Filter Help?

[Helen23254]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post on, but it was the best I could find and I hope you lot can help me anyway

I currently have two goldfish, and another fish that I don't know the name of...I call it a 'sucker fish' and it is about 2cm long and sucks the side of my tank (any names for it would also be appreciated!)

I have had the fish for over a year now, and they live in a 20L tank, with stones, some live plant and a little boat thing.

I was wondering if any of you could help me, as what is the best filter system for them? I need something that doesn't take too much hassle, room, make too much noise or cost too much (i'm picky i know! but all ideas will be appreciated). I currently use fluval mini, but the fish seem to produce a LOT of waste and I was wondering if there was any advice on a new filter?

The current filter doesn't seem to be doing its job - sometimes fish poo floats on the top of the tank (which i remove as soon as i see it). I clean the filter pad thingy every 7-10 days (with a water change, wash it in the dirty water) and actually change to a new pad every 4-6 weeks.

The fish get fed once a day, only as much as they will eat in 3-5 minutes and i remove any uneaten food.

So, any help? The tank doesn't seem to be that clean but not over dirty. Any thing I am doing wrong? I'd just like advice on a powerful but practical filter system.

Thanks!

 

[Ruthc1985]

Sucker fish could be a sucking loach or a plec/catfish?

One thing I would say is that 2 gold fish and a sucking type fish is quite a big load for a 20 litre tank (goldfish are quite big waste producers), others here may be able to advise you better on filters etc but my instinct would be a bigger tank would also be an idea

 

[Helen23254]

Sucker fish could be a sucking loach or a plec/catfish?

One thing I would say is that 2 gold fish and a sucking type fish is quite a big load for a 20 litre tank (goldfish are quite big waste producers), others here may be able to advise you better on filters etc but my instinct would be a bigger tank would also be an idea

Wow really? The guy at the fish shop (that has an amazing reputation) says that it was okay..


and sucking loach...thats him!

 

[Grant1897]

20 litres is far to small for gold fish. Gold fish grow very big, keeping them in such a small tank will stunt their growth and will eventually kill them.

You could fit a better filter but in all honesty I would find a new home for the gold fish and get somthing that will be happy in such a small tank.

 

[Helen23254]

This is my tank

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAGEN-MARINA-COOL-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-KIT-21L-BLUE-/350401135111?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5195890207

Why on earth did the store sell me it! And it's a well established, well known store in my area..

 

[Grant1897]

This is my tank

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAGEN-MARINA-COOL-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-KIT-21L-BLUE-/350401135111?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5195890207

Why on earth did the store sell me it! And it's a well established, well known store in my area..

Most shops just want to sell products/fish. They don't actuallly care about the fish once they have sold them, it's not just your local shop, nearly all are the same.

 

[Helen23254]

This is my tank

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAGEN-MARINA-COOL-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-KIT-21L-BLUE-/350401135111?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5195890207

Why on earth did the store sell me it! And it's a well established, well known store in my area..

Most shops just want to sell products/fish. They don't actuallly care about the fish once they have sold them, it's not just your local shop, nearly all are the same.

But this store has built a reputation..it's massive..

What am i going to do...i dont have £200 to spend!

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid its very common They way they get around it, legally, is by selling these as 'starter kits'.

For two 'fancy' goldfish you'd need a tank of about 100/120l, but in all honesty, comets are pond fish and can grow to about a foot long (as can the sucking loach, for that matter).

 

[Helen23254]

I'm afraid its very common They way they get around it, legally, is by selling these as 'starter kits'.

For two 'fancy' goldfish you'd need a tank of about 100/120l, but in all honesty, comets are pond fish and can grow to about a foot long (as can the sucking loach, for that matter).

A foot long?...WHAT! it's only 2.5inches now!

I'm so sorry..I'm panicking! :$

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm sorry! but yes, most fish you buy are only babies. It would be best to find someone with a pond to take your goldies, rehome the sucking loach (somehow), add a heater to your tank and have a few small tropical fish, like guppies or Endlers.

 

[phoenixgsd]

What am i going to do...i dont have £200 to spend!

dont panic, you dont have to spend £200 on everything new, you can get perfectly good used items from ebay or gumtree ect and dont forget to ask on your local freecycle too

 

[Helen23254]

I have nobody to give them too..

I HATE the fish shop people!!!!!!!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Changing to a new pad every 4-6 weeks is a very bad idea, bacteria are colonising the pad and then you remove them from the tank, possibly sending the tank system into a "mini cycle." Pads/sponges should be rinsed in removed tank water (like you are doing) and kept until they are falling apart, typically years later, then only changing one pad/sponge at a time over a week or so.

Do you have a liquid test kit for ammonia and nitrite?

If not, the best thing you can do is 50-95% water changes daily, so at least you can be reasonably sure the water is not getting too toxic.

Scour the second hand market for a tank, the bigger the better, to make it worth while at least a 4-foot 150l or more for now (there are deals out there, 5-footers can be had for <£100 if you are in the right place at the right time). But in the long run, as already said, goldfish need massive tanks (6x2x2 plus, but ideally a pond) as do Chinese Algae Eaters (who often get aggressive as they age, rasping on flanks on tankmates).

 

[brian1]

There is some great used fish tanks on e-bay and not expensive, look at this link

http/www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=tropical+fish+tanks&_dmpt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=4

 

[Grant1897]

There is some great used fish tanks on e-bay and not expensive, look at this link

http/www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=tropical+fish+tanks&_dmpt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=4

There's a lot more of you leave out "tropical" from the search.