This is going to be a bit much, so please bear with me. First I want toThank you all. I think I'm getting a little ahead of myself or a better way to explain it is that I might be trying to learn to much at the same time. I read everything from what yall say and what I read on the internet and try to soak it in as much as I can. I watch videos on youtube and they make it look so easy.
I recently bought a 55 gal aquarium that I planned on using as a QT tank. The thing is I'm wanting to house (quarantine) a few Shubunkins in there before I add them to my pond. I will never add another fish to my pond without observing them for at least a 2 week period....PERIOD! The reason being is that I want to slowly get rid of some of the smaller goldfish that are in my pond now, possibly housing a few in the 55gal tank and also by giving some away and thus having a Shubinkin pond with a few chosen goldfish. With the tank I got a nice air pump, a heater, a few nice ornaments, a bio filter that needs filters, a fish net and chemicals witch include a BS Ph kit. The Ph kit does not have any instructions so I have no clue on how to use it so im probably going to buy a new one witch I should have done already.
I was looking at how to do water changes for a few hours today on aquariums and I noticed a lot of people doing it differently and saying how they do it is the correct way.?! The way I felt would be best for me would be a Gravel cleaner. I found one on amazon for like $35 called the python. It has a lot of great reviews. Also some are saying 25% others are saying 50% or more once a week, every other week and so on. From what I gathered when I do put water back in the tank, it should be just about the same temp. I should treat it or de-chlorinate it. If possible let it set for a day or two and if I can put some sort of air stone in it. Also I shouldn't dump the water in I should gradually add the water. What I don't really understand is the cleaning of the filter part. What water should I use to clean the filters, the water that I took out of the tank? Or the water I'll add to the tank? (confused) Is the pond water changes done the same way? I don't have a back flush system as of yet nor do I really understand how to make one work for my pond. YES I'M THAT GUY! I have to get my pond done and it seems like I came to a stall on the small project.
When I got home from work I done a little observing of the fish. Again most where huddled in the corner under the shelf. I'm thinking they feel the safest their. A few where on the bottom under a rock, I'm figuring that's where the Shubs were because I didn't see them. A few were swimming around and I noticed one little guy swimming all crazy like. Real fast all around the pond, my son thought that was cool. Also I looked as closely as I could and it doesn't appear that any of the goldfish have clamped fins. I done some research on that today as well. (I'm trying yall) From what I can tell They look like they should. I have a ton more questions but ill leave it alone for right now. I have a good friend that is going to come over tomorrow to teach me a few things. I'll let yall know how it goes!
