Coldwater Goldfish And Rocks

[Ian.polo.fish]

Sorry if this has been asked before but i have 2 new goldfish in a large tank i have used slate from the beach.

I have washed them well and wanting to know what too look for if there are problems?


cheers

 

[fifefish]

there should be no problems due to the fact that slate is non porous, aslong as you have washed it quite well, even boiling it to make sure you should have no problems having it in you tank. also make sure there are no sharp edges that could catch your goldfish.
other than that it should be fine.

 

[Colin_T]

limestone and sandstone are better for goldfish tanks as they raise the PH a bit. That helps prevent the PH from dropping to quickly.

 

[fifefish]

But what is the point in raising the ph in the tank when the goldfish are already acclimatized to the local water chemistry?

 

[Colin_T]

goldfish don't do well in acid water and having some limestone or something else in the water to buffer the PH, will help to stop the PH dropping too rapidly from all the waste they produce. If there is nothing to buffer the water, then the PH can suddenly drop and stress or kill the fish.
If your tap water is hard (has lots of minerals in it) then the PH should be pretty stabile and you won't have to worry too much about the PH dropping.

 

[fifefish]

im afraid i have to disagree..
ive kept goldfish in a pond for many years, and its filled with water that comes from my tap that is very acidic, ive not had any deaths apart from one from that was from pets at home but then again what fish from there doesnt die,
also ive kept goldfish in tanks for a year and a bit and had no deaths so far,
my fish are growing fine no stunting or mutations,
i really think what ever comes out the tap should be fine