify | it! ;-) | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank | and | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if | anyone | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our | aquarium, then please let me know. | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | ... | | Hi there, | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've | been | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their | tank | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are | there | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for | example? | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that | be | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | Regards, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Mel,
Thanks for your reply. And nice to hear that I'm slowly being converted! ;-) I'm sure that as my fish get bigger, I'll get an even bigger tank, but this one came as a kit for £100, and seemed to have everything I needed for now. As you say, I might end up needing a bigger and better filter in this tank, and I'll have a browse around when I get to this stage. One thing I don't like about this filter is that it's a black box in the corner of the tank - an external filter that's hidden from view might be nicer in the future, if they're any good. I hope my plastic plants look better with age, but if not, some real plants of those silk plants that you recommend should do the trick. I'll have to browse around my local shop to see what they've got. And as for the snails, I guess I'd need a heater in the tank of just have fish for now, no worries. One question I've got is this: should I leave the light in the hood on all night, or turn it off at night? I turned it off last night because it was lighting my room up! Also, I was thinking that fish in the wild are used to light and dark conditions. But if it would be better to leave the light on 24/7, then I could. Thanks, Stephen "Mel" wrote in message ... | That's great news Stephen!! Another one converted...g | Your fish will be so much happier in their nice new tank and I bet you that | in 6 months you'll understand why they need the 10 gallons when you see how | big and healthy they they have become. | You'll probably find that the Fluval 2 will do the job while the fish are | smallish, but once they start growing bigger and producing more waste you'll | probably find you need to upgrade or add another. To keep the water crystal | clear it's best to have a filter/or a combination of filters which will turn | the volume of your water over between 8-10 times per hour. Again, this might | sound excessive (like the 10 gallons rule!) but once you've got it you'll | see why. | As for plants, most will get wrecked within hours with goldfish. I have had | success with Java fern which I grow on chunks of bogwood but anything else | I've tried has been eaten.They do sometimes last a bit longer if you give | the goldfish a supply of romaine lettuce on a veggie clip as they tend to | pick at that instead of the plants. | Some plastic plants do look a bit tacky, but there are some better ones | around. Silk ones tend to look more realistic and although I've never bought | them I've seen them around in a few shops round here so I expect they're | readily available.The plastic ones will look better with age though as they | get a coating of algae etc. | As for other mates for your fish, opinion becomes divided. I have heaters in | my goldfish tanks so keep a couple of bristle places with them. These are | just about the only type which are suitable with goldfish so don't be | tempted to try anything else. Unlike most other places they stay herbivorous | for their entire lives and only get to 6 inches max. They would need a piece | of bogwood to hide under and chew. Trouble is once they were all full grown | your tank would be overstocked again so only get one of you know you can | upgrade when the time comes. I also have an apple snail. Despite what people | tell you they aren't that great at cleaning the algae off the tank (like the | bristlenoses), and also create an awful lot of poop. Hillstream loaches | would be another option. These are coldwater, stay very small (3 inches ish) | and are safe with goldfish. They like a lot of current though so you might | need to add the other filter to keep them happy. | Hope this helps anyway, | Mel. | | | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hey there, | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going | to | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than | keeping | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare | to their natural habitats. | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. | :-) | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank | also | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can | identify | it! ;-) | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank | and | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if | anyone | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our | aquarium, then please let me know. | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | ... | | Hi there, | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've | been | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their | tank | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are | there | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for | example? | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that | be | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | Regards, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Stephen,
You could probably hide the filter with a few plants or a couple of rocks. As for the light, you should turn it off at night. I have mine on timers so that I don't have to think about them. As a general rule, depending on the type of fish, wattage of lamps and whether you have plants, the lights only need to be on 10-12 hours per day. My goldfish lights go on for 10 hours, from noon to 10 pm, when I most want to watch them. Good luck! Vicky _____________________ Vicky Taylor-Hood fibre artist * quilter St. John's, NF, Canada http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/vickyth/ |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
"LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. Wisteria as in the woody vine??? Or is this also a name for an aquatic plant? -- Laurie, Dark Phoenix "Every dog has it's day, but nights are reserved for cats." - |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Different plants require different lighting. I mean wattage per gallon, not
time-wise. I found that out recently myself. LOL. I have 15 watt bulbs in my planted 5 gallon tanks (3 watt/gallon). Some plants require even more than that! With big tanks, you're looking at loads of electricity! That's why I only planted my little tanks. I'm really not into getting 270 watts for my 90g tank LOL. There is so much to learn about fish and aquariums that it can get crazy sometimes. I just stick to "learning" what I personally like. LOL. There are newsgroups and lots of web pages on fish, plants, etc. If you like to read, you'll be in heaven! LOL. -- } Tammy { Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from this address: http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project Watkins Business Opportunity www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 Me and my fish Thank You!! "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hi Tammy, Thanks for your post. I don't mind the fish eating the plants, so long as it does them no harm. But obviously, my main objective is to have a plant that looks pretty for me! ;-) When you say that Wisteria, you said it's pretty but requires a lot of light. I've got a single light in my hood, would this be okay, or not enough? It looks bright enough for me, but I don't know that particular needs of plants. I wouldn't mix tropical fish with goldfish, and I'm not using a heater in the tank either so probably couldn't. When I move house later this year, I'd then like to get a bigger tank to house some tropical fish on their own. That's a cute little story about your swordfish, perhaps you could sell this story to the makers of Finding Nemo 2, in case they are looking for a story! :-) Thanks for the advice, and I am a big reader! Perhaps I should have read more before I got the first fish, but no going back now, just onwards and upwards! :-) Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. | Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. | Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of | hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and | not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, | too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. | | As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish since the | GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. Also, a | common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a mistake | since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish will | graze on algae so you don't need one. | | Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or 2. I | have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a goldfish. | LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some fantails, | and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he scooped | up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 months old | and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my big tank | set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the little | tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, so I | finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my smallest | fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I haven't | bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and Angelfish and | they have their own tanks. | | Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any | concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean you | should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do their | homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks dedicated | to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are here to | help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... | | | | -- | } Tammy { | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from | this address: | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | Watkins Business Opportunity | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | Me and my fish Thank You!! | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hey there, | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going | to | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than | keeping | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare | to their natural habitats. | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. | :-) | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank | also | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can | identify | it! ;-) | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank | and | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if | anyone | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our | aquarium, then please let me know. | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | ... | | Hi there, | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've | been | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their | tank | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are | there | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for | example? | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that | be | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | Regards, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
It reminded me of a carrot top, but lighter in color and bushier. Maybe I
spelled that wrong, but I'm sure that's the name... Wisteria. Of course, I did purchase it at Petsmart, so they could have had it wrong, too. -- } Tammy { Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from this address: http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project Watkins Business Opportunity www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 Me and my fish Thank You!! "Dark Phoenix" wrote in message ... "LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. Wisteria as in the woody vine??? Or is this also a name for an aquatic plant? -- Laurie, Dark Phoenix "Every dog has it's day, but nights are reserved for cats." - |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Tammy,
270 watts is a lot of light! I think I'll pass on those for now. :-) Talking of web pages, can you or anyone else recommend some informative websites for goldfish etc? I've already been on a few sites mentioned in this group, but wondered if there were a few definiteive websites people here would recommend me to refer to as my 'bible' if I needed to find information on anything? Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message ... Different plants require different lighting. I mean wattage per gallon, not time-wise. I found that out recently myself. LOL. I have 15 watt bulbs in my planted 5 gallon tanks (3 watt/gallon). Some plants require even more than that! With big tanks, you're looking at loads of electricity! That's why I only planted my little tanks. I'm really not into getting 270 watts for my 90g tank LOL. There is so much to learn about fish and aquariums that it can get crazy sometimes. I just stick to "learning" what I personally like. LOL. There are newsgroups and lots of web pages on fish, plants, etc. If you like to read, you'll be in heaven! LOL. -- } Tammy { Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from this address: http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project Watkins Business Opportunity www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 Me and my fish Thank You!! "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hi Tammy, Thanks for your post. I don't mind the fish eating the plants, so long as it does them no harm. But obviously, my main objective is to have a plant that looks pretty for me! ;-) When you say that Wisteria, you said it's pretty but requires a lot of light. I've got a single light in my hood, would this be okay, or not enough? It looks bright enough for me, but I don't know that particular needs of plants. I wouldn't mix tropical fish with goldfish, and I'm not using a heater in the tank either so probably couldn't. When I move house later this year, I'd then like to get a bigger tank to house some tropical fish on their own. That's a cute little story about your swordfish, perhaps you could sell this story to the makers of Finding Nemo 2, in case they are looking for a story! :-) Thanks for the advice, and I am a big reader! Perhaps I should have read more before I got the first fish, but no going back now, just onwards and upwards! :-) Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. | Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. | Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of | hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and | not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, | too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. | | As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish since the | GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. Also, a | common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a mistake | since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish will | graze on algae so you don't need one. | | Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or 2. I | have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a goldfish. | LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some fantails, | and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he scooped | up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 months old | and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my big tank | set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the little | tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, so I | finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my smallest | fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I haven't | bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and Angelfish and | they have their own tanks. | | Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any | concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean you | should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do their | homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks dedicated | to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are here to | help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... | | | | -- | } Tammy { | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from | this address: | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | Watkins Business Opportunity | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | Me and my fish Thank You!! | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hey there, | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going | to | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than | keeping | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare | to their natural habitats. | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. | :-) | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank | also | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can | identify | it! ;-) | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank | and | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if | anyone | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our | aquarium, then please let me know. | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | ... | | Hi there, | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've | been | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their | tank | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are | there | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for | example? | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that | be | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | Regards, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Vicky,
I'm looking into getting a few plants soon, so will see what my local aquatic shops have on offer, as well as taking on board the suggestions made in this group. Thanks for the advice about the lights, and it's nice to know that I don't have to sleep in the light! :-) When you say that you put the lights on when you most want to view the fish, does that mean that the goldfish would also be fine in the dark all the time? ie, is the light in my hood meant for me or the goldfish? :-) Also, thanks for idea about keeping the light on a timer, I'm going to get one on my dinner hour. Thanks, Stephen "Vicky & John Taylor-Hood" wrote in message ... Hi Stephen, You could probably hide the filter with a few plants or a couple of rocks. As for the light, you should turn it off at night. I have mine on timers so that I don't have to think about them. As a general rule, depending on the type of fish, wattage of lamps and whether you have plants, the lights only need to be on 10-12 hours per day. My goldfish lights go on for 10 hours, from noon to 10 pm, when I most want to watch them. Good luck! Vicky _____________________ Vicky Taylor-Hood fibre artist * quilter St. John's, NF, Canada http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/vickyth/ |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Stephen,
The lights are for both you and the fish. They need a regular night and day cycle just like you do. Very few fish can live completely in darkness. Your tank as a whole needs regular light and dark, too. If you leave the lights on all the time, the algae will grow like crazy. Keep an eye on it as you get used to your tank. If it seems to be growing too fast, you might need to change your lighting (time, amount, type, etc.). Keeping the nitrates under control with regular water changes will help this too. Timers are godsends to those of us with crazy schedules. Speaking of which, I must go rescue the 11-month humanoid from the clutches of the evil coffee table. Gotta love my kid - her first word was "fisshhhhhh". Cheers! Vicky _____________________ Vicky Taylor-Hood fibre artist * quilter St. John's, NF, Canada http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/vickyth/ |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
yes
Or is this also a name for an aquatic plant? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Here are a couple of useful websites for you to have a look at,
http://members.aol.com/sirchin/goldfish.htm http://www.goldfishparadise.com/index.php And for fishy supplies here's a good one .I order all my stuff from them and they've always been reliable and the prices are good, especially for internal filters http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatalog/index.html Mel. "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hi Tammy, 270 watts is a lot of light! I think I'll pass on those for now. :-) Talking of web pages, can you or anyone else recommend some informative websites for goldfish etc? I've already been on a few sites mentioned in this group, but wondered if there were a few definiteive websites people here would recommend me to refer to as my 'bible' if I needed to find information on anything? Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message ... Different plants require different lighting. I mean wattage per gallon, not time-wise. I found that out recently myself. LOL. I have 15 watt bulbs in my planted 5 gallon tanks (3 watt/gallon). Some plants require even more than that! With big tanks, you're looking at loads of electricity! That's why I only planted my little tanks. I'm really not into getting 270 watts for my 90g tank LOL. There is so much to learn about fish and aquariums that it can get crazy sometimes. I just stick to "learning" what I personally like. LOL. There are newsgroups and lots of web pages on fish, plants, etc. If you like to read, you'll be in heaven! LOL. -- } Tammy { Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from this address: http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project Watkins Business Opportunity www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 Me and my fish Thank You!! "ste mc ©" wrote in message ... Hi Tammy, Thanks for your post. I don't mind the fish eating the plants, so long as it does them no harm. But obviously, my main objective is to have a plant that looks pretty for me! ;-) When you say that Wisteria, you said it's pretty but requires a lot of light. I've got a single light in my hood, would this be okay, or not enough? It looks bright enough for me, but I don't know that particular needs of plants. I wouldn't mix tropical fish with goldfish, and I'm not using a heater in the tank either so probably couldn't. When I move house later this year, I'd then like to get a bigger tank to house some tropical fish on their own. That's a cute little story about your swordfish, perhaps you could sell this story to the makers of Finding Nemo 2, in case they are looking for a story! :-) Thanks for the advice, and I am a big reader! Perhaps I should have read more before I got the first fish, but no going back now, just onwards and upwards! :-) Thanks, Stephen "LoaderLady" wrote in message . .. | Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their mouths. | Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece of | hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby snails and | not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left it alone, | too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of light. | | As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish since the | GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. Also, a | common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a mistake | since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish will | graze on algae so you don't need one. | | Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or 2. I | have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a goldfish. | LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some fantails, | and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he scooped | up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 months old | and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my big tank | set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the little | tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, so I | finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my smallest | fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I haven't | bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and Angelfish and | they have their own tanks. | | Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any | concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean you | should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do their | homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks dedicated | to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are here to | help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... | | | | -- | } Tammy { | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from | this address: | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | Watkins Business Opportunity | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | Me and my fish Thank You!! | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hey there, | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. I was | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice was a bit | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I was going | to | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do the right | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather than | keeping | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never compare | to their natural habitats. | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've followed it. | :-) | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which we had | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefully, it will | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The tank | also | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, which | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I will take a | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone can | identify | it! ;-) | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the tank | and | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've currently got | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, if | anyone | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within our | aquarium, then please let me know. | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not by me or | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | ... | | Hi there, | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, I've | been | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out their | tank | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is there any | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every week? Are | there | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner for | example? | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' would that | be | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | Regards, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Talking of web pages, can you or anyone else recommend some informative
websites for goldfish etc? I've already been on a few sites mentioned in this group, but wondered if there were a few definiteive websites people here would recommend me to refer to as my 'bible' if I needed to find information on anything? Here are some of the sites I have found useful: http://puregold.aquaria.net/ (naturally) www.fishpalace.org www.goldfishparadise.com http://www.aquahobby.com http://members.aol.com/sirchin/goldfish.htm http://www.kokosgoldfish.com www.aquamaniacs.net http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/fantailfishy/ http://www.fishpondinfo.com/gfish.htm For shopping: www.goldfishconnection.com www.bigalsonline.com www.drsfostersmith.com You can also get fish stuff from petsmart.com, but I'm trying to not support them. :) |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Mel,
Thanks for the links, I'll add all these to my favourites folder and slowly work my way through them! :-) Thanks, Stephen "Mel" wrote in message ... | Here are a couple of useful websites for you to have a look at, | http://members.aol.com/sirchin/goldfish.htm | http://www.goldfishparadise.com/index.php | | And for fishy supplies here's a good one .I order all my stuff from them | and they've always been reliable and the prices are good, especially for | internal filters http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatalog/index.html | | Mel. | | | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hi Tammy, | | 270 watts is a lot of light! I think I'll pass on those for now. :-) | | Talking of web pages, can you or anyone else recommend some informative | websites for goldfish etc? I've already been on a few sites mentioned in | this group, but wondered if there were a few definiteive websites people | here would recommend me to refer to as my 'bible' if I needed to find | information on anything? | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | "LoaderLady" wrote in message | ... | Different plants require different lighting. I mean wattage per gallon, | not | time-wise. I found that out recently myself. LOL. I have 15 watt | bulbs | in | my planted 5 gallon tanks (3 watt/gallon). Some plants require even | more | than that! With big tanks, you're looking at loads of electricity! | That's | why I only planted my little tanks. I'm really not into getting 270 | watts | for my 90g tank LOL. | | There is so much to learn about fish and aquariums that it can get crazy | sometimes. I just stick to "learning" what I personally like. LOL. | There | are newsgroups and lots of web pages on fish, plants, etc. If you like | to | read, you'll be in heaven! LOL. | | -- | } Tammy { | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store | from | this address: | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | Watkins Business Opportunity | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | Me and my fish Thank You!! | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | ... | Hi Tammy, | | Thanks for your post. I don't mind the fish eating the plants, so | long | as | it does them no harm. But obviously, my main objective is to have a | plant | that looks pretty for me! ;-) When you say that Wisteria, you said | it's | pretty but requires a lot of light. I've got a single light in my | hood, | would this be okay, or not enough? It looks bright enough for me, but | I | don't know that particular needs of plants. | | I wouldn't mix tropical fish with goldfish, and I'm not using a heater | in | the tank either so probably couldn't. When I move house later this | year, | I'd then like to get a bigger tank to house some tropical fish on | their | own. | | That's a cute little story about your swordfish, perhaps you could | sell | this | story to the makers of Finding Nemo 2, in case they are looking for a | story! | :-) | | Thanks for the advice, and I am a big reader! Perhaps I should have | read | more before I got the first fish, but no going back now, just onwards | and | upwards! :-) | | Thanks, | | Stephen | | | | "LoaderLady" wrote in message | . .. | | Plants: nothing with small leaves which goldfish can get in their | mouths. | | Java Fern is highly recommended. I had a goldfish rip apart a piece | of | | hornwort in seconds but I think she was possibly after some baby | snails | and | | not the plant itself. I had wisteria in my tank and the fish left | it | alone, | | too, but the snails wrecked it. It is pretty, but requires alot of | light. | | | | As for other fish, you don't want to mix tropicals with goldfish | since | the | | GF produce so much ammonia, and they have different dietary needs. | Also, | a | | common one to put in there is an "algae eater", but this is also a | mistake | | since some will suck on the slime coat of a GF. Besides, goldfish | will | | graze on algae so you don't need one. | | | | Most of us just keep our goldfish by themselves, or with a snail or | 2. | I | | have a little swordtail in with my goldfish, but he thinks he is a | goldfish. | | LOL. He was among plants which the LFS put in the tank with some | fantails, | | and when he scooped water into the bag to catch my new fantails, he | scooped | | up 2 fry, and this little guy is the surviving one. He's now 5 | months | old | | and I don't have the heart to separate them. When I first got my | big | tank | | set up and moved the goldfish into it, I left the swordtail in the | little | | tank by himself and he was "pacing" and swimming frantically around, | so | I | | finally gave in and put him in the GF tank. He hangs around my | smallest | | fish and eats goldfish food, etc. he's healthy and happy so I | haven't | | bothered to move him, but other than that, I have guppies and | Angelfish | and | | they have their own tanks. | | | | Good luck with your new fish, and don't hesitate to ask if you have | any | | concerns. Sometimes people here can be blunt, but it doesn't mean | you | | should take it personally. Unfortunately, many people don't do | their | | homework, nor do they bother to ask about the fish, and us folks | dedicated | | to the hobby get upset when this happens, that's all. But we are | here | to | | help, and you have a delete button for posts you don't like... | | | | | | | | -- | | } Tammy { | | Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite | store | from | | this address: | | http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used | to | | purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project | | | | Watkins Business Opportunity | | www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796 | | Me and my fish Thank You!! | | "ste mc ©" wrote in message | | ... | | Hey there, | | | | First of all, thanks to Mel, Ingrid, and Deanna for your replies. | I | was | | going to come back here and tell you that I thought your advice | was | a | bit | | over the top, and that my fish tank would be fine as it was. I | was | going | | to | | say, if you want such a big tank for your fish, why don't you do | the | right | | thing and let them back in the ocean where they belong, rather | than | | keeping | | them trapped in some aquarium, which no matter how big, will never | compare | | to their natural habitats. | | | | But I then started reading more after your advice, so I've | followed | it. | | :-) | | I bought a new tank today to replace the large goldfish bowl which | we | had | | beforehand. The new tank came with a Fluval 2 filter. Hopefull y, | it | will | | do the job. If not, we'll just get a bigger filter later on. The | tank | | also | | came with a light in the hood, and the tank is 80cm x 30cm x 40cm, | which | | holds 96 litres, or 21 gallons. | | | | I've got two fish in this, a Blackmoor, and something else - I | will | take | a | | photo later in the week and upload it to my webspace so someone | can | | identify | | it! ;-) | | | | If anyone can recommend any real plants that will look nice in the | tank | | and | | be okay with my fish, then please feel free to do so. We've | currently | got | | some of those plastic plants, but they look ever so tacky. Also, | if | | anyone | | can recommend any other aquatic life that would work well within | our | | aquarium, then please let me know. | | | | So thanks to everyone for their help, it's much appreciated - not | by | me | or | | my bank balance so much, but my two little fishies! :-) | | | | Thanks, | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | "ste ©" wrote in message | | ... | | | Hi there, | | | | | | I've got a small goldfish tank with two goldfish. To clean it, | I've | | been | | | putting the fish into a bowl of clean water, then cleaning out | their | | tank | | | and gravel in the bath. | | | | | | The tank is probably too small to bother with a filter, but is | there | any | | | other way to keep the water clean without changing it every | week? | Are | | there | | | any small water creatures I can get that will keep it cleaner | for | | example? | | | I've also read somewhere about some sort of 'water hoover,' | would | that | | be | | | any good for what I'm talking about? | | | | | | Thanks for any advice. | | | | | | Regards, | | | | | | Stephen | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for all those links. I've already been through your website, so thanks for reminding me that it's yours! :-) I'll work my way through the others too! Thanks, Stephen "GiveMeABMW" wrote in message ... | Talking of web pages, can you or anyone else recommend some informative | websites for goldfish etc? I've already been on a few sites mentioned in | this group, but wondered if there were a few definiteive websites people | here would recommend me to refer to as my 'bible' if I needed to find | information on anything? | | Here are some of the sites I have found useful: | http://puregold.aquaria.net/ (naturally) | www.fishpalace.org | www.goldfishparadise.com | http://www.aquahobby.com | http://members.aol.com/sirchin/goldfish.htm | http://www.kokosgoldfish.com | www.aquamaniacs.net | http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/fantailfishy/ | http://www.fishpondinfo.com/gfish.htm | | For shopping: | www.goldfishconnection.com | www.bigalsonline.com | www.drsfostersmith.com | | You can also get fish stuff from | petsmart.com, but I'm trying to not support them. :) |
Cleaning out a small goldfish tank
Hi Vicky,
I bought the timer today, and have got it connected so the lights are on between 8:30am and 12:30am. This suits my daily cycle anyway, so I hope the fish get used to it. I haven't got any algae in my tank yet, but will try and keep on top of when it starts taking over! :-) Thanks, Stephen "Vicky & John Taylor-Hood" wrote in message ... | Hi Stephen, | | The lights are for both you and the fish. They need a regular night | and day cycle just like you do. Very few fish can live completely in | darkness. Your tank as a whole needs regular light and dark, too. If | you leave the lights on all the time, the algae will grow like crazy. | Keep an eye on it as you get used to your tank. If it seems to be | growing too fast, you might need to change your lighting (time, | amount, type, etc.). Keeping the nitrates under control with regular | water changes will help this too. | | Timers are godsends to those of us with crazy schedules. Speaking of | which, I must go rescue the 11-month humanoid from the clutches of the | evil coffee table. Gotta love my kid - her first word was | "fisshhhhhh". | | Cheers! | Vicky | _____________________ | Vicky Taylor-Hood | fibre artist * quilter | St. John's, NF, Canada | | http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/vickyth/ |
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