Should I have the filter running at all times?
2006-10-15 03:21:59 · 19 answers · asked by happytaffy 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes, you should never turn off the filter. The tank is already small enough not having the filter on will only kill them faster. Goldfish need 10 gallons (38 litres) each.
2006-10-15 03:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes it should be running at all times. It disturbs the surface of the water and enables oxygenation on the surface area so that the fish can breathe. It is especially important in a bowl as the top of it has a small surface area so less gas can transfer. Bowls are not a good environment to keep fish in because of the small surface area. Try a Biorb, they combine the looks of a traditional fish bowl with a modern filtered aquarium, and come in 3 different sizes, 15 litre, 30 litre and 60 litre. There's also a Biube, which is straight sided and 35 litres capacity.
2006-10-15 23:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your bowl has a sponge filter or an undergravel filter, you need to run the filter continuously...to keep the denitrifying bacteria alive and reduce both ammonia and nitrites. An outside filter using charcoal (carbon) and floss is not needed provided that you fish are not large. Fish become oxygen dependent and if they have been living in a well-aerated environment, they will gasp at the surface. Air pumps are very inexpensive to run and it is best to keep all aerators and filters running continuously. The concept of keeping goldfish in a bowl is fine when they are small, but given water changes, they will grow quite quickly. (Most gold fish are stunted by the nitrate level of the water increasing). When you can, you should get an aquarium, with a good undergravel or power outside filter. Few fish thrive in a bowl because of water chemistry, lack of oxygen but most importantly, the flucuation of temperature. In nature, a river or a pond change temperature slowly...but in 8 litres of water, overnight the temperature can drop a few degrees. The real trick in keeping fish alive and healthy is stability.
2006-10-15 03:44:46 · answer #3 · answered by Frank 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a bigger tank and yes keep the filter on. I have had problems with my 2 fantails in a 19ltr tank - 1 The filter was not good enough - sorted 2 not enough live plants in - sorted 3 no air pump in - sorted George & Peter now very happy clean fish!
2006-10-16 05:45:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish need a good sized tank (atleast 10 gallons in your case) and a GOOD filter. Goldfish are very dirty and do NOT have the ability to take in air from the surface. THEY ARE NOT LIKE BETTAS. Bettas have a special organ located up behind the gills called a labyrinth....this allows them to take in air from their mouths. Goldfish do not have that. If you seem the "gulping" for air at the surface....it means they are suffocating.
Please make sure you have some type of filtration...you and your goldfish will be much happier.
2006-10-15 05:40:56 · answer #5 · answered by megan145 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont even get a 5 gallon. Its not even close, and its a waste of time. the traditional goldfish (comets and commons) improve to sixteen inches and choose fifty 5 gallons for a single fish. in case you dont opt for your goldfish to look sickish, you're able to desire to do away with them if all youre going to purchase is a 5 gallon. Goldfish get taken care of the worst because of the fact human beings dont think of they choose super tanks. yet they do. Goldfish are pond fish, not bowl fish. Theres quite a difference.
2016-11-23 12:51:45 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need more than a filter! Try a much bigger tank. If they're common goldfish, which grow to well over a foot, a tank 6'x2'x2' will be needed in the long run, or even better, a pond. If they're fancies, a standard 3ft tank will suffice but a large filter such as an external will be needed if you wish to advoid committing even more cruelty.
2006-10-15 03:40:41 · answer #7 · answered by oohfeeshy 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes keep it running except for a short period after you have added food to the bowl. Then restart it!
Make sure your fish dont outgrow the bowl, its quite small! Roughly 1cm of fish for 1 litre of water so if your fish total 8cm or more they need a bigger home.
2006-10-16 04:47:12 · answer #8 · answered by huggz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish are gulpers, like betas. This means that they get their oxygen by gulping air from the surface of the water as opposed to filtering the water with their gills. There is no need for a filter but you still have to clean the water when it becomes visibly contaminated.
2006-10-15 04:54:56 · answer #9 · answered by Lauralye D 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's always good to have a filter inany fish tank, whatever the size and regardless of how many fish as it helps oxygenate the water.
Having natural plants in the tank also helps!
2006-10-15 03:30:35 · answer #10 · answered by sammi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋