Update on the Koi

[Vela]

I'm not saying any of it to be mean Nicole, but I would hate to see you end up paying and maybe having it cause you financial trouble in the future. A 90gallon setup is very expensive and takes a very large filter etc. Three tanks is a LOT of upkeep and not cheap. I would just keep them in the tanks you have for now, if you get a good filtration system for the larger tank, you can safely keep them in there short term, hopefully until a pond is built in the spring. Investing so much in a temporary housing for fish that weren't even yours to begin with will hurt you in the end, I truly beleive that. I don't know why the landlady went and bought MORE fish for you to have to take care of...that doesn't make a lot of sense, but if you invest in a high quality filter, like someone suggested, they will be better of for the short term while a pond is built, and it will be less expense and work for you. I know you are new to fish, I had many tanks at one point, as well as many bettas in other tanks, and it got horribly expensive to do properly, and a LOT of work. I hate to see you saddled with something that dififcult when you are just starting to get back on your feet. I say it out of concern not being mean.

[pomtzu]

You would be so much better off if you would just listen to what folks are trying to explain to you here. You originally said that your landlord asked you to care for the fish - not take ownership. And then to buy more and dump them on you seems pretty irresponsible IMO. And why would you even consider going in debt to buy a larger tank??? - just doesn't make sense when you have other more important issues going on in your life. If you feel that you want fish, then rehome the Koi to somewhere or someone that has the proper environment for them - and just buy some tropical fish. I had tanks for many years, and there are many fish that would thrive in the size tanks that you have. Try guppies, swordtails, angels, mollies - and there are many more that are inexpensive and easy to care for. I even had a big, ugly goldfish that was named Fred who lived for many years.
Don't feel bad about not being able to provide a good home for the Koi. You obviously didn't know what you were getting in to when you took on this responsibility. If you were able to let Luca go because it was in his best interest - then I'm sure you can let the fish go too.

[shepgirl]

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.

[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.

[blue]

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.

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.

[k9krazee]

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.

[Husky_mom]

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