New and discouraged...

[dorkfish]

Can anyone give me a link to a site that could teach me how to do the ph readings, etc

I have my memeber page chalked full of links, you should be able to find info on pretty much everything, except testing your water- the aquarium pharmeceuticals master test kit has instructions on how to use the test kits. The article corner has an article on water chemistry if you want to get more into water quality.

 

[Penfan66]

Or try this....

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12297

OG put all the archived stickies together and it has a wealth of information for you.

 

[itvilcu]

goldfish

I didnt have any fungus, but......

3 years ago, I set up my very first aquarium. It was a 50 gallon tank, which I had 10 goldfish in. About a week after I got the fish, they started going to the top, gasping for air (I had a air pump and filter and the whole nine yards). Well, next thing you know, I had NO fish left. I asked at the pet store, and she told me to have my tank set up for 30 days before introducing any fish. Before you set it up though, make sure you clean it out with boiling water, to kill any and all bacteria in there. Also, I was told to put Cycle in the tank and aquarium salts. So, I did everything that I was told, exactly like I was told and bought 2 goldfish (nothing was mentioned to me about the space required for goldfish, but I did a bit of research on the net, so I only bought 2!!). It is now 3 years later, and I still have those same 2 gold fish, and they are doing great!!!!!

I am sure some people will tell you not to do what I did, cause it is probably wrong (we live in a small town, so sometimes I think our pet store lady isnt very educated........lucky if she has grade 12!!! lol), but I am just passing on to you, what I was told to do!!

 

[InR reason]

have you cycled the tank? also, be prepared: almost everyone on this site will tell you that 10 gallons is too small for any goldfish. they are notorious for producing a lot of waste, not just poop, but ammonia.

I have a very young Oranda in a cycled 10g but this is after being in the hobby for a long time. The bare minimum for any fancy goldfish is 10-15g per fish because of the massive amount of waste they produce- as you correctly pointed out. Keeping a single fish in 10-15g is possible but you need to know about goldfish and have experience with them. Most people, unfortunatly, do not and proceed as if it doesn't matter.

 

[RockabillyChick]

I am also sorry to say that goldfish need atleast 30 gallons per fish to live properly.

some water changes would help out too, about 30% weekly and 50% biweekly ought to work

just thought i would point out that "Bi-weekly" means twice a week. northstar means every other week do a 50% change.

 

[RockabillyChick]

I have a very young Oranda in a cycled 10g but this is after being in the hobby for a long time. The bare minimum for any fancy goldfish is 10-15g per fish because of the massive amount of waste they produce- as you correctly pointed out. Keeping a single fish in 10-15g is possible but you need to know about goldfish and have experience with them. Most people, unfortunatly, do not and proceed as if it doesn't matter.

we've been over this before. the minimum for a fancy goldfish is 29 gallons. they can get to be the size of a grapefruit. the minimum for a commet goldfish is 45 gallons because they need more room to swim. a jeuvenile goldfish can live for a time in a 10-15g tank, but will need at least a 29/30 with no other tank mates by the time it is a year or two old.