Help Needed with new aquarium and fish

Connie

My son had a 40 Gallon fish tank with 8 goldfish some of different varieties,
which he had purchased for my grand daughter. It became too much to handle and he decided to get rid of them especially because 4 of the fish had died. My grand daughter did not want the fish to be given away and she asked if we could keep them for her. Not knowing what I was in for I accepted. We went and bought a pump for a 90 gallon tank, 3 more fish and some fish food. Now one of the older fish has died and I would like to know if anyone can give me some tips on what I can do to keep and maintain the remaining fish?

Cichlid lover

well first of all, what is the pump, is there a filter, was the tank cycled, and what chemicals do you use?

These are all critical questions.

fluffy-sama

if the 40 gallon tank was too much to handle, why in the world would you get a 90 gallon tank, especially if there were only 4 fish...?

Rachel

I think she meant she got a filter that was rated for a 90 gallon tank for the 40 gallon tank, not that she bought a 90 gallon fish thank in addition.

dasmall1

First, do weekly water changes. Replace about 25% of the water once a week.

Get pH and ammonia test kits. Most pH test kits include pH up and pH down. Keep the pH at 7.0. If you have too much ammonia in your tank, do a few water changes until it's right.

Make sure ALL of the food you put in the tank is eaten, but don't overfeed the fish. Feed them 6 days per week. The 7th day is to help clear out their digestion so they don't become constipated (which is common in goldfish).

Goldfish are coldwater fish, so if you have a heater, don't use it. Just take it out and the goldfish will be fine.

When adding water, add chlorine remover or water conditioner before adding it to the tank. Or, you can let the water sit for 24 hours. This gets the harmful chorine out.

Sorry if it's random.

ktreffin

I would definately reinforce the need for a test kit, and frequent water changes. Gold fish are poop machines....You must stay on top of the water quality(= moderation with food, frequent water changes, etc). What type of filter did you purchase? Hope it all goes well. Good luck.

Ken

Lupin

pH up and pH down are just a work of the devil. They can cause more harm than good by swinging the ph without your control. Bin them if you obtain them.

pH doesn't bother the fish but KH and GH will.

Try testing the following:
GH, KH, pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates

Maintain ammonia and nitrites to 0. Ammonia is more toxic at a higher pH.

Nitrates should be 10-20 ppm. Max is 50.
To increase: the use of potassium nitrates.
To reduce: More water changes(make sure tapwater does not have nitrates) or the use of fast-growing plants like elodea densa and ceratophyllum demersum.
Lower than 10 increases the chances of BGA(blue-green algae). Blackout can eliminate this.

Goldfish=Higher nitrate levels due to poop.