Goldfish Water Changes

I have 3 goldfish in my aquarium tank for close to three years now. It does not have an airstone or a filter or any plants except for two silk plants. I change the water 90% once a week but add prime to tap water from a hose. I don't grow beneficial bacteria. The tank is outside but algae grows hence the need for a water change.

The tank is three foot long and I cover 3 sides of the glass to prevent algae and part of the top as well. Algae still grows but is more dependent on a combination of heat and sunlight striking the tank. In summer it grows faster than winter. I do not treat algae with medication.

Do any of you fish keepers require cycling to raise goldfish? I know in my other tropical tanks I can't do the same. Outside I do not have electrical points to enable pumps or filters for the goldfish

 

just get rid of them.....No filter man.......really!! Give them away or get them a 60 gallonaquairum and cycle it and keep it with a powerful filter. if this is not possible I suggest gifing them to a lps/lfs/someone with a proper set-up

 

just get rid of them.....No filter man.......really!! Give them away or get them a 60 gallonaquairum and cycle it and keep it with a powerful filter. if this is not possible I suggest gifing them to a lps/lfs/someone with a proper set-up

They aren't gasping due to no filter and they seem right eating and pooping. Maybe we are all too text book right?

I've seen them in a shallow pond at my local garden nursery. I only don't understand why the goldfish aren't bothered without filtration or BB filters. Moreover my friend has a four foot long tank inside his house without all those things espoused as 'necessary'. Maybe goldfish are a different class altogether. Besides his goldfish are spawning with hatchlings so he can't be wrong about the lack of a filter or a bubbler.

Anyone raised goldfish with similar environments?

It might not be necessary unlike tropical fish which are much more delicate

 

Goldfish are pretty resilient and will survive in less than ideal situations but why put the fish trew that?

 

Goldfish need a filter. Holy heck! They are incredible waste-makers.

 

Goldfish of *all* fish need filters. I've heard a story about someone found a goldfish in a cup of beer become some drunk guy scooped him out and threw him in his beer.

They need filters and just because they're not dying and gasping at the surface dosen't mean they're healthy and great.

 

I

Goldfish of *all* fish need filters. I've heard a story about someone found a goldfish in a cup of beer become some drunk guy scooped him out and threw him in his beer.

They need filters and just because they're not dying and gasping at the surface dosen't mean they're healthy and great.

I might source a battery pump since I got no power points outdoors. It's only a temporary solution.

 

You could also use an extension cord to a filter. That's what people do for ponds.

 

Where do you live that you have no outside power just curious? I know I'm Canada you *have* to because eveyone has to plug their cars in. I only have one plug in the front of the house so I have nothing in the back but worse case scenario I get 200 feet of extension cord and I can have lights by my fireplace. But I have a plug outside. The other theroy is that there is one under the deck but the deck's only a foot high so even if there was a way to get back there, I *aint* going back there.

 

Where do you live that you have no outside power just curious? I know I'm Canada you *have* to because eveyone has to plug their cars in. I only have one plug in the front of the house so I have nothing in the back but worse case scenario I get 200 feet of extension cord and I can have lights by my fireplace. But I have a plug outside. The other theroy is that there is one under the deck but the deck's only a foot high so even if there was a way to get back there, I *aint* going back there.

I ain't living on a farm but outdoors my house near the barbecue set I placed the tank. It would be untidy to stretch a long extension cord across to the tank which in itself is a trip hazard. There are solar pumps available but it's very low powered and it charges a battery cell connected to a pump. Most people if they make at the back a pond would have it connected to the mains near the main switch box. It's not practical to relocate the tank which has to sit at the side not at the back of the house. I have already 4 fish tanks in the house and that's testing the patience of the spouse lol.

Where do you live that you have no outside power just curious? I know I'm Canada you *have* to because eveyone has to plug their cars in. I only have one plug in the front of the house so I have nothing in the back but worse case scenario I get 200 feet of extension cord and I can have lights by my fireplace. But I have a plug outside. The other theroy is that there is one under the deck but the deck's only a foot high so even if there was a way to get back there, I *aint* going back there.

Are you saying you fellas run electric cars now? Every one is talking about them but not in Australia we would be the last to adopt them. We got a very huge land mass and making electric charging stations ubiquitous would be a tall ask. We're building a national broadband network and it's taking years and the speeds I wouldn't say is terrific.

 

I ain't living on a farm but outdoors my house near the barbecue set I placed the tank. It would be untidy to stretch a long extension cord across to the tank which in itself is a trip hazard. There are solar pumps available but it's very low powered and it charges a battery cell connected to a pump. Most people if they make at the back a pond would have it connected to the mains near the main switch box. It's not practical to relocate the tank which has to sit at the side not at the back of the house. I have already 4 fish tanks in the house and that's testing the patience of the spouse lol.



Are you saying you fellas run electric cars now? Every one is talking about them but not in Australia we would be the last to adopt them. We got a very huge land mass and making electric charging stations ubiquitous would be a tall ask. We're building a national broadband network and it's taking years and the speeds I wouldn't say is terrific.

HA! No. Block heaters. Keeps the motor above -25c so that it can start in the morning. Once it starts hitting -30 most cars need to be plugged it. It's easier on the motor when you want to start it in the morning. My one car I needed a battery heater as well because it was an old car and it was *such* a cold winter. I honesty don't know how they think electric cars will last in Canada. Winter is still brutal. They're pushing hybrids but that still has a gas motor so I can see it working better.

 

HA! No. Block heaters. Keeps the motor above -25c so that it can start in the morning. Once it starts hitting -30 most cars need to be plugged it. It's easier on the motor when you want to start it in the morning. My one car I needed a battery heater as well because it was an old car and it was *such* a cold winter. I honesty don't know how they think electric cars will last in Canada. Winter is still brutal. They're pushing hybrids but that still has a gas motor so I can see it working better.

Not that many people at all use electric cars in canada .... yet

I'm from Canada and I don't see many electric cars on the road

 

Not that many people at all use electric cars in canada .... yet

I'm from Canada and I don't see many electric cars on the road

Yeah... I don't see it taking off for anywhere outside of a major city. Toronto is pushing them more I think but yeah, not a lot of them. I know it will take a lot for me to go electric, the pickup trucks (that I'm dying to get one) don't have the power that a gas or diesel motor do.

 

I've had my goldfish since I was 11, and up until recently I was irresponsible and did monthly (sometimes every month and a half) water changes, resulting in the death of one of my beloved goldfish, Bingo. (he was awesome, he was white with an orange spot on the top of his head and a black spot in that orange spot) I now realize that 10 gallons might be too small, after doing a boatload of research (instead of having my mom do it like I used to), and am wondering this: Will two goldfish survive in 10 gallons with weekly 25% water changes? At least for 6 years until I move out and can get a 20 gallon tank? Thankies!

 

What kind of goldfish do you have? Species like Common Goldfish can get much larger than fancy goldfish. Regardless, I would not keep two goldfish in a ten gallon. In my opinion (Other opinions may differ), a single fancy goldfish needs at least a 20 gallon long, and Commons need much more than that.

 

They will be severely stunted which shortens their lifespan. Common goldfish need 40 gallons for 1 and then +20-30 for each additional goldfish. Fancies need 20 for 1 then +10 for other ones

 

10 gallons isn’t enough for even one goldfish, unfortunately. Especially if you’d only be changing 25% of the water weekly.

If you’re keeping a fancy variety, I wouldn’t go any smaller than a 20 gallon for one. And I’d be doing 100% water changes weekly.

 

For 6 years?? A common goldfish will be a foot long in 2-3 years.... if kept properly. That means a minimum of 180 gallons.

 

maybe if you get a little heater you could try tropical fish instead that way you don't need to wait until you move out!
Maybe a betta?

 

2 fancy goldfish in a 10 gallon would be crowded after a few years. they get 8-10 inches long about the size of a softball.
you'd probably have to do 50% water changes twice per week.

my cousin in Hong Kong had a common goldfish for many years in a 30ish gallon tank, it was about 14-15 inches long, about half the length of the tank.

 

A friend of mine was able to keep a single baby oranda in a 10 gallon with daily 50% water changes...and then in a few months she was upgraded to a 40 gallon. Sadly I think even with daily water changes and weekly testing of params keeping two goldfish in a 10 gallon is pushing it, my best advice would be to rehome the goldfish to someone who has the space to keep them in a big enough tank. I'm sorry, I completely sympathize with not having enough space for tanks.

However if you are going to keep them: upgrade your filter. For example, I have three fancies in a 40 gallon breeder, and my filtration is what would normally be seen on 300 gallon tanks. You have a ten gallon so I would try and get something that would normally go on a 50 or 100 gallon tank.

 

Assuming your profile age is correct, then that means you kept them for at least 4 years, more or less. If this is true, then sure, go for it. The only difference now and the last few years is that you are now more knowledgeable. Keep up with weekly water changes.

 

for 6 months maybe, but not 6 years. The fish will be extremely stunted...technically it already is though.

You have had this goldfish since you were 11 years old, that makes it 4 years old, which means if it is a common, it should already be 10-12 inches.

You said one died. Do you have 2 more?

I don't think the goldfish will survive 10 years in a 10 gallon. But I could be wrong. (4 years plus an additional 6)

Is there any way you can upgrade your tank for the next 6 years? Maybe a 30 gallon at least? If not, Is it a money issue or a space issue?

 

for 6 months maybe, but not 6 years. The fish will be extremely stunted...technically it already is though.

You have had this goldfish since you were 11 years old, that makes it 4 years old, which means if it is a common, it should already be 10-12 inches.

You said one died. Do you have 2 more?

I don't think the goldfish will survive 10 years in a 10 gallon. But I could be wrong. (4 years plus an additional 6)

Is there any way you can upgrade your tank for the next 6 years? Maybe a 30 gallon at least? If not, Is it a money issue or a space issue?

Oh my gosh I never realized I stunted my little guy so much! I started with one I won from a carnival. He died the morning we were going to put him in the 10 gallon tank, because the stupid carnival didn't give us any idea at all of what to do, so we researched and ran the 10 gallon for 2 days, we were going to put him in and he died.

A month later, I went to petco and got three fish: Freddie, Bingo, and Sammy. We went on a trip a few months later, and the petco guy said that one of those gel fish food things would be perfectly fine. Bingo ate too much of it while we were gone.We came back and the tank was cloudy, and Bingo was still alive but looking pretty bad. He died the next morning.
I got another fish later (I was 12 and was determined to keep 3 goldfish.) and named it Benny.
So now I had Freddie, Benny and Sammy.
Sammy later had a birth defect appear, like, his jaw looked like a figure 8 almost. Because he couldn't eat, he died within the next 2 days.
I had Freddie and Benny left. They were the only fish I had for a year. Then my cat somehow scooted the lid and caught Benny, and ate him. I only have freddie now (sorry for this whole novel).

I might be able to convince my mom for a 15 gallon. She thinks our floor can't support a 20g. I hope a 15 gallon will be a little better for my little guy. It's also a matter of space. My mom doesn't think I have space for a stand for the 20 gallon. She also doesn't want the 20 gallon to flood the house if it breaks.I don't really know what to do.

 

I might be able to convince my mom for a 15 gallon. She thinks our floor can't support a 20g. I hope a 15 gallon will be a little better for my little guy. It's also a matter of space. My mom doesn't think I have space for a stand for the 20 gallon. She also doesn't want the 20 gallon to flood the house if it breaks.I don't really know what to do.

Is your house really tiny or are you in an apartment? Any of those shouldn’t be a problem if it’s not. And tanks don’t randomly break

 

And tanks don’t randomly break

Tell that to Thunder_o_b His was a 150 gallon tank. It has been known to happen but fortunately I don't think it happens often.

 

Oh my gosh I never realized I stunted my little guy so much! I started with one I won from a carnival. He died the morning we were going to put him in the 10 gallon tank, because the stupid carnival didn't give us any idea at all of what to do, so we researched and ran the 10 gallon for 2 days, we were going to put him in and he died.

A month later, I went to petco and got three fish: Freddie, Bingo, and Sammy. We went on a trip a few months later, and the petco guy said that one of those gel fish food things would be perfectly fine. Bingo ate too much of it while we were gone.We came back and the tank was cloudy, and Bingo was still alive but looking pretty bad. He died the next morning.
I got another fish later (I was 12 and was determined to keep 3 goldfish.) and named it Yahtzee.
So now I had Freddie, Yahtzee and Sammy.
Sammy later had a birth defect appear, like, his jaw looked like a figure 8 almost. Because he couldn't eat, he died within the next 2 days.
I had Freddie and Yahtzee left. They were the only fish I had for a year. Then my cat somehow scooted the lid and caught Yahtzee, and ate him. I only have freddie now (sorry for this whole novel).

I might be able to convince my mom for a 15 gallon. She thinks our floor can't support a 20g. I hope a 15 gallon will be a little better for my little guy. It's also a matter of space. My mom doesn't think I have space for a stand for the 20 gallon. She also doesn't want the 20 gallon to flood the house if it breaks.I don't really know what to do.

I didn't say that to make you feel bad. You are not the first to be sent home with a fish from a carnival with no idea what to do with it. It shocks me that that still goes on today. But it does. Its exactly how I got into the hobby years ago. My daughter won a few goldfish at a carnival. I thought I was doing them a huge favor with a 10 gallon tank! (my naïve self thinking that so many are kept in bowls, so a 10 gallon would be great right??) We ultimately did not keep them and switched to tropical fish. I now have 18 tanks and breed fish like a crazy person. HAHA THOSE DARN CARNIVAL FISH! I tell you!!

In reality, I think you did more for those carnival fish than most. You got them a filtered tank. Many don't even get that much. Most die before they even get won by anyone. And a huge majority of other common goldfish are sold as feeder fish and live short lives for that reason.

Its clear that you care very much for your goldfish. And while he would very much benefit from a much much larger tank, I understand that's not an option for you right now. And common goldfish can be hard to rehome.

Just do your best to convince your mom to let you get something larger for him. And make sure whatever you get has a nice secure lid to protect them from your cat A 15 gallon has the same footprint as a 20g, its just shorter. So it would still give the fish the same amount of horizontal swimming space.

 

Is your house really tiny or are you in an apartment? Any of those shouldn’t be a problem if it’s not. And tanks don’t randomly break

No, I live in a house that's like 1000 SQ feet or something like that. Try convincing my mom, lol. She always thinks the worst of things.

 

Tell that to Thunder_o_b His was a 150 gallon tank. It has been known to happen but fortunately I don't think it happens often.

Bigger tanks break/crack more easily

 

No, I live in a house that's like 1000 SQ feet or something like that. Try convincing my mom, lol. She always thinks the worst of things.

I lived in an apartment that was less than 1000 square feet, and it definitely could have fit a 20g! We had a 10 sitting on a floating counter/bar thingy forever when I was a kid. Had 5 goldies in it.

 

I didn't say that to make you feel bad. You are not the first to be sent home with a fish from a carnival with no idea what to do with it. It shocks me that that still goes on today. But it does. Its exactly how I got into the hobby years ago. My daughter won a few goldfish at a carnival. I thought I was doing them a huge favor with a 10 gallon tank! (my naïve self thinking that so many are kept in bowls, so a 10 gallon would be great right??) We ultimately did not keep them and switched to tropical fish. I now have 18 tanks and breed fish like a crazy person. HAHA THOSE DARN CARNIVAL FISH! I tell you!!

In reality, I think you did more for those carnival fish than most. You got them a filtered tank. Many don't even get that much. Most die before they even get won by anyone. And a huge majority of other common goldfish are sold as feeder fish and live short lives for that reason.

Its clear that you care very much for your goldfish. And while he would very much benefit from a much much larger tank, I understand that's not an option for you right now. And common goldfish can be hard to rehome.

Just do your best to convince your mom to let you get something larger for him. And make sure whatever you get has a nice secure lid to protect them from your cat A 15 gallon has the same footprint as a 20g, its just shorter. So it would still give the fish the same amount of horizontal swimming space.

Yeah, plus our local Walmart only has 10 gallon tanks, and my mom didn't want to order a tank online because it might break in shipping. Yeah, I was determined to give my fish a good life. I first had a dinky 10 gallon filter then upgraded to a 20 gallon filter, just for better flow because I went through 3 10 gallon filters in a year (dang cheap walmart). I know some people think it's crazy to be so...caring for a goldfish (someone once told me "It's just a fish. It'll die anyways") but to me they're my babies. Heck, I bawl my eyes out when one dies. And then people really think I'm crazy.
Yeah, I will try to really prove to my mom that I'm responsible enough for a bigger tank. Yeah, the reason the lid isn't secure is because we got it from walmart and the lids for the 10 gallon tanks are meant for 10 gallon filters (understandably) so they have a little notch cur into them for that, and the 20 gallon filter is just a little bit bigger, so it won't fit into the lid. I'm having my dad use his little tool that has a heated blade to cut the plastic, that way it fits better. I'm actually searching amazon right now for a good 15 gallon and maybe a good 20 gallon tank (if mom permits).

 

20 gallons of water is just under 170lbs, roughly the weight of a person. Your floor would easily handle that weight.

 

Bigger tanks break/crack more easily

I had a 37 gallon cross brace brake and the front glass cracked this last spring.

 

I lived in an apartment that was less than 1000 square feet, and it definitely could have fit a 20g! We had a 10 sitting on a floating counter/bar thingy forever when I was a kid. Had 5 goldies in it.

My mom wants me to have my fish in my room, not in the house MY dad's not so hard to convince. My mom thinks the following:
The floor won't support a 20g
I'm not responsible enough for a 20g
We don't have space for a 20g
Freddie won't benefit from a 20g
My dad thinks the following:
The floor can support our fridge, it can support a 20g
I'm being responsible enough for a 20g
If I clean my room up, I'll have space for a 20g
Freddie will benefit extremely from a 20g

Kind of a household debate. In the meantime, I'm researching bettas because my mom said "It's either a betta or a 20 gallon tank" and she wins arguments a lot soooo

 

I had a 37 gallon cross brace brake and the front glass cracked this last spring.

37 is still bigger than 20

 

I had a 37 gallon cross brace brake and the front glass cracked this last spring.

holy cow! ONLY 37 Gallons broke that easily!? I'm intimidated lol

 

Team Dad all the way over here

 

Yeah, plus our local Walmart only has 10 gallon tanks, and my mom didn't want to order a tank online because it might break in shipping. Yeah, I was determined to give my fish a good life. I first had a dinky 10 gallon filter then upgraded to a 20 gallon filter, just for better flow because I went through 3 10 gallon filters in a year (dang cheap walmart). I know some people think it's crazy to be so...caring for a goldfish (someone once told me "It's just a fish. It'll die anyways") but to me they're my babies. Heck, I bawl my eyes out when one dies. And then people really think I'm crazy.
Yeah, I will try to really prove to my mom that I'm responsible enough for a bigger tank. Yeah, the reason the lid isn't secure is because we got it from walmart and the lids for the 10 gallon tanks are meant for 10 gallon filters (understandably) so they have a little notch cur into them for that, and the 20 gallon filter is just a little bit bigger, so it won't fit into the lid. I'm having my dad use his little tool that has a heated blade to cut the plastic, that way it fits better. I'm actually searching amazon right now for a good 15 gallon and maybe a good 20 gallon tank (if mom permits).

I promise you no one here on fishlore thinks your crazy for caring so much and crying over losses. We would think you were crazy if you DIDNT care so much!! lol But that is why I am here on fishlore. The fish hobby would not be NEARLY as fun for me if it weren't for my fishlore family! Because my family and friends at home are sick and tired of listening to my fish stories!!

It sounds like you are very responsible. And I hope your mom will see that. Your dad is ABSOLUTLEY the winner of that household debate. I hope you can both convince her.

In the mean time, I suggest giving him at least a couple water changes per week. Technically stunting is caused more by water quality than tank size. And its hard to keep good water quality with a messy goldfish in a tiny tank.

 

+1 to Team Dad!

 

Yeah, I am really glad my dad supports my wanting a 20 gallon tank. Ok, 2 water changes per week? How much water should be removed when I do that? 25%? 50%? Oh, one more question. My Nitrates (or nitrites, I don't remember) are around 200 PPM (I am ashamed of myself). I know it's in the stress zone or something (I can't get to my water test records because they are in my bedroom and my cats are in there so they don't escape, so I'm not too sure). How can I lower that? I also tried the little Tetra CorrectPH tabs and those didn't have much effect...should I use multiple tabs, or not?