My new fish tank - but one death

silkyuk9

Going on from my previous thread regaring my poor fishes health ive got a new tank. Its a 64l Fish Box from Pets at Home. Im now up and running with a filter and 2 gold fish, unfortunately the white was was put out of its misery when I was told it had dropsey. My 2 fish seem happy in their new home now and ive treated the water with fin rot chemical (10ml) in 45 litres of water. According to the instructions I will redose in 7 days.

Just need to read up on filter cleaning and how often I clean the water. Before I read lots of info on how to properly care for my fish just a question or 2 from me to ease my anxiety.

filter cleaning every 4 to 6 weeks, correct?

As there is a full bag of aquariam gravel and 45 litres of water how often is a full clean needed?

is it worth putting in a few of those mussels you can buy on Ebay to help clean the water?

when I do a full clean how do I correctly clean the gravel which is the tiny blue and yellow kind.

Is it ok to turn filter off during bed hours, and all day when at work and turn on for a few hours in the evening?????

I'm going to read up on all this but a few pointers will be much appreciated.

Ad86

Cleaning the filter every 4 week will be ok yeah.
What kind of filter is it? If it contains sponge/foam only clean them in tank water and not tap water.

For cleaning gravel you are best of using a gravel vacuum, basically just put that in the tank when you want to replace some of the tanks water(should also be done once every 2-4weeks), as its removing water use it to "vacuum" over the gravel to remove bits.
When you change some of the tanks water make sure you use tap water treatment on the water before you put it into your tank (tap water isnt safe for fish, it needs the chlorine etc removing from it)

Leave the filter always on, it wont use much electric if thats what concerns you.

silkyuk9

Ad86 wrote: »

Cleaning the filter every 4 week will be ok yeah.
What kind of filter is it? If it contains sponge/foam only clean them in tank water and not tap water.

For cleaning gravel you are best of using a gravel vacuum, basically just put that in the tank when you want to replace some of the tanks water(should also be done once every 2-4weeks), as its removing water use it to "vacuum" over the gravel to remove bits.
When you change some of the tanks water make sure you use tap water treatment on the water before you put it into your tank (tap water isnt safe for fish, it needs the chlorine etc removing from it)

Leave the filter always on, it wont use much electric if thats what concerns you.

Thanks for that, no im not worried about the electricy just dont really leave things on in the house when we ar ein bed, except sky box.

Ive got a few chemcals maybe 5 all together the filter does not collect fish poo?? is that correct, ill check out a vacuum also.

cheepskate_2

We leave our Marine Tank on all the time, filter, lights pump.
If you dont leave the pump and filter on your water will become contaminated and have not enough oxygen.
If you have lights on your tank these should be set on a cycle (if your lights have one) as turning lights on/off all the time will stress them.

Mankysteve

1. did you fishless cycle ? if not that's why you had a death and will properly have more as your ammonia levels will be sky high.

2. The tank is far too small for 2 goldfish.

3. If you switch the filter off at night/going out all the ammonia eating bacterial will die though lack of oxygen, so leave it on always. You light can go off if your not keeping real plants.

I would go out there and research the ammonia - nitride- Nitrogen cycle.
Find the goldfish a new home and get something more appropriate for that size of tank.

If you keep the fish you need to get a proper chemical test kits and you'll properly need to do daily water changes if you want your current fish to live on.

silkyuk9

This is a new tank just bought today recommended by pets at home so im not worried about the size, the previous tank was 18 inches by 12 by 12 with no filter. Ive had the fish for lots of years and its only recently that the issues started. Thats why ive got advise from an outlet and theyve provided me with a 60 litre tank and everything I need for healthy fish.

If you keep the fish you need to get a proper chemical test kits and you'll properly need to do daily water changes if you want your current fish to live on.[/

Mankysteve wrote: »

1. did you fishless cycle ? if not that's why you had a death and will properly have more as your ammonia levels will be sky high.

2. The tank is far too small for 2 goldfish.

3. If you switch the filter off at night/going out all the ammonia eating bacterial will die though lack of oxygen, so leave it on always. You light can go off if your not keeping real plants.

I would go out there and research the ammonia - nitride- Nitrogen cycle.
Find the goldfish a new home and get something more appropriate for that size of tank.


This is a new tank just bought today recommended by pets at home so im not worried about the size, the previous tank was 18 inches by 12 by 12 with no filter. Ive had the fish for lots of years and its only recently that the issues started. Thats why ive got advise from an outlet and theyve provided me with a 60 litre tank and everything I need for healthy fish.

If you keep the fish you need to get a proper chemical test kits and you'll properly need to do daily water changes if you want your current fish to live on.

If you keep the fish you need to get a proper chemical test kits and you'll properly need to do daily water changes if you want your current fish to live on.

Ad86

Tbh a lot of pet shop staff are merely "sales assistants".
Ive heard loads of staff giving people terrible advice face to face.
Such as set the tank up for 2days and then add your fish, "goldfish are fine in a goldfish bowls" etc. I personally think goldfish bowls should be banned from sale. Goldfish are best in ponds which huge amounts of water and filtering capacity.

Your best advice will come from someone who is/has had a lot of successful experience with keeping fish.

Froglet

I'm sorry Siliky but you seem to have believed pets at home over people like myself and others on here who have years of experience in keeping fish.

On your last thread i gave you a list of what you needed for the 2 fish you have left.I gave you a good link to Practical Fishkeeping site.I also know you read my post about how long i have had goldfish and how they have thrived and bred in my large ponds.I'm not saying everyone can afford to go to the lengths i have but there are alternatives when keeping them indoors

2 goldfish should NOT be made to live in 64 litres of water.It is cruel and they will go on suffering because ,like i said,they need a minimum of a 4 ft tank with over 60 galls.45 litres equates to about 10 gallons when you take into account the displacement of gravel,filter and any ornaments.

Pets at home have duped you to get a sale and only when,as ad86 says,you believe what experienced people advise,will you see happy healthy fish.Chemicals can never replace getting the basics right.Had you read the advice on the PF site you would know what you need and all about filters and water changes.

Mankysteve

I wouldn't trust PAH to recommend how to look after a brick, never mind a fish. They just want your money the more fish you kill the better for them,

Fire_Fox

Please run an advanced search, the experts on here have gone to great lengths to explain what size tank and what treatments are necessary and have posted useful links. Pet stores know very little, the fact that they sell animals to anyone who walks in and how they keep them says it all.

Froglet

Not just PAH either,most pet shops don't have a clue,or worse still,they do but as you say,just want to make money through bad advice.

Considering many pets at home stores actually have vet clinics within them it is appalling that such advice is still being given out.

There ought to be a minimum size made and sold for fish,whether tropical or coldwater,as their needs differ according to the size of fish.Because most people buy goldfish when quite small,they seem to think they will stay that way.

I also believe there should be for birds and small mammals too.Breaks my heart to see creatures crammed into tiny cages and hutches .What a miserable rotten life.