My tank is really small but i was wondering would i still be able to have a few plants in there. To both keep the fish happy and to help improve the water quality? If so which should i get?
Some of the threads here say that Java moss is good but which others should i get?
Full Version: Small Tank
Hi Peanuts, how small is your tank. What kind of goldfish and how many?
Hi Queenie I’m ashamed to say that it’s a really small 5 gallon tank that houses a blackmoor and a lion head. But in my defence when I bought it I was told by the pet store people that the tank was big enough to house at least 4 Goldies. 
I was very ignored about goldies back then
I am saving up to buy a larger home for my boys but it's not going to be for a while, that's why i was hoping that by getting some plants will help them in both the fun department and also to help control the levels.
Edit: i have been treating the fish for white spot but they will finish their treatment on Sunday so i was hoping to add the plants to the tank sometime next week
I was very ignored about goldies back thenI am saving up to buy a larger home for my boys but it's not going to be for a while, that's why i was hoping that by getting some plants will help them in both the fun department and also to help control the levels.
Edit: i have been treating the fish for white spot but they will finish their treatment on Sunday so i was hoping to add the plants to the tank sometime next week
Yeah, I know the pet stores grossly misinform people to sell them those 5 gallon tanks. Sad because you can get a 10 gallon starter kit for less than you pay for the 5 gallon. A plant would no doubt improve the atmostphere for them, but I wouldn't put a real big one in because your limited on space. I really don't think it will help with the water quality very much on a tank of this size. In my opinion, if they are going to be in the 5 gallon for a while you will need to do 100% water change daily. 2 goldfish in 5 gallons is a lot of waste daily. I would do 100% change daily, making sure I use water conditioner and match the water temperature.
When you can afford to get a bigger tank, I would try to get a good size to start with. I wasted a lot of money buying smaller tanks/tubs gradually. I wouldn't buy anything less than 20 gal for the 2 fish. I have 4 goldfish in a 75 gal. and I woudn't put anymore in there. They get big fairly quickly. You save money in the long run to go bigger from the start.
When you can afford to get a bigger tank, I would try to get a good size to start with. I wasted a lot of money buying smaller tanks/tubs gradually. I wouldn't buy anything less than 20 gal for the 2 fish. I have 4 goldfish in a 75 gal. and I woudn't put anymore in there. They get big fairly quickly. You save money in the long run to go bigger from the start.
Queenie thanks for your advice and for being so understanding. I'm doing 100% changes most days now but i was wondering if it would harm the fish in anyway?
what i do is syphon some tank water off into a smaller bowl, then clean all the fake plant's and gravel in a 'waste' bucket also i have a 'clean' bucket on standby that has been standing over night with tap water in which i've added decloranater too.
I'm trying to get a Jewul Rio 180 as we have an alcove in our living room which that size tank would fit but not only do i have to save up for it but i'm also fighting a battle against my brother who i share a house with he’s of the opinion that the tank I have is already too big for the fish!!!
what i do is syphon some tank water off into a smaller bowl, then clean all the fake plant's and gravel in a 'waste' bucket also i have a 'clean' bucket on standby that has been standing over night with tap water in which i've added decloranater too.
I'm trying to get a Jewul Rio 180 as we have an alcove in our living room which that size tank would fit but not only do i have to save up for it but i'm also fighting a battle against my brother who i share a house with he’s of the opinion that the tank I have is already too big for the fish!!!
Your more than welcome Peanuts. When I got my first goldfish I had no clue as to their care, we all start somewhere. It's just wonderful to see people concerned enough to gain knowlege.
The 100% water changes will not harm your fish at all, it will help them stay healthy; as long as you are making sure the water is dechlorinated, and match the temperature of the water your taking them out of. Sudden temperature changes can stress them. Also, if you can get a ph test that would be very good. Ph is very important. Yours might be fine and it may be steady out of the tap. Mine fluctuates all the time and I have to really watch it. You might not have that problem but you should check it.
Another option you have is, a tub. I kept mine in a 40 gal. tub that I bought at a farm supply for a very resonable cost. I put a whisper filter on it and it worked out fine until I was able to buy them a bigger aquarium. People also use rubbermaid tubs you get at Walmart. They are inexpensive and can do just fine. Your fish will have more water and area space to swim. You can get a 20 gal and that would work great for you.
You should know that when you buy a tank, taller is not better for goldfish. They need more area space than depth. And your filter should pump at least 10X gallon per hour (10 gal. of water filter should at least pump 100 gph ), because goldfish are dirty. When you get ready we will help you through the cycling process; you can read up on that as their is a good section on that. \
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want or need.
The 100% water changes will not harm your fish at all, it will help them stay healthy; as long as you are making sure the water is dechlorinated, and match the temperature of the water your taking them out of. Sudden temperature changes can stress them. Also, if you can get a ph test that would be very good. Ph is very important. Yours might be fine and it may be steady out of the tap. Mine fluctuates all the time and I have to really watch it. You might not have that problem but you should check it.
Another option you have is, a tub. I kept mine in a 40 gal. tub that I bought at a farm supply for a very resonable cost. I put a whisper filter on it and it worked out fine until I was able to buy them a bigger aquarium. People also use rubbermaid tubs you get at Walmart. They are inexpensive and can do just fine. Your fish will have more water and area space to swim. You can get a 20 gal and that would work great for you.
You should know that when you buy a tank, taller is not better for goldfish. They need more area space than depth. And your filter should pump at least 10X gallon per hour (10 gal. of water filter should at least pump 100 gph ), because goldfish are dirty. When you get ready we will help you through the cycling process; you can read up on that as their is a good section on that. \
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want or need.
QUOTE(Queenie @ Sep 16 2005, 07:33 PM)
Your more than welcome Peanuts. When I got my first goldfish I had no clue as to their care, we all start somewhere. It's just wonderful to see people concerned enough to gain knowlege.
The 100% water changes will not harm your fish at all, it will help them stay healthy; as long as you are making sure the water is dechlorinated, and match the temperature of the water your taking them out of. Sudden temperature changes can stress them. Also, if you can get a ph test that would be very good. Ph is very important. Yours might be fine and it may be steady out of the tap. Mine fluctuates all the time and I have to really watch it. You might not have that problem but you should check it.
Another option you have is, a tub. I kept mine in a 40 gal. tub that I bought at a farm supply for a very resonable cost. I put a whisper filter on it and it worked out fine until I was able to buy them a bigger aquarium. People also use rubbermaid tubs you get at Walmart. They are inexpensive and can do just fine. Your fish will have more water and area space to swim. You can get a 20 gal and that would work great for you.
You should know that when you buy a tank, taller is not better for goldfish. They need more area space than depth. And your filter should pump at least 10X gallon per hour (10 gal. of water filter should at least pump 100 gph ), because goldfish are dirty. When you get ready we will help you through the cycling process; you can read up on that as their is a good section on that. \
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want or need.
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The 100% water changes will not harm your fish at all, it will help them stay healthy; as long as you are making sure the water is dechlorinated, and match the temperature of the water your taking them out of. Sudden temperature changes can stress them. Also, if you can get a ph test that would be very good. Ph is very important. Yours might be fine and it may be steady out of the tap. Mine fluctuates all the time and I have to really watch it. You might not have that problem but you should check it.
Another option you have is, a tub. I kept mine in a 40 gal. tub that I bought at a farm supply for a very resonable cost. I put a whisper filter on it and it worked out fine until I was able to buy them a bigger aquarium. People also use rubbermaid tubs you get at Walmart. They are inexpensive and can do just fine. Your fish will have more water and area space to swim. You can get a 20 gal and that would work great for you.
You should know that when you buy a tank, taller is not better for goldfish. They need more area space than depth. And your filter should pump at least 10X gallon per hour (10 gal. of water filter should at least pump 100 gph ), because goldfish are dirty. When you get ready we will help you through the cycling process; you can read up on that as their is a good section on that. \
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want or need.
[right][snapback]395993[/snapback][/right]
Thank you so much!!!!!
And brill idea about the tubs, My PH is ok (well i think so) I've checked it out a few times and it's always been pretty much the same. I've a test kit that i use very regularly to check the water quality and occasionally i've added Aquarium salt to the tank if i think the fish have been stressed out during the cleaning process (that's supposed to help stress isn't it? well the carton that it came in says it does
). My boys are just getting over a bout of white spot which i managed to catch really early and i think i'm turning into a fish Hypochondriac, i love the little guys so much! but like i said when i first got them i was really naive and I didn't even know that goldie care required all this work (well work isn't the right word to use as i don't really mind doing it) but you know what i mean. I always thought that you bung the fish in a bowl and feed them every day then when the water gets dirty you clean it. I was so ignorant i didn't know anything Sorry to have gone on but my boys are my fave topic at the moment I wish my camera was working so i could show off pics of both my boys but Alan picy was the only one i could get.
Thanks again for being so nice i can't believe how wonderful everyone on this site is, it's such a nice board to visit!
Gday peanuts! I believe i may be able to help a bit with the plant department.
I personally love Java Moss & Java Fern, mainly because i have them and they're virtually goldie-proof (and they look great too) . The Java Moss you can just leave it free-floating (actually it'll sink, and stays in one place), and the Java Fern u gotta tie it up on a piece of driftwood (don't forget to soak the driftwood for at least 48 hours).
Another favourite of mine is Hornwort. They look great, free-floating, a good water quality controller, and they grow like crazy! They're relatively hard for goldies to munch on, but my goldies seem to like them
If u decided on getting some plants already, don't put too much. just a clump of java moss/hornwort or a couple of pots of java fern (tied to a driftwood of course) will be great.
best of luck mate
I personally love Java Moss & Java Fern, mainly because i have them and they're virtually goldie-proof (and they look great too
) . The Java Moss you can just leave it free-floating (actually it'll sink, and stays in one place), and the Java Fern u gotta tie it up on a piece of driftwood (don't forget to soak the driftwood for at least 48 hours).Another favourite of mine is Hornwort. They look great, free-floating, a good water quality controller, and they grow like crazy! They're relatively hard for goldies to munch on, but my goldies seem to like them
If u decided on getting some plants already, don't put too much. just a clump of java moss/hornwort or a couple of pots of java fern (tied to a driftwood of course) will be great.
best of luck mate
Let us know how things go peanuts. Hope you get your camera going; looking forward to some pictures
HI queenie I've posted a few pics of my boys here
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