~ Hey ~ I was wondering if i get another 10 gallon can i put one black oranda or another type of goldfish in there!

Thank! I would only get one!

do you think this is good!

Arent you moving Dean?

i have already moved into the house we bought but i am moving into a different room!

That is all!

I was unclear! Sorry about that!

As we told you before, goldfish are much harder than most tropicals, and need more care, more waterchanges, and a very strong high quality filter, etc. Once you buy your test kit and everythings good, and you have about $80+ more money to spend, I say go for it.

okay!

Thanks! I am working getting a new tank from www.craigslist.com and www.freecycle.org!

Thanks!

Dean, please dont even think about getting any goldies until you have a master test kit, or nitrite / trate, ammonia and ph at least.

Are your parents still worried about the amount of water you use? if you are getting this 55gal aswell, thats going to mean ALOT more water changes that your current 10gal would need.

my mom is the one who wanted the 55 gallon and she has already said that i would be the one to be in charge of everything since i know more than she does when it comes to fish! If i do a get a free tank or something then i will not set it up until i have the test kit!


Thanks!

I'm still confused...you just posted in another of your threads you haven't been doing regular water changes because your parents don't want you to use that much water, but they are alright with you getting another tank that is more than five times as big? Does she realize you will be changing at least 16 gallons a week? This isn't that much and shouldn't really show up on the water bill so I don't know what she's worried about exactly. However, if you get the tank you must be doing the regular waterchanges. A free set up does not mean you won't be spending potentially a lot of money on upkeep.

i know that~ But we are not getting it for a while but i was just wanting to do some research so when we go to buy one i would know what to do!

Does anyone have a list of filters that work GRREAT with 55 gallons?

Thanks!
Should we even go for an undergravel one or is it not worth it if we do regular gravel vacs?

Thanks!

I'm against under-gravel vacuums all the way for any sort of tank. They shouldn't ever take place of frequent waterchanges. The filter strength really depends on what types of fish you need. If you get goldfish, and go for a total of at least 550 gph, probably more. Tropicals you'll need less, but I wouldn't go under a total of 520 gph. You may need more than one filter to get sufficient filtration without having a huge waterfall that will push away all plants and fish. I'm not too sure on the filters for the big tanks though, maybe some one else can help. Good filters are Penguins, Emporers, and Aquaclears. They are very sufficient and hold bio bugs well because the first two have bio-wheels and the third has lots of room for biomedia. I've heard Whispers are good too. Try to buy something that will provide extra special space for the bio-bugs, other than just a plain ol' cartridge.

okaY! So no undergravel filters!

Thanks!
I was not going to make that take place! I was going to use that as a filter! is that a good idea or still no!

I say no becuase i had one in my ten gallon but it was so hard to keep the tubes clean!

Thanks!

Ooops I mean undergravel filter, not vacuum. Sorry, I blame my pounding headache I'm confused by your reply. Does my correction help any?

yes it does! So do not get one then becuase why?

because they- ok, i was gonna say something but i've seen it edited before, so i'll just skip a step... they aren't very good. they trap harmful anaerobic bacteria, they don't do a very good job at removing waste, there's not as much mechanical filtration, and they don't suck the waste out of those tiny gravel stones you buy. they were designed to be used with the huge chunks of gravel that were popular way back when. plus, they're a lot of upkeep, when there's stuff so much easier on the market now a days.

i posted which aqua clear you should get in another post. i think i said the 70 was the one you wanted. yea, on a 50 gallon, you can get 6 times turnover an hour, which is fine for tropicals. if you do goldfish, i'd get one of those plus a penquin or emperor. but then again, if i was you, i wouldn't do goldfish. i like the aquaclears because you can add more bio or mechanical media if you choose to, and you can change out the carbon without disrupting the bioload in your filter, so no minicycles to stress your fish out.

Dean, i am still a little confused about the water change issue. you didnt really answer kissys question when she asked about why your mum would be ok with you changing AT LEAST 16g's of water, but not 2.5 from the tank you already have.
i think you need to point this out to your mum. As you said, she will not know a lot abotu keeping fish, so before you let her agree to letting you get a 55g, is only fair to point out what other expenditures will come with it.

the reason is because it is something she wanted!
Thanks!

Dean, ive always wanted a puppy, but have never had the means to look after it. Its not fair to the animal if you cant give it what it needs to survive. if your mum wont let you change the water, it will die.

so she isnt going to have a problem with you changing water from the 55?

no but she has a problem with me changing mine!

Thanks!

im sorry Dean, but how does that work out? you said it was that she had a problem with the costs. im sorry, but i dont think she could have said that. if she cares enough to get fish, then she should care enough to keep them alive and healthy. would she get 2 puppys, give one to you, and keep one herself, then not let you take yours out for walks, or feed it or whatever??
im sorry if im sounding rude, but once again, we are only trying to help you.

edit : if you know shes not going to let you do water changes, you should be responsible enough not to get the tank.

it is her that wants the tank and its not the cost but it is the work that is involved and the noise becuase she thinks i make too much noise!

Dean, until you start telling us what is actually going on, we cant help you. the reasons your mother gives for not wanting you to change the water changes daily.
whatever the reason, if its going to be a problem DONT GET THE FISH!!!!!

I'll tell you what,this thread is about to be closed.We are now at two pages of arguing back and forth,and I see no happy medium here.
Dean,all I can say is that we have offered the same advice-over,and over,and over,until we are blue in the face .
We tell you these things only to help you out,and to keep your fish alive and healthy. You have come up with every excuse in the world as to why you can not take our advice,and I'm really starting to think that no more can really be said here,until you make a few changes and help yourself---or should I say help your poor fish out.
Guys,your frustrations are really starting to come through in this post,so maybe it's time to take a breath and step away. Seems to me that if talking to Dean isn't helping,then yelling certainly won't help either.
At this point,maybe we should let "dead dogs lie",and move on.

well i have talked to you and everything is clear now, you guys jsut need to be nicer since people do not have as much money as you guys do, and dont say you dont becuase you guys have like 5 tanks and so mnay fish and so much stuff and the people who have little or no money that recieve the tanks as gifts feel bad becuase they can not provide for their fish the stuff like you can- bloodworms for food instead of flakes and things like that so that is just something you need to keep in mind!

Thanks!

Dean, i am absolutely broke, i dont work, i am a very poor student.. but i have 7 tanks right now.. you just need to learn to manage your money and buy the things you really need, even though there may be something else you really really want.

okay!

Thanks! I will keep that in mind!

*hugs Dean* I have 3 running tanks and no possible income and no transportation. The only way I can keep my tanks running is by scavenging the house for loose change (LoL! Really... You'd be surpised how many coins you can find laying around that nobody has claimed! It's not much, but it adds up!). I also have to do chores around the house several times a week so my mom will buy my filter cartridges and fish foods and such for me. LoL

Sounds like you live near town, right? Your lucky to be living where you do. I'm about 25 miles from town and my closest neighbor is 1/4 mile down the road. No lawns to mow out here, no dogs to walk (it's the country, they all run free around here LoL), neighbor got rid of their horses so I can't earn a few extra bucks helping with that any more. The only extra work around here is haying, which is hard labor and not something I can take with my asthma. You don't know how lucky you are Dean! LoL

You can do it though There are so many ways you can earn money if you are closer to town like that, even if you cannot get an actual job yet. Just keep trying!

You don't have to take everybody's advice here, we are all just trying to offer you ideas and some help to keep your fishies healthy and happy.

Keep trying to save up the money! Make sure you use it for top priority things before spending it on 'luxeries'. You want your fishies to be happy and healthy before you spoil them with other goodies

Good luck! Remember a lot of people here have been taking care of fish for many years, and they are all here willing to share their advice and help others out with tips and info for free. They started out as beginners and had to learn at one time too, just like us *hugs*

okay! So what are some things that i could do to raise money!
Thanks! I think i can get my worker's permit which means i can work at like the local gym or something like that!

Thanks!

I might even be able to work at the local pool or something!

Thanks!

There are loads of things out there that don't require worker permits - raking leaves for neighbors, washing cars, all kinds of extra chores in your home that your mom doesn't mind you doing extra. The last one is an important one - it will show your mom that you are able to be responsible for your animals and their care, and she might change her mind about the water use while doing water changes in the process.

If you are particularly good in a subject at school, you could tutor other kids that need help. Freing the neighbor's driveways from snow might be another one, depending on where you live. Walking dogs, cleaning out the garage, doing handy work in the house or at neighbors in need, tons of things really once you start really looking...

good lists going here. my brother and i always went to help out at our grandparent's house doing yardwork or housework. we never expected anything, but she'd always give us a couple bucks. but then some of their friends and neighbors saw the good jobs we were doing w/ the yard, and some of them called up asking us do yardwork for them, mowing and raking and trimming, and then snow removal in the winter (that's where the real money is ).

we did alright for ouselves that way (since caring for pets and chores around our house were expected, not extra).

Dean, It's okay, your mother might come around to see the fact that you love your fish and that you need to take care of them even if it means doing water changes. Why don't you just tell her how you feel and tell her that you really want to take care of your fish so the can stay healthy.

sound like me

well i am the type of person that has helped people before and have not taken the money so they do not pay me know becuase they know that i will do it for free becuase that is how nice i am!

Well, then you can very politely let those friends know that you are saving for something very important to you (if you don't wonna tell them, thats fine, I met plenty of people who still think I am nuts too ), and that you can't do it for free anymore. After all, every teenager sooner or later learns to make money that way. I know I had to....

i just feeled out a workers permit which means some place can hire me since i have a workers permit!

Thanks!
This is a real job!

Good for you Dean!!!

Dean, that's a great start to becoming a very responsible and independant adult. Good for you

i meant to put filled out a workers permit!

Which basically means you have to get it approved by the proper authorities first to be in effect, right? Is that how it works?

I don't think we have worker permits in my area out here o.0 You have to be 16 to get a job around here, but nobody highers if your 16, which is sorta stupid -_- Even places like McD's and other fast food places won't higher unless your 18+ -_- *sigh*

Good luck Dean

you have to take it to the place you wish to work at and then they sign it and then you take it to your school and then they sign it and then you send it to your state capitol!

I am going to get the second part done this weekend!

Wow, is that how they work? Yikes! LoL Don't think we have them here, like I said... I only know about the age limit here because my sis tried to get a job when she turned 16 but everywhere she applied said they wouldn't higher anybody under 18 -_-

Heh, if I had tried in my teens, and they had the work permit here, I don't know how that would have worked for me if it had to be signed by the school o.0 I was homeschooled for 5 1/2 years (7-11th grade.. hehe, graduated early).

Good luck though!! Hope you can get a small job somewhere!

i am goiong to thanks again and sorry for your disadvantage!

Your welcome Heh, it's no longer a disadvantage now, but I have several others that prevent me from getting to town for work, but oh well..

I get to make it uptown on the 13th and again that Thursday. I'm hoping to stop by Petco or something on Thursday. Bummer I don't have enough saved for some more parts to my 20 gallon yet -_- LoL