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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 17, 2008 14:57:50 GMT -5
I was finally able to get the filter for my 40 gallon that I resealed and I will have time this weekend to set it up. I will be using a Hydro Sponge 1 as well. I am moving 8/10 of my goldfish into the 40 gallon. I already have some plastic plants and a spawning mop which holds beneficial bacteria that I will be putting in there. I will only have a little gravel or none at all in the 40. I was wondering how to get the tank going so it does not cycle too badly when I add the goldfish. I intend to lose NO goldfish during the cycle and transfer. Any advice on how to get it going without much stress on the goldfish? I also want to avoid saprolengia which seems to grow in any new tank I set up. Thanks!
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Post by Carl on Sept 17, 2008 15:35:28 GMT -5
An aged Sponge Filter is one of the best ways to "seed" an aquarium I have found, although a #1 is small as per a 40 gallon aquarium, it still will give it good kick start assuming you take things slow and feed less during the first 4 weeks or so. The Spawning mop should also help, as will gravel. Although as for the gravel, if you are sure that you have a Saprolegnia problem, gravel MAY tend to harbor them. I would also recommend the use of Prime or Amquel Plus during the intial breakin period (4-6 weeks) This article may be of some help as well: The Aquarium Nitrogen CycleCarl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 17, 2008 17:28:09 GMT -5
also.....use as much old tank water and plants and ornaments....they all hold what your tank needs to cycle quickly
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 17, 2008 17:43:43 GMT -5
For clarification, I do not have a saprolegnia problem in my goldfish tanks. It always seems to appear in new tanks I set up. That is my problem. When I set up the 40 gallon, I am afraid that saprolegnia will take hold like it commonly does on my betta containers/fry tanks a few weeks after I set them up and add fish. There is no saprolegnia in my goldfish tanks; there never has been, I'm just nervous about saprolegnia since it's happened so many times.
Also, how often should I use the Amquel or Prime?
For the Hydro Sponge, I am using it as a seocndary filter. That is why I figured it could be a bit too small for the tank. The main filter which is a Whisper is for about 30-45 gallons.
I'm not sure how aged the Hydro Sponge filter is I'm using. It's been running in a 4 gallon container with some of goldfish's water from previous water changes for a few weeks. But there hasn't been any fish in there so any ammonia/nitrite traces have long since gone meaning I'm not sure how much beneficial bacteria ther actually still is in the Hydro Sponge.
Last, I'm nervous about moving the fish there 1 at a time. My goldfish seem to get nervous whenever I add/take away fish from their tank and for this to happen several times will probably get them a bit stressed. Also, I seem to have a superstition of if I add them one at a time, something could infect and kill them. Sorry about the superstition, I have OCD and have terrible memories of what me and my fish went through when 43 died over a span of 2 years and I kept tring and trying to help them and nothing could cure them and they just kept dying. This I first started keeping goldfish and then I finally got them stablized after that 2 year period. I'm afraid of upsetting the balance again and something going terribly wrong... Sorry, I'm just really nervous abou this new setup. My goldfish are by far me favorite fsih and I would never ever want anything to happen to the ones I have now. I've also never had a tank this big before.
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Post by Carl on Sept 17, 2008 18:57:00 GMT -5
First keep in mind that Saprolegnia spores are all around, they generally only become pathogenic to fish when the fish are weak or stressed and the Saprolegnia has "blossomed" from decay or rot of organics in the aquarium (which is why I laugh and cry when I read the Wikipedia article advocating using a piece of rotting shrimp to jump start your bio cycle in one aquarium). As to you Sponge Filter, this problably will not pack much punched based on what you said, but use it anyway and follow bikeguys advice as well, although clear water generally has little bacteria in the water column, but even a few are better than none. As to Prime or Amquel Plus (not Amquel), these can be added daily, but your nitrite and ammonia level will tell how often. Please reference this article for more about the difference between Amquel and Amquel Plus: Aquarium Answers; Water ConditonersCarl
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Post by demfish on Sept 18, 2008 12:48:40 GMT -5
Oh Renee, I'm so excited for you! Really want to see photo's if you can? I so want my tank done!! But at last it will be awhile.. DARN!
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 18, 2008 15:07:13 GMT -5
Thanks guys. But back to my previous question about being nervous about adding my goldfish 1 by 1. How many goldfish can I add safely at a time if nitrite and ammonia readings are 0 and the nitrate is at an acceptable level? My goldfish vary from about 2 inches to a tiny bit over 3 inches in length.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 18, 2008 18:27:53 GMT -5
if the tank is ready and cycled.....i`d add 2 at a time. it is stressfull for them to be moved....i feel it important to have a buddy there for security ....then add 2 every 3 or 4 days....
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 19, 2008 16:54:03 GMT -5
Thanks. I have about 6 gallons ready to be dumped in there this weekend. Thenm I can get the Sponge Filter going. Then after I get a little more water, I can start adding fish and then set up the Whisper Filter.
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 17:17:44 GMT -5
I am now slowly filling up the 40 gallon with water from my goldfish's water changes and soon I will be adding the sponge filter and a few fish. But I am not sure which fish I should take out and which I should leave in the 1 10 gallon my mom is allowing me to keep running. I am planning on putting 8 of the 10 goldfish into the 40 gallon. I have an impulse to put in all 10 gradually but more for what's healthiest for the fish. I'm wondering, should I keep the 2 smallest in the 10 gallon, or keep Oranda who seems partially blind but totally healthy otherwise and Puon who has trouble competing for food due to trouble getting food into its mouth in the 10 gallon? Or should I put all 10 of them in gradually? I want them to have equal access to food. I also have to keep in mind, though as Puon (the one with the eating problem) grows, and its mouth is bigger, it will probably have an easier time eating. What do you guys think?
Thanks!
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 24, 2008 17:21:37 GMT -5
i would keep the disabled ones togeather. they probably will never show aggression to each other and there will be plenty for them both. as far as the filter goes....why not get it running in the new tank now. the longer the better for adding bacteria to your filter media and if its in the old tank....now would be a great time. let the bacteria already present in the filter help cycle the new tank.
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 17:48:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the fast reply. I'll be getting the filter going once the water level is up enough. So far, all the water I've put in the 40 has been water from my goldfish's water changes. I'm doing this slowly, probably more than not becuase I'm nervous. Plus I promised my mom I'd fill the tank up slowly to check for leakage.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 24, 2008 17:55:19 GMT -5
use gravel and plants from the old tank as well. that will help incredibly....
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Post by murdock6701 on Sept 24, 2008 18:20:50 GMT -5
I have read your postings and have exalted you all - this has been a great posting of threads in terms of very informative material in helping a fellow member out in a very timely fashion - am very proud of all of you and wish you the best Renee! you have some great material to work with! this little post has restored faith in me (not that I ever lost it) but is a perfect example of coordination and cooperation and trully good information! Great job!
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 18:40:26 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I picked two goldfish (Aztec and Salyme) and put them in the 40 with the 4 gallons I saved up. They seem nervous but not super stressed. I put in a spawnuing mop from their old tank into the new one. Also, there's a little gravel that happened to be in there with he 4 gallons I saved up. It's amazing seeing them in there, they're exploring and eating something off the bottom. No leaks so far. My mom also said the bubbler is quiet enough for her. *grins* I hope nothing goes wrong, I do not intend on loosing a single fish in this move. My gldfish mean more to me than my bettas or guppies because they're the fist fish I kept and I've had them the longest Keep your fingers crossed guys. I'll be posting a link to a pictutre I'm about to take in a little bit.
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 24, 2008 19:01:30 GMT -5
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Post by Carl on Sept 24, 2008 19:53:43 GMT -5
Looking good Renee! Carl
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Post by demfish on Sept 24, 2008 22:40:51 GMT -5
Great job Renee!! I hope I can do as well on my new tank, as you did on yours!! Your fish will be so happy, and do the fat Goldy wiggle for food
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 25, 2008 4:07:14 GMT -5
Thanks so much! Can't wait to put the rest in. lol I hope teh fish calm down a little. They seem very easily scared now although they have not forgotten that fingers mean food. lol
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Post by iceiscool on Oct 10, 2008 5:15:32 GMT -5
Nice forum. This link I discovered gives many helpful information for newbies, specially for saltwater tanks. Check this one out: youtube.com/watch?v=znTmyVeKunM
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