Hello, Everyone!

[Stratus]

Hi, everyone!
 
My name's Amber (aka Stratus), and I'm in my 20's. Over my life, I've owned countless amounts of goldfish. When you're a kid, you get the "they barely live for a night, just put them in small bowls; filters and large tanks are for tropical fish, etc." deal, so you just do as the adults say. I'm a huge animal lover, and I especially LOVE aquatic life. I've gone through my share of carnival goldfish, but I've had a few stars that lived for many years happily! It's been a while since our last amazing guy passed, but it seems we're all getting back into owning fish.
 
My little sister came home one night last week after a birthday party. The favours were... goldfish. I wasn't thrilled to hear someone was giving out fish as a favour, as they are living creatures and shouldn't be given out like candy. I told my sister we would do everything right as it should be: no tiny bowls, nice filtered tanks, etc. But even at the time, I was no where near experienced on that side of things as I am now - just a week later. I didn't want to go through repeating the bowl deals as I knew they weren't right, but when you're a little kid, you are told things by pet store employees and adults, so you believe them.
 
Truly, even though I've owned many in the past, I was still uneducated about a lot of things - even with fish that lived a very long time. I wanted to relearn and further advance. My dream one day is to have a large tropical aquarium with all live organisms, so I know getting back into it with my little sister's tank will be a big help for us both to learn, but at the same time we didn't get the best of advice at our local pet store when we went in (before I discovered this forum).
 
My sister has:

• 5.5 gallon tank from Top Fin (suggested by employee)
• 1 Sarasa Comet goldfish named Larry (as in Larry the Lobster from Spongebob)
• Marimo "moss ball"
• 1 fake plant
• 2 small decorations

 
I followed the directions to set up the tank (w/ water conditioning), and the fish didn't go in until 36 hours later... that was done all before I learned about "fishless cycling" on the forum here. The employee said, "It'll get cloudy. It's called 'New Tank Syndrome', so just let it run its course and it'll clear up." I wasn't buying it, which is what brought me to the forum a few days ago, and I have been learning ever since!
 
Larry's been in the tank since Thursday (Oct 3rd @ 5pm EST), and he's doing wonderfully; very active swimmer, loves to explore, and is intrigued by the decor. The water is slightly cloudy, so I ran to PetSmart to get the free water testing done. The results are as follows:
 
Ammonia: 0.5 mg/L
Nitrite: 0 mg/L
Nitrate: 10 mg/L
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 180 mg/L
Hardness: 150 mg/L
Chlorine & Chloramine: 0 mg/L
 
I've read all about the Nitrogen Cycle in this post, which has been of HUGE help. We were given a free sample of API Quick Start to help get the ammonia down, but I've read on the forum that these type of bacteria supplements get mixed reviews. Right now my biggest concern is the ammonia, which I've read on here would be cured/helped by performing a mixture of partial water changes, adding live plants to absorb the ammonia, or getting bacteria from mature tanks. My uncle does have a mature tank that - I think - is cycled (water is clear; he has 4 fish that have lived in the tank for 5+ years), so I would get some gravel from his tank to place in my sister's? I want to make sure anything I do to the tank to get the ammonia down will not hurt Larry (since we can't do a fishless cycle), as my sister and I would be devastated. And is it worth putting in some of the Quick Start even though I will do some partial water changes and hopefully get some mature media? What would you all suggest I do to help get the levels down?
 
I've read as well that Larry will easily outgrow this tank, but I have no issue making sure Larry is properly cared for so he/she can thrive and enjoy life! I have been reading the forum to also get ideas about water kits, to which I've heard there are some like the API Master Freshwater kit, DrTim's, and a few others that are more accurate... but I can't remember where I saw the other brands now.
 
I'm trying to learn as much as I can by reading the forums, and can't wait to get talking with all you guys on how to become a better fish-keeper! Thanks so much for reading!!
 
Cheers! 

Amber/Stratus

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum, Amber.
 
Yes, it is unfortunate when things like fish get handed out Especially when they're very rarely properly cared for.
 
Good on you for doing your research, Larry will be a lot happier!
 
Unfortunately, 5G is too small
If he's a comet, he will need at least a 55G tank, though some people would say he even needs a 75G!
 
Another test kit is Salifert. There are others but I can't remember their names right now
 
If you can get Dr.Tim's One and Only or Tetra's Safe Start, they will help a lot in your fish in cycle. The other thing is mature media, if you can get some from your uncle.
Water changes are the other big factor in doing a successful fish in cycle.

 

[Stratus]

Thanks!
 
Yeah, my sister told me most of her friend's fish are gone. So sad to see that happen.
 
Yeah, he's a spunky little guy! Whew, 55-75! I'm completely okay with continually getting bigger tanks as Larry grows. By the time he needs that size of a tank, I should most likely have one already. Either way, he will be properly taken care of.
 
Wonderful, I'll get one of those ASAP to help get this going. I'm going to try and visit my uncle tomorrow and get some media, and do a water change tonight. I've read to do from 10-25%, correct?
 
Thanks for all your help and the warm welcome

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Do as big of a water change as needed, if you have 0.5ppm of ammonia, then 50% will only get it down to 0.25ppm, you ideally want it as close to 0ppm as possible.
 
Yeah, it is a pain that they need such big tanks! Especially when you're not expecting to care for one!
 
You honestly don't know how glad I am that you are willing to offer the correct care for Larry, it is so nice to get someone like you as a member

 

[Stratus]

Okay, I'll do as big of one as possible.
 
Yeah, that was definitely a surprise to find out when she came home, but he's a wonderful fish and it's rekindled my love for aquariums so I'm pretty content with it all, even if he does need a huge tank, haha!
 
Aww, thanks so much! I cannot stand the mistreatment of animals, no matter how big or small. They all deserve the proper care they require He's a wonderful little guy who's very fun to watch, so I cannot wait to see him grow and thrive over the next many, many years!

 

[Ninjouzata]

They get quite large, so would indeed get a 75g if you can.
Keep an eye out on craigslist, there are some really great deals on there!
 
Please do share some pics of Larry & his tank!
 
Although you can get some gravel from your uncle, it'd be more beneficial to get some of his filter media. He can remove up to 1/3 of it to donate to you.

 

[Stratus]

75 gallon won't be a problem in the near future. Anything to make sure Larry's taken care of.
Most definitely! I have a few relatives that have owned massive tanks in the past, so I may ask them if they still have them in storage.
 
Sure thing! I'll have to get my DSLR to get a nice shot of the aquarium, and I'll post it in this thread once I can.
 
1/3rd? Wonderful! How long would it take to adjust to the new tank, do you think?
 
Thanks for the help, too

 

[Ninjouzata]

It is really great to know that you're going to upgrade him!
When you do get a pic, if you don't already know, you can upload the picture onto a photo-sharing website and then link it here.
 
What do you mean by adjust to the new tank? I think I sort of get what you're asking but I'm not very, ah, knowledgeable about the way the bacteria work/how they react to being moved.
The point of the mature media is it'll already have ammonia and nitrite eating bacteria that you need on it, instead of having to build it up from scratch. (Or something along those lines? :c)

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

Just make sure you keep the media wet, and it should be fine.


Remeber that fosh only grow to the size of tank they are in, this is stunted growth and normally leads to premature death. Iw ould get him a 55-75 gallon right away. After that he can live happily for almost 15 years!

Goldfish are coldwater fish, so if you do a community tank make sure you research the type of fish you want to put in it.

Also, goldfish are very messy, and I would suggest 2 or 3 times filtratiom for the tank size you have. So in a 55 gallon enough filtration for about a 100-150 gallon tank.
Oh! And welxome to the forums! Lots of knowledgeable people here who can help with all of your questions!

 

[daizeUK]

Hi there Stratus welcome to the forums!
Goldfish do need big tanks unfortunately, so few of them are ever given the space they really need.  They are much better off in ponds outside.
 
Getting some mature media is a great idea and the best thing you can do right now.  However you don't need to get your ammonia right down to zero.  The cycle will progress faster if there is a little ammonia in the tank for the bacteria to feed off and this will make Larry better off in the long run.  Your pH is high which means that ammonia will be more toxic in your tank, therefore I personally wouldn't let it get any higher than 0.5ppm.  If it reaches 0.5ppm, do a 50% water change to get it back down to 0.25ppm.  Larry should be fine with these levels for the duration of the cycle.

 

[Stratus]

ninjouzata: Awesome, I'll be sure to do that! Yeah, for the bacteria I meant what the estimate time it'd be that the new bacteria would start eating it all up and get the levels down. Like how much time should I expect it to take, if that makes sense haha.
 
EllieJellyEllie: I'll do my best to get a 55-75 gallon tank ASAP,as I definitely want him to live a full life. And I'm not planning to add any more animals until Larry's situation is ideal, then I'll be asking all you guys about fish suggestions  Okay, great, I'll keep that in mind when I look out for filtration once I get it. Thank you for the welcome. I cannot wait to continue learning. Everyone's so nice and helpful, which is truly a lifesaver!
 
daizeUK: Thank you! Great, thanks for all that information. I'm going to do a 50% water change tonight to help with that, and I'll be getting the filter media either tonight or tomorrow (depending on my uncle's schedule).
 
I do have another question for everyone. His tank does have some algae in it (on the glass walls, gravel, etc). The fish seem fine, but I wanted to ask just in case you guys suggest to not get it from his tank. I don't know when the last time his filter was cleaned/changed, so I'm hoping it's nice and mature. Also, do I cut open the filter cartridge or how exactly would it be best to make sure I do an okay job and not harm either. I know I can take up to a 1/3rd, but of course I have to make sure I explain to my uncle that it won't harm his tank. I also don't know what brand or type of filter he has, but I assume it's pretty much the same for most? And if he has an artificial sponge (like ours), I was planning to take a chunk of that... basically, I don't want to mess up
 
Thanks again for all your help, everyone!!

 

[daizeUK]

Algae doesn't harm fish but diseases might so check if he has had any sick fish.
Filters are all different, the most common types use either sponges or ceramic biomedia but there are other types.  Ideally you want to replace his missing media with fresh stuff so that his bacteria have more space to re-colonize.
 
If it's a sponge, you can cut some off and replace with an equal amount of your sponge.  If it's ceramic media you can probably get away with borrowing a few pieces, you don't have to take a third if it would leave him with missing media, even a small amount will help kickstart your cycle.
 
The way filters usually work is to have mechanical filtration where the water flows in, usually a coarse sponge near the bottom, this removes bits of gunk from the water.  Depending on the filter there may be fine mechanical filtration or a carbon pad after that.  If there is separate bio-media then it will be near the outflow where the water is cleanest (usually near the top).  That's where the bacteria live.  So if there's only one sponge serving as both mechanical and biological filtration then take a small amount near the top of his filter and place it near the top of yours.  I hope that makes sense, it's hard to advise without knowing which filter he's got!
 
If his filter media is very dirty then you can very gently rinse it in dechlorinated water to dislodge solid waste, preferably in a jug of his old tank water.  Don't let it dry out on the way home!

 

[Stratus]

daizeUK: Thank you SO much! That explains everything I was confused about nice and clearly!

Once I get to his place I'll be sure to ask about his fish, their health, and look about what kind of filter he's got. Hopefully it will be easy to take out, so we shall see! That helps so much so I know what to do now.

Thank you!!

 

[daizeUK]

One other thing, if he uses filter wool on top that's not what you want.  Filter wool is similar to the stuffing you use for upholstery & duvets, it's used for fine filtration and gets clogged up with lots of dirt so there won't be many bacteria living there.  Sponge or ceramics is what you want!

 

[Stratus]

Ohh, thanks for telling me that too! Ceramics and sponges will be on my list to find. Thank you so much. I'll be sure to update later once I go over to his place and see what he has