Goldfish question.?

Question

I've had two goldfish for several months. I've never had water problems before. Recently, the water started becoming really cloudy. I've tried changing out the water completely, and replacing the filter. After a day or two, it becomes very cloudy again. It's a one gallon tank, with a replaceable charcoal filter. Replacing the water 100%, and cleaning the gravel doesn't seem to work. Help!

Answer 1

No doubt this is a bacterial bloom brought on by crowded conditions. You didn't have the problem before because the fish were smaller and the tank was fairly new. Cleaning out the tankand filter damaged the bactierial cycle in the tank that is needed for proper ammonia cycling. I'll include a link at the bottom that explains this in good detail. Be sure to follow the links to the next pages at the bottom, they will cover even more info that will help you with your tank. While the water would probably clear if left alone, you would probably lose fish due to ammonia build up if you don't continue water changes. The only real ways to avoid the problem and stop it from continuing would be 1) a larger tank for the goldfish or 2) smaller fish for your tank.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/

Hope that helps!

MM

Answer 2

Hi dude! Nothing to worry about.

Sometimes the water gets cloudy after cleaning the tank. This is normal and feel easy. The fish inside try to explore more inside due to the change in temperature and hence start rummaging through the place atleast for a day or two.

If the water looks fine when seen through the glass, then it must be the point stated above. In which case, you will have to stabilize and wait for a couple of days for water particles to settle between the gravels.

Or, maybe that the gravels are not cleaned properly, or the filter is dirty itself.

Neverthless, if the water itself is cloudy right from its origin then there is nothing you can do about it. You could try double filtering instead. Place two or more clothes stacked one on top of the other and pour the water through it. This should make the water a bit softer.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Your tank is way too small for goldfish. Not even one should have to live in such a tiny home. You can never keep it clean and you will never have healthy goldfish live in there. You would have to change all of the water every 4 hours day and night to keep them alive in there. When they die, rinse everything well and go get ONE betta. That would make a pretty good home for that fish, if you change the water every 5 days or so (all of it). Sorry I so wish the pet store you bought this from actually educated their employees before they let them loose to sell anyone anything. I wouldn't be surprized if the store in question was Petco. They even advertize their store with an employee holding a bowl with 2 goldfish in it. There is no such thing as a goldfish bowl, PERIOD. Goldfish need at least 10 gallons a peice, filter, heater and airator. Goldfish should never be kept in any tank smaller than 20 gallons. If you have the money get your fish a 20 gallon tank with filter (not undergravel a real filter), heater (75-80 degrees), airator with 2 good sized stones going. Anything less is just plain cruel to them. Its not your fault I blame the big pet store.

Answer 4

A bigger tank would certainly help. Filters are OK as long as they are maintained. Do you have gravel in the bottom? If so do you have enough? At least 25mm 1" is best, more can help stop clouding and algae problems. Normally you should replace about 30% of the water every week or two but make sure it is treated to remove harmfull aditives in most tap water (see your local fish stockist for advice as this changes from area to area).

Answer 5

Agree with the bacterial bloom. Your tank is way to small for any fish you may care to name, except possibly a bumble bee gobie. You should also try to avoid replacing all the water and filter material as this destroys the good bacteria that will have been cultivated during the cycling of the tank.

visit www.wetwebmedia.com and research a little on goldfish, they have a long life 20+ years is an average lifespan, and they will reach a decent size,even fancy varieties such as ryui, pearlscales and black moors.

when you come to change the filter pad/material, only remove half of it, as the old material will contain beneficial bacteria that will colonise the new media, thus activating it.

good luck.

Answer 6

Yes it is a bacterial bloom however you cleaning the entire tank is causing it. Taking all the water out of the aquarium forces the tank to start the start up cycle all over again.

Here is a good site to help you understand what goes on in your tank:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

When doing a water change and cleaning the tank, once a week you should only remove 25% of the water, not the entire tank. Using a gravel siphon to clean the rocks is the best way to go.

You in short are over cleaning the tank. Next water change, only remove 25% of the water. Read the web page to understand why. Also, you will need to get a test kit. Since your tank is now cycling all over again, you are going to be getting ammonia spikes. Smaller water changes will help to keep the ammonia levels down

Feel free to email me.

Answer 7

sounds like a bacterial bloom caused by overstocking/overfeeding/fish pooping
replacing the filter won't have helped and would have removed all the good bacteria.

1 gallon is far too small for goldfish, invest in a larger tank, about 30 gallons or larger for two goldfish.

Answer 8

You might need to get some algae eaters. IF it is getting clouded it may need some plants in it.feed every other day or daily, but no more than once a day in case you want to change your water more than once a week.

Answer 9

you could just replace every think??