Dirty Goldfish Bowl...

[Helium_Junkie]

In the same house as my fish tank is a dirty (lots of crap in there) goldfish bowl. With two goldfish.

I have a tropical tank I'm trying to cycle, unfortunately with fish as Ammonia is rare here

The question is, can I steal anything from this bowl that would help my cycle? Its a reeeeally dirty tank, but the fish seem healthy. The tank contains gravel, one plant and a small airpump powered filter. I cant take the plant, and obviously its a completely different environment for goldfish... but still

 

[Cheese Specialist]

No, I would suggest you clean it though. You do know that 2 goldfish should have 30gallons? 20 for the first and 10 for each after that.

I wouldn't take anything out of it, it's probably not even cycled itself.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

it's probably not even cycled itself.

How can you tell if it is cycled or not? Its been there years apparently.
The tank isn't mine, and the fish are approx 15cm and 8cm, how can they need 30gal's?

There's all this brown stringy stuff in it... whats that?
The water is also very murky.

Recommendations?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

it's probably not even cycled itself.

How can you tell if it is cycled or not? Its been there years apparently.
The tank isn't mine, and the fish are approx 15cm and 8cm, how can they need 30gal's?

There's all this brown stringy stuff in it... whats that?
The water is also very murky.

Recommendations?

Because, it's hard to cycle a small area like that and without an adequate filter for the bacteria to lvie on there will not be enough for the waste levels to be ok.

Goldfish, are very very messy fish and for that reason (and what I just said) they need a lot of water to dilute that waste to a safe level. They also get to 15" and live for almost 40 years.

The brown stringy stuff will be poo.

Reccommendations? Well, those fish need a properly filtered tank. They are most likely stunted (where the outer body cannot grow because of no space but the insides to, causeing many problems and then death) but still produce a lot of waste.

At the very least, their water should be changed daily. Perhaps half a day or twice a day.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Well, I'll pass those instructions on to the owner, but I greatly doubt he will follow them

He certainly cant get a bigger tank, due to the cost.

The goldfish is only a little guy, not like the ones you get in ponds... one has bubbley eyes... do ALL goldfish reach 15"?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Bubley eyes? That one could be a moor. They get to 9" but are very very fat, shouldn't even be kept with commons.

Tanks don't cost that much to set up if they are second hand. I gave away my goldfish from the 4ft tank to someone with a pond.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Bubley eyes? That one could be a moor. They get to 9" but are very very fat, shouldn't even be kept with commons.

Tanks don't cost that much to set up if they are second hand. I gave away my goldfish from the 4ft tank to someone with a pond.

I dont think they want to get rid of it, and they certainly cant get a bigger tank.
So what CAN be done to help the guy?

Is it safe to clean the water in that tank using the same equipment as I use in my tropical tank? I.e. the same siphon.
So long as its rinsed it should be fine right?
Should new water be treated with my tropical tanks water treatment?

The tank size I guess is about 50cm by 30cm btw.

Would a better filter help? If so, what would be good for this tank? A small internal job?

 

[The-Wolf]

Hi helium
please print out the following link and give it to the owner of those poor fish

at least then you will have a clear consiense
gold fish

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Bubley eyes? That one could be a moor. They get to 9" but are very very fat, shouldn't even be kept with commons.

Tanks don't cost that much to set up if they are second hand. I gave away my goldfish from the 4ft tank to someone with a pond.

I dont think they want to get rid of it, and they certainly cant get a bigger tank.
So what CAN be done to help the guy?

Is it safe to clean the water in that tank using the same equipment as I use in my tropical tank? I.e. the same siphon.
So long as its rinsed it should be fine right?
Should new water be treated with my tropical tanks water treatment?

The tank size I guess is about 50cm by 30cm btw.

Would a better filter help? If so, what would be good for this tank? A small internal job?

A better filter may help but not much to be honest. Half water changes twice daily would help but be work. Why not encourage them to get a plastic container, liek a fermentation bucket or similar, would be better.

You can use all the same stuff, coldwater's no different other than the heater.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Why not encourage them to get a plastic container, liek a fermentation bucket or similar, would be better.

A what now?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

lol, for making beer in. Big plastic bucket. Can't cost more than a fiver.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Stuff I've read indicates not to use the same equipment for goldfish as for tropical tanks

Something about goldfish carrying diseases which can be harmful to tropicals?

But that's just things I've read on this forum and online, I've never been told it or read it in a book so I don't know how true it is.

 

[Helium_Junkie]

But what for? Keeping the goldfish in?

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Stuff I've read indicates not to use the same equipment for goldfish as for tropical tanks

Thats good enough for me! Don't wanna take any risks.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

But what for? Keeping the goldfish in?

Yes.

I used the same gear on coldwater and tropicals with no problems. But then my goldies were healthy, these are probably not.