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Author Topic:   Re:
irene81
Member

Posts: 14
From:Lynwood, CA USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-13-2003 12:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for irene81     Edit/Delete Message
any help please?

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irene81
Member

Posts: 14
From:Lynwood, CA USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-13-2003 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for irene81     Edit/Delete Message
Sorry! I meant to put this under reply not new post. But here it is:

Hi! Well although my goldfish is currently in a 30 gal., the 60 gal. tank has already been purchased. Won't be set up for a bit until I can have all the supplies ready. Question #1, as stupid as this may seem, can someone explain the whole ph level thing to me? He does swim/float, whatever you'd like to call it close to the top, but I just thought he was breathing, and then he'll just swim around like any other fish. I do have some plants bought already, but they are not in the tank with him. I have them in a separate tank since I want to be sure my little fish won't get infected with anything before planting them in his tank. As far as snails, I bought them too, and should be arriving shortly, I ordered a few different kinds, and I know for a fact, they at least come in pairs, and I don't want no hatchlings. I am also going to be receiving 5 freshwater clams. I don't plan on putting them in the tank with him until I'm sure they don't have anything that can harm him. I do want a pleco but don't know if it is best to still get one? Also what are powerheads? And how are they attached, and what do they do? Also, would you recommend an undergravel filter? Sorry for so many questions, but I don't know all that much other than a few basics. I've been looking for books, but don't know which ones are the best? If you have any up to-date books for sell, please let me know. Also, I think my goldfish are those feeder ones, unless they have a different name. Thanks in advance.
Oh, and I forgot, when I first got him he had fin rot, and really skinny. Now he looks a healthy weight, and has beautiful fins. Also, how often would you clean his water, and do you vacuum the gravel yourself, and if I forgot something else, just let me know. Any advice helps. Thanks.

Oh, and to be sure, he doesn't need to be in schools does he? He can be by himself right?

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kc5gvn

Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 10-14-2003 12:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for kc5gvn     Edit/Delete Message
Hello irene81, You're doing fine with your setup. A 60 gallon tank is more than enough room for a Goldfish unless it's a Koi. If it is a Koi it can outgrow the 60 but even that will be on down the road. Generally you try to run the tank at a neutral PH of 7.0. Don't get overly concerned about PH. Too often people worry too much about keeping the PH neutral and create large PH changes which IS more harmful to the fish. Depending on the type of water treatment in your area the PH of your tap water can be anywhere from 7.0 on up to more alkaline water as high as 8.5. Just aclimate your Goldfish into the new water slowly and you shouldn't have a problem. I would suggest using a PH buffer in the water prior to aclimating your Goldfish to help keep him from going into PH shock. There's not really any black magic to PH. Your fish give off waste which makes the water more acid or causes the PH to drop. This is part of the reason for doing water changes. To keep the tank from becoming too acid. Powerheads attach to the riser tubes on undergravel filters. Originally UG filters just used airflow to pull water from underneath the gravel up the riser tube and out into the tank. The use of powerheads created more water movement (displacement), and thereby more filtration. The only real potential problem I see with your setup is the addition of freshwater clams. If you run into any problems in the tank you will need to avoid any copper cures and probably anything with dyes in it like analine green because of the clams. Hope this helps and hasn't made it more confusing to you.

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katanas_edge
Member

Posts: 266
From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-15-2003 09:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for katanas_edge     Edit/Delete Message
To disinfect plants check out www.aquabotanic.com/disinfect.htm. It has quite a few options and tips. "Feeder" fish are probably common goldfish, or perhaps a comet. Comets have a little longer fins and somewhat skinnier bodies. Both make excellent fish pets (mine are starting to learn to eat from my hands) They will swim at the top somewhat. Just make sure they don't stay there for extended periods and appear to gasp or jump. This may indicate low oxygen or high ammonia. With one fish in 30 gallons of water, don't stress too much about PH. Opimally, for goldfish, keep it around 7.2-7.6 Steady PH is more important though, as kc5gvn stated, PH 7.0 (neutral water) may be easiest and is certainly acceptable. Test the water in your tap, the PH is most likely fine for your tank (dechlorinate though!)
Powerheads attach to your undergravel filter. They draw the water through the gravel, filtering it. Some have attachments through which air is drawn into the outlet, aerating the water. A pleco is a fascinating fish, but will damage plants. If you want to try him out though, let algae growth start in the tank before putting him in so he has something to eat. If he cleans the tank spotless, supplement his diet with algae wafers and pieces of zucchini/cucumber weighted so they sink to the bottom. If he's full, he might not snack on the plants (although mine did anyway). The common and comet goldfish is fast enough that there shouldn't be compatibility problems. If he doesn't work out in the planted tank, you can always put him in with whatever else is going into the other tank. They do get big though (the bristlenose doesn't get quite so big) It's nice to see someone so dedicated to learning the hobby.

[This message has been edited by katanas_edge (edited 10-16-2003).]

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