Need Some Advice

[kristoph]

I'm not sure where to ask, and I know these aren't tropical, but I was hoping someone could help.

I've been given two tanks of fish to look after for 2 weeks, one of them could potentially have an issue.

Last Monday we noticed the pump in cold water tank wasn't really doing anything (no noise or movement to the water) - we checked the fuse on the plug, all okay. I realise today that the plug was left unplugged after it was checked and I plugged it back in. It made a slight noise, so I presume that its working - just quietly!

The problem now is, these fish have been in a tank for a week and 1 day with this pump/filter thing turned off.


Size of tank in Litre or Gallons, if you don't know the water capacity then the physical size of the tank L x W x H?

60x30x30

What filter do you use?
No idea.

How long has the tank been set up?
Quite some time. (months)

What water tests have you done and what are the readings pH, Ammonia, NitrIte, NitrAte, Phosphate, water temperature?

None, but have access to water testing kits.

When was the last water change and how much did you change?

Don't think they've been done recently?

A list of all the inhabitants?

4 or 5 goldfish, (4-5cm in size), very small catfish type fish (2cm-3cm) and another small fish (1-2cm)

Have you added any medication?
No, but have a water conditioner I've been told to use if I need to top up the tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi kristoph, welcome to the forum.

The problem you may have with the filter being off for so long is that the good bacteria that live in the filter that turn ammonia (from fish wastes; highly toxic to fish) to nitrite (less toxic) and finally to nitrate (only toxic at very high levels and removed through water changes) may have died off.

If you have access to tests, test for ammonia and nitrite and if you get any reading for either do a large water change (you can do up to 50% without stressing fish; don't forget to dechlorinate!)

Hopefully you'll still have some bacteria left and the colony will soon recover, but if they've all died you may have to be doing large daily water changes.

If the worst comes to the worst and the bacteria have died off (you'll know because you'll keep getting a positive result for ammonia) you can 'seed' the filter with a bit of media (sponge or whatever's in it) from your other tank's filter. Just don't take more than 1/3 from the donor tank and make sure you replace it with something that the bacteria can re-colonise.

I know these aren't your fish, but I feel I should point out that those goldfish should really be in a pond to grow to their full potential.

 

[kristoph]

Hi kristoph, welcome to the forum.

The problem you may have with the filter being off for so long is that the good bacteria that live in the filter that turn ammonia (from fish wastes; highly toxic to fish) to nitrite (less toxic) and finally to nitrate (only toxic at very high levels and removed through water changes) may have died off.

If you have access to tests, test for ammonia and nitrite and if you get any reading for either do a large water change (you can do up to 50% without stressing fish; don't forget to dechlorinate!)

Hopefully you'll still have some bacteria left and the colony will soon recover, but if they've all died you may have to be doing large daily water changes.

If the worst comes to the worst and the bacteria have died off (you'll know because you'll keep getting a positive result for ammonia) you can 'seed' the filter with a bit of media (sponge or whatever's in it) from your other tank's filter. Just don't take more than 1/3 from the donor tank and make sure you replace it with something that the bacteria can re-colonise.

I know these aren't your fish, but I feel I should point out that those goldfish should really be in a pond to grow to their full potential.

I've got a ammonia and nitrite test kit so will do the water tests now, when will this start to become a big issue if there is a sign of ammonia or nitrite? I have a nitrate kit too and ph readers if those would b useful? The people who normally look after the fish are back on Tuesday. Will I need to do this before then ideally? I'll post the results of the test in 10mins or so.

 

[kristoph]

Okay I've got a reading of about 0.5-1mg/l of ammonia and a low 0.1-0.2 with the nitrite reading. I'm guessing the water change needs to be done. I need to speak to the people who look after the fish really, make sure its okay to go ahead..

 

[This Old Spouse]

With ammonia levels that high, I'd really do a large water change immediately. I can't think of any reason it would be an issue with the owners, unless you're really sloppy!

Good luck, welcome to the forum, and please keep us posted.

 

[kristoph]

I've just spoken with them and I've been told there may be another pump I could use.

I've taken out the old one which wasn't really doing anything, I'm running the new one in a 3ltr jug of water that I've just removed from the tank. I'm getting 3ltrs of fresh water with stress coat up to the same temp as the tank water 21c. Should I do all of the 50% at once?

 

[kristoph]

Is the use of a new pump going to cause problems? Does the sponge inside the old one have any use?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, use the sponge from the old filter; you can chop it up to get it in; there may still be some live bacteria in there.

 

[kristoph]

I've set up the new pump and it seems like its doing its job, its giving a bit of a current in the water now, guessing this is okay and won't disturb them too much? They seem fairly happy/eating away. Bit more active now?

 

[fluttermoth]

Goldfish are good swimmers and shouldn't mind the current.

Just been re-reading the thread; you said the tank is 60 x 30 x 30; is that inches or centimetres? Because if it's centimetres, those goldfish are going to be very unhappy, and probably stunted, depending on how long they've been in there.

I'd strongly advise you to tell the people the fish belong to that most fishkeepers consider keeping goldies in tanks that small as cruel (I do myself).

Well looked after goldfish (ie; ones in ponds, where they should be) can grow to well over a foot in length and can live 25 years or more; keeping them in a 2 foot long tank just isn't on, I'm afraid.

It's only the 'fancy' types of goldfish with round bodies and long tails that should be kept in tanks and the RSPCA guidelines say a minimum of 100l for one fish.
If the tank is 60cms, that makes it 54l; less than half of what one golfish requires, even if they were fancies, which they're not.

 

[kristoph]

I'll pass the info on to them

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, it's not your fault; it's probably not even the owners of the fishes fault; there is an awful lot of bad advice given out about goldfish unfortunately

Any chance they have room in their garden for a nice pond?