My son has been given a couple of goldfish in a small 2 gallon tank as a 
present.

I would like to fit a filter so that I am not cleaning the tank every 5 mins 
(his fish for feeding them, mine for cleaning them - you know how it is).

Can anybody recommend a suitably small filter system please.

I don't know where to start as there seems to be an awful lot of different 
types and I don't know how to distinguish between them.


Any pointers gratefully received.

Mike

In article <44119710$0$3613$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net>, 
none@nowhere.com (Mike_P) wrote:

> *From:* "Mike_P" 
> *Date:* Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:11:13 -0000
> 
> My son has been given a couple of goldfish in a small 2 gallon tank as 
> a present.
> 
> I would like to fit a filter so that I am not cleaning the tank every 5 
> mins (his fish for feeding them, mine for cleaning them - you know how 
> it is).
> 
> Can anybody recommend a suitably small filter system please.
> 
> I don't know where to start as there seems to be an awful lot of 
> different types and I don't know how to distinguish between them.

Well to start with the tank isn't anywhere near big enough for two 
goldfish.  The rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of fish.  If you want a 
clod water tank that size then White Cloud Mountain Minnows are the fish 
of choice.

Secondly a filter is essential unless you intend to change the water every 
day.  Get a internal power filter,  A Fluval 1 or similar sized is fine 
for that size tank.

Roger Sleet
Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

"Roger Sleet"  wrote
>
>> *From:* "Mike_P" 
>> *Date:* Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:11:13 -0000
>>
>> My son has been given a couple of goldfish in a small 2 gallon tank as
>> a present.
>>
>> I would like to fit a filter so that I am not cleaning the tank every 5
>> mins (his fish for feeding them, mine for cleaning them - you know how
>> it is).
>>
>> Can anybody recommend a suitably small filter system please.
>>
>> I don't know where to start as there seems to be an awful lot of
>> different types and I don't know how to distinguish between them.
>
> Well to start with the tank isn't anywhere near big enough for two
> goldfish.  The rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of fish.  If you want a
> clod water tank that size then White Cloud Mountain Minnows are the fish
> of choice.
>
> Secondly a filter is essential unless you intend to change the water every
> day.  Get a internal power filter,  A Fluval 1 or similar sized is fine
> for that size tank.
>
> Roger Sleet
> Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

Roger

Thanks for the advice.

The comment about the size of tank is a bit worrying. Yes it was a present 
from his grandparents, but when they were bought together you would think 
the shop that sold it them would not supply something that was too small for 
the fish.

Cheers
Mike

> The comment about the size of tank is a bit worrying. Yes it was a present 
> from his grandparents, but when they were bought together you would think 
> the shop that sold it them would not supply something that was too small 
> for the fish.
>
> Cheers
> Mike

I'm afraid that I have to agree, 2 gallons is nowhere near enough for two
goldfish. It may be okay for them now if they are small, but don't forget
how big they can grow!! Unfortunately, some shops are staffed by people who
don't really know what they are talking about and even more by weekend staff
who couldn't really care as long as they get the sale. Any reputable shop
wouldn't have sold the tank and the fish on the same day as they would know
that the tank has to cycle, or at least be set up with matured water (ie.
not straight from the tap). Some shops seem to think it is okay to sell the
fish, then when they die, the punters will return and buy more!! Thus the
cycle goes on until the new fishkeeper gets fed up and ditches the hobby.

The easiest filter system really is an undergravel system whereby the gravel
sits on plates and water is filtered through the gravel and returned via
uplift tubes. These are cheap(ish) but you need an air pump or powerheads to
drag the water through the plates.

A small internal power filter is also another good option. Water is usually
drawn through a sponge where the bacteria will colonise and help to reduce
the build up of pollutants. When cleaning the sponge though, DO NOT rinse it
under tap water as the chlorine will kill off the bacteria you will be
trying so hard to colonise. Instead, use some water from the aquarium, you
will need to change some of it weekly anyway.

HTH

Mark
www.marksfish.me.uk

> Thanks for the advice.
>
> The comment about the size of tank is a bit worrying. Yes it was a present 
> from his grandparents, but when they were bought together you would think 
> the shop that sold it them would not supply something that was too small 
> for the fish.
>

You would think......huh?

Suggest you read up on "The Nitrogen cycle". Do a search of google for it & 
you'll find out what filters in fish tanks (and ponds) really do - its not 
as obvious as you might think & has little to do with physically filtering 
rubbish out the water. .

In the meantime keep the feeding to a bare minimum & change some water at 
least every two days. Also be aware that tap water has chlorine in it & fish 
don't like chlorine - leave a bucket of water to sit overnight so that the 
temperature comes up & the chlorine comes out before you put it in the tank.

Its only a couple of goldfish but no doubt the upset will be considerable if 
they croak. You have some catching up to do on the learning if you still 
want them to be around in a week or two.

I.