RandomWiktor
Rabid Betta Activist
So, I have two 5-6" common goldfish being kept in a 30 gallon tank, soon to be updated to a 55 (wanted a 75, but I can't afford it right now ) within the next week or two. The current tank is having major algae issues. Like, to the extent that the filter got clogged with algae at one point. I'm concerned, obviously, about the wellbeing of the goldfish. They seem fine and the algae does not appear to bother them, but I can't see that much of it being indicative of a healthy tank environment.
I'm wondering if this means they are getting too dirty, which gives the algae enough fertilizer to grow, or if the issue is more that my mom leaves the light on all friggen day, and the tank gets a reasonable amount of natural sunlight since it is near a large glass door. If it is the former, I can clean them more often. The only stats I have at the moment are ammonia as I ran out earlier in the week and have been too busy at college to go out and buy them. The ammonia is fine; 0ppm.
The tank is currently not cycled, because I did not know what I was doing when I purchased them. The 55 gallon will by cycled (a fishless cycle; I don't want to risk hurting my boys), so hopefully that will help. However, if it doesn't help, and the algae is actually caused by the lighting, do you have any tips for keeping it down? I can't move the tank from where it is located because its the only place in the house with enough room for a large tank. However, is there a different type of lightbulb I should buy? I've just been using what comes with the tank - no idea what it is. Casts a vaguely purple-ish glow if that helps.
Also, if they are going to be in a 55, is there any type of algae eater that would work? I don't want to over-stock; I'm finding the whole "20 gallons per goldfish" rule to be absolute tripe. I also don't want an algae eater who is going to attack or be attacked, and it would of course need to be coldwater.
Thanks in advance for any tips
I'm wondering if this means they are getting too dirty, which gives the algae enough fertilizer to grow, or if the issue is more that my mom leaves the light on all friggen day, and the tank gets a reasonable amount of natural sunlight since it is near a large glass door. If it is the former, I can clean them more often. The only stats I have at the moment are ammonia as I ran out earlier in the week and have been too busy at college to go out and buy them. The ammonia is fine; 0ppm.
The tank is currently not cycled, because I did not know what I was doing when I purchased them. The 55 gallon will by cycled (a fishless cycle; I don't want to risk hurting my boys), so hopefully that will help. However, if it doesn't help, and the algae is actually caused by the lighting, do you have any tips for keeping it down? I can't move the tank from where it is located because its the only place in the house with enough room for a large tank. However, is there a different type of lightbulb I should buy? I've just been using what comes with the tank - no idea what it is. Casts a vaguely purple-ish glow if that helps.
Also, if they are going to be in a 55, is there any type of algae eater that would work? I don't want to over-stock; I'm finding the whole "20 gallons per goldfish" rule to be absolute tripe. I also don't want an algae eater who is going to attack or be attacked, and it would of course need to be coldwater.
Thanks in advance for any tips