New Aquarium (well water Question at end) - Now with pictures

I guess a little backstory is necessary.. I can't say that I'm ready to get (myself or my husband) attacked, but I'm expecting it.. anyway..
husband built a pond this summer, got some plants started, he's done lots of research into setting up a pond that will function pretty naturally without the need of mechanical filtration; please don't ask questions about the pond, because I don't know, it's not my project or what I have questions about. The pond is mostly an aquatic plant project, adding fish is more to benefit the plants than anything (by providing nutrients), and to control the plants. The plan was to wait on getting fish until spring at least, so any research that had been done on pond fish was minimal.. of course waiting is not what happened. We were given a couple small fan tail goldfish, which we soon learned are not great pond candidates, but they appeared to be doing okay. Then they disappeared, we didn't see them at all for several days, we thought one of the raccoons ate them (we get a lot of wildlife out here and have trail cam pictures of raccoons at the pond at night). Again, we should have waited until spring to try again, but husband bought three comet goldfish "feeder fish" which should do much better in the pond. A few days later he found one of the fan tail goldfish dead. And about a week later, Thursday night I think, he found the other fan tail barely alive. Not knowing what the problem was, we unsucessfully tried to save it by moving it inside (we had a brand new been-sitting-empty-for-a-year aquarium). After finding the smallest of the comet goldfish dead the next morning, and again, not knowing why the fish are dying (maybe too cold, maybe the water doesn't have enough oxygen, maybe they're starving, maybe it's a pH or chemical issue, but the pond ISN'T what I have questions about right now, there are no fish in it now) we moved the remaining two fish to the aquarium inside. And I'm fairly certain husband's been convinced to not get any more fish for awhile. We intend to keep the two goldfish in this aquarium at least until spring, more likely they will get to stay longer. I understand goldfish need more space than this.

So, here's what we have set-up now:
A 29 gallon aquarium temporarily without substrate stocked with two small (for now) comet goldfish. One is currently 2", the other is smaller.
A hang-on-the-back-style filter rated for 20-40 gallons (sorry I don't know more than that, I didn't buy it). Two air stones on opposite ends of the tank.
No heater. Temperature is at 65F. Suitable for goldfish. The tank is not near a heater or a window.
This tank is filled with "tap water" (and some pond water) but we are on a small community well.
I have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit on order. I tested the water this morning with a pH strip that is intended for testing the pH of human saliva or urine, it's something we had around the house and I don't know how old these strips are so I'm not sure of accuracy either, but it was at pH: 6.75 (suitable for goldfish)
Some aquarium decor to hide in, several fake plants and two live plants.

UPDATE: (DAY 6)
Temperature: 63-64F
pH: 8.0-8.2
Ammonia: 0.5-1.0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
TDS: 84 (40 or under from tap)

Question:
With well water, what testing kit/s do I want to get? What metals do I need to test for? Or should I not even bother with this step now and just start using Prime asap (or another conditioner - recommendations please)?

edited out some typographical errors.

 

Get yourself the API master test kit liquid and prime ..
Don't worry about not getting things right at first not all of us did either !
Glad to have you aboard and sure there will be lots of help offered to you .
Welcome !

 

Get yourself the API master test kit liquid and prime ..
Don't worry about not getting things right at first not all of us did either !
Glad to have you aboard and sure there will be lots of help offered to you .
Welcome !

Thank you Coral!

 

I am surprised your water tested that acid...most well water is fairly alkaline.
You may qualify for free water testimg with your states Ag dept.
or there may be a record of water testing because you are on a community well.

Good luck with your comets, and I hope the pond turns out nice.

 

I am surprised your water tested that acid...most well water is fairly alkaline.
You may qualify for free water testimg with your states Ag dept.
or there may be a record of water testing because you are on a community well.

Good luck with your comets, and I hope the pond turns out nice.

That water test is something I'll need to look into! Thanks

The pond is beautiful and I love watching the birds bathe at the edge of it.
It would be cool if we could keep healthy fish in it eventually, but I love it either way.

 

We won't attack you. If anyone does they will be set straight pretty quick. We are a pretty nice folks and we have all been where you are. We didn't start out knowing everything there is to know about keeping fish. I have been doing it for many years and I am still learning.

You did the right thing coming to us. It is good that you have ordered the test kit. It contains most of the tests you will need to keep and eye on your water. (PH both high and low, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. And get a bottle of Seachem Prime. It is first and foremost a very concentrate water conditioner designed to remove chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals. Since you are on a community well your water may not have any chlorine/chloramines but Prime goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia.

The most important thing you can do for your water pets right now is water changes. Since you don't have a way to test your water yet I highly recommend you change out half the water every other day. Once you get the test kit you may find that you don't have to do that much that often. For now it is better to be safe than sorry. Add enough Prime to treat the full 29 gallons with each water change.

 

I'm on well water also. I would recommend a cheap TDS meter to get an idea of what your water is like.

For me, I cannot use my well for drinking water or fish tanks. It has off the charts TDS. But if you're safe to drink your water, then chances are the fish would be okay. If your water has a metal-ly taste, I would use prime just to be on the safe side since it reduces heavy metals.

 

I'm on well water also. I would recommend a cheap TDS meter to get an idea of what your water is like.

For me, I cannot use my well for drinking water or fish tanks. It has off the charts TDS. But if you're safe to drink your water, then chances are the fish would be okay. If your water has a metal-ly taste, I would use prime just to be on the safe side since it reduces heavy metals.

^^^PLUS ONE ^^^ plus one

The meter I use and have used for years now .

 

I have well water also, and don't use any type of conditioner, but it's a private well so I know there's no chlorine. If you're on some type of community system yours may be treated with chlorine.

 

Thank you all for all the advice!
Definitely getting a TDS; I wouldn't say our water tastes metal-y, but it tastes really good and the only bottled water I ever drink has added minerals (other bottled water doesn't taste right) so.. our well water likely does too.

We are currently in the middle of our first ever water change! Plus we are adding substrate, so the fish are in a storage tote at the moment. Pictures coming soon!

Join us on our first water change adventure.
It's really not going so bad.






The water has cleared up great

 

Looks like a nice home. Your ph reading is probably not accurate. Your ph is likely higher as others stated. No big deal though goldfish are very adaptable.

One thing I’ll mention is they will likely outgrow that tank if you keep them in there long term. Also make sure you don’t over feed them. It’s a common problem for new and advanced fish keepers a like. I never over feed(yeah right my fish are fatties).

About the pond since you seem to be on your way. The fan tails never seemed to survive cold temps for me either so don’t think something is wrong with your pond. Also keep in mind feeder fish are not well cared for. I just bought 50 feeder guppies for my turtle and in a15 minute ride home 5-6 were dead. I’d wait until spring at this point. Make sure you remove the hunk and leaf debris from the pond, do a water change, and try again in spring. I run no filter at all on my pond and I’m very successful at it. Those filters for a 6,000 gallon pond are expensive. any pond questions ask and learn.
WelcoMe aboard.

 

Looks like a nice home. Your ph reading is probably not accurate. Your ph is likely higher as others stated. No big deal though goldfish are very adaptable.
...

It looks like I should have my water test kit tomorrow. I'm pretty excited to use it.

Thanks for the pond info. I'll message you with any questions this spring.
I know goldfish get quite big, but I have no idea how fast they grow. Do you expect they'll double in size within a few months?

Oh, and I have been wondering about how much to feed them, I've been going for feeding them too little rather than too much, but it is hard to tell.. I've heard to feed them twice a day as much as they can eat in 2 minutes, but these two don't go after the food, even when it sinks down passing an eye. So I just give them some trying to not over do it and they scavenge throughout the day. Is this normal for goldfish or do you think they're just used to scavenging from being in the pond?

 

It looks like I should have my water test kit tomorrow. I'm pretty excited to use it.

Thanks for the pond info. I'll message you with any questions this spring.
I know goldfish get quite big, but I have no idea how fast they grow. Do you expect they'll double in size within a few months?

Oh, and I have been wondering about how much to feed them, I've been going for feeding them too little rather than too much, but it is hard to tell.. I've heard to feed them twice a day as much as they can eat in 2 minutes, but these two don't go after the food, even when it sinks down passing an eye. So I just give them some trying to not over do it and they scavenge throughout the day. Is this normal for goldfish or do you think they're just used to scavenging from being in the pond?

Mine hit the food pretty hard but give them some time. Yes they do scavenge. Just increase you water changes if you let the food sit a bit.
they will grow pretty quick if the water is warm but they should be fine for a few months in that tank. Just play it by ear and see what happens.

 

I figure if I'm underfeeding them, they have some live plants in there they could eat.. Two of those plants came from the pond (parrot feather and azolla) and we weren't feeding them in the pond. Plus, they seem to be eating enough to poo regular. One of the two almost always has some poo trailing.

 

I use well water and have been fortunate enough to have a tds of less than 70. You might luck out

 

I figure if I'm underfeeding them, they have some live plants in there they could eat.. Two of those plants came from the pond (parrot feather and azolla) and we weren't feeding them in the pond. Plus, they seem to be eating enough to poo regular. One of the two almost always has some poo trailing.

Ahh. Yes one of their more endearing qualities.

 

UPDATE: I got my water test kit today and got to play scientist.
It is Day 6 and it seems the tank isn't cycling.

pH: 8.0-8.2
Ammonia: 0.5-1.0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

 

Its the high pH. Makes the cycle take longer it also creates an environment in which ammonia is more toxic. Give it time.

 

I'm on well water also. I would recommend a cheap TDS meter to get an idea of what your water is like.

For me, I cannot use my well for drinking water or fish tanks. It has off the charts TDS. But if you're safe to drink your water, then chances are the fish would be okay. If your water has a metal-ly taste, I would use prime just to be on the safe side since it reduces heavy metals.

I got my TDS meter today, can this go directly into the tank water?

I use well water and have been fortunate enough to have a tds of less than 70. You might luck out

The kitchen sink water got a 40, the bathroom sink water was a little lower, and the fridge water was 33 (the fridge has been telling us to change the filter for awhile..) Is this good?

 

Yup. how deep is the well?

 

Yup. how deep is the well?

I have no idea.. it's a small community well, not a private well.

 

Look into wonder shell to add to tank for your fish .
100 is pretty soft/low . Where you are at I could be attempting to breed the rarest Apistos ..
My RO sends out water that reads 20 then I mix it with my tap [350] to get 100 for my soft fish .
Everyone else goes in the 350 no problems ..
You immerse the tip of TDS pen in any water ..

 

I scooped out some water from the tank, tested it, and the TDS read 84, what would cause the aquarium water to be so much higher than the tap water? Our substrate (Black Diamond coal slag)?

 

I scooped out some water from the tank, tested it, and the TDS read 84, what would cause the aquarium water to be so much higher than the tap water? Our substrate (Black Diamond coal slag)?

It is usually the substrate or rocks added to tank that raise TDS ..NOt uncommon at all..
Everything else like food ,waste will also add up and count ..If you add any solid to tank and it dissolves into the water it counts ..

 

You can easily bring the TDS back down by doing 50-75% water changes