Fish

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As soon as your fish are big enough for you to see them easily. Seem the first time I notice they were around 2 inches or bigger. Since yours are spawning the males may have them now.

Your water temperatures are probably fluctuating more with only half the tank full.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks, I'll look for them!

And I'll add more water to the tank. Is it bad they're near a window?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I kept a 20 gallon in front of a window for years. Goldfish are pretty adaptable, so they should be okay.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Well that's a relief. Thanks.

So when they get bigger, what size tank should I eventually get? Or should I just build a pond? I assume I just adjust as they outgrow one but I am curious what the minimum size is once they get to be a good size, like pond fish size. Maybe 6-8 inches or the big 12+ inch ones.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well they grow less and slower kept inside in a tank so it could take a while. They could live in a 29 gallon or larger, depending on what you want to spend, ideally a 55 down the road if they get over 3-4 inches can comfortably house 4-6 with regular water changes.

Ponds require a whole bunch of new knowledge, and care. If you freeze over your fish need to come in in the winter or your pond need to be deeper than 3 feet. You need to run filters, and maintain a whole new ecosystem, so make sure that's something you want to do. I personally prefer the fish tanks. They would probably multiple in a pond too, mine did their first few seasons.

Mine grow like weeds outside but more slowly inside so it could take years for them to get bigger. You certainly could set up a cow tank or something similar to put them out in summer with a small pump and filter and manage it like a fish tank with water changes.

Just depends on what you are interested in and what you like doing.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks, that's really helpful

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think I might wait for one of the $1/gallon sales or find one on Craigslist though.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You have a while yet anyways. They should be okay in that 20 long for a while, just keep it more full and maybe put a lid on it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, I just like to prepare/plan

And oh yeah, I'll definitely add more water. It's actually not quite as low as it looks but it's still pretty low. I just sometimes forget to change it. I think maybe I'll start writing it down haha and I've been wanting to get a lid but can't seem to find one and they seem okay so far. I would like a tank light though. The poor things have to deal with my wacky hours. I don't go tp be till like 3 and wake up at noon and often don't turn the light on for a while after I'm up. And I forget to turn it off at a reasonable hour. Maybe before I start watching TV or whatever I'll make sure to go upstairs and turn it off first

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine are on timers.

You and I keep similar hours. I also like to plan, and plan.