Help! Increasing Water Quality And Fish Floating To Top..

[fluttermoth]

It's true there is a very, very small risk of introducing diseae with media from another tank, but poor water quality kills more fish than anything else, so it's worth the risk. tropical media will work just as well in a coldwater tank.

I should point out that fish don't need to be in glass boxes; that's just for our convenience of looking at them; your fish need a larger amount of water; you could buy yourself a cheap plastic storage box from a DIY or supermarket that would be better for your fish while you look for an upgrade.

 

[natehall]

It's true there is a very, very small risk of introducing diseae with media from another tank, but poor water quality kills more fish than anything else, so it's worth the risk. tropical media will work just as well in a coldwater tank.

I should point out that fish don't need to be in glass boxes; that's just for our convenience of looking at them; your fish need a larger amount of water; you could buy yourself a cheap plastic storage box from a DIY or supermarket that would be better for your fish while you look for an upgrade.

I will get some media from Pete tomorrow if he is in...

Is this the Prime you are talking about? http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seachem-Prime-250ml-Dechlorinator-and-Water-Conditioner-/320746151463?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4aadf5de27

I had thought of that - however my concern was with not having gravel etc in there to establish the biofilter and also the release agents they use making the plastic boxes affecting the water quality. Basically I am afraid as everything I do, everything I read and it all appears to be wrong

 

[Harlequins]

Not having gravel doesn't make any difference with the cycling,its the filter that holds 99.9% of the bacteria you need to keep the fish alive. Gravel is just for cosmetic purposes.

I've raised hundreds of fry in a 80l clear plastic storage boxes without any probs.

Thats the correct Prime,its very concentrated and you only need a tiny bit each time

 

[natehall]

Not having gravel doesn't make any difference with the cycling,its the filter that holds 99.9% of the bacteria you need to keep the fish alive. Gravel is just for cosmetic purposes.

I've raised hundreds of fry in a 80l clear plastic storage boxes without any probs.

Thats the correct Prime,its very concentrated and you only need a tiny bit each time

Right - that stuff is on its way to me first class - so hopefully be here as soon as wednesday.

nitrate and nitrite levels are 0, ammoinia is the same as before, its al ighter green than the 1st green marking on the tab but greener than the yellow.

[Rant mode - please ignore]My god this fish keeping is confusing - im envious of a few friends who just plopped a goldfish in a gallon bowl and the fish is ok years on - ive lost 3 fish already - given up and am trying again with 2 and these arent looking too well and have five gallons of water (I know still not enough!)[/Rant]

Not having gravel doesn't make any difference with the cycling,its the filter that holds 99.9% of the bacteria you need to keep the fish alive. Gravel is just for cosmetic purposes.

Would I be better to remove the gravel then? as the gravel cleaner has shifted an awful lot of poo so far!

 

[Harlequins]

Its up to you if your want to remove the gravel,has said the filter is the bit you want to be concerned with,having no gravel will help keep the tank clean of goldfish poo,they're serious poo machines...

Don't add any more fish and feed very minimal,check your water ammonia & nitrite 1-2 times a day,the closer you keep the readings to zero the better it is for your fish.

Has your tank stands atm,w/c's are your best friend to keep the goldie from being poisoned

 

[natehall]

Its up to you if your want to remove the gravel,has said the filter is the bit you want to be concerned with,having no gravel will help keep the tank clean of goldfish poo,they're serious poo machines...

Don't add any more fish and feed very minimal,check your water ammonia & nitrite 1-2 times a day,the closer you keep the readings to zero the better it is for your fish.

Has your tank stands atm,w/c's are your best friend to keep the goldie from being poisoned

I have been doing 50% daily changes - do you think I should go higher % of water change?

I have no intentions of having more than 2 fish for at least a year - the water gets checked first thing before work and at 7-8pm after my son goes to bed to enable me to perform the water change.

Another really stupid question - how much food is to much food - I feed them both a tiny pinch of flakes that they eat within 60-90 seconds morning and night - obviously I need to drop one of these feeds whilst we get things sorted - but its a absolutely the smallest amount I can pick up.

Thank you once again for your help - I think I have been blagged into buying all of these medicines by the local fish shop and despite having spent hours this past 9 days reading and getting more and more confused - I dont think I have truly understood what I am doing although im starting to understand the nitrogen cycle...