No filter for Oranda Goldfish

[FishLibrarian]

Hello,
I work at a library that has two Oranda goldfish. I am in charge of taking care of them and BOTH of the filters in the 29 gallon tank will not turn back on after I finished the water change. Because it is considered “unethical” for me to buy a new filter for them, (I have to wait to get approval and for the library to buy it) I am wondering how long the fish can survive without the filters! I know the filters are what create the oxygen in the water so I’m really nervous they’re not going to be able to wait days for the library to buy one.

 

[mattgirl]

Welcome to Fishlore

Have you looked into why they won't turn back on. You may need to take the impeller out and clean it. When you put it back together make sure it is seated properly. If the filters were working before turning them off to do the water change there shouldn't be much wrong with them a bit of cleaning won't fix. Some filters don't self prime so be sure to fill them up before plugging them back in.

 

[FishLibrarian]

Welcome to Fishlore

Have you looked into why they won't turn back on. You may need to take the impeller out and clean it. When you put it back together make sure it is seated properly. If the filters were working before turning them off to do the water change there shouldn't be much wrong with them a bit of cleaning won't fix. Some filters don't self prime so be sure to fill them up before plugging them back in.

Yes, I am going to take them out and clean them, but they are pretty old so I am afraid they’re just dying. One of them makes a grinding noise when it is on, which I know can’t be good. Should I clean them in the water I took out from the water change? I don’t want to kill the healthy bacteria in the filters.

 

[mattgirl]

Yes, I am going to take them out and clean them, but they are pretty old so I am afraid they’re just dying. One of them makes a grinding noise when it is on, which I know can’t be good. Should I clean them in the water I took out from the water change? I don’t want to kill the healthy bacteria in the filters.

You aren't cleaning the media. You are cleaning the filter housing and most importantly the impeller. But yes, clean it in the water you've pulled from the tank. I actually take everything out of my HOB filter. Drop all the media in a bucket of tank water and take the filter housing to the kitchen sink to clean it. I don't scrub the inside. I just use my sprayer to clean all the loose detritus out of it. I pay special attention to the hole the impeller sits in and to the impeller itself. Lots of times this gets my filters running like new again.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

The grinding noise may be because the filter has not been primed. = sucked up enough water to start the flow. You need to get a cup, and pour tank water in the filter until it catches. It should stop grinding immediately if that was the issue.

If the fish end up without a filter for any amount of time. You can take a cup a scoop up tank water, then pour it in the tank from a distance that creates bubbles, do this a few times, and repeat whenever possible. This will get oxygen into the water. Or if it isn't "unethical" You could get a battery-operated air pump for them.

 

[kansas]

You probly want to water changes daily till you get a filter running.

 

[RayClem]

Orandas are huge consumers of food and producers of waste products. A 29 gallon tank is too small for even a single Oranda, much less two of them. The only "good" thing is that when goldfish are in a cramped environment, they secrete hormones which will stunt further growth; not exactly ideal. In a suitable tank, they can grow up to 8-12 inches in length. Obviously, they will not reach that size in a 29 gallon tank.

Having two filters is ideal. Hopefully, you can take the filters apart, clean all the parts and put it back together again. Fill the filter with water before restarting the filters. If the motor has not burned out, it might work.

When doing water changes, turn off power to the filters (and heater if there is one) until the tank has been refilled. Then start it up again. The motors used to drive the filters are water cooled. Water also serves to lubricate bearings/bushings. If the water level falls below the intake of the filter, the pump can be damaged permanently.

 

[Jonmott]

What filter brand?
As said above “grinding” sounds like it’s not primed, fill the filter with tank water and top off the tank, should be able to prime it pretty easily.