It's a 2.5 gallon plastic Spongebob tank. We are definitely not overfeeding but it gets cloudy and very disgusting looking after only a few days. We love the fish but had no idea the water would look so gross all the time.
2007-04-23 07:23:19 · 7 answers · asked by cjm 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Other are correct, the cloudiness is a bacterial bloom caused by the accumulation of ammonia in the tank. Given time it will clear by itself. In the eman time the best way to handle it is a partial water change every day to control the ammonia and prevent it from reaching a lethal level. Eventually bacteria will grow in the filter and control the ammonia without clouding the water.
Those 2 goldfish will outgrow that tank within a few months, which leaves you with the choice of getting a new larger tank or replacing the fish. A tank good tank size for 2 adult fancy goldfish is about 30 gallons. Each one of those guys will reach about 7-10 inches depending on variety. If they are common goldfish or comets, plan on about 18" at full size. Personally, I would recommend a few neons and a male guppy for the tank. Possible a few white cloouds instead of th neons as they are more hardy.
MM
2007-04-23 08:08:05 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's important to remember that with goldfish ammonia is a serious problem. It can and does kill. You need to either get a different tank with a filter, or add a filter to this spongebob tank. It needs to have carbon filtration to remove the debris and ammonia from waste. You should clean the actual filter cartidge once or twice a month depending on how cloudy or visibly dirty your tank gets. I have two 50 gals and the get total cleanings twice a month. I haven't lost a fish naturally in years. Now deaths due to hurricanes and extended power outages are a different story. Fresh and salt water alike.
Edit: also, you need to do partial water changes at the same time as you clean or change your filter cartridge. It will help keep the ammonia levels to something tolerable.
2007-04-23 15:06:42 · answer #2 · answered by chellimerrett 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you will not kill the fish by doing partial waterchanges every other day. the cloudy look is ammonia which goldfish produce a lot of.
at some poing within the next 6 months, upgrade to at least, at LEAST, a 20 gal. goldfish can live a long time and they grow, some to 13" or larger. you will need a filter you already do, i think the spongebob tank has a filter, does it not? there should be carbon in the filter and that needs to be reactivated if not replaced so it can clear the water. there is a product called ammo lock that adds an ion to the ammonia molecules and therefore neutralizes it's toxcicity... very good for goldfish, remember to treat the new water before you add it to the tank.
2007-04-23 14:40:02 · answer #3 · answered by youthfultalent 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
perhaps you should put a filter in the tank or maybe its not getting enough oxygen. and depending on the size of the goldfish a 2.5 gallon may be to small. as long as the water temperature is about the same it shouldnt kill them but taking them out of their tank all the time to do so can cause a lot of stress and that could kill them.
2007-04-23 14:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by Mamacita911 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest get a better tank with a filter so you don't have to keep changing the water so often
2007-04-23 14:29:45 · answer #5 · answered by MysticCat 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
check your filter , if your filter is o.k change the food .
2007-04-23 14:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by mspurpler 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes
2007-04-23 14:33:42 · answer #7 · answered by A.C. 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋