looking for fish pump/filter ideas

silkyuk9

I have 3 gold fish that live in a tank 18 inches long by 12 inches high by 10 inches wide.

I generally clean them out about once a fortnight to 3 weeks. Im thinking that I would like a reasonable tank pump/filter that is ideal for the tank for the size I have. Im no expert on fish by any means I give them food and clean them out thats about it.

So any fish lovers out here who can tell me an ideal pump that will do the job.

rising_from_the_ashes

Your tank sounds about the same size as my current one (got rid of the huge one as my population has dwindled over the years).

I''ve got an undergravel filtration thing - like this http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-filters/undergravel-filters/algarde-undergravel-filter-11x17.html as well as a Fluval 1 filter http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/19/products/hagen_fluval_1_plus_internal_aquarium_power_filter.aspx (NOTE: not searched for cheapest prices, just ones with reasonable pics!).

I part-change the water around once a month and tbh very rarely have to do a total tank clean (maybe every 3 - 4 months... It's made a huge difference HTH

silkyuk9

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Your tank sounds about the same size as my current one (got rid of the huge one as my population has dwindled over the years).

I''ve got an undergravel filtration thing - like this http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-filters/undergravel-filters/algarde-undergravel-filter-11x17.html as well as a Fluval 1 filter http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/19/products/hagen_fluval_1_plus_internal_aquarium_power_filter.aspx (NOTE: not searched for cheapest prices, just ones with reasonable pics!).

I part-change the water around once a month and tbh very rarely have to do a total tank clean (maybe every 3 - 4 months... It's made a huge difference HTH

not really sure what i need to be honest? one of the top link and one of the bottom link which is discontinued??

rising_from_the_ashes

I have both ..... they run in conjunction and I rarely need to do a full tank change (the undergravel one helps with the "muck" - as does the fluval one, but it also helps oxygenate the water).

The links were for the pics only ... not the cheapest and you should still be able to get it / a similar one elsewhere. HTH

scheming_gypsy

Goldfish just eat and crap so you need a filter more powerful than recommended for your capacity. Although with the size of your tank you'll probably need two smaller ones

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I use the current Fluval filter. Does the job fine. As long as you don't do a total water change and dechlorinate the water (I use rainwater - but it is tested before it goes into the tank, as I wouldn't want any nasties getting in there), the bacteria needed to populate the filter do a great job.

I test the water every Sunday and scrape any algae off the sides. Then do a 10% water change fortnightly, testing before and after, to make sure there isn't too much of a change for the mob. (Oranda, Cloud Mountain Minnows, Leopard and Spotted Danios. And Gary the Golden Apple Snail).


I'll just mention in passing that you do know your goldies won't 'grow to the size of the tank', but will grow bigger and bigger until they have to move home to somewhere more spacious? But I'll leave it there. I'm sure you will notice when they're getting a bit big.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

dont put a filter in that will blast water from one end to the other, this will cause hard swimming for you fish and cause fin damage such as splitting resulting in fin rot if it gets infected.

use of a undergraver filter with a dual outlet airpump and 2 airstone to push the muck to the surface, then use this http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?pq=undergravel+filter&hl=en&cp=8&gs_id=29&xhr=t&q=stingray+filter&rlz=1W1ADFA_en&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=600&bs=1&wrapid=tljp1325619205968232&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17037096019394283815&sa=X&ei=VVgDT8CBIMzG8QPKv9SwAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQ8wIwAA#

in conjunction to filter it.
a filters aim is to turn ammonia into nitrite then onto nitrate at safe level for the fish. as this takes time with new filters about 4 weeks to establish a good bacteria colony then another 6-12 to fully establish the colony to effectivly remove ammonia and nitrite into nitrate at safer levels whilst doing this "cycle" (as its called) do regular water changes 10% twice a week you have a small tank wich is harder to keep fish in because the water volume is small more fish you add to smaller water volumes higher the ammonia level gets effectivly burning the fish and causing death and disease.

ive kept fish for last 3 and half years untill i wound it up just before christmas. i had a small tank and kept upgrading untill i hit 5ft by 2ft by 2ft tank, running cost got stupidly high and i wound it up and will get a nano reef in the summer. have fun and enjoy.

TOP TIP. get a filter that is in use that has no water issues, in wich case, a USED filter would be best scour gumtree, somepeople sell their tanks complete with fish and eqiupment for £20-£40 i would by one rather than new use the filter from it and then give the fish away and resell the rest fo tank and ornimants.

bikelesschick

Hi there!

Can I just clarify that at present you don't have a pump at all? If this is the case, I'd strongly recommend you get one asap.

As someone already mentioned goldfish are very messy fish and this affects the quality of the water.

As it's been mentioned, your tank is a bit small for your goldfish as well. I've used the dimensions given and estimated the volume of your tank to be around 36 litres. With goldfish being such messy fish, ideally you'd need about 120/130L for three. I know this may sound a lot but they can grow quite big if well looked after!

On that note, you don't mention what type of goldfish you have, if you mean the 'standard' goldfish, then I'd probably suggest you give them away to someone who has a pond and get some fancy goldfish instead... or another type of fish...

Ideally this is what I'd suggest:
- instead of getting a new filter for your current tank, get a 2nd hand tank that comes with a suitable filter for that tank.
- buy a liquid test kit (the strip ones are very inaccurate). The kits may sound expensive but if you play your cards right, it's an 'one off expense' as they last 'forever'. There are three main things you should be testing for: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Ammonia levels should be 0 - anymore than this and you need to change the water until it's reached 0. Nitrites should also be 0 - again, any levels higher than this require a water change. Nitrates levels below 60. If you'd like to know what the quality of your water is at present, you might be able to take a sample to your 'local fish shop' and they might be able to test it for you. Make sure you ask for the numbers rather than 'if it's ok'.
- change your water weekly, even if it's 10%. I'd probably recommend you change a lot more and much more often with the size of your tank and no pump. Also, always match the water temperature to that of the tank water and always, always, always add dechlorinator before adding the water to the tank.

Apologies for the long post. The above are obviously just my opinion based on what I have learned from keeping fish myself. I have made many mistakes in the past and I'm just passing the wisdom on:beer:

silkyuk9

This is my fish and tank.

Ive had these fish for over 5 years, always had a few gold fish in my house. Not sure the type of fish they are but the little gold one was bought for 75p at a pet shop and the other 2 the slightly bigger gold one was inheritted along with the small white and red one.

There is no way im giving them away as suggested as these are part of my family. I love my fish and take care of them as best as I can with the ability and resources I have. When I clean them out I put in some Aqua Safe, or some Safe Gaurd and feed then once a day with those fish flakes. They always seem fine and never had any issues in 5 years ive had them.

Absinthe_2

Have a look on Amazon, they usually have something on sale. They have a decent sized section for aquariums, and accessories.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

silkyuk9 wrote: »

This is my fish and tank.

Ive had these fish for over 5 years, always had a few gold fish in my house. Not sure the type of fish they are but the little gold one was bought for 75p at a pet shop and the other 2 the slightly bigger gold one was inheritted along with the small white and red one.

There is no way im giving them away as suggested as these are part of my family. I love my fish and take care of them as best as I can with the ability and resources I have. When I clean them out I put in some Aqua Safe, or some Safe Gaurd and feed then once a day with those fish flakes. They always seem fine and never had any issues in 5 years ive had them.

nice fishies, they look full size tank bred goldies.

the tank level here is how much water you should take out 3 times a week and fill lower part of the black strip, putting an air pump in there will give you problems and any filter will be strong a current for the fish to swim in.

the under gravel filter with airstone will put too much oxy in the water and cause swim bladder to your fishies. any mechanical internal filter will cause a water current too strong for the fishes fins causing damage.

this tank is ideal for fry growth, or a siemese fighter (a temperate freshwater fish that doesnt require a heater to survive) only regular water changes required to keep ammonia at bay, siemese fighters have a laberynth organ so the breath oxy from the surface of the water.

ideally you would want a minimum of a 3ft tank for those three such as this
scour gumtree for a in use second hand setup to ensure the bacteria in filter is still active, there should also be some fish keeping groups on facebook where the will be enthusiasts selling and giving things away such as tanks filters foods etc.

you should upgrade your tank, but dont buy new, its not worth the hassle or the expense, and theres plenty of second hand out there like juwel vision bow front tanks that cost thousends brand new for £70 -80 with all the kit you need second hand.

think about it discuss with OH, measure up for room to make sure you could accomodate a new tank with its stand and electrical needs such as lighting and air pump and filter.

i had a juwel vision 450 5ft tank (450L capacity) i sold it just before christmas for £180, brand new with stand heater filter would cost £1,560. i made a loss on the tank as i bought it for £280 and was in better condition than when i got it when i sold it but wanted to wind it all up and get it out asap so priced to sell. just hunting around for a suitable small tank to build a nice little nano reef now and get going in the summer with it i love marine life, never know i may get a cleaner shrimps, and a clown fish if the tank is right too.