Some Newbie Help

[rEvolution27]

I recently got a fish tank. The fish are as follows :
one swordtail, 2 goldfish and 2 angelfish (and 2 snails). I've got a few questions...

Fist of all, the gravel. First i used river gravel, very thoughroughly washed, later on my fish got a bacterial infection and i realized bacteria was breeding in the gravel. So i removed it and replaced it with a very small amount of storebought gravel, but black stuff still seens to accumulate on the gravel. Should i get a siphon to help clean the gravel or should i use my net? or what?

Second, it seens that my fish spend most of the time fighting with their reflections, mirrored on the side of the tank, is this a problem?

Also do you recomend me getting som mollies to reproduce and provide some live food for the tank?

How much water sould i replace every week? How do i keep my pump quieter? and should i supplement my fishes diet.

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank, plus not really meant to keep coldwater fish with tropical, also do you have water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Also do the angels nip at the goldfish fins.

 

[rEvolution27]

How many gallons is the tank, plus not really meant to keep coldwater fish with tropical, also do you have water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Also do the angels nip at the goldfish fins.

20 gallon tank
Well i blame my pet store for the cold water. Which ones are cold water?
Nope i have no stats
No they don't but the swordtail does

 

[WILDER]

Coldwater are the goldfish what type are they, as for now if they are fancy you might get away with it.
Rehome the angels and swordtail as angel need a 30gal tank, as goldfish are massive waste producers plus if you have a 20gal tank, they will need a 40gal filter.
Also get your water tested, and buy some test kits as you will need them with goldfish.

 

[rEvolution27]

Coldwater are the goldfish what type are they, as for now if they are fancy you might get away with it.
Rehome the angels and swordtail as angel need a 30gal tank, as goldfish are massive waste producers plus if you have a 20gal tank, they will need a 40gal filter.
Also get your water tested, and buy some test kits as you will need them with goldfish.

They seem to be comet goldfish. My tanks temp is 81degrees F and doesn't get colder than 77.
I didn't think i needed my water tested because i have stuff to contron ammonium and nitrates and have tap water conditioner too.

Should i get a vaccum for my stones? Live plants? and are mirrors a problem for fish?

Edit: Now i realize why my book on tropical fish had nothing about goldfish. I'm so stupid. Is this going to be a problem? Also i have a smaller tank should i relocate any fish to there? I really don't want to but i may have too. My fish seem quite lazy, is this due to overcrowding?

I re arranged my tank a bit a boy what a difference that makes to both the tanks appearance and the fishe happyness it seems

 

[WILDER]

That temp is far to high for comets, plus they will grow massive, i would rehome the goldfish.
Plus believe me you need test kits.

 

[rEvolution27]

That temp is far to high for comets, plus they will grow massive, i would rehome the goldfish.
Plus believe me you need test kits.

Wow. I can rehome the goldfish, but only to a smaller tank and if i do, how do i get the temo down? that's the temp of my tank without a heater.

edit: I am getting worried about my goldfish as you pointed thet out. They seem quite inactive and are constantly tormented by the swordtail.

 

[rEvolution27]

Here's my problem. One of my goldfish seem sick, it's fins and down an d near to it's body and it stops movement completly for a few seconds and then restrats. The other does not seem to be displaying any problems but they are both CONSTANTLY tormented by the swodtail. I cannot move them yet because i don't have a filter for my other tank i'm very worried for thier lives. Can they last for a day without a filter or should i move swordtail or what? i'm confused

And how can i solve the goldfish temperature problem.

 

[WILDER]

Clamped fins are a sign of stress, so i would get your water tested, move the swordtail as if the tank hasn't a filter the swordtail with being little won't alter water stats to fast like a goldfish.

 

[rEvolution27]

ok swordtail is is soletary confinemet. The goldfish seem happier already.

 

[WILDER]

Good, if the fins are still clamped preform a water change, good luck.

 

[rEvolution27]

wow i never new fish keeping was so hard. And i thought turtles were bad.
My goldfish seem to be giving up life. I'm trying my best to save them. I an de chlorinating some water for them.

I am very upset at my local pet store. Next time i go there i'm going to carry my tropical fish book and check everything. What a shame.

 

[rEvolution27]

Update: goldfish moved to new tank. Goldfish have ich and are being treated with methene blue. They seem happier and fins are starting to unclamp. I will continue to treat them untill i see the ich getting better. Their new tank has only a filter and gravel so far but they'll soon get some air ect. The new tanks temp seems a bit coller then the old tank. About 78. Reason for temp difference: yet to be explained.

Well i an suspecting high ammoina levels in my main community tank.
Feel free to listen to this very sat fish store story. There seems to be no manager, supervisor or anyone with an intelligence around. Just two store clerks.
Me : Do you get live plants here.
Clerk : Somethimes... The floating kind.
Me : Ok, do you have water testing kits.
(clerk goes to back comes out with thermometer)
Me: No that's not what i want
Clerk 2 to Clerk1: What does he want? The thing to see the water temperature?
Me : No i want something to test water quality, ph, amonia
(clerk goes to back, comes back with cycle)
I give up and leave.

I wonder if the school lab would have testing strips.

 

[WILDER]

Good god try another lfs, glad they seem to be a little bit better.
Wouldn't bother with real plants with goldifsh they will just eat them and up root them.

 

[rEvolution27]

Yes but i still want some real plants for my other tank. I may order online. Is it safe to order online?

Other tank is has 2 angelfish and a male swordtail
I will be adding two female swordtails
Hopefully 4 corydoras
And some livebearers (if they don't turn into food) mollies and guppies

I'm near the end of the recommended treatment for the goldfish and although they seem happy their ich is not completely gone. Should i discontinue the medication and hope for the best or contine for a little longer just to be safe?