Goldfish problems

[GlennDalton]

I would like to have very hard water but I have a water softener. I want hard water because it makes the goldfish skin thicker and all of their fin bones thicker and stronger. I also helps with their general health. I bought Kent R/O Right mineral supplement. I have a gadget that is supposed to test the hardness of the water. With no mineral supplement it reads 194. I was hoping you all could tell me the optimum hardness for goldfish.

In addition I have three ranchus who have lost large patches of scales from other fish trying to get her to release her eggs. I put triple antibiotic on the effected area. How long will it take for the scales to grow back?

I am also buying a 300 gallon Rubber Maid stock tank. I was wondering how to grow eloda (anackerus) in it. I could get silt from the creek and sterilize them buy putting them in the oven, or I can use pulverized granite powder from Harmony Farm supply. This would be much more effective and easier. Will eloda grow in this granite power?

My third problem is with a ryukin. A large ryukin that I just purchased is having swim bladder problems. The strange thing is one day he is at the surface, unable to swim down. The next day he is stuck on the bottom unable to swim to the surface. I've tried fasting him, feeding him peas and gel food. Does this sound familiar to anyone? If so please email me at glenndalton707@yahoo.com.

I hope this finds you all well. Thank you in advance for your assistance..

Glenn

 

[duanes]

194 ppm hardness would be considered just below average in hardness (almost neutral might be a better way of putting it). Most goldfish do very well in neutral pH, neutral hardness water, so 194ppm is not out of line.
In my area, in most houses, a water softener is not usually installed to effect all taps, there is usually at least one, often an outside hose bib where water comes out unsoftened.
Swim bladder problems are very common in ryukins, the inbreeding to get their distorted shape severely crowds the swim bladder making them prone to problems, especially if housed with more robust, normal shaped individuals.
I have one that will easily become stuck to the pump intake, if the filter gets knocked off (and occasionally does in the pond).
Again its the inbreeding to produce the shape, that handicaps the fish, and reduces swimming efficiency.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Elodea(Elgeria, anacharis) can be grown floating or planted/secured in substrate. This plant produces few roots if any. The key is making sure you have the right Elodea species, as there are a few traded(temperate vs. tropical) and it receives a fair amount of lighting.