Help! Fish Emergency...

[Nyboy]

Steve i found outside pond much easier then inside tank.

 

[Jared77]

I agree. More plants to soak up nitrogen waste, and usually larger bodies of water so takes more waste before it starts to get "dirty" & harmful to the fish in an outdoor set up vs inside. However I do like my aquariums.

 

[MontyJ]

When I change my filter, I just cut a piece out of the old one and place it behind the new filter. I think it helps populate the new filter with bacteria. Don't know that it's really necessary though; just something I have always done.

 

[hosspak]

When I change my filter, I just cut a piece out of the old one and place it behind the new filter. I think it helps populate the new filter with bacteria. Don't know that it's really necessary though; just something I have always done.

That is a great thing to do, You are exactly right about sharing the bacteria from old to new.

 

[GardenGeisha]

I am pleased to report that all 7 fish are still alive and seemingly doing well indoors in their aquarium! How soon do you think I could move them back outside to the pond. It was 32 F here last night. I'm in Salt Lake City. I can't believe they made it through the winter! I like my Marineland Aquarium Filter with a biowheel very much! Should I just keep them indoors indefinitely, or would they be happier outside in the small pond for the summer? I feel they are much safer indoors, but I'm not sure they are happier inside.

 

[Smart Red]

Mine made it through the winter, too, in their 5 gallon pail. I put them back in the pond because the warmer temperatures in the sun room were causing algae growth too quickly. As long as the pond isn't frozen over all the time, they can go back. Just make sure the water temperature in their habitat is the same as in the pond. For me, that meant leaving the 5 gallon pail outside in the pond for a day before introducing the fish back to the pond again.

Frankly, I didn't ask whether they would be happier outside. I am happy to keep them cared for and well-fed as long as they eat the mosquitoes to keep them from developing in the pond.

 

[hosspak]

I am pleased to report that all 7 fish are still alive and seemingly doing well indoors in their aquarium! How soon do you think I could move them back outside to the pond. It was 32 F here last night. I'm in Salt Lake City. I can't believe they made it through the winter! I like my Marineland Aquarium Filter with a biowheel very much! Should I just keep them indoors indefinitely, or would they be happier outside in the small pond for the summer? I feel they are much safer indoors, but I'm not sure they are happier inside.

What kind of fish are? When did you take them out of the pond?

 

[Nyboy]

goldfish are pondfish much happier with more room in pond.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Yes, acclimate to the weather for a day or two, then into the pond they go. They will grow as big as their surroundings let them. Biddy, my Gemco fish in 1977 for 89 cents, lived for 12 years in a tank. He grew to about 5 inches!

 

[GardenGeisha]

Oh, well, I don't really want the fish to grow, because I can't afford to buy a larger aquarium for them next winter. So you are saying they'll stay small if I keep them inside in the aquarium? I hate to have to give them away, when they get too big for the pond, and I don't think anyone would take them. They are common goldfish, but I love them. I brought them indoors on November 1. I also worry that if they are in the pond outside when I go on vacation, hoodlums might break into my yard again, like they did last year, and scoop them into a leaking pitcher, leaving them to die. Thank goodness my animal caregiver found them before they died, but he is no longer here. I have to decide which is more important-- my peace of mind about them or their happiness. I also worry about the stress to them of scooping them out of the aquarium with the net, the potential to damage their scales, and such. And the hose on the house might break again, causing pollutants from the roof to flood the pond. Also, the sprinkler water hits the pond, and I'm sure it has some chlorine/fluoride in it. Overall, I think they are much safer/protected in the house, but I know they would love the pond and dappled sunlight on their fins.