Update on the Koi

You're so right Pomtzu. My daughter decided she wanted to try a few fish so she bought a couple of tanks and got some bettas, which are were so beautiful to look at. Red and royal blues...and yes, she did find out they fight and have to be seperated. She had another tank with another kind of fish and a bottom feeder. But no matter how hard she tried to keep the right temps and did everything by the book her bettas didn't live very long. The others did well until they died also. She decided her dogs were enough for her, not having experience with fish it was just not meant to be I guess. We've always admired fish in tanks at doctor's offices, restaurants, etc but never did keep them. But when I see the cost involved and the care required I don't think I could keep them myself. As for KOI, I love to admire them in the many ponds people have but they do need to take precautions even in ponds or they end up a meal for a raccoon or large bird. Koi's just are not meant to be kept in tanks and the cost would be prohibitive.

Why not get a 100-300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank? Much cheaper and if someone says there's some issue with the type of plastic you could always use a pond liner, that you'll need for the pond later anyway, so the water wont come in contact with the container. I don't know how big they get but do know they have 300 gallon.

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Originally Posted by TamanduaGirl

Why not get a 100-300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank? Much cheaper and if someone says there's some issue with the type of plastic you could always use a pond liner, that you'll need for the pond later anyway, so the water wont come in contact with the container. I don't know how big they get but do know they have 300 gallon.

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You dont need a liner with Rubbermaid stock tanks, alot of monster fish keepers use them. You do need a canister, a wet/dry, or a DIY filter however.

I agree, Pomtzu.

The solution seems so obvious to me. Rehome the fish. They'll be better off and you're life will be much simpler.

You are way over your head and from everything that was posted here ANYBODY can clearly see that the fish need a better environment. It is not ideal, especially in your situation where you were having a hard time keeping food in the fridge not too long ago, to break the bank to buy a larger gallon tank. Rehome them where they can live a long healthy life elsewhere, and fill your tank with fish that will thrive in the tank you already have...if you must have fish.

what about getting a kiddie pool... just a thought... it might work better than 3 tanks...

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Originally Posted by Husky_mom

what about getting a kiddie pool... just a thought... it might work better than 3 tanks...

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Husky mom Koi are not really tank fish, they are pond fish. A kiddie pool would be useless with all the stuff needed to keep the water clean. Those fish can poop more than you can imagine in one day. Everything you need to keep the pond clean is expensive as well. Not to mention everything else neede to keep the water at right temp and oxygen levels just so. Rehoming as everyone suggested is the best thing for the fish in the long run. And can you imagine the room you need to keep a kiddie pool indoors. And if it springs a leak what happens? Too many ifs to be safe. Why take a chance on finding the fish dead? Koi are jumpers, they can jump right out of a tank, let alone a kiddie pool.

Well everyone should be happy I was able to rehome 2 of the fish so far.

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Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

Well everyone should be happy I was able to rehome 2 of the fish so far.

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Well, that's two less fish worth on tank pollution anyway. I know they are beautiful, but they aren't for everyone!

{{{hugs}}} Nicole, it's less stress on you in the long run, especially financially. Your landlady wasn't entirely fair or honest, IMHO.

I hope your new home is still everything you wanted for rooms and all. :love:

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Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

All I get is the tanks are too small, the fish will die, give them away, build a pond(in the middle of -30 winter)

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You can keep goldfish in -30C. Also in this area it doesn't hit or stay at -30C often/long. Where I'm from it was an avg of -30C & for 1-2 months it was -40C with FEET of snow & the goldfish always lived just fine. There was a heater in the pond & they were fed every 2nd day. It was awesome being bundled up & feeding the goldfish. Not so much when they splashed water.. that was COLD after a few seconds!

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Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

Only one person on one forum gave me advice that I could do. Empty the tank 75% and add in new water, reduce the amount I feed them(I was over feeding them) and so on.

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75%??!! Whoever told you that needs a swift kick in the pants!! Never change more then 25% of your tank water or all the good bacteria can die, or it wont be able to reproduce fast enough to help the fish out.. So doing 75% water changes is terribly unhealthy for all fish (pond or tank).

When doing water changes its important to use a chemical to remove chlorine from the tap water, as chlorine will burn the fish & weaken/kill the good bacteria.

Pellet food is better then flakes.. Flakes sink so fast that they create waste faster.. pellets float & give the fish enough time to eat it.. This goes for all fishies.

koi & comets are not tank fish, ever. And whats sold as a Common Pleco, needs a min of 50gallons, but is happier in +75gallons. Common Plecos grow to about +12inches long.