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6 08, 2017

Performing Water Changes

By | 2020-08-05T06:33:08-05:00 August 6th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , , |

Water Changes reduce nitrates, increase oxygen and mineral value STEP 8 Buy the Books Water changes must be performed frequently to keep oxygen levels up and nitrates down in our goldfish house. We've learned that beneficial bacteria are responsible for the nitrogen cycle. Without these friendly bugs, goldfish would be poisoned by their own waste. Keeping fish safe in captivity would be a challenge if not impossible without this miracle of nature Without the nitrogen cycle, life would not exist as we know it Nitrates are the third and final conversion in the cycle; tolerated by goldfish at low levels. This toxin can only be removed by means of a partial water change. If the environment in your goldfish house cannot support beneficial bacteria, then it will support harmful bacteria. If bad bugs flourish in your tank or pond, your goldfish won't. It's that simple Cleaning goldfish aquarium Exchange less water more often to keep nitrates at consistent levels Water changes Another reason to perform frequent water changes; goldfish emit a growth hormone dangerous at high levels. Goldfish in overstocked tanks are at risk of being poisoned by these hormones which may stunt growth. These same hormones cause cancer, heart disease and even death Add plants to your set up. Plants feed on nitrates keeping levels at bay. There is one plant that forms naturally in the right conditions with no maintenance, and that's algae Fish are at risk of ammonia and or nitrite poisoning if the cycle has not completed If your tank has not cycled, perform daily water changes between 20% to 30% (depending on stocking levels) for the next 8 to 10  weeks. Use water treatment (enough for entire tank size) that eliminates ammonia, nitrite, chlorine and chloramines Refer to Step 5: Water Treatment: to determine recommended dosages required for making conversions Never perform a 100% water change. Along with the bad bacteria and toxins, you'll be throwing out water that provides nourishment for good bacteria also If your tank has cycled perform bi weekly water changes of 10% to 20% depending on stocking levels. Eliminate chlorine or convert chloramines using water treatment if present Water changes aquarium An overstocked tank requires increased amounts of partial water changes Test fish water before every water change; adjust water changes accordingly. The comfort zone is 20 to 40 ppm with the lower end of the scale being preferred; a buffering zone in case of a spike Here are some tips to keep water changes easier Make sure water buckets have strong and secure handles  Keep the buckets light so they're easy to carry; don't over fill Take your time. Don't rush through bailing water; slow and steady Keep a towel beneath buckets while removing or adding water  Keep filters and pumps in fish water at all times Never use detergents or cleaning agents on goldfish house or equipment Work water over to remove supersaturated gases from tap water Never add water treatment or any other substances directly to goldfish tank Keep a watchful eye on running water from a faucet unattended How [...]

6 08, 2017

Pond Pumps

By | 2021-05-04T08:41:45-05:00 August 6th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , , |

Pond pumps belong in every goldfish and Koi house STEP 7 Buy the Books Pond pumps belong in every goldfish and Koi house. There are many fancy and expensive filtering systems available in all price ranges, some costing hundreds of dollars. Pet shop filters are designed for tropical fish; not goldfish. Standard filtering systems are located at the top of the aquarium where there is little or no waste. Even though there's an intake extension that comes close to the floor, the intake is slow, and it sits to the side of the tank Filters and pumps do much more than push water and filter it, they house beneficial bacteria Goldfish create a lot of waste which accumulates at the bottom of the tank where they rest and feed. Friendly bugs feed on the ammonia created by their waste. The home they live in should be located in the same proximity, encouraging them to build strong colonies, making for a strong cycle Boost pH by performing water changes Water filter verses pond pumps New fish keepers use carbon in their filters, assuming it will keep the cycle from forming; referred to a cycle free tank, but products and others like it are not predictable. Your fish are at risk in a cycle free environment Encouraging consistent pH levels, oxygenated water is the key to a healthy ecosystem pH; Potential of Hydrogen How pond pumps work Pushing water from the bottom to the surface; a simple, submersible pond pump creates a powerful jet stream that clears Co2 from water. No goldfish set up is complete without one, because no other filter or pump provides the necessary action to clear a body of water Goldfish Care Pond pumps typically come equipped with water volume controls. These settings may be turned up or down to obtain the desired action. When cleaning tank or sponges, a higher setting should be powerful enough to clear a cloud in the water quickly Switching from a standard filtering system to a pond pump is easy. Leave your old filter up and running for two to three months after installing a pond pump. If your old filter has a volume control, turning it down will be discourage beneficial bacteria from forming in it, and encourage them to form in the new pond pump. Friendly bugs prefer pond pumps because they move water faster, making for increased oxygen levels. They sit close to the waste, which produces their food source. Remove the old system after the waiting period, and you're good to go Cleaning goldfish aquarium Friendly bugs require heavily oxygenated water and complete darkness for reproducing  Water filters verses pond pumps Wrap an aquarium safe sponge around the intake of your pond pump. The sponges filters free floating debris from water, and keeps the pump running smoothly. Rinse sponges in old tank water. Even though the sponge may appear clean at the top, grunge accumulates mostly at the bottom. Vacuum beneath the pump. Perform this task weekly; depending on your stocking levels How maintain pond pumps Warning: Make sure sponges completely cover intake valves. Exposed [...]

6 08, 2017

Water Treatment

By | 2022-10-17T10:53:46-05:00 August 6th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , , |

Water treatment for aquariums and ponds  STEP 5 Buy the Books Water treatment is used to neutralize chlorine and chloramines. Cities add cleaning agents to prevent harmful bacteria growth, making water safe to drink, however, both chemicals are dangerous to fish and friendly bugs that create the nitrogen cycle Combined ammonia; referred to as chloramines; gives the agent staying power in large cities Chlorine is a liquid gas, and is easily eliminated from water by exposing it to fresh air; Add a simple pond pump to your freshwater bucket. Oxygen destroys chlorine on contact. The process takes up to 24 hours Chloramines, also referred to as combined ammonia, is just that, ammonia combined with chlorine. The only difference between the ammonia used to disinfect our tap water, and the ammonia created from waste is the latter is ionized. Ammonia becomes ionized when enzymes are present. Enzymes initiate change, which allows beneficial bacteria to feed on it. The insignificant amount of ammonia found in chloramines will not injure your fish, and will quickly become consumed by friendly bugs. Whether you have chlorine or chloramines in your tap, water treatment does not need to be used to convert either one Goldfish care Chemicals found in water treatment: Sulfur dioxide, bisulfites, hydrosulfites, aqueous solution buffered at pH 8 with ameliorating ingredients and reducing agents are all chemicals used to create water treatment Although relatively safe in low amounts for healthy fish, these substances burn fish that have little or no slime coat due to living in an unhealthy environment. Use a product that enhances or builds slime coat when using increased amounts of water treatment. Slime coating can be increased by giving the fish a Sea Salt Remedy Salt irritates their skin, causing them to secrete a protective coating Read more about slime coat Aloe Remedy is another means of increasing the slime coat as your fish receive many other benefits as well A healthy slime coat helps reduce the risk of infection as well as avoid poisoning by water treatment. Goldfish with a healthy slime coat are more tolerant to low levels of ammonia, high KH levels and disease in general Warning: Do not use Stress coat water treatment for increasing slime coat when cycling a tank or pond. Stress coat contains only trace amounts of aloe and increased amount of treatment may put the fish at risk Read the label of your water treatment bottle. Some treatments convert only chlorine and chloramines while some convert metals as well. Other treatments convert ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. You may combine water treatments if caution is used to avoid overdosing Type water treatments There are water treatments that raise or lower general and carbonate hardness levels, while some treatments lower these same mineral values. This can also be done by using products found at the grocery store. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) raises (GH) general hardness. Distilled or R.O. water lowers GH levels. Bicarbonate of soda raises (KH) carbonate mineral hardness. Vinegar lowers KH levels Nitrogen cycle Noted on treatment label; water treatment has the capacity to bind to a specific amount of substance per [...]

6 08, 2017

Freshwater Source

By | 2020-08-06T02:17:12-05:00 August 6th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , |

Freshwater Source should contain important minerals Step 4 BUY the Books Freshwater source should contain carbonate mineral, magnesium and calcium. Know your freshwater source, because it's a matter of life and death. Tap water is recommended as a freshwater source for goldfish because it contains important minerals necessary to support good health. General hardness gives our fish good health and vigor. Carbonate mineral gives water the ability to support life. Combined, general hardness and carbonate hardness make up the value of total hardness GH; general hardness is made up of two parts magnesium and one part calcium KH is just that; carbonate hardness Mineral amounts vary according to what region you live in Every body of water has a pH value or potential of hydrogen. In simple terms, pH is a measurement of oxygen and carbonate minerals combined. To support life, water must have a pH reading between 6.0 to 9.0 ppm, however, the comfort zone for goldfish is 7.4 To 8.4 ppm. The higher side of the zone offers a healthier environment. Don't settle for less Goldfish care pH is a combined reading of O2 and KH Carbonate mineral (KH) alone is responsible for how alkaline or acidic water is. KH gives water the ability to hold on to the O2 molecule, although, it will take more than a healthy KH reading to oxygenate water. There are a multitude of reasons that keep water from supporting oxygen, and most of them have to do with clouds or gases. You'll learn more about oxygenating water if you continue reading the 10 Steps Bottled water goldfish aquarium Distilled or R.O. (reverse osmosis) bottled water has no value, with little buffering capability. Goldfish keepers use R.O. water due to freshwater source containing bad bacteria or high levels of toxins. Bottled water that contains value may offer a better starting place for building value in water. This is where the term 'mineral water' comes in to play. Goldfish and humans alike share the need for minerals Boost pH by performing frequent water changes Tap water with low mineral value may be caused by a filtering system Mother Nature is hard at work, whenever and wherever possible. If your tap water contains ammonia, nitrites or nitrates, consider collecting rain water as your freshwater Humans and goldfish alike cannot tolerate nitrates at high levels. The preferred reading for both of us is 12.5 ppm; difficult to accomplish in a goldfish aquarium. The fact is, all animals can tolerate levels up to 20 to 40 ppm if not super sensitive Use Water Boost to increase magnesium, carbonate mineral and O2 value of water Goldfish aquarium water Cleaning agents in our tap water Both agents destroy formation of unfriendly bacteria, however, they also destroys the friendly kind.  Eliminate cleaning agents from your freshwater source before adding to fish house Freshwater source Cities add chlorine and sometimes chloramines to our drinking water to keep it free of harmful bacteria Most cities use only chlorine which can be eliminated naturally by using Oop Boost Large cities often combine ammonia with chlorine (chloramines) giving it staying power [...]

6 08, 2017

Gravel Vacuum Substrate

By | 2020-08-05T06:39:20-05:00 August 6th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , |

GRAVEL vacuum substrate with every water change STEP 3 Buy the book Gravel vacuum substrate in your goldfish aquarium or pond. Goldfish spend most every waking moment in search of food. There's nothing they love better than pecking through gravel and shoving stones around in hopes of finding an uneaten morsel. It's sad to see a goldfish in an aquarium without gravel; there's nothing quite as unnatural for a goldfish. Investing in a gravel vacuum is a must if you have a stone substrate Cleaning goldfish aquarium Because of this instinct; pecking through the gravel, a stone may become lodged in the fish's throat, although it's rare. There's less risk if natural pea gravel is used due to the irregular shape. Round, pet shop gravel is the culprit here. Most fish are able to expel the object on their own; this may happen within a few minutes or a few hours. If not, action may have to be taken to remove the stone  Lodged Stone Using gravel as a substrate makes for clear water by keeping waste and uneaten food from floating freely in the tank, giving it a place to settle. Use a gravel vacuum to remove the debris from the bottom of your goldfish tank. Since we know that friendly bacteria prefer building their colonies in filters and pumps, we can assume that unfriendly bacteria build their colonies in stagnate locations. We also have learned that performing a 100% water change will destroy good and bad colonies alike, but this makes removing debris and waste that has settled in the gravel difficult unless we use a gravel vacuum Gravel vacuum substrate Using a gravel vacuum also helps to reduce carbon dioxide that forms and hangs heavily in the depths of our tanks and ponds. Carbon dioxide is created from the waste your fish produce. Pond pumps do most of work in eliminating these harmful gases that take up space pushing oxygen out Python or siphon A gravel vacuum is actually a short hose or tubing that comes in a few various sizes with a wide mouth on the end of it. Smaller tanks require smaller hose widths to reduce the flow rate Place the mouth of the vacuum at the bottom of your tank. Using a suction device attached to the center portion of the hose, squeeze repetitively. A motorized pump (python) may also be obtained for simplifying the procedure or you may choose to siphon with your mouth to get the action going How use gravel vacuum Have a bucket handy for the old tank water to spill into, and be careful not to suck small fish into the mouth of the vacuum. Very gently, so as not to pollute the water, rake the mouth through the gravel pulling it backwards; not by pushing it forwards; this will clog the mouth of the vacuum and stop the flow of water. When you have completed the task, gently lift the mouth up as you remove it from tank, allowing the [...]

6 08, 2017

Nitrogen Cycle Explained

By | 2022-06-19T06:49:18-05:00 August 6th, 2017|

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 [...]

5 08, 2017

Goldfish Koi House

By | 2020-08-07T08:30:33-05:00 August 5th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|Tags: , |

What kind of goldfish house is right for you and your fish? STEP 1 Buy the book Goldfish Koi House can be any container that's clean, appropriately sized and strong enough to hold water. What size goldfish house do your fish need? Goldfish average 16 years living in a healthy environment, however, some live for much longer, growing much larger. Start with a goldfish house adequately sized. Goldfish will easily reach 2" their first year, averaging 1" per year Recommended STOCKING LEVEL 2.5 gallons of water per 1" of body Recommended water minimum DEPTH; body length of largest fish from nose to tail base Koi grow three times as large, requiring three times the space Size fish house appropriately, so that water parameters remain consistent. With proper care and proper housing a common goldfish could easily out live your dog or cat Goldfish Housing There are many styles and sizes of aquariums on the market today, however, keep in mind when choosing a fish house that goldfish require less depth and more surface area. The majority of aquariums are designed for tropical fish; not goldfish Goldfish houses with small surface area compared to the body of water need increased water movement. Depth of water should not be less than the length of the longest fish from nose to tail Suitable tank mates for goldfish Separate the smallest fish from the largest. Goldfish are omnivorous. They will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including other goldfish. The same holds true with Koi. Even though these fish form attachments to other fish, their natural instinct to survive in the wild drives them to nibble at anything and everything. They just can't help themselves Goldfish care Goldfish have been known to jump out of their water. Avoid accidents by lowering the water table. The gap between the surface and the top should match the body length of your longest fish, and yet another reason to have a larger container for your goldfish. Most aquariums come equipped with lids, however, goldfish fare much better in open topped tanks with the water surface exposed to fresh air. If you feel more comfortable with a top consider a screen Goldfish keeping It's fun to play around in your tank or pond. It's hard to resist beautiful decorations, and sometimes we have a tendency to overdo it. Make certain that the decorations you place in your goldfish house are aquarium safe before adding. If quarters are tight make sure that the object is not taking up valuable space the goldfish need. Goldfish are easily injured on sharp objects, especially the fancy varieties. Some materials, such as plastic, metal, fresh concrete or wood will affect the water quality Type plants goldfish aquarium There's a variety of fake plants to choose from, although silk ones are safest. Plastic plants can injure delicate fish. Be prepared to replace plants regularly if you choose real vegetation. Goldfish enjoy nibbling on plants, and some fish are very aggressive with their nibbling. Make sure the plants you place in your aquarium are [...]

3 08, 2017

Goldfish Curled Gills

By | 2020-08-05T08:59:54-05:00 August 3rd, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

Goldfish curled gills may have natural deformity Goldfish curled gills may have natural deformity, but more than likely has been poisoned by ammonia. High levels of ammonia burn fish, causing extreme discomfort. You may see their dorsal fins clamped tight to the body long after the ammonia has been converted or removed in an effort to reduce pain. Goldfish breathe by sucking water into their mouth, and pushing it out through their gills. Oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream during this process. When ammonia is present, the delicate rake is exposed to the toxin. In most cases the internal parts of the gill swell causing oxygen loss that can lead to death Fish that recover from ammonia poisoning may have damaged gills. The gill may even become inverted, exposing the delicate tissue. Many of these fish will die due to poor water quality or because they're consistently exposed to the toxin, the goldfish owner unaware of the nitrogen cycle. Goldfish that are lucky enough to live in healthy water may live long and healthy lives despite the fact Deformed gills Hatch-lings with these types of deformities are culled from the school by breeders, so it is unlikely you'll find one at a pet shop. Culling deformed fish is a standard practice. Fish with abnormalities are not uncommon. Big breeders are known to heartlessly toss them into the garbage to die a slow and painful death. Common deformities are misshapen lips, gills and tail fins, abnormalities that do not keep a fish from experiencing a long life. Sellers want good looking specimen to display in their aquariums. Breeders believe culling these fish keeps the quality of their line pure Goldfish curled gills These breeders and sellers may be surprised to learn how many people are attracted to the animals that have abnormalities. Most of us feel endeared to these poor creatures that need tender love and care Repair curled gills Some experts recommend massage therapy for fish with curled gills, but not me. The internal parts of a gill are delicate and easily damaged. Massaging a curled gill may injure the rake, causing the fish to experience oxygen deprivation. If you have a fish with curled gills, that seems healthy despite the fact, leave well enough alone. The deformity may not be very attractive, but the fish doesn't care how it looks. Make sure it lives in water rich in minerals and oxygen, and it may surprise you by living a long and happy life The goldfish in the photo below was burned by ammonia, and the gills were damaged. Close to death, and in a weakened condition, the fish was injured by the filter. Thankfully, the fish made a full recovery, and although it looks strange with it's curled gills and crooked body, it's a happy fish now Make sure you're providing a safe and healthy environment for your fish by reading The 10 Steps Goldfish Koi Keeping All rights reserved Author: Brenda Rand

27 07, 2017

Treating goldfish Koi Tumor

By | 2019-04-01T10:28:06-05:00 July 27th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

Treating goldfish Koi Tumor requires extreme therapy Treating goldfish Koi Tumor requires extreme therapy in most cases. It may be difficult to tell what type of tumor you're dealing with. A simple wart is firm to the touch and has a rough texture. They're simple to eliminate with the Sea Salt and Garlic remedy. Tumors created from SSG are mushy and smooth to the touch, however, if the tumor your fish has is a little different, it may be an actual mass caused by abnormal cell production. These types of tumors may or may not be cancerous, and in most cases, we'll never find out. There are few willing to invest in hundreds of dollars to find out, and possibly thousands to treat a cancerous tumor on a goldfish Some of us may not be able to make a large investment, but we've got to do something, and that's where natural remedies come in. There's no chemical on a pet shop shelf that's going to destroy the tumor and save your fish, but herbs that are proven to destroy abnormal cells may be its only chance Tumors on goldfish and Koi Customized remedy combination (dandy, garlic and aloe juice) Before starting treatment, lower fish house water to 64f by chilling tank water in the fridge. This is going to reduce stress on the fish After you've succeeded in lowering temps, proceed with the following Scoop fish up in a one gallon container of tank water; pour in one ounce from 8 ounce remedy bottle slowly, mixing with your hand as you do so The garlic will help to anesthetize the fish after five minutes or so, but if the fish is still too active to treat, chill the container wand fish in the fridge for 45 minute Between the garlic and the cold water, this will help to reduce activity even more Fill syringe with remedy; inject (as much as possible) in tumor during bath. If you feel the tip of the needle may have gone past the tumor and into the tissue beneath it, even better, as this is more than likely where the tumor started Leave fish in bath and follow instructions below Fill eye dropper with oral remedy. Lift the fish's head above the surface, and it will gasp in a moment, giving you a chance to push the tip into its throat. Squeeze gently until the dropper is empty Release the fish and the bath water back into main tank (that's one ounce of treatment added to the main tank) Allow tank water to warm to 72f Remedy treats 80 gallons total (use one ounce of remedy per 10 gallons of fish house water) Repeat entire process daily until remedy is gone All rights Author: Brenda Rand Learn more about tumors on goldfish and Koi Goldfish Tumors

12 07, 2017

Sick Koi

By | 2019-04-01T10:25:45-05:00 July 12th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

Sick Koi but good water parameters in outdoor Koi Pond?? Hello, I'm currently babysitting my parents' outdoor koi pond and will be doing so for about 2 weeks. It's quite a large pond (10,000 gallons and spans half of our backyard). We have several large koi (length of adult forearm) and several smaller goldfish (length of adult palm) and based on the number of fish, the pond may be overstocked. The outdoor temperature in Vancouver has been quite variable this summer (16 - 32 degrees Celcius. Low-mid 20's this week but the temperature was up to 30 degrees over the last 2 weeks). For some reason the pond is losing about 4 inches of water each day so we refill the pond with a bit of fresh water each day (like a 5% daily partial water change!). My parents have had this pond for about 5 years. At first glace, the fish look relatively healthy (full scales/fins) but there are always a few fish in the pond that have finrot, sores on the body or strange growths. Some fish have had raised scales, pineconing and died not having released their eggs. The fish have been exposed to salt and antibiotics many times. Sometimes the treatment works, but on average about 1 fish dies each month and my parents replace them. At the moment, one very large fish currently has sores on one side, some raised scales and prefers to swim at the bottom of the pond and doesn't seem interested in food. Another strange observation: when I fed the fish this morning, I noticed that 3 smaller fish appeared to be chewing/biting another small fish of similar size in a corner of the pond. When I threw food at them, all of them swam away. What does this mean?? Seeing that there are always ill fish, I assumed that there must be problems with the water quality. However, when I tested the water parameters of a sample of pond water today, they seemed ok: Ammonia: 0-0.1 Nitrite: 0-0.1 Nitrate: 5-10 pH: 7.2-7.4 KH: 10 GH: 20 Phosphate: 1 I came across your site and thought that the garlic may help. My parents usually feed Hikari pellets twice a day, so over the last 2 days I have been feeding a mix of presoaked pellets and cooked peas but I think only the smaller fish were able to see the crumbled peas because the large koi swam right through the small bits. I have attached some images of the pond. Please let me know if you have any ideas Thanks!! -M

23 06, 2017

Natural Remedies VERSES Meds

By | 2020-08-05T17:50:02-05:00 June 23rd, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat|

Natural Remedies verses Meds no contest Natural remedies verses meds; hands down, the latter wins almost every time. Our society has been relying on medicines ever since penicillin was discovered, and from there the field has exploded. Medicinal vaccinations once saved our children from the dreaded disease, Polio. From there, other deadly illnesses were practically wiped out due to simple vaccinations. Our society was brain washed early on by the fact, and has become solely dependent on medications ever since It's true that these same vaccinations have killed a few, however, the percentage is small by comparison Today there are drugs for anything and everything that ails you, and sometimes they even work, if they don't kill you first. We've all seen the advertisements on television for these prescriptions, and at the end of the commercials, if you listen closely, you'll hear the warnings. The risk is real, yet, for some reason, the majority of the masses rely on them for good health. The pharmaceutical industry is the largest in the world Have you ever wondered what medicines actually are? Most come from the heart of the rain forest in Brazil, however, chemists have learned how to reproduce and substitute most of these magical qualities found in plants with chemicals. Now they're able to sell to the masses, instead of the few Natural remedies verses meds Our love of the drug doesn't stop with humans. Our pets are bestowed the same honor. One of the largest industries in the animal kingdom is treatment for pests and parasites. This same courtesy is bestowed to our fish as well. The pet shop shelves are lined with treatments that kill parasites and destroy bad bugs, as well as those that cure dropsy and nitrate poisoning. The list goes on. The only problem; they inadvertently destroy the immunity of the environment as well as the fish, all too often pushing them over the edge Most sick fish suffer from poor water quality. Add chemicals to sick water, and what you get are sicker or dead fish The beauty of natural treatments; parasites can be destroyed as the health of the water and the health of the fish is enhanced. The affects of nitrate poisoning can be reduced if not eliminated by oxygenating water and improving the quality of the blood. There are no chemicals that stake that claim; no chemicals that can relieve the affects of burns caused by ammonia poisoning. These are just a few of the ailments out of the hundreds that can be cured by using natural remedies Natural remedies verses meds Fact is, there is no disease that cannot be treated successfully with natural substances; even cancer Medications sold at pet shops are actually dangerous chemicals that can and will destroy the natural environment in our fish houses, but can kill our fish as well. Most diseases are preventable by feeding high quality foods proportionately and by creating an environment rich in minerals with heavily oxygenated water The fish [...]

21 06, 2017

Pond Problems

By | 2020-08-05T07:09:46-05:00 June 21st, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

Pond Problems Pond problems happen to everyone at some time or another, however, there a few things we could do differently to eliminate most of these issues. Listed below are the five most common mistakes fish keepers make Overcrowded ponds Most ponds are grossly overstocked, the fish keeper unaware of the consequences. The stocking standard was created as a guide to help us determine how many fish can be housed in a specific amount of water, and still remain healthy without additional labor. Few people want to perform daily water changes in their fish houses, especially a large pond, but this is necessary when ponds are overcrowded. Oxygen levels are in short supply, and nitrates sky rocket 2.5 gallons of water per inch of fish body You may have heard it said that every goldfish requires a minimum of 10 gallons of water, but that's absurd, because every goldfish is not the same size. This amount of water would not be necessary for a one inch goldfish, however, it wouldn't be enough for one that's a foot long. How much water a fish needs is determined solely by its size. Goldfish average an inch per year, with Koi averaging a whopping 3" in that same amount of time. Both fish continue growing throughout their entire lives, and they can easily outlive our cats and dogs Shallow ponds Most people simply dig a hole, and drop a preformed pond in the ground. They're affordable and ready for action. The depth of this pond is 20 inches, which is unsuitable for most parts of the world. The bottom of a pond should be placed well below your local freeze line by at least 6" to 8" This is the depth that doesn't freeze even in the coldest part of winter. This same depth keeps fish cool in the hottest part of summer. In order for the freeze line theory to work, the height of the water table should match the grade elevation surrounding the pond, giving it the insulation it needs Freeze lines have a broad range across the US and Canada. In some parts of the world, there is no freeze line; meaning either the ground is frozen to the core or never freezes The water table needs to be several inches below the top of the pond, or rain water will wash debris in the pond water. With all of these factors to consider, a pond's depth should really be 3' deep for goldfish, and if you keep Koi, add another 2' or 3 feet. This means using a pond liner, instead of the preformed, however, these liners offer no support in the event of a cave in. As the earth surrounding the pond gets wet, there could be a shift, causing the pond wall to collapse. When using a liner, you've got to start with a foundation that supports the earth and the weight of the water Pond problems 220-gallon pond 300 GPH pump Measures 90in.L x 51in.W [...]

15 06, 2017

Easy Pickins

By | 2020-08-06T00:52:13-05:00 June 15th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat|

Easy pickins our goldfish and Koi Easy pickins, the fish in our pond. Our goldfish and Koi are prey fish. The creatures that stalk them come in all shapes and sizes. They walk on land, they fly and they also swim with our fish. We can fence in our ponds and cover them with nets. We can set up deterrents of all kinds, but it's easier to build a pond that's predator proof Herons are at the top of the list of predators for Koi, being the largest of the fish kept in captivity. They grow up to 3' in length. It takes a really big pond to support a school of Koi, and these ponds are easy to spot from the sky. Smaller predators may have difficulty hauling off the big fish to a safe place to eat, however, they will try Heron's nemesis is the raven; ravaging their nests, devouring their eggs and their young. The very sight of a raven sends heron flying off in a different direction. Add a statue or silhouette of the infamous black bird to your pond decor to keep your fish safe Goldfish are more likely prey for ground predators. Their ponds are typically smaller, so it's less likely heron will spot them, and if they do, the small fish are just a light snack to tide them over until they get to the next Koi pond Koi predators Neighborhood cats are always on the prowl, and the sound of moving water beacons them. They must feel like a mountain lion as they make their way down to the watering hole. Thankfully, few are willing to reach too far down into the water, and if by accident they fall in, they'll make a quick and embarrassing exit. Motion detected sprinkler systems detour cats easily Raccoons are a different story; they enjoy the water, and a tasty meal is so worth getting wet. In order to discourage these crafty critters, the water table must be well below the top of the pond by a good 12" to 16" This same distance also works for cats as well as most other animals. Raising the ridge also keeps fish in the pond during the spawning season. Build up from the top of your pond with stone if possible Easy pickins Terrapins and water turtles are not above snagging a goldfish or small Koi. Many of the species are nocturnal, making our fish easy prey while they sleep. You might spot them during the day, but chances are they're dug in somewhere, getting some shuteye. You would be surprised to find out what's swimming in your pond while you sleep. There are many snakes that are comfortable in and out of the water, and during the summer, many of them become nocturnal to avoid the heat. Sleeping fish are an easy catch for water snakes, and the rocks around your pond make them feel right at home Make your stone slither proof by securing gaps [...]

14 06, 2017

pH Misunderstood

By | 2020-08-05T11:54:15-05:00 June 14th, 2017|

pH Misunderstood pH misunderstood by the industry and abused by many fish keepers. The pH tester may be one of the biggest cons the industry has pulled to date. The fact is, pH is not a parameter, it's a theory that has been argued over and interpreted by experts for well over a century. Danish chemist, Sorensen came up with the concept of potential of hydrogen, and ever since we have all become advocates. Used to accommodate definitions and measurements in terms of electro-chemical cells, pH We use it to test the health of water, however, few understand it, and many a fish will die because of it pH misunderstood Every master test kit, fresh or salt water includes the ever so popular pH test. The standard pH comfort zone varies according to fish species. Few fish keepers are aware. Most of these few buffer pH with bicarbonate of soda, and with dire consequences. You may have heard that low pH levels are best left alone; that inconsistent readings cause more harm than good. This information was derived from the false conclusion that pH alone is responsible for alkalinity. Our fish can only benefit from living in water with healthy pH levels, but only if KH and O2 is balanced proportionately Understanding pH Fish keepers have been led to believe that pH is the measurement for alkalinity; untrue. Carbonate mineral (better known as KH) alone lays claim to this title. KH gives water the ability to support the oxygen molecule, making it soluble, so that our fish can utilize it. Water will not support life without the presence of this amazing mineral. KH test results show just how base or acidic water is What is KH? It's easy to understand how the misconception began; when alkalinity is raised, pH levels rise pH test kits could easily be traded in for KH and O2 tests. The two together make up pH as far as water is concerned. Oxygen and carbonate mineral combined create a healthy aqua environment. Low oxygen levels drag pH down. Unaware, fish keepers buffer alkalinity, even though KH may be at healthy levels. By the time the pH goal is reached the fish could be severely burned, the fish keeper unaware Optimum pH for goldfish is 8. to 8.4 ppm, which would require KH readings of 100 or a little higher. At these levels the water has a perfect balance of oxygen and carbonate mineral The chart below parallels KH performance with maximum oxygenation results for pH. Readings above the neutral zone are base, while readings below are acidic KH             pH 120 ppm    8.2 ppm 100 ppm    8.0 ppm 90 ppm      7,8 ppm 80 ppm      7.5 ppm 70 ppm      7. ppm (neutral zone) 60 ppm      6.5 ppm 50 ppm      6. ppm (will not support life) Have you ever heard the term pH crash? Levels are said to drop rapidly for [...]

11 06, 2017

pH undefined

By | 2020-08-05T08:02:35-05:00 June 11th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat, Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

pH undefined as potential of hydrogen pH undefined by the so called experts is one of the most controversial topics in the industry, and the most misunderstood. It always has been and will be in debate, but how does it affect us as fish keepers? A great deal of the information found online has been copied from one fish site to another, leading fish keepers to believe misconceptions on the subject. What is potential of hydrogen? It's known as; a measure of hydrogen ion concentration; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Sounds complicated because it is Why we use pH as a measurement in the fish industry is unknown, unnecessary and even dangerous Don't rely on the industry for accurate information. If you read the instruction manual in a master drop test kit, you'll see they refer to pH as being responsible for alkalinity; untrue Most fish keepers test pH regularly, however most of them test in vain, lacking the full understanding of it's meaning. Potential of hydrogen is not actually a parameter, although we could consider it to be the parent of two. Carbonate mineral (KH) and oxygen (O2) make up the value of pH when it comes to fish keeping. Carbonate mineral gives water the power to support the oxygen molecule. Without it, water would be lifeless. This parameter alone is responsible for alkalinity, not pH as a whole, but as a part of it. The misunderstanding comes from the rise in pH when alkalinity is buffered In order to fully understand pH, we must examine both KH and O2 individually Many fish will be poisoned by carbonate mineral because pH tests reveal low levels. Bicarbonate of soda will be used to increase these readings, when all the while, O2, or lack of it is responsible for dragging pH down. Test your freshwater source; pH should be very close to the same as your tank or pond water. Higher pH readings in tap water indicate oxygen levels in the fish house are low Low pH readings in tap water indicate low KH levels; as tap water is always oxygenated. Perhaps your home or your city water is filtered pH undefined It's said that some fish require lower or higher pH readings, although this isn't actually true. What they should say is various kinds of fish need various KH readings according to their origin. Unfortunately, KH requirements are difficult to trace due to this same misunderstanding. In order to estimate your fish's KH comfort zone a little research may be necessary All fish require healthy levels of oxygen, however not all fish take in oxygen from their gills. Beta fish breathe water from the surface, and this is why they're able to tolerate low levels of carbonate minerals in their water. These fish evolved in water low in KH, and can easily tolerate water low in oxygen. This is the very reason why they've developed the ability to take in oxygen from the air above the [...]

9 06, 2017

pH Potential of Hydrogen

By | 2020-08-05T06:38:58-05:00 June 9th, 2017|

pH Potential of Hydrogen is often misunderstood Buy the Book pH Potential of hydrogen is the most misunderstood of all the parameters. The definition of these words apart, and what they mean together is argued by experts, and may always well be. You may see it written that the neutral zone is 7. ppm, with levels below meaning the water is acidic, and anything above being alkaline, but only carbonate mineral readings should be measured to see how base or acidic water is, and this is because pH potential of hydrogen is a measurement of oxygen and carbonate mineral combined. pH is not actually a water parameter, however, it is the parent of two parameters; O2 and KH Carbonate mineral (KH) alone is responsible alkalinity, giving water the ability to support oxygen by breaking down the O2 molecule, so that the fish is able to utilize it in the bloodstream. A carbonate mineral reading of 70 ppm should be considered as neutral, with a reading above 70 ppm being alkaline, and a reading of less than 70 ppm being acidic KH and pH parallel each other’s performance if oxygen is not being blocked from entering the water KH               pH 50 ppm      6. ppm 60 ppm      6.5 ppm 70 ppm      7. ppm (neutral zone) 80 ppm      7.5 ppm 90 ppm      7.8 ppm 100 ppm    8.0 ppm 120 ppm    8.2 ppm pH potential of hydrogen Carbonate mineral give water the ability to support oxygen, although it's up to us to make certain the body of water is free to absorb it. There are many things that block oxygen, or take up space in water. At the top of the list are gases created from waste; mostly carbon dioxide, but green water algae, supersaturated gases and even a bacteria bloom have the ability to fill water, pushing oxygen out. In a natural body of water, the surface is much broader than deep, and always moving, pushing gases out, and pulling oxygen into the water pH and KH, closely related Water movement alone is responsible for clearing water. The deeper the water, the more movement required. If the water has healthy carbonate levels and is free, it will absorb oxygen if the surface is exposed to fresh air and even slightly agitated, which makes for a healthy pH; potential of hydrogen KH comfort zone for goldfish; 70 to 120 ppm with the higher side of the zone being preferred for optimum health. Acidic water leads to sickness and disease Healthy pH readings alone do not oxygenated water make. The levels in your tank or pond may be depending solely on KH for the measurement. Those living in regions with high concentrations of carbonate mineral in their water may be fooled. Cities or towns close to the ocean may have too high of levels, making conditions dangerous for our fish pH comfort zone for goldfish; [...]

3 06, 2017

Aquarium Pond Water Evaporation

By | 2020-08-05T10:26:42-05:00 June 3rd, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat, Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Aquarium pond water evaporation can have dire effect Aquarium pond water evaporation can have a dire effect on carbonate mineral levels in your aquarium or pond. Water evaporates, but the mineral does not. Over time, KH value can increase to dangerous levels. The smaller the body of water, the dryer the climate or season, the greater the risk What does carbonate mineral do? KH gives water the ability to support life. Carbonate mineral alone is responsible for how alkaline or acidic your water is Comfort zone is 120 to 140 ppm A part of pH, KH is a critical parameter that is often overlooked by fish keepers. The parameter pH is a combined reading of oxygen and carbonate mineral. Unfortunately, most fish keepers test pH alone, and use this reading to raise or lower alkalinity, which also can lead to extremely low or high KH levels Symptoms of KH poisoning; fish turning whitish, dorsal fin clamped, fish is hiding or not eating Many of us won't turn our air conditioners on until we just can't stand it any longer. Air conditioners do just that, cool and condition the air, adding to the humidity. If you don't want to cool the entire house with central air, consider adding a small cooling unit to the room your fish are in. Winter time also poses a threat as heaters dry the air, which causes water to evaporate Aquarium pond water evaporation Test KH regularly using the drop method as most KH test strips are unpredictable Water loss pond aquarium To lower concentrated amounts of carbonate mineral value in your fish house, use white vinegar. Pull a quart or a gallon of fish water depending on size of fish house. Use more or less vinegar (one teaspoon to one tablespoon) depending on the difference in readings of your fish house compared to the high end of the zone. Pour all around fish house slowly, mixing with your hand as you do so. Wait for an hour, test KH again. If it's still to high, repeat the process. Do the math. Going under the comfort zone is just as dangerous as going over. Work your way gradually to the desired goal, using more or less vinegar Vinegar is acid, and is a safe and effective means of lowering carbonate mineral value. The neutral zone for alkalinity and acidic measure is 70 ppm. Any reading below the neutral zone is considered as acidic, and will not support life. It's said that the neutral zone is found in pH readings, but this simply isn't true. Potential of hydrogen, pH is a combined reading of carbonate mineral and oxygen levels. It's possible to have high KH readings and low pH readings due to low levels of oxygen KH isn't the only mineral left behind after water evaporates, GH reading can also be affected Made up mostly of magnesium and calcium, GH (general hardness) can also become concentrated due to evaporation, however, most of us have levels far below the comfort [...]

28 05, 2017

Plants Goldfish Aquarium

By | 2019-04-01T13:41:48-05:00 May 28th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Maintenance|

Plants goldfish aquarium benefit the environment Plants goldfish aquarium add to the beauty of the set up as well as benefiting the environment. Green vegetation require light to synthesis nitrates and Co2 from water, their food source. Plants assist in reducing nitrates, creating a safer environment for animal life. You may hear people say they oxygenate the water, but this is a stretch. Carbon dioxide is an atom created from waste. The carbon dioxide atom bonds to oxygen atoms, creating dirty oxygen, or the Co2 molecule. The carbon dioxide molecule is commonly made up of one part Co2 and two parts oxygen. Plants absorb Carbon dioxide molecules during the day, clean them, and release oxygen. This event is very beneficial, however, the carbon dioxide atom is released at night Planted aquarium Plants require Co2 in order to grow and maintain health, although too much carbon dioxide in their environment creates an adverse effect on all living creatures, plants and animals alike In a planted tank with no animals present, Co2 must be added to the environment, but only in low amounts. Co2 should not be added to planted tanks that contain animal life. In fact, where animals are present, the gas should be eliminated by means of a water pump, as it's ever present, being produced constantly Choose plants for your goldfish aquarium or pond that are non toxic, and hardy. Most plants prefer quiet water, while goldfish require water with a great deal of action. This action helps to eliminate Co2, keeping the body of water free, and able to absorb oxygen from the air above the surface Plants in pots may become infected with bad bacteria. Lift and vacuum beneath pots frequently.  Parasites often travel on plants, infecting pet shop aquariums and your fish house as well. Give new plants a salt bath before adding to your fish house. Two tablespoons of aquarium safe salt in one quart of water for five to ten minutes will kill the bad bugs. Rinse with freshwater after the dip For easy care, choose a free floating plant such as duck weed, hyacinth or water lettuce Do plants oxygenate water? Water becomes oxygenated by method of diffusion Plants Goldfish aquarium Just like the animals that live in your fish house, plants have no tolerance for ammonia. Ammonia is a toxin that is also created from waste. This toxin attracts beneficial bacteria; their food source, and is the first toxin to form in the nitrogen cycle; critical to life Some goldfish keepers prefer plastic or silk plants in their aquarium. They're pretty to look at, but add nothing to the ecosystem In order for the environment to support plants and animals, the nitrogen cycle must be complete, meaning only nitrates are present If the plants you add to your set up are edible, your set up completes the circle to aqua life. The fish eat the plants, and create waste. The waste starts the nitrogen cycle that feeds the plants Plants require light Our fish don't require [...]

27 05, 2017

Goldfish Parasites

By | 2019-04-01T13:42:49-05:00 May 27th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

Goldfish parasites, ammonia or nitrate poisoning? Goldfish parasites cause fish to itch and scratch on the substrate or decorations Hello Venus! this is my first time posting but i need your help My goldfish, Fineas, is 5 yrs old, a Fair fish, and has been healthy all this time until a month ago when i think he got ammonia burns (black smudges), a white coating, red veins on tail, white eyes, fin rot...you name it. I talked with two vets who's own goldfish did not make it with the same symptoms, so they could not tell me much! I changed water frequently, added a small amount of salt to the tank as well as salt baths, bought testing tools, zeolite for the filters (i have a duo). Goldfish parasites During this time, he hung at the top of the tank but continued to eat and got black spots which are healing burns. I took the top off of the tank to allow more air. See 2 pics, fin3 & fineas, taken then. Since then, he's recovering from that whole freak-me-out scene! which i feel good and thankful for. But, now I'm beginning to see a few small white spots on his coat at the top of his spine and on his tail. Since newFin, hard to get as he's more energetic! I have other pics too. are these parasites? could they be scarring from the burns? issues with water? Goldfish poisoned I have a 30 gal tank, he's the lone fish, a double filter, air stone, i only use live plants (anachris) that he loves (i took all the live plants out and threw them away for now). I continue to test for ammonia (use kit which tests at 0 - .1) and nitrate/ph/etc using strips. My ph and chlorine on the strip test in a caution zone. I've ordered your garlic/salt remedy but just want to do what's best for Fineas rather than guessing-making things worse as he's been through so much and survived me thus far! thank you Parasites Goldfish Koi

27 05, 2017

Goldfish Owners

By | 2020-08-05T13:44:16-05:00 May 27th, 2017|Categories: Default Category, Goldfish Koi Chat|

Goldfish owners rely on bad information Goldfish owners follow bad advice passed from website to website. This information may have been created by the industry, which makes sense, because the instructions we commonly see does not encourage a healthy ecosystem; far from it. The goal is to keep us dependent on the use of pet shop products. The average goldfish owner uses chemicals and medications in hopes of keeping their fish alive, however, it doesn't work. The average lifespan of a goldfish kept by an experienced goldfish owner is two years. The average lifespan of a goldfish is 15 to 20 years These same goldfish owners will argue their methods are the best. The lessons first learned are set in their minds like a hand print set in concrete. Some people believe everything they read. Generally, people are very close minded An open mind is necessary to believe anything different than what is first learned. Over the years, I've been told I don't know what I'm doing, that I'm wrong, and my theories are crazy. I've been told off and called names too many times to count, just because the information I provide is different than what they believe to be true Goldfish products Most goldfish websites you visit share the same set of values. Their fish are kept in enclosed aquariums set up with air pumps and or top loading filters. They use pet shop products laced with dangerous chemicals to keep their tanks free of bad bacteria. These same goldfish owners (I won't give them the credit of calling them goldfish keepers) line the bottom of their tanks with painted pet shop gravel, marble, or worse, they have bare bottom tanks I will give them credit for having large and beautiful goldfish, however, most of these fish reached maturity in a breeder's tank, not their own. They pay top dollar because of it, and replace their fish frequently. Most of these breeders raise their fish in a consistent saline solution or medicated water. They too fight bad bacteria from rearing its ugly head in their improper set ups. These fish are all too often fed hormones to increase growth rate; as larger fish bring a larger profit Even if these fish are sold to real goldfish keepers, their lifespan will be short due to their past history. The industry has little interest in the health of goldfish. Their goal is to make a profit, and that they do. Little do goldfish owners know that Mother Nature holds the key to keeping fish healthy. She's designed the nitrogen cycle in order to keep our fish safe from ammonia and nitrite. She's created algae in order to keep our fish safe from nitrates and provide them a healthy food source Algae, nature's gift to the world of aquatics, is considered to be grunge by goldfish owners. Marring their beautiful set up, they fight it in every way possible. Some however, fight the nitrogen cycle itself by performing constant water changes to eliminate ammonia, or by [...]

25 05, 2017

pH Crash

By | 2020-08-05T16:20:21-05:00 May 25th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Health Issues|

pH Crash kills goldfish and Koi pH Crash is a term we use when oxygen levels drop rapidly. Fish are seen gasping at the surface, however, within a short time are found dead or dying on the bottom. These same fish may have swollen or bleeding eyes. The pressure in the fish's body rises rapidly as oxygen levels decline pH dropping Goldfish or Koi can be perfectly normal one day, and dead the next. How is it possible? Perhaps the surface is too quiet. Acting like a lid, a stagnant surface keeps oxygen from entering and Co2 from escaping. Maybe the water is too warm, the fish using more oxygen than normal, more than what's available Potential of hydrogen, abbreviated with pH is complicated, and not really a parameter at all, although it's the parent of two; KH and O2. Indicating how healthy water is, these two parameters, carbonate mineral and oxygen combined make up the whole of pH Carbonate mineral measures the alkalinity and acidity of water. Responsible for alkalinity, KH supports the oxygen molecule, giving water the possibility of being oxygenated, however, it takes more than a healthy alkalinity level in order for water to support O2. Water must be clear of clouds and gases as well as having a healthy KH. Oxygen needs space Where does oxygen come from? Many a fish keeper has buffered alkalinity in an attempt to raise pH, a deadly mistake. Like ammonia, KH causes burns, causing the inner gills to become inflamed. Inflamed gills deprive the blood of oxygen, causing the fish to suffocate. Buffering pH without testing KH first can result in severe injury or death Our fish deserve excellent water quality, so why settle for okay readings? COMFORT ZONES (high side of the zone preferred) pH: 7.4 to 8.4 KH: 90 to 120 to 140 ppm The aquarium in the photo below has an open top, and two pond pumps placed at each end of the tank. The action expels Co2 and pulls oxygen from the surface above. There's no risk here of a pH crash Many a pH crash occurs when water is stagnant. The parameters might be excellent, but a quiet surface is as good as putting a lid on your tank or pond, keeping oxygen from entering, and Co2 (gas created from waste) from escaping. Avoid the risk by getting that water moving. If your tank is enclosed, flip your lip KH and pH parallel each other’s performance if oxygen is not being blocked from entering the water KH               pH 50 ppm      6. ppm 60 ppm      6.5 ppm 70 ppm      7. ppm (neutral zone) 80 ppm      7.5 ppm 90 ppm    7,8 ppm 100 ppm    8.0 ppm 120 ppm    8.2 ppm The fish in the photo above are in an enclosed aquarium with little water movement. Carbonate mineral levels are healthy, but pH has crashed, leading to a dangerous environment Oxygenating water [...]

22 05, 2017

Feeder Fish

By | 2020-09-10T10:05:05-05:00 May 22nd, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat|

Feeder Fish are the most abused in the industry Feeder fish can be purchased at the pet shops for as little as twenty five cents. The tanks they're placed in are large, but always grossly overstocked. If you look closely, you'll see several dead or dying fish in the school due to the fact the water is low in oxygen due to the overstocking We call them feeder fish because they're fed to other animals; turtles, carnivorous fish and even snakes In the wild, small fish would have a chance at survival, but in captivity, their chances are slim to none. They will either die in the feeder tank, or become dinner or die at the hands of an inexperienced fish keeper. The fact is, experienced fish keepers are drawn to the fancy variety or the more expensive common variety, such as Sarassa comet, Wakin or Shubunkins Feeder goldfish are common or comets Feeder goldfish are the common (single tail) goldfish. The common variety include the first goldfish to be bred from the original gibel carp. This fish has rounded short fins, and sometimes the original silvery bronze coloration of their ancestor, the gibel carp pops up. Comets are are also of the common variety, having long, pointed flowing tails. These are the fish found in the feeder tanks One might pay up to seventy five dollars for a mature common or comet goldfish online. Maybe this is because the survival rate is extremely low due to their branding as feeder fish; as small fry, they have little value Moms and dads buy feeder fish for their kids because they're cheap, and they assume goldfish have a short life span, dying within a few months of purchase. Most of them will never know the fish's death is due to their own ignorance Fair fish We win them at fairs,. We take them home as a party favors. Feeder fish have even known to be swallowed by over enthusiastic sorority members The tiny fish fighting for their survival have the potential of becoming big and beautiful goldfish with the capacity for recognizing their keepers and bonding to their tank mates My daughter received two feeder fish close to twenty years ago; when my passion first began. After one died, the other swam into the glass repeatedly trying to get to its reflection. We headed to the pet shop to replace the dead fish, and picked out the only white fish in the tank. It turned out to be a fantail, but neither were prejudice. It was love at first sight. Both fish lived for another 14 years, and when the first fish died from female complications, the fantail died from a broken heart soon after. Don't believe it? Other members have similar stories Cruel and inhumane, the practice of using feeder fish to cycle tanks and ponds is common in the industry. What the public views as dispensable, fry (baby fish) will endure ammonia and nitrite poisoning with the toxins peaking [...]

22 05, 2017

Goldfish Kid

By | 2020-08-05T06:54:07-05:00 May 22nd, 2017|Categories: Default Category|

Goldfish Kid makes learning fun Goldfish kid book teaches the basics on care. Keeping goldfish can be easy and fun if you know what you're doing. No matter how old or young you are, you can become a goldfish kid by following the Golden Goldfish Rules Follow each rule, and your goldfish will live and grow Do you know what an ecosystem is? Everything in your goldfish's house, the gravel, the pond pumps, and all of the tiny organisms that are too small for us to see; together, these are the things that make up an ecosystem. If our goldfish are to be healthy and happy, we must create a healthy and happy ecosystem for them Goldfish for kids Every animal eats, and every animal also makes waste. Goldfish pooh is a very important part of the ecosystem in your goldfish house. Too much pooh makes the house too dirty, but just the right amount of goldfish pooh makes for a healthy ecosystem. In every ecosystem there are unfriendly bacteria. We call them bad bugs, but there are also beneficial bacteria. We call them friendly bugs. A healthy ecosystem has many more friendly bugs than bad. These friendly bugs live in our pumps and filters, so try not to disturb them. Do you know what the nitrogen cycle is? Kids love goldfish Friendly bugs make the water safe for goldfish to live in. Without them, the water would be filled with poison. Goldfish make pooh. Pooh turns to ammonia, a deadly toxin. Friendly bugs feed on ammonia, turning it into nitrite, another deadly toxin. Friendly bugs also feed on nitrite, turning it into nitrate. Nitrates are the last toxin to form in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrates are dangerous, but only in large amounts. The Goldfish Kid Plants feed on nitrates, which is used as fertilizer We can thank Mother Nature for the nitrogen cycle. Without it, there would be no fish. If you learn all about the nitrogen cycle, you will understand how important an ecosystem is to our goldfish Do you know what algae is? Algae is a greenish brown plant life that grows on the sides of your goldfish house and the decorations in it. Algae is a very healthy food for goldfish, and most of them love it. Algae helps to keep the water safe because it feeds on nitrates, keeping levels low The Goldfish Kid book is contains the Five Golden Goldfish Kids. These five steps are easy to follow and understand. Your kids will also enjoy coloring the beautiful fish and about the goldfish that grew and grew All right reserved Author: Brenda Rand

7 05, 2017

Petsway

By | 2019-04-01T13:47:44-05:00 May 7th, 2017|Categories: Goldfish Koi Chat|

Petsway is a very bad way Petsway is a very bad way indeed. I visited their shop in hopes of finding the right fish to pair off with another. I found that fish, but I also found something else in the process; a small school of fantails in the tank above. I love fantails, and was looking them over, only to discover one was floating at the surface in a weakened condition. It looked close to death I flagged a clerk, and asked if I could have the fish, explaining I was an expert, and wanted to hone my skill at diagnosing and rescue. I also offered to pay full price. the clerk spoke with the manage before informing me they couldn't sell any of the fish in that tank in order to prevent infection She immediately placed a sign on the tank. Located in Springfield Missouri, this Petsway has some bad practices, and I would assume all of the shops are the same Without a doubt, I knew the sick fish would be culled; tossed in the trash, dead or alive The fact is, pet shop chains are not in it for the love of animals. They're out to make a profit. There was no real reason they couldn't have given me the fish. I believe it was constipated, and suffering from exhaustion They didn't give me a reason, and the clerk became defensive, so I let the matter go, but if you're in the market for a goldfish, avoid their store. Look for an independently owned shop. There's a much better chance the owners are passionate about the fish they sell Petsway is a very bad way indeed

7 05, 2017

New fish

By | 2019-04-01T13:48:49-05:00 May 7th, 2017|Categories: Default Category, Goldfish Koi Chat|

New fish has been brought home from Petsway New fish is a Sarasa comet, and it's a real beauty. Body length is two inches or so, not including the tail. It's white with a large splash of brilliant read on it's head. I bought this fish to keep the Koi company. The other fish want nothing to do with it, and it seems to be pining for the moor Yes, the two have bonded, and are hanging out together. This fish was alone in a tank next to the Koi, and the Koi seemed fascinated by it. When it was removed from the tank, the small school became very upset. I think my Koi remembers it. It obviously remembers the Koi. They seemed to be old friends Sarasa Comet I really hate pet shop chains. Independently owned shops are a different story...in most cases. I always leave feeling depressed. The feeder tanks were filled with some very attractive comets. When I made it known that I felt bad for them, my daughter, unaware, said they're just feeder fish. She had no idea they were baby commons and comets; that if given an opportunity would grow into magnificent creatures. When I think of small fish being eaten in the wild, it doesn't bother me; nature taking its course, but in captivity, it doesn't have a chance; unfair play Petsway heartless Attached photo is fuzzy of the Sarasa, due to the fact the fish are in a tub. I'll get a better shot when the fish are being moved back into the stock, which may be another month or two. The tank is outdoors in the sun, and is already getting a thin layer of algae on the bottom. I've been adding old tub water to it. Hoping the pump will compete the cycle as well. I pulled all my pumps because they wouldn't fit in the tub; lost a lot of friendly bugs

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