mercurybebe

I just got another tank....big shocker right

I would like to reorganize ALL my tanks because I want to change the decor, etc. and I am not sure my black moors are happy.

My first question is about the goldfish...they are in my 30g hexagon tank which is tall but doesn't have a large footprint. The smaller of the two has lost weight since I got them (saved them from being flushed when I bought their home on craigslist!) and I am wondering if it is because he doesn't have enough room on the floor of the tank to forage for food? I was thinking that maybe they would do better in my 30g normal-shaped tank?

I am also concerned that their water temp dropped to 59 degrees and they got sluggish so I added a small heater (50 watts) and it brought the temp up to 72. What is the highest they should be at?

Anyway...the new tank is 35g and even though it was up and running with fish (I rescued them too, what is WRONG with people?!?) I am letting it run fish-free for a while to make sure it is cycled...I added seeded media, etc.

Lastly, I have a zillion platy fry in a 10g so that is the one that is being taken down....either they go into the 30g Hex or the regular 30g to grow out...
I hope this isn't too confusing and I appreciate your help! All my fish are listed in my signature!

iloveengl

Gremlin (a forum member who owns many pretty goldies and is very knowledgeable) recently mentioned that goldies are very much okay with temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Here's that link: Fluctuating Temperatures?. She seems to imply that cooler water is okay (they're actually cool water fish). I don't think he needs the heater.

Congrats on the new tank, btw! I know you'll get more (and more knowledgeable!) responses soon. Best wishes and have fun with all that aquascaping.

aquarist48

Hello MercuryBebe. I would like to suggest that you keep the temperatures above 60. How did it drop so low? When they start falling below 60 the fish will become sluggish as they tend to hibernate during the winter and become pretty much motionless until spring. My Gold Fish tank stays at room temperature which is about 72 degrees with no heater. I think your Goldies should do well in either tank.
Congrats on the rescue. I know you're a great fish mom!
Keep us posted.
Ken

peacemaker92

Hi MercuryBee. Congrats on the new tank! Ken and iloveengl has got you covered. Good luck!

bolivianbaby

Hi, MercuryBebe, glad to see you around again! My goldies like swim space, so maybe they'd be better in the 35g and then have the platys in the 30g hexagonal tank

I hope this helps!

mercurybebe

Hi BB...we had swine flu hit the house BAD for pretty much all of October and my stepfather passed away suddenly last week, so things have been very hectic...I am just now getting back online.

I was thinking that the platy fry would do well in the 30g hex as they are so active and swim all over the place! The goldies do swim vertically but I am concerned that because there is such a small place for them to forage on the ground of the tank that the larger of the two is getting all the food...hence the weight loss on the smaller guy.

Their tank water got so cold because it didn't have a heater and its COLD here in upstate ny! They definitely seem happier now that the temp is higher, I just wasn't sure how high it can go with them being coldwater fish.

bolivianbaby

I'm so sorry for your loss.