Questions about my first tank.

[Overthere]

I recently set up my first tank ever. It's for my 2 year old son. It hasn't finished cycling yet. Things seem to be going well, and I'd like to keep it that way as my son is getting rather attached to his " 'Ish!".

It's a 10 gallon, with some fake plants and rocks for cover. Running a small Penguin bio-wheel and filter into it.

Right now, it's got 4 (seemingly) happy inhabitants.

2 Commons, 1 Wakin, and 1 Black Moor. Each at about 1 1/2 inches. After reading here, I've learned that I probably shouldn't have the Moor in there. I've watched him during feeding, and he seems to get plenty. I'm planning on a second tank for my daughters, and I'll likely move "Fat Bob" into that tank and get a couple of eggfish or veiltails to keep him company.

I don't think he's in too much trouble for the time being (but not being sure, I'm posting here).

Also, the fish have taken to coming up to the front and "chasing" people as they walk by the tank. If they were dogs, I would assume they were begging for food. We feed them goldfish flakes three times a day, and they clean it up in about 4-5 minutes. Am I overfeeding? Underfeeding?

Lastly, I've pondered adding a couple of small shrimp once the tank cycles. My son likes the shrimp my neighbor has in his tank. Will my goldies be OK with shrimp? Will the shrimp be OK with the goldies?

I think that's all my questions for now.

Thanks

 

[OohFeeshy]

TBH the tanks going to be far too small in the long run. Since you've got commons, I'd say either 30g or larger, or a pond. You only really need to feed once a day, ith a few flakes per fish. The goldfish will most likely eat the shrimp too.

 

[Sandusky]

Hello there, I'm glad you've got a proper tank and not a bowl.

The draw back, your 10 gallon can only hold one (1) fancy goldfish. The commons/wakin will need to idealy go into a pond, or a 55 gallon tank to accomodate their size and growth rates. You're correct about he Moor, he'd be wonderful alone in the 10 gallon with a dojo loach. As for over feeding them, I think twice a day about a pinch of pellets/flakes is enough. Seeing as your tank is a bit overstocked the build up of toxic fish poo (amonia) can get really high because goldfish produce massive amounts of waste. For now it'd be good if you could do 30% water changes every day with dehlorinated water to keep the toxic levels down.

Things to remember for future reference:
-Fancy goldfish need at the very least 10 gallons each.
-Thinner, single tailed goldfish need at least 20 and should idealy be in a pond.
-Your filter should be able to turn over the number of gallons if has in one hour. For example a 10 gallon tank needs a 100gph flow rate, a 55 needs a 550gph flow rate. (gph= Gallons Per Hour)
-When feeding flakes it'd be a good idea to soak them in a little bit of tank water first so when they go in they sink. If not soaked goldfish gasping at the surface for food can inhale too much oxygen which may cause swim bladder where they "roll" or "float" belly up at the surface. Goldfish like to forage at the bottom most of the day so idealy sinking pellets are best, they also provide more nutricious elements, I'm sure you're familiar with Hikari they have by far the best fish foods on the market. Fresh vegtables can also be fed, like cucmber or zuchinni, but lightly boil these first to soften them.

Good luck and if you are confused or need clarification don't hesitate to ask, I think I may have gone a bit overboard.

 

[Overthere]

Ok, I've cut my feedings down to once a day (for the time being) to help eliminate some ammonia probs. It's a shame about the shrimp. I might throw a couple in anyway in a couple weeks. There's some cover for them to hide in. If they're crafty they make it. If not, it's tasty live treats for the fish.

Anyway, my neighbor seemed to think that they were struggling for O2, and offered me a Power Head ariator he had. It's rated at 170 GPH. (10 G tank)

Now, I didn't think goldfish needed all that much bubble-wise and that the kick off the bio-wheel would be sufficient. Anyway, I said I'd try it out.

I turned it on for a second and it was bubble-rama and seemed to turn the tank into a mini-jacuzzi. I dialed the bubblage down to a reasonable level, but the current created still seemed pretty strong in my ameteur opinion. So, I've shut the thing off until I can get a third and fourth opinion on if that's a bad thing or not.

There is one fancy in the tank, so I think it might be overly hard on him (or her, I dunno yet).

Thanks again

 

[Sandusky]

In my best opinion, you need the extra filtration for all those fish stock piled in that tiny tank. You can buy sponges that will help in filtering to attatch to the powerhead intake. As for the airation, there will always be that much flow from the powerhead because of the tank size. The water just bounces off the walls and goes back to the intake, you can place rocks infront of the outflow to reduce this but the bubbles should and actualy are needed.

I don't want to push or sound like those eccentric animal rights people, but in all honesty those fish need a WAY bigger tank. For right now if you have rubbermaid tub/storage conatiners you can fill those up put the powerhead in and let the commons and wakin in and they'll be happy, while the Moor will have the 10 to himself and later buy an air pump with a bubbler stone. It's up to you, but I definantly think the powerhead is a good idea.

 

[Opcn]

I'll bet that the NH3 has built up to a level that has started to damage there gills, 4 Goldfish in a 10 gallon is too much uncycled. Good luck to you

 

[Overthere]

For right now if you have rubbermaid tub/storage conatiners you can fill those up put the powerhead in and let the commons and wakin in and they'll be happy, while the Moor will have the 10 to himself and later buy an air pump with a bubbler stone. It's up to you, but I definantly think the powerhead is a good idea.

Now that I'm able to do. I've got the Commons and the Wakin in a big rubbermaid container now (about 30-35 G) with the powerhead. I wrapped a green brillo pad type scrubber around the intake for some filtration. I'll see what else I can scrounge up. I can't really spend much more on these fish right now.

I'm planning on daily 20-30% water changes in both till things get better.

The Moor has the 10 G all to himself, which I feel bad about. Any suggestions for a companion for him?

 

[black angel]

10 gallons is the minimum for your black moor so if you wanted a companion then you would need a 20 gallon. if the fish isnt too big then adding a few white cloud mountain minnows.

 

[Sandusky]

Oh good, I'm so glad that worked out.

For companions, Black Angel has the right idea, maybe a Dojo Loach. They eat the extra food and sometimes algae, like an in-tank clean up crew.