allysonwonderland
Aquarium Advice Regular
A few weeks ago, my mother in law inherited a 55 gallon tank from my SIL plus an 8 inch common pleco who we believe was stunted from living in a 20 gallon for 7 years. He's been in the 55 for a year with no growth.
MIL has always wanted goldfish. I said OK, 2 fancies should be fine. She got 3. I think she's still technically overstocked with the pleco, and she knows she's not allowed to buy anymore. One little white fantail who's about 2.5 inches right now, her orange oranda is 3 inches with a pretty small wen so far, and a calico oranda is about 3.5 inches and his wen is all over his head and he has cute squishy cheeks.
The tank retained its cycle with the original filter media from the Top fin 75 it came with, plus I put on my old biowheel 50 with filter media right out of my healthy tropical tank. Ammonia and nitrite have been 0, nitrate barely detectable. Maybe 10? I've been doing two large water changes per week to get myself in the habit of it for when they get big (I live in the apartment above them so it's no big hassle.) PH is around 7.5, water is very hard where we live. Temperature around 72 F and stable as they use central air.
Anyway, to get to the questions. I know goldies can and should eat more than just store bought food - can you give me a list and theoretical schedule? So far they've only been eating Omega One sinking goldfish pellets in the morning and they nibble on the pleco's algae wafers at night. I also have no idea if I'm over or under feeding..they always look hungry and they eat every last bit! I'm not used to feeding such a small number of fish.
Secondly, do you think this is enough filtration for a large bioload like this? I'll probably replace the top fin 75 at some point, it doesn't seem very strong? The flow is weaker than the marineland 50.
Third, the calico oranda is not always active. He swims around a lot during and after feeding, and he likes swimming in the current during water changes, but sometimes he just sorta sits in the middle of the tank. The other two are always making full use of the space. No other signs of anything going on except two recent little white wen growth spots. Is this a big concern? I've heard goldfish need more oxygen than other fish. We have the two HOB filters and 2 feet of bubble wall. Anything else we need to do?
Any other special goldfish things you want to tell me, please do!
MIL has always wanted goldfish. I said OK, 2 fancies should be fine. She got 3. I think she's still technically overstocked with the pleco, and she knows she's not allowed to buy anymore. One little white fantail who's about 2.5 inches right now, her orange oranda is 3 inches with a pretty small wen so far, and a calico oranda is about 3.5 inches and his wen is all over his head and he has cute squishy cheeks.
The tank retained its cycle with the original filter media from the Top fin 75 it came with, plus I put on my old biowheel 50 with filter media right out of my healthy tropical tank. Ammonia and nitrite have been 0, nitrate barely detectable. Maybe 10? I've been doing two large water changes per week to get myself in the habit of it for when they get big (I live in the apartment above them so it's no big hassle.) PH is around 7.5, water is very hard where we live. Temperature around 72 F and stable as they use central air.
Anyway, to get to the questions. I know goldies can and should eat more than just store bought food - can you give me a list and theoretical schedule? So far they've only been eating Omega One sinking goldfish pellets in the morning and they nibble on the pleco's algae wafers at night. I also have no idea if I'm over or under feeding..they always look hungry and they eat every last bit! I'm not used to feeding such a small number of fish.
Secondly, do you think this is enough filtration for a large bioload like this? I'll probably replace the top fin 75 at some point, it doesn't seem very strong? The flow is weaker than the marineland 50.
Third, the calico oranda is not always active. He swims around a lot during and after feeding, and he likes swimming in the current during water changes, but sometimes he just sorta sits in the middle of the tank. The other two are always making full use of the space. No other signs of anything going on except two recent little white wen growth spots. Is this a big concern? I've heard goldfish need more oxygen than other fish. We have the two HOB filters and 2 feet of bubble wall. Anything else we need to do?
Any other special goldfish things you want to tell me, please do!
Not sure why.
