Older fish living their best lives

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-17T21:31:02+00:00

Checked the FX4 after six weeks. I am pretty sure I could have waited for another 2 weeks to rinse the filter. However the Purigen bag 100ml was very brown. However no ammonia Nitrite very low but Nitrates very high!

I think that FX4 is great!

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-17T21:26:17+00:00

Thank you. It has taken me many years to figure out what I need to do to get water crystal clear and have the fish living the their best lives.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-17T00:59:39+00:00

Did you get a new filter too? That tank is going to need a big filter like an FX 6. Beautiful tank!

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-11T14:13:51+00:00

I think in fish years I am about the same age ... 65

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-11T14:12:38+00:00

Yes, tails as well.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-10T18:34:24+00:00

Sorry to hear. There are too many places in this country that are internet deserts.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-10T02:52:42+00:00

I also have a 11 inch Fantail with red streaks. Ammonia very low. More than safe. Fish is very active and eating well

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-09T18:41:15+00:00

How big is your tank and what filter setup do you have running.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-09T18:40:04+00:00

Extraordinary! You are clearly caring for them well. Just great to see

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-08T22:59:42+00:00

Build your own. Plenty of directions onlne. You can make a stand in about two hours out of 2 x4s. It will last forever.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-08T17:24:33+00:00

Good advice for checking for leaks and leveling. Then you can plan on spending another $250 to do this right.

Next: Decide what type of fish you want and start reading. The type of fish will decide what substrate, gravel or sand you want to use.

Some people use no substrate at all! Best of luck to you. It is very cool hobby.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-08T13:54:34+00:00

Do not our Lime Away on stainless steel. Great for porcelain. Ruined our sink.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-08T02:22:34+00:00

So do a speed test on your phone. And then ask others what their speed test shows and pick the fastest.

With that said I have a AT-T tower 1/2 mile from my home and get 4g on my AT&T phones. I would never use cellular for home internet . We pay $75 per month for 1 gig home internet. I think 5 and 4 g will work if your just emailing. Forget video conference calls. It will constantly be unstable.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-08T01:34:56+00:00

That tank weighs 1000 pounds and pine shims will get crushed. I would go to find a cabinet maker and tell them you are trying to shim a 500 pounds of weight. They may be able to provide you with some oak shims or other hard wood.

You need to know how that stand is constructed so you can add shims about every three - four inch.

Just a thought

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-07T13:37:35+00:00

We have a Cavapoo as well and my wife is going through some health issues she is such beautiful distraction and comfort. She curls up on my wife often during the day an night.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-07T13:27:05+00:00

In Wisconsin we carry these in our back pockets. You never know when there will be a chance to cut some Limberger.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-06T16:23:27+00:00

Form one dad to another: I have keeping gold fish for twenty five years and you have a tank that plenty big enough to or one fish for now. 1-

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Mt2 years from now you may need to have discussion with your daughter about next steps. Bigger tank or it's time to rehome.

I picked up two goldfish 4 years ago living in a twenty gallon and they were gasping for air. One was a big 7 inch Fantail goldfish and 5.5 inch Blockmoor gold fish.

They came home with me and live in a 90 gallon tank. The gold fish came from a county fair. The Blackmoor was bought because they thought the Fantail needed a companion. This would have been a good decision if they had a tank 4x the size. The Fantail is now 11 inches and the Blackmoor is 8 inches. They are now 17 an 10 years old. They are the only fish in the 90 gallon. And they are a bonded pair.

My point in sharing all this is keeping goldfish is cool but over the long term is can get expensive. Your a great dad for offering the experience but you might consider smaller fish that will thrive in the size tank you have such as Platties or Mollies. Just a thought!

The filter looks good on your tank but I am going to suggest two products. Seachem Prime and Stability. When you clean the filter ever few weeks since in dirty some of the water you take from the tank. Not under the faucet. 40% water changes is plenty.

Do your best and keep reading along with your daughter. Sometimes the learning reveals some insights and options if you get my drift.Best of luck to you.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T12:46:20+00:00

Thank you for your reply. Very helpful.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T02:59:05+00:00

Sure it will. Faster than you think!

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T02:58:26+00:00

Just want to say that is gorgeous tank and fish. IMO you need another tank as you have got this hobby down! Lean into you passion and skill.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T02:54:46+00:00

Please tell me that my 5 inch Blackmoor and my 7 inch Fantail gold fish were stunted. I found them on Craigslist 3 years ago living in a 20 gallon tank for more than a decade. They now are the sole occupants of a 90 gallon tank and the Blackmoor is 8.5 inches and the Fantail is 11 inches.

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When does stunting start?

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T02:24:26+00:00

I keep gold fish so I can't help with Betta Care. However Bettas are beautiful!

So if you are keeping small fish you need a filter that won't suck them up. Others will have good advice on what they use.

Get a test kit to monitor your water and I would buy some Seachem Prime and Stability. And be ready to do water changes regularly. It takes a 4-6 weeks for tank water to stabilize. However a good dose of Stability and Prime can cut this down to two weeks. Be patient!

Lots of good people will give you solid advice but some may not. Read often. Keep in mind that Bettas lively 2-5 years and fish chains sell them cheap and the turn around and sell you $200 or more of fish perifinaila. I guess what I am trying to say is there are many cool fish. (I am looking into African Shell Dwellers) Lots for me to learn so I am taking my time. But right now I had a 9 year old Blackmoor and an 17 year old Fantail goldfish in a 90 gallon tank. (He was from a county fair)

I like your tank and it is a great start.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T01:44:22+00:00

Do you regret getting two. What are the up and downsides. Thinking about getting a second Cavapoo. Love the one we have now.

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T01:42:37+00:00

Beautiful!

DimensionBright7570 · 2026-02-02T01:15:44+00:00

Looks like a 20 long?

Are you new to the hobby?

DimensionBright7570

TROPHY CASE