thank you!

Question
Hi Chris.
I couldn't find a link to thank you or give a review.
So...THANK YOU!!!

Your advice re: hiding goldfish was very helpful.
I'll be getting a bigger tank and new filter next week.
When I change the tank, what is the best way to cycle the new environment in advance of moving the fish so as not to stress them any further?

Also:
What kind of filter would you recommend?
Shall I use the gravel from the original tank?
Is there an additive that helps reduce stress?

Thanks again.
diane

Answer
Hi Diane;

Use the gravel from the older tank to get the new one started. Don't rinse it or anything, yucky fish waste is fine. The beneficial bacteria colonies will feed on it and multiply, and that's what you are looking for. Let the tank run for a couple of days with that old gravel in it before you add the fish. Put their decorations (rocks, caves, plants, etc) in the new tank when you move the fish into it. Your fish really need to move right away out of that little tank so don't wait more than a couple of days.

To put the fish in the new tank, bag them with some of their old tank water just as if you were bringing them home from the fish store. Float the bag on the water of the new tank for ten minutes or so. It will gradually equalize their temperature in case it's a little different in the new tank. During the ten minutes, add a little bit of new tank water once or twice. It will give them oxygen and get them used to the new water chemistry.

Once you add the fish to the new tank, monitor the levels of ammonia and nitrite and make a partial water change of 25% as needed so they don't get out of control while it stabilizes.

About filters;

Goldfish really need a power filter that hangs on the back of the tank or a canister filter that connects by hoses. Avoid undergravel filters, box filters, corner filters, sponge filters, or any other filter that runs by air pump. They just aren't strong enough for the waste level of a goldfish. Also avoid "internal power filters" if that's all you will use. They are good to supplement your main filter but most don't have enough filter surface area in it's media and gets plugged easily, dramatically lowering filtering capacity over time until it is cleaned again.

There really isn't any additive to reduce stress that is actually effective. Products such as NovAqua and Stress Coat are supposed to help your fish better cope with stress, (at least according to the manufacturers) but avoiding stress in the first place is what we really need to do. Keep the water quality consistent and good by making weekly 25% water changes, be sure that any new water added is the same temperature as the old water, and don't overcrowd or overfeed and there will be a much smaller chance of your fish suffering from stress.

Have fun!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins