FISH - can i talk pumps and filtration - anyne?

[nailpolish]

how often do you change your water? (goldfish)

i think my pump is knackered
its either nothing or going like crazy

what pumps/filtration od you recommed please

small ish tank

TIA

Hey, I've only been keeping goldfish for a couple of weeks but being a geek I've read 3 books and about 100 websites! I believe you're meant to change 20-30% of the water at least every other week and as for filters, I get the impression an internal pump/filter (about £20) is pretty effective unless you have a monster tank....

Hope this was helpful?

have you stripped the pump and checked for blockages, gross but necessary.
I've got a Fluval 2+ in my 2foot tank, and a wee compressor with airstone.
I change about 30% of water weekly

i have tried changing 30% ofthe water but it still doesnt seem clean enough

thanks

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Hello np

How long have you had the goldfish? Ideally you should clean out once a week - goldfish are VERY messy.

However, if the tank is new or too small for the fish then you are going to have to do far more regular water changes. Do you have a water testing kit that checks levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? You should be looking at readings of ammonia 0ppm (parts per million), nitrite 0ppm and nitrate less than 40ppm - anything greater and you should do a water change straight away (this may mean daily during the first month or two of a new tank).

hhi

yes i hagve a water testing kit and its fine

i am changing every 7 days and if that is normal then thats ok - i dont mind doing it - just didnt think it would be every week! thought it would be every 2 weeks

hey ho

I think a lot depends on the quality of your filter and the size of your tank I clean mine weekly although I can just about push it to fortnightly - goldfish though are notoriously messy fish, they'll eat and eat and eat and then poo and poo and poo to match

i think i would like to get a better pump - which od you recommend?

i am happy now i nkow that every week is ok - pump is probably fine but i think i will buy a new one

i have beenthinkign about a bubble curtain - are they a good idea?

To be completely honest, I don't know. I know that I swapped the pump that came with my Biorb 60 with a Tetratec pump because it was slightly more powerful and significantly quieter than the one which came with the tank (the packets tell you the one which is suitable for the size tank you have but it's also worth getting a valve thing where you can adjust the flow if it gets a bit choppy in there )

Haven't got a bubble curtain, but as I understand it small bubbles help the oxygen dissolve in the water more efficiently. It might not effect how frequently you need to clean the tank, but may help the fish stay healthier (particularly if we get a heat wave in the summer) and help the good bacteria in the tank. They also can look rather pretty

thanks rubberduck

i think the bubble curtain is very pretty, i think ill get one AND a new pump