goldfish tank question
Discussion
i have just bought a goldfish tank (for my daughter, fish are coming in a few days)with a small air pump to oxaganate the water
but does the pump need to be on 24 hours a day
when i was younger the fish tank never had anything like that and the fish lasted for years
i was thinking of putting it on a timer so it was off overnight and on during the day
thanks in advance
but does the pump need to be on 24 hours a day
when i was younger the fish tank never had anything like that and the fish lasted for years
i was thinking of putting it on a timer so it was off overnight and on during the day
thanks in advance
<flush toilet> Morning Bob 
It's good that you've got an air pump to break the surface of the water. This is how the water gets re-oxygenated. However, more important than a pump is a filter of some sort. For a small tank, a basic sponge unit is fine and can be driven by your air pump. Equally important the water you put in it. Always treat it with 'Aquasafe' or something similar, which neutralises the chlorine in the supply. This is very toxic to fish.
It's an easy routine, clean the filter in old tank water, put in some fresh treated water and don't overstock your tank!
As for turning off the pump at night, it's not a problem really. I used to do this with my old tank years ago and some of my fish were 9 yrs old when I gave them away when I joined the Navy.
HTH
It's an easy routine, clean the filter in old tank water, put in some fresh treated water and don't overstock your tank!
As for turning off the pump at night, it's not a problem really. I used to do this with my old tank years ago and some of my fish were 9 yrs old when I gave them away when I joined the Navy.
HTH
Penny-lope said:
Depends on how many fish you have, how often you clean the tank, and where the tank is located.
If you put some freshwater plants in the tank, this should help with the oxygenation of the water. Although the slimey wee sods will nibble them
only 2 fish its not a huge tank If you put some freshwater plants in the tank, this should help with the oxygenation of the water. Although the slimey wee sods will nibble them
http://www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/stkcode/9...
this is the tank we have
it will hold two fish and we have used some of the stuff to remove the chorine from the water
it does have a filter it pumps water up and over a filter and back to the tank
this is the tank we have
it will hold two fish and we have used some of the stuff to remove the chorine from the water
it does have a filter it pumps water up and over a filter and back to the tank
If it is just a 'bubble making' air pump, then you can turn it off. If it is a filter unit, i.e' it has some 'wool' in a cube which the pump draws water through, then do not turn it off.
If you do so, then the bacteria which will reside in the 'wool' will die and rot, so contaminating the water.
Make sure that you replace 20% of the water each week. Tap water is adequate for goldfish, but I would recommend a water conditioner.
Make sure that the replacement water is at the same temperature as the water in the tank. A dose of cold tap water can damage fish.
Resist the temptation to overfill the tank with fish. This stresses them and leads to disease and early deaths.
Makes me want to go out and buy a tank now!
If you do so, then the bacteria which will reside in the 'wool' will die and rot, so contaminating the water.
Make sure that you replace 20% of the water each week. Tap water is adequate for goldfish, but I would recommend a water conditioner.
Make sure that the replacement water is at the same temperature as the water in the tank. A dose of cold tap water can damage fish.
Resist the temptation to overfill the tank with fish. This stresses them and leads to disease and early deaths.
Makes me want to go out and buy a tank now!
carlymart said:
thanks for all the replys
the filter is just water driping over a filter and down into the tank
Goldfish are very dirty fish. They produce a lot of waste. I would invest in a decent filter and a water test kit if you want your fish to last. Google "nitrogen cycle goldfish"; there are loads of good resources on the web. I have a 4ft (120litre) tank with 7 goldfish and I think my Fluval4 is barely adequate. I'm considering upgrading to an external filter.the filter is just water driping over a filter and down into the tank
Also take time to observe their natural behaviour; you will be better placed to spot when they're not happy e.g. lethargic, not feeding, fins clamped tight to the body etc... Most golfish problems are caused by poor water conditions: high ammonia, high nitrite and/or nitrate levels, high/low pH level. You can't see these dangers; you must test for them regularly, and look for changes in your fish's behaviour.
And finally, don't over feed them!!! This is the most common mistake made by new goldfish keepers. If you're using flake food, a couple of flakes per fish, once a day is adequate. They can go several weeks without eating.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff