View Full Version : Is any1 on that I can talk 2 about goldfish?
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 6:16 PM
PLZ?! I'm a newbie w/ goldfish, nd @ 1st i had 2, Goldie (Comet) & Bronzie (common)... but Goldie died 3 days l8r & Bronzie a week after that. I really missed them, so I got another 1 named Tiger (Comet). PLZ HELP! (if n e 1s on ryt now... talk 2 me on this post!)
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 6:18 PM
oops! i 4got 2 mention that 4 meanwhile I hav a 1gal. but my dad is gonna buy me a 50-100gal. my 1gal tank has the following: air filter, 2 plants, blu gravel, a suction-cup floating thermometer, and Tiger! (my fish)
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 6:20 PM
That's much too small...even for the interim...if you can get your hands on at least a 10 soon, that would be advisable...otherwise, I would suggest getting the 50+ soon...and only keeping Tiger in it.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 6:26 PM
Tiger is about 1 1/2 in. ryt now & the lady @ PetSmart sed he cud fit in there since they grow according 2 their environment... i dunno how old he is, though. We bought him @ the store, so normally they're young....
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 6:30 PM
Originally posted by GoLdFiSh_GrL
Tiger is about 1 1/2 in. ryt now & the lady @ PetSmart sed he cud fit in there since they grow according 2 their environment...
Sure they do...but they get very stunted, and stressed...and die because their waste output is greater than the tank's filtration can handle.
Thus, they grew to the limit of their environment...
Oh, and PetCo gets another sale...it is necessary to get a larger tank soon!
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 6:42 PM
Originally posted by GoLdFiSh_GrL
the link u gav me was gr8! i'm printing it ryt now... i think that's wuts happening 2 me.... o, lets keep the convo on my post, k? THNX! :D
Okay, I'll discuss the goldie with you on this thread...
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 6:55 PM
ok.... so about this cycle... i realized THIS is the reason my goldies r dying. well, how XACTLY do u do a cycle?
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 7:00 PM
That's tough to explain.
Basically the waste from the fish will feed nitrifying bacteria, which will convert it from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.
You have already started the cycle with your last fish.
I am sorry to say that your fish will not make a cycle in the 1g without copious water changes, which you are doing...that's good as it's his life support!
I would recommend buying a bottle of a product called Bio-Spira for your new tank...it is the cycling bacteria in a bottled form, and it will allow you to insert Tiger in that tank immediately.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 7:01 PM
do they sell BoiSphera @ PetsMart?
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 7:07 PM
I haven't seen it at the PetSmarts that I frequent. It may not be the case at yours. If you ask them for that and they don't have it, do not let them sell you a product called "Cycle" which is essentially worthless.
If you can't find it at any of your LFS (Local Fish Stores), you can order it online from any of the major retailers. I'm supposed to hang out with my roommates now, so I will talk with you later.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 7:16 PM
AW!!!!! well, i can really use yur help, so e-mail me! (CaliforniaGrl91910@yahoo.com):(
This might sound harsh, but I promise you it is the best suggestion you are going to get...
The first thing you need to do is return that goldfish until you can properly house it. A 1 gallon tank is only suitable for a male betta. Goldfish need approximately 40 gallons per fish when they mature, and they grow up VERY quickly. Then, come back here and learn all you can about the nitrogen cycle and what is called FISHLESS CYCLING. I realize you love your fish and you want to keep it, but it will more than likely die in that tank from drowning in its own waste. Those water changes are all that is keeping it alive at the moment.
Then, once you have learned what cycling is all about, get that 50g tank and start over properly.
You have a wealth of information and people here that are ready to help you. This is a common mistake and places like your big chain pet stores do very little to break this cycle. They make more sales when you keep replacing those poor fish.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:28 PM
it didn't sound harsh @ all.... just realistic. Thanx... i'd rather lose my Tiger than 2 let it die.... do i hav 2 return it if my dad is buying me a tank 2morrow? (100gal.)
Well, it would be best to cycle the tank fishlessly, as any ammonia is too much ammonia to expose a fish to. You can cycle with fish, but you'll have to be very watchful of the ammonia and nitrite levels for a few weeks. Get a BIG scoop of gravel from your LFS to help jumpstart your cycle, and if possible get a filter cartridge as well. These will both contain all the bacteria you need to seed your tank and help get things moving. The Bio-whatchamadoodle stuff that was suggested is a canned, stale chemical version of the same thing. Think of it like looking, would you rather eat canned veggies or fresh? Use the fresh :D
Btw, that was a very mature reaction to what I thought was going to be a stiff pill for you to swallow. You might indeed have the heart of a fish keeper in ya! =)
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:39 PM
Childawg sed that Bio-Spira is liquid bottle 4rm, 2... he suggested that, but i'd rather do it the way u sed 2... its economic & better!
btw, thanx 4 the comment!
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 9:48 PM
Good to see that you're a true fishkeeper...rather than a collector, Goldfish Girl!
(Thanks for telling her, Corax...I had a hard time deciding whether to work through this or ask her to return the fish...)
The bottled stuff is great IN THEORY, but in order for it to work propery, you'd need to use it within a few days of it being bottled. It probably sits in a warehouse for a few weeks, then on your store shelves, so by the time you see it, it has lost much of its potency. Just use the gravel, it is a tried and true method that thousands of people have had success with.
You are quite welcome. Too often, harsh advice is given and rejected. It's refreshing to see someone that is willing to listen to what someone that has been there, done that, made that mistake and learned from it, has to say. I started with a 10g tank and a boatload of fish way back when I was about 12. I'm learned a bit since then =)
no prob Chil, we're all here for the same reason, to help each other. You gave sound advice, but losing fish to that 1g tank was going to ruin her on the hobby eventually. I hadda do it =)
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 10:00 PM
Thanx 4 doing it!