STARTING OUT
Alright, you've set your mind on setting up a tank to keep goldfish. If you're a first time aquarist, I would recommend doing lots of reading on the subject. Also, talking to friends who have been keeping fish would be extremely helpful. They will be able to highlight the pittfalls you have to watch out for and the dos and don'ts. The following is a simple checklist to plan for a tank:
1) Pond or Aquarium?
- Decide if you want to keep goldfish inside or outdoors. This is the critical first decision. Either choice would affect the kind of equipment you need to buy and the varieties of goldfish you can keep.
A pond provides a fantastic environment for goldfish to thrive in. The sizeable dimensions of the pond will provide the space necessary for you pet goldfish to grow to their optimum size and aesthetic quality. Provided that the pond is not overstocked, your fish will probably be very happy indeed. The larger volume of the pond would also provide a more stable environment in terms of water quality, resulting in less frequent water changes and maintenance. Also, goldfish thrive in slightly 'green' water with moderate algae growth. The sunshine outdoors encourages algae to grown in the pond.
On the other hand, a pond is subject to changes to the weather and has drastic effect on the fish. A sudden downpour/snowfall would likely reduce water temperature drastically and kill your fish. In the tropics, the severe sunshine is equally damaging. Also, there is the risk of predatory animals attacking your fish.
An aquarium is more 'practical' in many ways vis-a-vis a pond. Being indoors ensures that the weather has minimal impact on the water condition. Also, many goldfish are at their best when viewed from the side, making the aquarium the preferred choice for many enthusiasts. However, a large aquarium can take up a lot of space indoors and can more 'troublesome' to take care of and keep clean. In spite of this, the aquarium is and will likely be the preferred choice for most people due to it's easy accessibility and affordability.
2) Cycle, Cycle & Cycle
To the beginner, cycling can be a very odd word to encounter the first time round. The process itself can, at first, seem very complex and intimidating. Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc...it can all be so confusing. However, bear in mind that the process of cycling determines the quality of your water and there is no substitute or short cut.
Cycling is nature's way of maintaining a a balance in the condition of the water. Very simply, cycling is the process of eliminating waste from the water. Fish live in a medium of water, they extract their air from it and unfortunately also release their waste into it. Imaging if you lived in a sealed room and released all your waste (CO2, urine & excrement) into the air...very soon that room will be a very uncomfortable, if not, deadly place to live in. So can you imaging what a goldfish goes through when kept in a bowl without a filter?
The mistake many new hobbyist make is to put fish into a newly set-up tank without giving it time to 'cycle'. When this happens, the fish soon become sick and die. Some people call this the 'new tank syndrome' and it happens to many beginners. There can be no greater temptation than to fill a new tank with fish and enjoy the sight of them frolicking in the crystal clear waters. Take note however, that this is the worst mistake you can make. A new tank will need to be 'cycled' for at least 1 month before you can add a new fish into it.
3) The 'Cycling' Process
The cycling process is actually known as the 'Nitrogen Cycle'. The process of cycling begings when ammonia is first introduced into the water. This ammonia can be added artificially (in fishless cycling) or naturally (by fish waste through the gills and anus). You can choose to cycle fishless or naturally. Personally I've found the fishless method to be more effective. Below is an link about fishless cycling taken from Pactical Fishkeeping:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=113
If you choose to cycle naturally, then you will have to introduce a relatively hardy variety of fish (feeder goldfish, catfish, snakehead[Toman]) into the tank to kick start the cycling. The food and waste introduced into the tank will soon cause ammonia levels to rise. As this happens, good bacteria (Nitrobacter/Nitrosomonas) will start to grow in the water. As the ammonia level rises, the bacteria begin to convert the ammonia into nitrites. Nitrite is an extremely toxic subtance to the fish. It is said to 'burn' it's gills the way shampoo 'burns' our eyes. The ammonia level drops when the nitrite level begins to rise. The good bacteria then converts the nitrites into nitrates. Nitrate is relatively harmless to fish and in high concentrations would probably cause a loss of appetite and listlessness. Nitrate is removed through water changes or plantlife. The objective of cycling is to establish a colony of 'good' bateria in your tank and filter. Once this colony stabilizes, the cycling process is considered to be complete. A properly cycled tank will show trace amounts of ammonia and nitrites at regular intervals. Only the nitrate readings will rise in the absence of plants. For more detailed information, please refer to the following link:
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
No comments:
Post a Comment