Goldfish Koi Maintenance

//Goldfish Koi Maintenance

Goldfish Koi Keeping and more

Goldfish Koi keeping is a topic that is widely discussed, and everyone seems to have a different opinion. GFE practices organic methods of fish keeping, and hopes to share the knowledge collected over the years with other fish keepers

Post here to discuss, share or ask questions about the care and maintenance of goldfish and Koi

Cyling new tank

By | 2019-05-26T06:18:19-05:00 May 19th, 2019|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

I thought I would make a post under goldfish maintenance, because the fish are doing great after being poisoned by ammonia. I was making some pretty big mistakes with my fish by cleaning the entire tank instead of doing water changes. This either kept the cycle from forming or broke it. The fish were poisoned. It was time to get a decent size tank for them, so now they're living like rock stars in a 40 gallon and loving every minute of it. I also added a pond pump. Will add a second once its cycled, but right now its in the cycling bucket Every day I'm removing about 20% of the tank water with a gravel vac and putting it in the bucket with the cycling pump. This is keeping ammonia levels low in the fish tank. So far they've reached .5 ppm, but the cycling bucket is closer to 5.ppm. My question is, should I start testing for nitrites yet? I haven't been using water treatment in the cycling bucket. I hope this is right, but what would be the need. I'm using the single dose Venus recommended in the fish tank with every water change One of the fish has a lot of black on the fins, top and tail, but the other one seems to have made it through without being hurt. I've just finished the second round of aloe remedy which seems to have helped. At least they seem to be happy and eating a lot of food. I'm curious as to how long before the burn marks fade or will they be there forever? Guess it doesn't matter because they blend well. If you didn't know the fish, you wouldn't know it had been burned Thanks again for all the help

Refurbished Pumps

By | 2019-05-17T05:20:41-05:00 May 2nd, 2019|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Venus, where did we buy those refurbished 100 gal/hr pumps? I looked on ebay and Amazon and didn't see them. I need two for my tanks and one for my outside fountain/birdbath. I also want to send the seller the 2-3 I have that no longer work, so they can be refurbished rather than tossed. I'm going to set up my old 20 long next to my 50 gal to age my freshwater in and want to put a pump in it. I'll age the water, buffer it and let the pump fill the 50 gal during water changes. If I have a sick fish and need to QT, I can borrow it for them temporarily, maybe, haven't quite decided yet. I'm excited!

Algae

By | 2019-04-28T19:32:35-05:00 April 28th, 2019|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Hi Venus, I caught the goldfish eating algae. It's back, too. Like a vengeance. Some spots are brown some are green. I looked to see if it actually got some and it sure did. Fishes are doing great, thanks to your support. I always try to tell people about the pump. Nobody seems to bite, or be interested. I feel like it's a key component. The toads did not get their glory. I drained the pond. It was just about time to lay eggs so I just had to nip it in the bud. Feel bad cuz I know they like it, but too many babies jumping around for months while we tip toe. For the algae, should I just leave it on the back wall and side and keep the front clear? Does algae put out anything bad? or change water conditions? Should I get some plants. Was reading that Elodea and Anacharis are good ones. I've pretty much given up on flakes because I think it's constipates them. Was feeding peas for a week straight until my all orange one stopped swimming funky, like swim bladder problems. She is blind, or prob just can't see well, so she always goes to the top for food and gulps a lot of air. Started happening after her eyesight went. I think it's in one eye only. Looks silvery inside the pupil. I dunk my food and swoosh my hand around, so eventually she goes to the bottom looking for food. She will eat out of my pinched fingers when i feed peas though. This always seems to clear up the swim pattern like floats coming on. I think I'll only use the food as a treat. But I need more food ideas. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Nitrogen Cycle

By | 2020-08-05T11:54:15-05:00 April 10th, 2019|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Nitrogen cycle explained in depth STEP 2 Buy the Book Nitrogen cycle explained covers the event from beginning to end. The cycle is vital to the well being of our fish, and if you don't understand it, your fish are at risk of being poisoned. Goldfish produce a tremendous amount of waste which converts to ammonia in a very short time. Ammonia is extremely toxic to goldfish, but thankfully, beneficial bacteria guard the front lines, soldiers with a cause. Friendly bugs have a voracious appetite for ammonia. The smallest amount of ammonia can quickly poison goldfish. This toxin must be removed by means of a freshwater change and converted with water treatment unless beneficial bacteria are present Ammonia is the first toxin to convert in the nitrogen cycle Nitrites, the second toxin to convert in the nitrogen cycle, is also toxic to goldfish. Nitrites are being produced by one type of beneficial bacteria as another type forms to feed on it, converting it into nitrates. Closely related, both toxins are created by living organisms Healthy fish live in healthy water Nitrates are the third and final toxin to form in the nitrogen cycle. This toxin can only be removed from the water by means of a partial water change or by using water treatment, however, a thick lining of algae on the side of your tank will also share in the responsibility of removing the gentle giant. Algae forms naturally in a cycled tank or pond, making for an almost perfect ecosystem Creating a perfect union, the friendly bugs will keep growing in numbers, matching the amount of waste created Beneficial bacteria The life span of a friendly bacterium is 2 to 4 months, taking 10 ro 12 hours to reproduce. Friendly bugs require ammonia created from waste that contain enzymes as their food source. Only waste produced by living creatures contain enzymes. We refer to this ammonia as ionized Enzymes the building blocks of life Nitrates in tap water Nitrate the gentle giant We think of the nitrogen cycle as being complete when only nitrates are present, but in a natural body of water, little if any nitrates would be measurable. This is because other microorganisms called diatoms appear when nitrates are present, feeding on the so called final toxin in the nitrogen cycle Nitrogen cycle explained These diatoms are what we call algae; the living plant. Algae is a very important part of the cycle, feeding on nitrates, reducing levels. Nitrates provide a valuable food source for fish, who then in turn make waste that converts to ammonia, starting the cycle again. The circle of aqua life Algae the living plant Plants absorb Co2 (carbon dioxide) from water freeing it for oxygen to enter, although, the same plant releases Co2 at night. Thankfully, being diurnal, goldfish sleep in the dark of night. It's a myth that plants produce oxygen What are friendly bugs? There are two kinds of bacteria in a goldfish tank or pond; the beneficial and the harmful. Bad bugs are everywhere just waiting for an opportunity to multiply. Good [...]

10 Easy Steps Goldfish Keeping

By | 2020-08-05T13:46:11-05:00 May 28th, 2018|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , , |

 10 Easy STEPS Goldfish Keeping make it simple Buy the Book 10 easy steps goldfish keeping are easy to read and follow The theory is simple, by recreating their ancestor’s natural environment, the cold and fast moving rivers of China, our goldfish will thrive in an aquarium or pond. Learn everything you can about goldfish keeping Centuries ago, and still today, the Chinese displayed their goldfish in glass bowls much to the delight of their guests, but the goldfish were quickly returned to their ponds after the party was over. This could very well have started the ‘goldfish in a bowl’ tradition, and with dire consequences. Follow 10 Easy Steps to create the perfect ecosystem for your goldfish, and they will live up to their full potential in growth and life expectancy Goldfish Care Equipment and Supplies needed; Goldfish container; water pump & sponge; Water treatment; Freshwater tub; Gravel vacuum or python; Natural pea gravel; Goldfish food; Parameters test kit and thermometer Goldfish are delicate creatures. Their environment is a complex ecosystem that must be perfectly balanced. The tiny goldfish you bring home will double in size within a few short weeks, and by the end of the first year could easily measure 2" in length; averaging 1” per year. If their growth is not stunted by close quarters they’ll keep growing for most of their life which averages 16 years, and some live for much longer, growing much larger Goldfish information Goldfish need room to grow. The water they live in should be filtered and oxygenated. Even a large aquarium is not a natural environment for goldfish. They are more at home in shallow water that has plenty of surface area with plenty of surface activity, such as water fountains and falls. Compromises must be made if these creatures are to be housed successfully in our homes 10 easy steps goldfish keeping Goldfish keeping 10 Easy Steps Goldfish Keeping GOLDFISH House Step 1 House your goldfish in a fancy aquarium, a flower pot or even a rubber tub. The most important factors in choosing a container is that it is large enough, strong enough to hold water and free of contaminants, having more surface area and less depth. Some goldfish are sensitive to water pressure  Minimum stocking level 2.5 gallons of water per 1” of body length If you have an indoor goldfish house, locate it a place that doesn’t receive too much sunlight; a room that stays cool year round. The top should be open and exposed to fresh air Use aquarium safe decorations and natural gravel. Make sure plants are nontoxic and free of infection 10 Easy Steps to Goldfish Keeping NITROGEN Cycle Step 2 Goldfish make waste, which plays a big role in helping Mother Nature create a healthy ecosystem for them to live in. Ammonia, a deadly toxin, is created from waste. When ammonia is present, and the environment is right, beneficial bacteria form to feed on the toxin, converting it into nitrite Nitrites attract another [...]

Tank Cycling

By | 2019-04-01T10:01:00-05:00 February 12th, 2018|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Hello Venus, I'm goldfish sitting again. This time, just for 12 days. Since the pump and pond sponge was added last time, it appears that good bacteria were able to grow in the tank! This is a 5.5 gallon tank with 3 small fantails. Unfortunately, I will not be able to upgrade the tank size as it is not my tank :( Current readings are: Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0.5, Nitrate=5, pH=7, KH=0. (No GH reading until new tester arrives). One of the fantails’ tail frayed before and apparently the tank was salted. When the tail healed, it became black. Current salinity is 0.03ppm. One side of the black tail is longer than the other. I’m not sure if it’s completely healed but I imagine this happened as a result of cycling. The top fin of that fish is also slightly torn. Should we add any treatment to assist in the fin/tail healing? Or is fixing water parameters enough? Do you think we are in the middle or tail end of cycling this tank? With the current nitrite and nitrate levels, how often should I be doing water changes and how much water should I be changing? Should I dose Prime for the amount of new water added or the entire 5 gallon tank? Since the KH=0 (very low mineral quality), should I add some backing soda? Our tap water also has close to no minerals and low pH. I have already ordered some small wonder shells to arrive next week. In the meantime, should I add baking soda to raise KH and then add the shells to maintain KH? Or just wait for the shells and rely completely on the shells to raise and maintain KH/GH? If I add baking soda first, how much should I add for 5 gallons?

Amquel Plus

By | 2019-04-01T10:03:11-05:00 October 15th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , |

Amquel Plus converts dangerous toxins to a safe form Amquel plus converts 2 ppm of ammonia and nitrite per dose. I bought a bottle of Amquel Plus the other day. But I haven't used it, and don't seem to need to use it, but that one touch of nitrate, that is so low though, I don't want to interrupt if a cycling is occurring, but wonder if getting rid of any trace of it may help. Water treatment converts ammonia and nitrite Prime is all I've been using. I really hated to use it though because it stinks so bad, but so many people say it's so good for cycling and water changes. Wish I had it on hand when I had that reading of ammonia. Wanted to let you know I have it now. I remember you asking me if I had Prime or Amquel. This is actually Amquel Plus. It's all they had. Nitrogen cycle

Pond Pump

By | 2019-04-01T10:09:59-05:00 October 5th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

I'm liking the looks of this filter but I'd like to get an opinion here.  I do like the one w/the basket from Walmart but the sponge on this pump is intriguing and a pretty good price. Thank you!

2 Koi Ponds. High Nitrates

By | 2019-04-01T10:12:28-05:00 September 4th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues, Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

I visited my dad's friend's 2 outdoor ponds today and here are the parameters: 2700gallon pond, 5.2ft 33 large koi, pond 2 years old: KH 65 GH 20 - 40 Ammonia  0.1 Nitrite 0.1 - 0.3 Nitrate 50+ (under 100) One fish in the large pond has bulging red eyes, another has a big bulge on the side of its body. 770gallon pond, 3.5ft 20 large koi, pond 6 years old: KH 30 GH 20-40 Ammonia 0.1 Nitrite 0.1-0.3 Nitrate 50 He appears to have a problem with high nitrates and low KH and low GH. He had to keep doing water changes to keep nitrates low or they can exceed 100ppm. The ponds are quite full with koi and they swim slowly. Each pond has a small waterfall that brings water down from above and a filtration fixture at the bottom on the pond that sucks debris out to an external canister. The larger pond has a fixture at the bottom of the deep end that can push water upwards with surface action like a pond pump. There are constant low levels of salt (0.12) in the ponds to prevent infection. I've forwarded this site to Dad's friend and linked this blog post to him. Hoping he can followup with you here on how to treat.

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