Goldfish Tank

[Mowbray]

I have 4 goldfish in a decent sized tank.  The problem is they all seem to be gulping for air, not at the surface of the water, but as they swim around. 

I have a Fluval 2 water pump. Would I need an air filter too? Also what price am I likely to pay for a decent air filter/pump?

Also, I am having trouble keeping the right 'climate' within the tank. After a few weeks the tank gets murky. 

Does anybody have an suggestions please?


Thanks very much in advance

[Noweia]

What shape is the tank?  Vertical tanks can't hold as much fish as horizontal tanks, even though there may be a greater volume of water, because it is the surface area of water exposed to the air that matters.

Goldfish need to gulp to pass water over their gills - this is normal. Fish coming up to the surface, however, is indicative of low oxygen levels in the water.  This shouldn't cause too much trouble to the fish.

Do you carry out water changes on a regular basis?  Overfeeding can also cause murkiness of the water!

I can't help you with pumps, sorry!

[barender]

I think what Noweia said is true regarding the gulping to pass water being normal, although to the uninitiated it may look like they're struggling. The only thing I can say is that I kept 3 ordinary goldfish for 10 years (yes the same 3) in a perfectly ordinary rectangular tank (home made!) with no filters or pumps, and the only reason they died after 10 years is that another fish was introduced (big mistake) and within a week they had all died. 

I did change the water regularly. However, you could add some water snails to your tank (which keep the tank clean). You can get some very decorative ones at a decent aquatics supplier. Hope that helps!

[_marcus_]

A fairly decent filter could be picked up for around �15-20 (you can pick them up cheaper on eBay). Try adjusting the filter output to maximum, so that air circulation (through ripples on the surface) is increased.

With regard to the tank 'climate' , I have always used rainwater collected from a water butt and over the years had several water tests done (try your local aquarium, they do mine for free) to monitor the water quality, and each time the water conditions have been perfect.

Do regular 1/4 water changes, using a section of hosepipe to syphon waste from the tank floor. Another tip, always clean the filter sponge in tank water that you have syphoned out, as cleaning in tap water kills the bacteria that live on this sponge and break down waste.Hopefully then you will have a happy, heathy and clear tank!

Hope this has helped, any other questions just ask.

[dmsjps]

A filter will help, no doubt about it, because it cleans rubbish from the water as well as aerating it, whereas the pump just aerates. _marcus_ is right about cleaning the sponge though: do make sure it's done in the siphoned off water from the tank as that contains 'friendly' bacteria beneficial to the fish; whereas tap water contains 'unfriendly' bacteria which could kill them. Think Yakkult - however you spell it - but in a more important way! You will be surprised how much 'rubbish' that little sponge in the filter picks up too, then you'll wonder how your poor fish got along without one! Your fish will also tell you when the sponge needs changing, because they will get used to it quickly, and then when it gets clogged and stops throwing bubbles out, they will start gasping at the top for air.

 

You can buy cleaner fish for your tank, that will eat all the algae which naturally occurs. They prefer fresh stuff though, so they probably won't go for your 3-month old fluff right in the corner! Also, try to keep your tank out of direct sunlight, as this encourages the growth of algae and too much is not good, as you know.

 

Plants also aerate the water, but make sure you inspect and clean the plants properly to get rid of snails, which will just eat them, lay eggs and maybe bring disease into the tank. I have heard that some snails specifically bred for aquariums are good for cleaning, but the ordinary plant snails aren't, so if you don't inspect thoroughly you could end up being invaded and then having to treat the tank to get rid of them.

 

Also, you can buy gravel vacuums for fish tanks. They don't cost much and they clear all the rubbish out of the gravel that lingers there.

 

Good luck, fish are cool!