newbie needs goldfish help. thank you

[Lupin]

Okay. Argument is over. Let's get back on track.

 

[crucial09]

I read this whole thread...now I am sad.

I wish there was some kind of petition I could sign or group I could join that would defend goldfish from people like the OP.

Fish that were once owned by royalty and proved social status - beautiful, majestic creatures reduced to stunted lives, uncaring owners and UNDESERVING owners.

Almost every time I go to the petstore these days I see some noob picking out the prettiest GF in the tank. And once they are told by myself or employees that the fish can't live in an un-cycled 5-10 gallon tank, "well I will just get another one" or "I know what I am doing".

I am ok with noobs making mistakes because they do not know better. I have made my own mistakes. But once they know better and they continue doing the wrong things, IMO they are animal abusers who deserve a special place in h$ll.

I strongly suspect that the OP is just not smart enough to understand the science behind fish keeping, not an insult just the reality.

To the OP's goldfish - I hope your suffering is not long in this world. I know you will try to hold on as the ammonia burns you and as your body becomes deformed from stunting. I know you will wonder why you are not in a pond somewhere being admired for the gift you are. Rest in peace you unfortunate soul. Another will replace you and then another and another. Humanity has failed you and others like you, and for that I am sorry.

Cuz these fish are in a tank of an uncaring owner huh?
I only made the center decoration there with aquarium silicone, but an undeserving owner of goldfish wouldn't do that. wned:
I strongly suspect you assume alot and are wrong alot.

 

[Lupin]

I thought I said no more arguments?

 

[JteSchertz]

I have sat and read all 9 pages of this post and where I do see some trying to help, I also see some giving the OP a hard time. Yes, I see both sides of the coin(the OP isn't listening the way you want them to) but lets be real. I am by no means an expert, I still learn new things everyday. That is why I enjoy fishkeeping so much. But if we are all real with ourselves we are keeping an animal (even the smallest neon) that in the wild hows no gallon restrictions. They are in a glass box no matter what size it is (exception with large ponds). They are there for our amusement and enjoyment.

To the OP, what everyone is getting so fired up about is because we keep these animals, it is our responsibility to ensure they have the best possible home that we can provide. Fish get there oxygen from the water they live in, (Im not trying to insult your intelligence just breaking it down to the basics) so if the quality of the water you are keeping them in is bad it obviously is not good for them. Think of the pit bulls you mentioned rescuing (the one that had never seen daylight and was kept in the condo only)...it was a bad environment. I do see you are an animal lover, so keep your fish the way you keep your dogs. In a good, safe home for them to live the rest of their lives in. You will get an immense amount of great information here if you just stop to listen.

Your tank looks great, but let us know what the water test revealed. You might be suprised. Good luck and take care!!!

 

[smokeythebair]

you said that good jteSchertz. I'm new to and most pp on here are more then helpful, and other just laugh at you.

 

[crucial09]

I have sat and read all 9 pages of this post and where I do see some trying to help, I also see some giving the OP a hard time. Yes, I see both sides of the coin(the OP isn't listening the way you want them to) but lets be real. I am by no means an expert, I still learn new things everyday. That is why I enjoy fishkeeping so much. But if we are all real with ourselves we are keeping an animal (even the smallest neon) that in the wild hows no gallon restrictions. They are in a glass box no matter what size it is (exception with large ponds). They are there for our amusement and enjoyment.

To the OP, what everyone is getting so fired up about is because we keep these animals, it is our responsibility to ensure they have the best possible home that we can provide. Fish get there oxygen from the water they live in, (Im not trying to insult your intelligence just breaking it down to the basics) so if the quality of the water you are keeping them in is bad it obviously is not good for them. Think of the pit bulls you mentioned rescuing (the one that had never seen daylight and was kept in the condo only)...it was a bad environment. I do see you are an animal lover, so keep your fish the way you keep your dogs. In a good, safe home for them to live the rest of their lives in. You will get an immense amount of great information here if you just stop to listen.

Your tank looks great, but let us know what the water test revealed. You might be suprised. Good luck and take care!!!

Ammonia water test revealed that there is .25ppm ammonia in the water.

I am cycling this tank with the fish in it, so is .25ppm a tolerant level for goldfish?

I did a 50% water change yesterday. And can do a 20% one today or the next day.
UPDATE: on the fish with the split in his fin. It has healed already, looks perfect now.

 

[JteSchertz]

you said that good jteSchertz. I'm new to and most pp on here are more then helpful, and other just laugh at you.

Thanks...

 

[Lupin]

Ammonia water test revealed that there is .25ppm ammonia in the water.

I am cycling this tank with the fish in it, so is .25ppm a tolerant level for goldfish?

I did a 50% water change yesterday. And can do a 20% one today or the next day.

Depends on your pH. The higher the pH, the more toxic the ammonia gets. What's your pH? I'm not telling you though to lower the pH. Goldfish are unable to tolerate acidic pH. Keep it 7.4 and above.

Here's the ammonia toxicity table.
http://dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/AmmoniaTox.html

 

[JteSchertz]

Ammonia water test revealed that there is .25ppm ammonia in the water.

I am cycling this tank with the fish in it, so is .25ppm a tolerant level for goldfish?

I did a 50% water change yesterday. And can do a 20% one today or the next day.

It really is not a tolerant level for any fish. I would do as Laticauda had suggested and get a temporary tub to keep them in or maybe a friend of yours has a cycled tank they can go in. I would keep doing the water changes daily. I know it doesn't quite make sense but think of it this way. The fish keep emitting waste as you feed them, so each day that ten gallons keeps getting more polluted with ammonia/nitrate and there is nowhere for it to go since you don't have any beneficial bacteria built up. By removing bad water and putting in fresh water it will start to lower the levels.

If you must keep the fish in that tank, you've got to keep up on the daily water changes.

I would seriously look into getting a better test kit, one that will test for nitrates and nitrites. Like others have said before, online kits would be a good option and save you in the long run.

Keep us posted.

 

[crucial09]

Depends on your pH. The higher the pH, the more toxic the ammonia gets. What's your pH? I'm not telling you though to lower the pH. Goldfish are unable to tolerate acidic pH. Keep it 7.4 and above.

Here's the ammonia toxicity table.
http://dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/AmmoniaTox.html

I didn't get my paycheck yet so I only had 10$ towards the ammonia liquid tester.

I'll get the ph liquid test on friday after I get paid.

Meanwhile should I do 20% water changes daily? or every other day?
Thanks.

Edit: There is a lady near me (I don't know her) but she has lots of goldfish, healthy I suppose.
Show I go ask her if she can squeeze one of her sponges from the filter into a cup for me to pour in my tank and give the cycling a big kick start?