Dorm Room Goldfish

[DormFishKeeper]

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...030099&Ne=2

if I get that tank what heater would you guys recommend? Also what fish would be good together after I get done setting up my tank in the future?

 

[dwarfgourami]

I know this may be rude of me, but are there any tutorials or steps to "setting" up this tank for the optimum use and life for my fish. Like I've seen you guys discuess cycling what are my basic steps to setting up a tank with time periods and I can google for details if that helps.

check out the pinned topics at the top of this page; they're really helpful

In your case, you have a sick fish in an unfiltered bowl, that needs transferring sooner rather than later, so even moving it into an un-cycled tank is going to be an improvement as far as I can see, rather than waiting to go through the fishless cycle: your fish might well die in the meantime. The best thing would be if you could find someone who has an established tank and get some filter squeezings off them; if you don't know anyone, check the pinned topic for people willing to donate filter media and see if there is anyone near you. If you can't, still transfer your fish into the new tank, I would say, but do a partial water change (using dechlorinated water) every day.

 

[starrynightxxi]

oh, i don't think anyone has mentioned this, but when you set up the tank, it would be much wiser to purchase some filter media at the pet store that you can cut to fit your tank, rather than using a premade insert that contains activated carbon (charcoal). The reason for this is that the carbon will actually remove the medication from the water, which you obviously don't want. This is one reason why most medications will tell you to remove the filter cartridge. Another problem is that the medications can kill the good bacteria in the filter that are the result of having the tank cycled, but as you won't have the tank cycled, that little tidbit won't matter.

You will need the heater, but luckily they are relatively cheap. Look for one that has a built in thermostat so that it will shut itself off when the water reaches a certain temperature, rather than one that you will have to plug in/unplug. Otherwise you risk stressing your fish with the temperature flux in the tank, or just plain boiling it if you forget to unplug it.

Also, if you don't have it, you may want to look into getting a dechlorinator. They're all pretty much the same, just check and make sure they treat for chlorine and chloramines.

As for cycling, first to explain what it is.

Fish expel waste and ammonia into the water similar to the way humans expel carbon dioxide when they exhale. The ammonia, which is toxic to fish, will begin to build up in the water, but luckily there is a bacteria that likes to eat ammonia. This bacteria will convert the ammonia into nitrite. Nitrite, thoguh slightly less, is also toxic to fish but there is another bacteria that will eat the nitrite and convert it to nitrate. Nitrates are toxic in very high amounts, but still less so than nitrites, and far less than ammonia. Live plants will consume nitrates, but lacking those (as you likely will be), 25% water changes weekly will remove a sufficient amount to keep the fish healthy.

As a side note, the bacteria are largely going to be established in your filter media, not in the water or any decorations/gravel. This may not seem important now, but it's a huge lifesaver when it comes to transporting tanks.

There are two methods for cycling. The fishless cycling I can give you no information on as I have never done it. Cycling with fish seems to me to be both quicker and easier, though you will risk stressing the fish some. Luckily, healthy platies are very hardy fish, and since you only have one, rather than a full stocked tank, it should be fine. Cycling with fish involves setting up the tank and adding the fish. It will be a very good idea for you to have a test kit (with glass tubes rather than litmus paper tests), but a good rule of thumb for cycling is to change out 25% of the water every other day, as well smaller changes any time the tests are positive for high ammonia or nitrite levels.

Others will have more information on fishless cycling for you if they think that it applies, but there are also some pinned topics about cycling hidden throughout the site. I'm not sure exactly where they are, but hazarding a guess, I would say check this board, the emergencies forum, the FAQ, and/or the newbie forums.

 

[Tessla]

Good advice from starrynightxxi!

When you're looking for a heater, go for a 50 watt submersible heater like this one. They will cost a little bit more, but tend to be much more reliable. Also make sure that you get a thermometer for your tank, I haven't seen a single thermostat give me the correct temperature yet. Get your tank to the correct, stable temperature before slowly acclimating your fish to the new tank (add water from the new tank slowly to a container with the fish in some of the bowl water.)

I'm going with dwarfgourami and suggesting that you not worry about cycling the tank. If you can, get a hardy fast growing aquatic plant for your tank. It will absorb some of the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates and make the process a little easier on your fish. Anacharis is wonderful stuff, it's pretty much foolproof, cheap, easy to find and it grows like a weed.

Good luck!

 

[timmystood]

Defiantly a platy but it might not need a heater. There are many different types of sub-tropical platys. However, it will defiantly need a filter and some decor (and possible some friends - in a bigger tank).

 

[loachman]

For heater, just get one of the rather inexpensive ones that stick to the glass with suction cups. It'll probably run about $15 for the smaller tanks you're looking at. You probably shouldn't get the absolute cheapest one, since you want it to be reliable. As long as it's rated for the size tank you have though, it should be fine.

 

[DormFishKeeper]

Well sadly my platy died last night. I guess she could'nt make it. None the less I'm going to start from the beginning on this process and hopefully the fish will live longer than 2 months. Also remember people I'm in a dorm and I'm getting a 5 gal tank. I also plan on having the fish tank in a window with sunlight is that bad? It just increases the amount of algae? Should I get a bottom feeder to eat at that? Since I'm starting this tank from new. It will be a 5 gal with heater. What if I can't find filter media will the carbon be really that bad? Also do rocks matter?

tank X
heater X

As for the fish it's up for grabs. I'm going to goto my local shop and see. I'm expecting something to eat the excess algae that being in a window will cause and maybe two platies? Does this sound good?

 

[Arimus]

I wouldn't recommend keeping the tank in full sunlight, it will be very hard to control temperature without worrying about the problems of algae.

For a 5 gallon tank why not look at getting a single male Betta (Siamese fighting fish) - they much prefer to be alone and a 5gl tank makes an ideal home for a Betta...

Platies really like to be in a group of 4 or more and a 5gl wouldn't really be big enough...

(I'm new to this so hope what I've said makes sense - its from what I've picked up here and elsewhere)

 

[bobross]

I would recommend getting a 5g w/ a heater, if possible, whether you're getting a coldwater or freshwater fish. That way, you won't have to cut out a place in the hood of the tank to fit the heater. ( I've had several 5g's w/o heaters, and the hoods on them would look difficult to cut into w/o destroying them) If you can't find a tank including a heater, small heaters rated for 2-5g tanks aren't that costly. Then again, a couple of the 5g's I have, have extra 'holes' in the hood in them, that way there's a place for the cord from the heater to run through, allowing the hood to close all the way.

(even IF you are planning on getting a goldfish, the heater would be necessary for treating for ich)


definitely wouldn't recommend putting the tank by the window, if you can avoid it. bottom feeders wouldn't solve the explosion of algae and the really green water you get when the tank is by the window. from the pictures of the 1g you had, it looks like you have room for the 5g in the same place with some minor moving around. but if you want the tank by the window, i would have the shade drawn during the day to reduce the chance of the tank getting a lot of algae.

I've never used carbon in any of my tanks, so I'm not sure how well or consistent it works. from what i've read, researched, and been told by other people is that it doesn't work that great, needs to be changed often, and if you treat a fish for disease, carbon filtration removes the medication from the water.

So....really sorry for rambling answers to your questions, hope it wasn't an overload. Again, I've had several 5g's and you're asking the same questions I once had so good luck with whatever decisions you make, there's a lot of people in this forum that are pretty knowledgeable and able to answer your questions.

 

[MadCatter]

If you get that ich cleared up, i'd suggest investing in a 5 or 10 gallon aquarium, with a heater, filter, and bubbler for your tank. Its much easier to maintain than a tiny bowl, and is better for your fish as well.

...but I doubt you'd have room for a ten gallon in a dorm, perhaps a five gallon?

I live in an 11X16 foot dorm room, with a roommate, and half a five and two tens My friend has a 29 and a 10 in his. If you have a nice roommate, it's possible (and really doesn't take up that much room if they are on a double-stand).

 

[DormFishKeeper]

alright, I'll try to keep it out of the window. But the window only gets sun in the morning from 6-12am b/c of the way it's faced. It also has ugly blocks of cement that stick out minimizing more light and if that isn't enough I normally have the shades closed till 10 am when I get up or noon to 1pm on weekends. So the odds of it getting constant ponding sunlight are minimal.

But It's come down to getting a tank with a heater that works nicely. If you know any on petsmart that would be awesome because then I can get what you guys think is best. Or are there other fish sites with better pre-setup tanks? Are there any fish for starters that work well in pairs? Two+ fish is just more fun than one, but if I have to get one I'd like one other than a betta as they just aren't really pretty to me.

I like
http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...030099&Ne=2
or
http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...030099&Ne=2

but both of these will be carbon. No one on your list lives remotely close to me to obtain filter media so I think I have to use carbon. Will it be really that bad to do it?

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...030060&Ne=2
that will probably bne the heater and I'll have to drill a hole for it.

You guys have been awesome help so far and I think I'm also ready to pick and get my tank to start cycling and grab some fish in a few weeks!

 

[fishboy619]

i like the second tank best, with a heater and filter it will be all ready to add fish (cycling to address first tho)may i suggest a betta and a few ottos in that tank would look fantastic. it would be easy to care for and simple to look after.you dont need filter media already used, just start a fresh, they either add a few feder goldfish into the tank, intending to retune then to the shop or read up about fishless cycling.add your betta first, then after a few months, the ottos as these require good water quality and a mature tank.as far as the 1gallon bowl goes...smash it up and bin it, it shouldnt be used for anythin apart from a plant pot or starage unit for whatever,certainly not live animals!

 

[n3ont3tra]

Carbon just takes things out of the water. IT helps remove the fishy smell of tanks, but if you need any medications with your fish then it removes that as well. Also, you should wash out the filter media every week, with dechlorinated water. You'll be fine with the carbon.

 

[Jozlyn]

Also make sure you use water conditioner/de-chlorinator, it removes chlorine and heavy metals, but most importantly it removes chloramine, chloramine does not evaporate and is quite deadly to fish. Water conditioner is very cheap, make sure you get some and use it at the recommended rate, no more, no less.

Good luck with your new hobby

 

[dwarfgourami]

Looking at fish choices for a 5 gallon, seeing that you'd rather have fish that interact, how about some smaller livebearers, either endlers or heterandria formosa (least killifish)? Or if your tank is rectangular and has a reasonably sized bottom, a small group of the dwarf corydoras- pygmaeus, habrosus and hastatus are the smallest ones. Shrimps are also very entertaining and will interact with the fish(=steal their food). Or you could keep some peacock gobies (1 male and 2 females).
Basically, you are either looking at fish that stay under rather than over 2 inches, or at a single betta.