Bowl Keeping

[Mikaila31]

I'm not going to get into ammonia too deeply, unless your a chem student it gets confusing fast. Ammonia exists and NH3 and NH4+, with NH4 being less toxic. Both pH and temp effect the concentrations of these two forms, pH however has a much greater effect. We know a low acidic pH makes ammonia less toxic, because NH3 is a base and when a acid is present it will prefer to exist as NH4. This reaction is also favored in the fact that the energy of the molecules produced is lower. When you increase temperature = increase energy and you push equilibrium back towards the products, which means more NH3. Fish wise you must also take into account ammonia(NH3) does most damage to the gills, reducing their ability to draw oxygen from the water. Raising temp also lowers available oxygen worsening the ability for the fish to breath.

Also gold fish at warmer temps are going to eat and crap more meaning you need more bacteria processing faster to deal with the fact that you are producing more ammonia.

 

[kelly528]

I'm not going to get into ammonia too deeply, unless your a chem student it gets confusing fast. Ammonia exists and NH3 and NH4+, with NH4 being less toxic. Both pH and temp effect the concentrations of these two forms, pH however has a much greater effect. We know a low acidic pH makes ammonia less toxic, because NH3 is a base and when a acid is present it will prefer to exist as NH4. This reaction is also favored in the fact that the energy of the molecules produced is lower. When you increase temperature = increase energy and you push equilibrium back towards the products, which means more NH3. Fish wise you must also take into account ammonia(NH3) does most damage to the gills, reducing their ability to draw oxygen from the water. Raising temp also lowers available oxygen worsening the ability for the fish to breath.

Also gold fish at warmer temps are going to eat and crap more meaning you need more bacteria processing faster to deal with the fact that you are producing more ammonia.

Ahh I see. Well all that would go for any fish though. Doesn't seem relative to any particular species, only how you stock them.

 

[fish48]

Ok one platy in a 10L bowl it will be fine as long as you don’t let it go below 20-c as for dechlorinator a 25% water changes every 2 days is not needed .

 

[VaegaVic]

Just to weigh in here and restore order.
1) Platies are termed as "Tropical" fish, however, they can survive temps as low as 18C, the same as guppies. This does not mean they like it though.

2) A bowl without a filter is ideally not a great place to keep fish, regardless of species or size. Although it's popular for Asian Discus/Koi keepers to keep their fish in large vats and do daily 95% water changes without filters, this does not mean it should be repeated in home aquaria.

3) Take out the air pump and replace with a filter, or combine the 2 into a sponge filter to save money.

4) Goldfish do not NEED heaters, however it is always recommended for a number of reasons; the main one is being able to maintain the tanks temperature at a stable constant at all times, including overnight. As we all know, sudden temp change can cause stress, which often results in colour loss, hence why studies have been yielding results of better colours.

With that all being said, can we please remain on topic now and try to avoid any more flaming.