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Across the Fence:  A new fish tank-need help!  |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
 Posted - May 31 2011 : 11:25:32 PM
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| We got Nigel a new fish tank since he has been working hard at eating new foods. Its a 10 gallon tank and has 6 goldfish. How much do you feed them and how frequently. ALso any other tips would be helpful, please! Thank-you! |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 04:49:42 AM
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Hi Robin -
Only feed them what they will gobble up immediately - if food is sinking to the bottom uneaten, you are feeding too much. Once or twice a day should be enough. Also, overfeeding causes the water to get cloudy because uneaten food is decomposing on the bottom. You might also think about adding a "bottom feeder" fish like a catfish or pleco because they clean up the excess.
The water should be cleaned/changed frequently but don't remove all of the "old" water - leave a little as a starter. If your tap water has chlorine, fluoride, etc. let it sit for a couple of days in a container before you put it in the tank.
Hope this helps!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 05:55:20 AM
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Same advice as Beekeepersgirl. I had a 10 gallon tank with goldfish up until March. The goldfish GREW! We had to put them outside in our "pond." At one time I had gotten a plecostamis(sp?) to eat the algae and help keep the tank clean but the goldfish ate him! I usually fed them once in the morning and once in the evening.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 07:26:51 AM
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I would suggest snails as a tank cleaner. Their numbers will rise and fall with the amount of food available. While goldfish are okay without a tank heater I would recommend one and you should have a good filter. Goldfish are "dirty" fish. They produce a lot of waste and it can really dirty the tank. You should also be putting some aquarium salt in the water. If you keep your tank properly salted you should not have any disease. Even freshwater fish like bettas and goldfish need salt in the water. I have always used about 1 teaspoon per gallon of non-iodized salt.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 08:38:26 AM
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| Thank you so much. The pet store lady told us to wait a few months to get a plecos because there wouldnt be enough algae in a new tank? |
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Heartbroken farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Annette
rio vista
Ca
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 08:39:33 AM
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Alee is right, a small bit of salt always helps. There is always a bit of orange *yuck* that will build up over time on the walls of the tank. The snails, ghost shrimp, or those "sucker" fish help, but about once a month, I always siphon the water out to about 1/3 left. The ph in the remaining water is ideal for the fish. As the water siphons out, stir the rock you have on the bottom. I take the artificial plants out and wash them too. you will need to get a rag, when you start the siphon, and use the water to clean the inside walls, and pay close attention to the corners and seams. The first time I did this, I didn't think about the corners, and boy did it make the missed spots stand out!!! LOL! An old neighbor had a fish store, and had a 3000gal tank of sharks in his livingroom, so that's where I learned.
The tears I shed then, watered the flowers I harvest now.
www.broken908.blogspot.com
http://forums.familyfriendpoems.com/broken908
"The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values."-Dean William Ralph Inge |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 10:48:10 AM
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Salt for goldfish too? like how much in a 10 gallon tank?
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 11:14:54 AM
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You can use as much as 10 teaspoons. It helps keep the right electrolyte balance in the water. In nature, most soils do have some naturally occuring sodium which is often removed by our water systesm or water filters. It also prevents bacterial growth such as Ick and Fin Rot.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 9:52:47 PM
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Its actually a 20 gallon tank. Not 10. I will put some salt in. Do I dissolve the alt first then add or just dump it. I would think the fish might eat it.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 10:48:36 AM
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okay...sounds good. Thanks!
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Across the Fence: A new fish tank-need help! |
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A new fish tank-need help!
