Goldfish - Page 8 - Orchid Board

puddin · #71 10-09-2007, 11:15 PM

I looked in the book and realized what a siphon was. I knew it by an aquarium vacuum. The way you start the vac. isn't gross, caseydoll. I've seen people dip it in the tank, mess up, and then do your trick.
The molly is doing just fine. I was concerned, because when I went back to the store to trade fish, I saw a lot of dead fish. I mean like 5-7 dead fish and others not looking very good. It looks great for certain things, but not fish at the moment. Some I had seen alive when I got the glo fish and are dead now. I think a sickness is going though or something.
On cleaning the tank, how long should I wait? I don't want to clean to soon. And something else. I know you can give fish a slice of a veg. once an awhile. What should I use? Cucumber? Zuccinni? All I have been giving them are flakes. And, which flakes do you use? I'm using flakes for all tropical fish, I guess. It says "tropical fish" on it. Is that the best way to go?

flhiker · #72 10-09-2007, 11:42 PM

OK first of all the water in your tank is gross if you get it in mouth. I feed my fish flakes and occasionally bought live brine. I have never gave them veggies. But I did have live plants. Try not to over feed your fish, it will cause the water to cloud up or make you clean more often. I would wait a least a month more like 2 before do any water changes. A good way to buy fish is to go to the pet shop and watch there fish for a few days and see how healthy they are. When I had a saltwater tank I would check out the fish sometimes for a couple of weeks before dropping 50 or 60 bucks for one. Tropicals not so much but you can get an idea on how healthy they are. After a month I would get a couple of new fish and wait another month before adding anymore.

quiltergal · #73 10-10-2007, 12:04 AM

Great taste! Less Filling!

My marine fish enjoyed a piece of lettuce now & then. I nuked it for just a second to kind of break down the cellulose and make it easier for them to eat. I stuck it in a lettuce clip with a suction cup to the side of the tank and they ate the heck out of it. You can also buy dried Spirullena flakes.

puddin · #74 10-10-2007, 04:47 PM

I have a problem. 3 of my fish are sitting at the surface. One has it's mouth open and the other 2 don't. They are all guppies. First I noticed the purple one, then the flashy one, then the split tail. This is over several days, by the way. I would see the purple one come down, so I didn't think much about it, but made a note of it. Do I need to make a water change? Doesn't it mean I'm not getting enough oxygen in the water? I can't remember.

flhiker · #75 10-10-2007, 05:27 PM

I think your fish are dying because the water does not support your fish yet! I looked at your picture again and there is plenty of oxygen. You may want to get your water tested or get your own test kit. unless it is the well water I have never used it so it is just a quess.

quiltergal · #76 10-10-2007, 07:25 PM

Puddin, your tank is still going through the seasoning cycle. The waste in the tank becomes nitrites (which is fatal to fish). What the good bacteria does is convert the nitrites to nitrates which is not fatal to fish. Some fish are more sensitive to high levels of nitrites in the water than others. Most fish stores (that I've been to anyway) recommend starting a tank with Mollies and/or Platties. They are very tough little fish and most will be able to survive water conditions that will have other fish floating. The good bacteria come in with the fish and plants, but it takes a good month or more to establish a large enough colony to keep your water from being toxic. Don't be discouraged. Once the tank is appropriately seasoned you shouldn't have any problems putting any fish you want in there.

flhiker · #77 10-10-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Puddin, your tank is still going through the seasoning cycle. The waste in the tank becomes nitrites (which is fatal to fish). What the good bacteria does is convert the nitrites to nitrates which is not fatal to fish. Some fish are more sensitive to high levels of nitrites in the water than others. Most fish stores (that I've been to anyway) recommend starting a tank with Mollies and/or Platties. They are very tough little fish and most will be able to survive water conditions that will have other fish floating. The good bacteria come in with the fish and plants, but it takes a good month or more to establish a large enough colony to keep your water from being toxic. Don't be discouraged. Once the tank is appropriately seasoned you shouldn't have any problems putting any fish you want in there.

:iagree: and Well said

puddin · #78 10-10-2007, 08:34 PM

Fish are weird. The purple one is still up there, but the other 2 are swimming around now. But why is the purple one showing signs now? I can see why people quit. All of the fish they put in there die.

flhiker · #79 10-10-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin

Fish are weird. The purple one is still up there, but the other 2 are swimming around now. But why is the purple one showing signs now? I can see why people quit. All of the fish they put in there die.

"PATIENTS GRASSHOPPER"

It may be hard to belive but I had fish I wish would die so I could get something different.

Give it a little time it will work out. Think of it as waiting for a spike to flower!!!!

puddin · #80 10-10-2007, 09:05 PM

Why did you buy the fish in the first place? What was it anyway?