Nasty gravel, cloudy water, and no filter media! o_O

Bluewind

So I am over visiting my mammaw when I get a good look at their community aquarium. One word. Ew.

I have been bugging the people to let me give it a go over since November and they finally said yes! No way to test the water as my kit is at home. I need yalls help on what to do to fix this and figure out what filter it uses so I can add some filter media. Right now, it has NOTHING! No bio, carbon, nothin. Not even a live plant

Pics are in my emergency album. Stocked with 4 goldfish and what looks like a pleco (never had them and don't know much about them). Not sure of gallons, but over 100.
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Bluewind

Also, maybe a list of things to get. I have water conditioner (dated 2011 ), gravel vac (thank God!), gravel, fake plants, hiding places, a power filter (with no type of media), and lighted hood.

Stock is 4 Goldfish (just regular. 2 orange, 1 that looks koi-ish, and a small white one) and a Pleco. Don't EVEN ask me about it because I am clueless and REALLY need help with him. He is being fed a non-diet (just cleaning tank with no actually food fed) and while he was once very active, now hides during the day.

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Byron

Water changes, but slow. Without test kits it could be dangerous to do larger changes.

If available, a test for pH and ammonia should be made in such circumstances, as these are the two most critical issues in such conditions. Nitrates are likely high, but they can be lowered quickly with no detrimental effects. If the pH is below 7, and the tap water is the same, there is no problem. But if the tap is above 7, and the tank is below and ammonia is present, the pH change to above 7 in the tank would probably finish the fish. So under the circumstances, daily water changes of a few gallons, vacuuming the substrate obviously, until things are more normal.

Byron.

Bluewind

So any idea what kind of filter it is? And what kind of media it takes? It has no biofilter or carbon filter. The only thing it is realy doing right now is moving water around and adding oxygen. I can only get up there 2 days a week. It's why I was so desparate for help yesterday. I have Amonia and pH tests myself, so I can test it on Sunday during my visit.

The water I sucked up from the gravel was NASTY! Especially around the orniments. I would scrub it daily if I could afford the gas to drive there! I'm gonna take my measuring tape so I can figure out the gallons. What % do you think I should change out?
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JDM

Worst case, you can stuff some filter floss in the filter, cheap and quick. bio is obviously not needed if the tank hasn't killed the fish already. carbon, I suppose useful in a plantless tank but is anyone going to replace it regularly enough for it to keep working and pay for the replacement media?

Water changes can likely just be what you suck out while cleaning the gravel... 5, 10 gallons at a time for now.

Jeff.

Bluewind

Thanks Jeff. The manager promised to buy and change out the filter media if I can figure out what she needs to buy. I need to get rid of that nasty coudyness. Thinking of getting her to get loose carbon with something to keep it in. Never used loose before, so not sure how to use it or where to put it. The filter floss either (not even sure where to BUY filter floss! ). I'm stuck with the pwc myself, but I will do it for the fish and my mammaw. Also, what's a good food for the pleco?
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JDM

Just rinse the carbon a bit first, it can be dusty. I'd send you mine, don't use it, but it's not worth the shipping.

The filter floss is just sold in sheets and looks like that fake snow material, you've probably seen it in the shop and just didn't know what it was.

Jeff.

Attached Images

floss.jpg (30.8 KB, 25 views)

Bluewind

Okay. Do I just throw the carbon in after rinsing or do I bag it in something?

WalMart sells carbon. What about filter floss? Where would it be at?

I'm thinking of adding some cheep plants. Would the goldfish destroy them?

Any other tips?
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jentralala

I'd add stuff that most fish don't eat, like anubias and java fern. You could try something like anacharis that grows fast, but they might nibble it to shreds.

JDM

If it is loose, rinse it, bag it and toss it in. Filter floss was from the LFS... I am sure you can substitute something but that bag that you saw was about $2 or $3 at the LFS, it's cheap.

Not familiar with goldfish.

Jeff.