Advice Needed-Preparing Outdoor Tank For Winter

[fishnovice]

I'm new to fish and this is my first winter as a fishkeeper. I have a 4ft glass tank on a stand outdoors in a sheltered spot on my patio. Currently holds golden rudd 3-4inches long who originally came from a pond and were rehomed with me in May. I live in London where it rarely gets below zero, though last winter temp dropped to -5'C and we had snow for several days.

• Will the glass tank crack if temp drops below zero?If so, how can I prevent this?
• Will the rudd be OK at low temperatures?
• Should I carry on feeding them and what? They no longer seem keen on the floating pellets I feed them, not eating much

 

[three-fingers]

Reduce feeding, insulate the tank with polystyrene and/or bubblewrap and add a heater to bring the temp above 0*C. This is going to cost a bit in electricity, but at least it's only a small tank. Make sure the filters still going.

Speaking of which, you will need to build a big pond or re-home the rudd to someone else's pond, the tank is far too small and a very awkward method of keeping them. Your just going to end up with stunted and/or deformed fish.

 

[fishnovice]

Thanks for your advice, I'm planing to build a pond in spring. Till then,tank will do. I'll insulate it as you suggested but can't have a heater as it's outside with no electricity. Have to use an extension lead for the filter and unplug it when it rains and at night.It's a powerful pond filter and also aerates the water (bit too powerful for tank really) so can be used for pond later.

 

[Mozely]

Do you have a test kit for the water quality? The fishes reduced apetite could be due to poor water quality. If the filter is spending periods of time turned off I'm not sure how that will affect the bacteria.