I have had my 10g for a few months now and so its over its startup stages, but my filter doesnt seem to be doing its job properly. So basically I need an explanation of the best type of filtration for a 10g with 3goldfish and a live plant, and a breakdown of how it works, how to install it and how to maintain it. PLEASE!
Answers:
If you plan on spending money on a new filter you should also plan on spending money on a new tank. Like some of the others have said goldfish are messy and need a bigger tank, they also get a lot bigger then what most people think (8"-12" for the fancy type). Goldfish should really have 10 gallons each, minimum. If you do get a new tank you can move the filter over that you are using now so you wont have to cycle a new tank and have the new filter on there as well so the beneficial bacteria can colonize on that one too. I agree that the Penguin and the Aquaclear are a good easy to use power filter, I use both of them. The filter should pump all the water in the tank at least 10x an hour. So for your 10 gallon you should have a filter that does at least 100gph, I would aim for higher since its over stocked, its also a good idea to have extra with goldies. If you do get a new tank, say a 30 gallon for those fish, you will need a filter that does 300gph. Aquaclear has one that does 300 and Penguin has one that does 350, so both would be good. If you have any more questions about this you can go to http://kokosgoldfish.com/
There are numerous options for you in the market. However the best for you is a combo of undergravel filteration and a simple external filter. Goldfish basically are the slobs of aquariums, because they eat alot and excrete alot too. That makes your water murky. So for them you need pretty high power filteration.
The undergravel filter will take care of the uneaten food that settles in the bottom, to an extent.
The external power filter will fliter out the dirt and keep it outside the aquarium and ensure that there is not much of harmful bacteria blossoming in your tank.
The cheapest option is a internal powerhead filter that will effectively clear out the junk but you will also have to keep cleaning out the sponges every three or four days.
Good luck.
Vandela's answer was very good about filtration. I have learned though ( from a live fish dealer) that there should not be more than one or two goldfish per 10 to 15 gallon tanks. They release more ammonia in their waste into the water which causes more algae build up and causes a cloudy appearance in the water. Also just a tip, don't have more than 6 small fish like Rosie red's or danio's per 10 gallon tanks and with larger fish like angels or gournomi's it best to have no more than 2 to 4 per ten gallon tanks. If more is added then there is over crowding and most likely some will go to fishy heaven. Enjoy your tank.
You would have an easier time with small tropical fish in that tank. Goldfish are messy and they do better outside.
a fiter that goes over the back of the tank is probably your best bet. under gravel filters are not the best as the sponge gets clogged very quickly with poo. However with live plants and goldfish together you need to clean the mechanism. This is easily done by removing the intake tube ( the tube the sucks the water out of the tank) and location the cover to the motor. remove the cover and clean out all of the plant matter that is clogging the intake. This needs to be done at least once a month. Change the filter cartride on every 4 weeks. Goldfish are scavangers %26 they love love to shred live plants these plants get snagged in the filter, slowing the turnover rate of the tank.Every week or 2 siphon the gravel as part of your water exchange. Dont forget to condition the new water with dechloinating solution. 3 goldfish in 10 gallons is quite a crowded environment for goldfish even if they are tiny. Each juvenile goldfish needs ten gallons of water to remain heathy, and each adult needs about 20-30 gallons. This may seem like alot, but they are very dirty fish %26 they produce alot of ammonia. Ammonia %26 nitrites are poison to fish, and will stunt thier growth, cause immunity problems, and even kill them.
Dear waggz86
Given the size of the tank i would recommend a power filter ( it is a filter that sits on the back of the tank) The 2 filters best filters that would come to mind are the Penguin 100 or the Aqua clear 20.
The Penguin has a bio wheel that helps hold good bacteria that help break down the waste (which is great for goldfish give off lots of ammonia) and it will pull water from the top and bottom of the tank which is great. Aqua clear i have recommended to people who are on a very tight budget and that seem to over feed the fish a lot (which isn't recommended) so she can rinse in nonclorinated water the sponge to get out the waste instead of putting in a new filter every week. The carbon is still replaced 1x a month and you can add an ammonia remover as well.
The gold fish will out grow you ten gallon, and as they get larger it my become more difficult to maintain the aquarium at this point they will need to be placed in a larger tank, and it isn't the filters fault if it can't keep up at that point (before you upgrade) then with your larger tank upgrade on size of filter.
hope this helps you out.
You need a bigger tank for 3 goldfish. They produce a lot more waste than other fish their size and chances are they will get bigger than you think.
Unfortunately most people at the big pet stores don't know these things. so you will have to find a small fish store where all they do is fish (or at least mostly fish) and ask there. or go to about.com's freshwater aquarium forum and ask.
Undergravel filtration works best with messy fish like goldfish, oscars and jack dempseys. Also a small outside filter will keep debris from floating around and an airstone.
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