Day 1 - I bought a two gallon glass goldfish bowl at a garage sale for $5. It came with a bag of royal blue gravel, two fake plants, a sand dollar and a piece of white coral. I brought it home, washed everything with dish soap and rinsed it all thoroughly. Off I ran to the Aquarium Shop in Royal Oak to buy me a couple fish. Wilma is a white goldfish with orange lipstick and spots. Fred is all orange and eats everything in site. They are fantailed goldfish that cost $2.99 each. I purchased Goldfish bites (food) for $3.99 and Start Right drops with Allantoin for $3.49. Set up tank (acclimated fish by leaving their plastic bag setting in the water for an hour, used drops to remove the chlorine, and then added the fish. They ate right away. Dave at Aquarium Shop said to only give them 6 pieces twice a day. Of course, I worried because they didn't see the food fall, so I overfed them that night. They were happy and active. The water was crystal clear. They settled at the bottom in a little low area and didn't move much. I found out that's how they sleep.Total for Day 1 = $18.46 (plus some tax).
Day 2 - I spoke to the fish a lot, fed them twice ( a little more than suggested). I observed that Wilma and Fred were going to the surface to gulp air. This worried me. I read online that goldfish can do this, but if they do it continually throughout the day there isn't enough air in the water. I used a small cup, scooped up water and poured it back in several times. I felt this may add oxygen to the water. The water is slightly cloudy. I read online that I should remove some of the water. The larger surface area will give them more oxygenated water. So I did. I removed 3 cups of water and determined to buy an air pump. Total for Day 2 = $ 0.00.
Day 3 - Went to Aquarium Shop in Royal Oak and bought a gravel vacuum for $8.49 and a fusion quiet power pump model 200 (air pump with hose and bubble stone). Made the mistake of installing the air pump first. This stirred the poop and other yucko into the water (and me with no filter). I shut off the air and let it rest. I syphon-cleaned the gravel until I needed to stop (the tank was half empty. I added 9 cups of treated water back into the bowl. This brought the surface to about 2" below lip. That's a lot of surface area. I turned on the air pump and Fred and Wilma immediately began to perk up. Dave at the Aquarium Shop said that I had overfed them. This strips air out of the water. A lesson learned. Total for Day 3 = $22.78. Overall total now $41.24.
Day 4 - Fed them this morning. They are quite active and responsive to me. They almost fight for "front and center" when I look in at them. The air bubbles really seem to have increased their quality of life. After work, I used the vacuum again, but only breifly, and put in the 3 cups of water I set out yesterday. I refilled the bowl with 3 more cups for tomorrow. I fed them again after work. They are still active and actually a little competative toward the food. No money spent today, whew! I hope I don't have to spend more for a long time.
Monday, May 17, 2010
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