Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with aquarium and pets

He's Not Nemo, but we still want him alive

HeyAllie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:52:05 -0800

How do I set up this filtration system? It's an Aqua expert 600 filtration system for a 2.5 gallon mini-bow aquarium. Our office inherited Grover, a beta fish that came with a tank and a water filtration system. Whoever had it before said the tank stayed pretty clean, but since it came with no instructions, we're not sure if the filtration system is set up right now. Because after changing the water, the tank looks dirty again after 2 or 3 days.

I've taken the tubing apart, but I'm not sure if it's put back together correctly.

Help us keep Grover alive!

How does one care for fancy goldfish?

team lowkey — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:02:28 -0800

I just rescued a couple of fancy goldfish, and I could use some advice on how to properly care for them. Is it normal for them to rest on the bottom of the tank? How much should I feed them? The marketing department at my girlfriend's office decided it would be a good idea to purchase 40 live goldfish to use as party decorations, with no plan for what to do with the fish once the party was over. I took two of them, and want to give them the best home I can.

They are apparently calico telescope goldfish, about an inch and a half long. A lot of sites I've found say that you need 5-10 gallons of water per fish, but I can't do that. I'm not even supposed to have fish in my office, and having a full size aquarium would definitely get noticed. I've got a 2.5 gallon tank, but I've got a filter and a bubbler, and my plan is to exchange 25% of the water once a month. Is that sufficient to keep the water clean?

I've gotten a lot of varying advice on how often to feed them, from 3 times a day to once every other day. I've had them for a week, and I've been feeding them a small pinch of food once a day, and they seem to be doing pretty well.

The thing that concerns me is that one of the fish spends a lot of time laying practically motionless on the bottom of the tank. Is that normal? One of her gills is also very red, but I don't know if that's just her coloring.

I've never had fish before, so this is all new to me. Any advice you guys can give would be much appreciated. By me and by Grimy and Blush.

Easiest pet fish?

bondgirl53001 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:02:14 -0800

I want to get a small aquarium. What are the types of fish that are the cheapest and easiest -- read: low maintenance -- to take care of in terms of feeding, changing the water, etc, but at the same time, are pretty to look at? Any additional advice on tanks/filters is welcome too.

Do they need shade?

rtimmel — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 12:43:52 -0800

So, I am thinking about putting together an aquarium for keeping octopuses. I have never had an aquarium before. Is this just a hare-brained idea with no chance of success?