The goldfish are too big (10 plus inches) and smelly to keep in my basement like I did last winter. I have about 10 large and 30 (3-5inch) fish. I live in a climate where the winter can be as cold as -40 degrees. I have a stock tank heater and aerator, and could possibly put in a fountain type pump for circulation. Will this keep the fish alive over the winter? Or am I doomed to kill all these gorgeous fish if I do this? The garage isn't heated and has little insulation. Do I need to cover the trough? Do they need light over the winter? Any help would be great! Thank you!
2007-09-28 12:45:31 · 7 answers · asked by Daisy M 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
You'd be better off to leave them in the pond to hibernate for the winter--as long as the pond is at 2 and a half feet deep. I have a pond in my backyard and I only bring the babies indoors for the winter. I set up a small aquarium with a filter, light, etc. and keep them fed so they don't go into hibernation for the duration of the winter months. But the big ones (the 10-12"ers) stay in hibernation in the bottom of the pond all winter with the box-filter pumps running continuously and no heater. I stop feeding those fish when the water temp drops to about 40 degrees. A thick layer of ice will form on top of the pond in mid winter here in Michigan but I make certain that the pumps remains open to provide aeration. The fish do just fine. Honestly, they have a better chance of survival if left in the pond. Heaters can burn out in mid winter--had it happen.
P.S.--A 100-gal. tank doesn't seem big enough for 10 or more big fish plus 30 small ones. They move about a little even when in hibernation ( kinda like doing the dog-paddle).
P.S.S.--It would help to know where you live (MN?) and how deep your pond is.
2007-09-28 13:00:04 · answer #1 · answered by HoneyBunny 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi Daisy, You have about ten 10" long Goldfish? That's incredible-you must have had some of them for years. I'm thinking even a 100 gallon trough is not going to be big enough to keep them in let alone the 30 smaller ones.
Is it an option to transfer just some of them to the garage making the work of keeping less in your basement easier & at the same time lessening the amount in the100 gallon trough? I would advise you treat it as an outside pond-the link below tells you about overwintering for ponds & may be helpful. I'm guessing you have an electric supply in your garage as you mention using the pump & heater so I would also make sure they have some kind of lighting part of the day as total darkness for the entire time would not be beneficial. I would also recommend securing the top with some pond netting just in case anyone tries to make a break for it!
Another option which may be a possibility for you is to advertise some of them on your local Freecycle group or Craig's List. This way you can wait until you get several replies & choose which new homes look the most attractive & you will know your fish are being well cared for. Finally & this is perhaps a long shot but if there are any ornamental gardens around your area perhaps they would be interested in fish of such a size?
Hope this is of some help-best of luck to you, your fish sound very impressive.
2007-09-28 14:23:03 · answer #2 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
So you have a heater already i would make sure that you have a big enough heater for that size and that maybe you need to small one instead of 1 big one. i think a fountain or 2 air pumps and shell heads for the pump would probably be enough i would also say that you should but down a piece of foam silicone stuff it really cheap from a hard Ware store.. and i would put a piece of that on the floor and have the heaters on and air pumps and i would cover it as long as you have the air pumps in there.The cover could just be even boards to just keep the heat in.And you are going to have to make sure that you change 40 percent of the water at least once a month.because their will be no filter in the water to clean it and buy cycle for the ammonia and to make good bacteria in the tank. but with the water heater you have to make sure that you watch the temperature so one the cold nights you can turn it up if needed.And also you will have to have a light because all fish need light so cut a square out of a boared and put a florescent light or long lightbbulb or somthing to turn on if you can do that you will be set
2007-09-28 13:09:24 · answer #3 · answered by tara_hastings 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Gold fish do fine all the way to 32 degrees F- so all you have to do is keep the water from freezing (the top can freeze- it just can't be solid to the bottom) and they should be okay. If they do get cold their metabolism drops way down and they don't need to feed and the water should stay reasonably clean- a heater and aerator should keep them alive.
2007-09-28 12:54:45 · answer #4 · answered by kisutch 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess but I definitely wouldn't do it. They are animals and deserve to live in a house just like any other reptile/animal, treat them as they should be deserved. Unless your garage is like a home, completely re-finished then I wouldn't put a ball python out there, any snake or living creature for that matter.
2016-05-21 01:24:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone I know just leaves them in their pond; it has to be a certain depth for them to go to the bottom and semi-freeze. Fish have something like antifreeze, they can freeze without getting crystals in the flesh that would kill them. You need to ask at the pet supply store. by the way, we live in Chicago so they survived harsh temperatures!
2007-09-28 12:52:59 · answer #6 · answered by marie 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
as long as you keep them warm and fed and clean they they should be fine
2007-09-28 12:49:52 · answer #7 · answered by dances with cats 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋