How to clean super dirty gravel??

[gladys]

There's no point adding aquarium salt unless you have sick fish that need treating with salt.

Depending on what fish are going into the new tank, I would drain the tank and refill it with dechlorinated water but do not add any salt.

--------------
30C is too warm for most tropical fish. Set the heater on 24-26C depending on what species you keep.

--------------
A pH of 6 is too low for goldfish, who prefer a pH above 7.0.

Get a glass of tap water and check the pH now and in 24 hours.

--------------
The internal filter is an air operated sponge filter and probably has air trapped in the sponge. Hold it under water and squeeze the air out. It should sink after that. If it doesn't, you will have to add a weight of some sort the filter to hold it down.

You want the ammonia and nitrite to be on 0ppm at all times, and the nitrate to be under 20ppm. If you have any readings above this, do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day until the levels at 0ppm.

Depending on the filter you have in your goldfish tank, you could transfer half of the filter media/ materials into the new filter on the new tank, and that would give you a cycled filter on the new tank. This means you can add fish in a couple of days and not have to worry about the new tank cycling with fish in.

oh really you don't need salt? I have always added salt to all the fish tanks though. so if a goldfish is going into the tank is it ok to leave the salt inside? what do you mean by getting a glass of tap water?

 

[Colin_T]

If the new tank is going to house goldfish, livebearers (mollies, guppies, platies, swordtails) or rainbowfish, then you can leave the salt in there. However, if you are putting tetras, barbs, Corydoras catfish, angelfish, or any other soft water fish in the tank, you should do a 90% water change to remove most of the salt.

-----------
Get a drinking glass and fill it with tap water. Test the pH of this water straight away, then test it again 24 hours later. See if there is a difference in the pH between now and then.

The pH of tap water can change when it is in the water pipes. Water companies also add things to change the pH.

By testing the water straight out of the tap, and then testing the same sample 24 hours later, you can see what the real pH of the water is.

 

[gladys]

also my fish is quite inactive and is always just at the corner of the tank and only starting to swim when there is food. what should I do?

 

[gladys]

what temperature is ideal for goldfish?

 

[Colin_T]

make sure the water quality is good.
have some plants to provide shelter.
have a picture on the back of the tank.
let the fish settle down and recover if it has been moved recently.

-------------
Goldfish are fine in water with a temperature between 5-30C. They do best in water between 15-25C.

Unusual goldfish (fantails, orandas, etc) do best in water with a temperature between 18-26C

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree on the temperature. You really don’t need a heater with them. (Unless you live in a super cold area)

 

[gladys]

this is the current state of the water in my fish tank. idk if it is clear enough as it is still a little cloudy. but currently my fish is living in this container so idk if it is better to move it to this tank. I added starter bacteria water conditioner and salt to this new tank