View Full Version : New To Aquariums, I don't want to kill my fish!
I've just recieved an aquarium from a friend, and I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. I have a very very small aquarium (about 10x6x6 inches) that I used to keep 1 single betta in. It had a thermometer, filter, etc in it.
For my birthday, one of my friends (who doesn't know anything about fish) went out and got me 6 goldfish for my birthday. I knew it was far too many for my tiny tiny aquarium, but as I had no money at the time, there wasn't much I could do, apart from try and make the best for them... I dont know if overcrowding can kill fish, but I lost 4 of them. I still have to Black Moors, who seem to be in fantastic condition, and have loads of personality.
I got this tank off a friend, cause I wanted a better environment for Itchy and Scratchy (yes, I named my fish). The current tank set up is as follows:
2x1x1 foot tank. (not sure the litres/gallons on it, if anyone knows would you mind telling me?)
undergravel filter
eheim (i think that's the make) air filter fitted as well
brand new gravel
no plants yet.
I've had the tank up and running on its own for the past three days now, when is a good time to add my two moors? is it a week standard?
I would like to get a few more fish to go in- i dont mind what they are... what is compatible with moors, and how many would you reccomend be the max for the tank? (I dont plan on going to the max, would just like to know)
My husband would like a bala shark (i believe they are called) are these okay to go with the moors?
Lastly, is there anything i need to know, haven't asked, etc?
VoodooChild
08-07-2003, 9:29 AM
You should be ok, but the goldfish may have a shorter lifespan due to the massive ammonia spike that probably occured in the older tank. They should still lead good long lives. I would put those two in the new tank (15 or 20 gallons by the way), since the current tank sounds like it might not even be pushing 3 gallons, assuming it's your standard rectangular shape. I would use the old gravel too if you could. If you don't like the color or what not, I would just put it in a clean sock and leave it in there for a month or so. That'll help getting the tank started. You could add them any time now. You may want to use a bit of the old water, though it's the gravel that'll really do the trick. I'd recommend picking up an ammonia and a nitrate test kit. Always good to monitor the water quality, particularely in the first month. Goldfish do best without heat, which works out since you didn't mention a heater. Balas do need heat and they get to be to large for the tank dimensions you listed. Your best bet would be another small goldfish. I would feed every other day. The fish'll be fine, and it'll help keep the wastes down a bit. At least for the first month I'd feed every other day. Other than that, I guess weekly to bi-weekly water water changes of 50% for good clean water. There isn't much else you can do. Good luck, and welcome to the hobby:)
wetmanNY
08-07-2003, 9:41 AM
Let's eliminate the Newbie Forum. Everyone who posts there is already advanced enough to know they're a newbie. And Newbie Forum questions often require advanced answers.
...besides, we're all newbies aren't we?
...and now... back to the thread.
Thta is a 15 gallon tank you have. Normally people recommend that members of the goldfish family have 10 gallons per fish minimum. The reason is that goldfish being colder water fish (high 60's F to low 70's for the fancy ones) produce lots and lots of waste and can quickly produce ammonia and nitirites if water changes are not done. Also these fish can reach sizes of 5-6 inches for the fancy varieties, while the less fancy like comets can reach at least a foot to a foot and a half in size.
Goldfish are also big plant eaters and will probably destroy any live plants you put in. So fake silk plants are your best bet.
They will also eat anything that fits in their mouths. Not they they are aggressive, just hungry all the time. So any fish small enough not to hurt the bio load of that tank may just become a snack.
Goldfish require goldfish food and not tropical fish food. So make sure you buy the right stuff. Tropical fish food has too much protein in it.
Thanks for all the help everyone. Another quick question, I moved my 2 black moors into the tank today, and everything seems to be going quite well... with the exception of the water filter. It seems to be way to powerful, and blows the fish all over the tank. I've turned it off now, but I want to know, what can I do? it's a Eheim 2006. is it just that my fish are too small? I don't want them so stressed by all the movement.. but I do want the water to be filtered... what should I do?
You definatly need that filter running. And you will need lots of filtration for these fish when they get bigger. I would turn it back on and maybe provide some relief with plastic plants or big rocks. Places for the fish to hide when the current is too much. Otherwise go buy a smaller cheap filter until the fish get bigger I suppose. You could probably get one for 30 dollars or so. But your fish will probably get used to it in awhile.
anonapersona
08-12-2003, 6:11 PM
Try to direct the output so that it bounces off a side wall then towards the center of the tank, or attach something to break the flow, or if there are holes, drill them larger. You need that large volume, just not the high velocity. If it has tubing attach a larger outlet to slow the velocity.
If the filter was off for very long you will have lost much of the bacteria that were building. Please get a test kit for ammonia and nitrite and pH and KH. You will need to do large and frequent water changes for those goldfish. Plan on 50% a week to start. Match temperature and treat for chlorine or chloramine as needed. Keep an eye on the KH and change more water if it is falling below 3 or 4 degrees or if pH falls rapidly.
The healthiest goldfish are kept in large algae filled ponds where they eat algae all day long and the algae filters some of their wastes. When you scrape the algae off the tank, leave it for the fish to eat.
These fish really neeed 20 gallons each. Do not add sucker type algae eaters in their tank.
I do love the goldfish, but gave up on keeping them indoors.
If you can find the Puregold site, don't have link handy, that has the best goldfish info around.
Once again, thanks for the help. The filter has only been turned off for a few hours now. Not a problem. When they were in a smaller tank, they only had a very small filter, and that suited them fine. I have that small filter running at the moment although I know it can't handle the tank, just until tomorrow as I'm going into town to see what I can get.
One more question... the fish seem to be acting... well, what i would consider weird. Both of them are at the very front of the fish tank, doing "lengths" as I would call it. They just keep swimming back and forth the length of the tank, right at the front. Is this normal? Or are they just getting used to their new bigger tank?
If they say goldfish have no memory, perhaps they are looking around, and just keep forgetting they've already been down that end?? (just kidding about that one)
anonapersona
08-12-2003, 9:46 PM
they want out
that is what that pacing is
do water changes now, right now, rather large and rather frequent
test for ammmonia and nitrites
if you can, add ammonia detox of some sort,
Prime is good, others are too
if the small filter was off, bacteria have died there too
assume that this is now a new beginning, how sad
move gravel from the other tank to bring good bacteria to the new location
sorry about typing, cat asleep on my arm