Can a fish tank filter be too strong?

[boredandrestless]

Hi all, I am a complete novice to the fish keeping world!

My DS brought home his first tank on Wednesday, and his first goldfish today which he immediately declared his love for. I am now irrationally terrified of it dying and breaking my son's heart!

The tank came with a filter which I set up along with the water and I used a water treatment thingy too.

Anyway my main question is about the filter. It's a plug in one that you stick on the inside of the tank and as well as making a rather notable whirring sound it seems to be creating quite a strong flow of water - will this harm the fish?

The flow can be too strong, but you can't have too much filter media. Goldfish are pond fish so prefer still water. Fancy goldfish especially are not very strong swimmers so if you can adjust the flow or the angle of the filter outlet then do- if not then some plants to diffuse the flow a bit might help.

I know you only asked about the filter but you might want to take a look at this anyway because most people are not told by pet shops what their goldfish actually need.

Also since your tank wasn't cycled before adding fish then you may want to keep an extra close eye on the goldfish so it doesn't get ill. Have a read of this and it will explain what you need to do.

Hope that helps a bit, if you run into any problems then just post again and I'll see if I can help you out.

Thanksfor reply EauRouge. Was showing DS how big goldfish could grow yesterday and he was amazed, I do plan on upsizing fish tanks as time passes. Have opened second and third links, just about to read through them.

The fish is an Oranda - I think that's classed as a fancy goldfish yes? (Clueless).

I can't adjust the filter flow, it's either on or off. I shall go get some plants to put in. Perhaps a silly Q but should I get real or fake ones, also, won't the flow just move the plants out of the way with the current of the water?

Yes, orandas are fancy- fancy goldfish are any that are not 'normal' fish shape, they are a bit rounder and have double fins. Their shape means that they're a bit unsteady at swimming.

How strong is the flow? If plants are moved out of the way then an ornament might do the trick. If you have lighting in your tank then you can get real plants. Your goldfish will probably eat them so get something cheap and fast-growing like elodea. Alternatively you could get something really tough like anubias that grows on a bit of bogwood.

I would recommend upgrading as soon as you can- it's very hard to tell when a fish is becoming stunted and it can cause health problems before you even realise anything is wrong. If you wait until a fish outgrows a tank then it can cause long term health problems.

PS if your DS is enjoying reading about goldfish then you might want to google 'Bruce the oranda'

I can't really say how strong the flow is as the only thing in there at the moment is a tardis ornament (don't ask!) and gravel (and the filter). There's nothing for the filter to push against really but I can 'see' the current if you know what I mean, and it's only a starter sized tank so I was worrying for the fish.

DS is autistic, I will look up the Bruce story and see if it's at his level.

Reading up and feeling rather overwhelmed! Need gravel cleaner, water testing kit, plants. . . .

Bruce is a real live fishy!

I assumed it was a ids story book you were referring to. He's massive!! Will show DS in morning.

You can make a gravel cleaner out of a plastic drinks bottle, you just cut the bottom off and feed the syphon tube through the neck. Then you just push the bottle into the gravel and wiggle it around to loosen up the poo and it all get sucked up into the syphon tube. There, I just saved you a tenner

Ha! Thanks Eau I will do that!