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Oranda help
#1
Posted on: 17/2/2012 18:41
Profileabim90
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Hi everyone, I'm new here so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place but I'm in a bit of a rush and need some advice.

I recently rescued a red oranda from a friend of mine (she didn't want him anymore as she was decorating her room and apparantly had no space for his tank anymore and was going to flush him!)

I don't really know a lot about orandas but have grown pretty attached to him, I've been doing some research and the tank he is in now is definitely too small, its a Bibe (35l I think) although at the moment he seems happy enough, I do a water change about every 4 days and he eats freeze dried blood worms as well as hikari lionhead and peas (after I read that they like those).. she only fed him on floating goldfish flakes which I have now gotten rid of.
I want to get him a bigger tank and a bigger filter tomorrow, I've seen a 60l tank which looks pretty nice but I'm still clueless really and was wondering if anyone here who has oranda/fancy goldfish experience could help me, as I really want to do right by this little guy, who seems to have not had such a great start in life.

is 60l big enough for an Oranda, I'll be keeping him alone.. also which substrate is best? and would he need an airpump and airstone as well as a filter? plants? There's so much to consider lol and I'd rather get experienced advice than just reading google and yahoo answers..

Thanks everyone. really hope someone can give me a hand here

Abi (and Percy the rescue Oranda)

Attach file:


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Re: Oranda help
#2
Posted on: 17/2/2012 18:48
Profilejaspersdad
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Hi, He looks a beauty 60L too small I'm afraid he needs a min of 140L by himself or 180 if you want to get him a mate (They are a social animal so keeping two is best).

JON
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Re: Oranda help
#3
Posted on: 17/2/2012 18:54
Profileabim90
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Surely for now though a 60l is better than keeping him in the 35l? Or is it not worth the stress of moving him?

Thanks for replying

Re: Oranda help
#4
Posted on: 17/2/2012 19:02
Profilejaspersdad
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Hi yes 60L would be better, but would mean another move in a few months tbh. If you need more space fast while you sort a decent size tank then you could get a food safe storage box from Staples or ASDA. Asda do a 110L for £9 atm. Check the articles on the left of the page for advice on starting out with goldies.

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... -size-life-expectancy.htm

JON
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Re: Oranda help
#5
Posted on: 17/2/2012 19:20
Profileabim90
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i'm so silly, the tank I was planning on getting him tomorrow is almost 60 gallons NOT litres.. which is way over what you said he needs, so I guess that's ok? Could even get him a buddy once the tank is cycled and everything. Thanks for the help Jon

Re: Oranda help
#6
Posted on: 17/2/2012 19:39
ProfileSilverfish
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That's about 240 Litres? If so, yes, he would be happy in that!

Warning: they look cute and innocent now, but he'll grow big and hungry fast! Mine grew to 8 inches in about 6 months...

I think with that size too you could get him a friend as well, but try to stick to another oranda or a ranchu, fancy goldfish are best kept with other fancies, and commons will grow way too large.

If you read up on cycling the filter, this will be quite important for his health, and if you can get an API liquid testing kit as well, as if you are moving him into the bigger tank, you'll need to keep a close eye on ammonia and nitrites.

Best of luck, he's gorgeous!

Re: Oranda help
#7
Posted on: 17/2/2012 19:40
Profilejaspersdad
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ooh 60G is ace careful though it's easy to get addicted

JON
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Re: Oranda help
#8
Posted on: 18/2/2012 18:15
Profileabim90
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I think I already am addicted, just finished setting up his new tank now and it's looking great. Natural gravel as substrate, a couple of plastic (not a fan) plants from his current small tank to kick start some bacteria growth and a bucket of his own water as well.. A couple of 12in air stones to create a nice wall of bubbles at the back.. got the filter running.. sadly I forgot to buy more tap water conditioner though so need to go back for that tomorrow..

Was just wondering if it's better to keep up with his regular water changes in the 35l while I wait a couple of weeks for the new big tank to cycle.. or just move him in and keep an eye on the levels?
Any tips on how I can get the new tank ready for him faster, apart from add as much from his current tank as possible to get the bacteria going? Don't want to keep him cramped up any longer than I have to, but also don't want to rush moving him and causing him other problems...

Re: Oranda help
#9
Posted on: 18/2/2012 18:27
Profileviolet
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What a very pretty little fish

You can undertake what is referred to as an 'immediate cycle' if you wish to move him over ASAP. I saved the notes from last time I walked someone through this. Goes like this....

Quote:
Good idea to test the tank first to make sure it doesn't leak. Do you have a garage or somewhere suitable?

Once checked, the gravel/substrate can be added and then the tank filled up with pre treated warmed water to about 80%. The nifty bit then is that you can an immediate cycle

This is a bit trickier when coming from a biorb, as most of the bacteria you already have are living in that hard rough substrate but it can be achieved with the help of a few pop socks and you'll need to work quite quickly!

1. Move the fish into a housing container bucket using some of the existing water.

2. Put the existing foam from the bottom of the circular biorb filter into the new filter, this will help pre seed the new media. It doesn’t have to fit exactly you can chop it if needs be and just squish it in. Turn on.

3. Add as much of the remaining water from the biorb as you can.

4. As for the remaining rough media from the biorb, try to work fast to avoid it drying out. Put all of it into a few pop socks or the ends of a stocking and then dangle it in the tank, ideally so it's in front of the new filter outlet.

You can use something like sticky tape to hold it in place on the outside of the tank as this will only be temporary. The existing bacteria needs a constant source of aerated water to keep it alive and some water flow over the media will be good. Top up to the final level (pre treated water only)

5. Add the fishies, bagged first and treat as you would for any new aclimatisation process. Same amount of bacteria that you had before but more water volume.

It won’t look very pretty lol but this is only for a short time. You shouldn’t see much of the existing bacteria die back but test daily for the next few weeks to you can spot any potential spikes.

The old media bags needs to stay in situ for 4-6 weeks to give the new media time to colonise. If water readings are good after that, Ammonia and Nitrite nil, Nitrate less than 40ppm but ideally less than 20ppm, the old media in the pop socks can then be gradually removed over several weeks.


Hope that helps Sounds like he's landed on his fins with you!
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Please fill in your personal profile if you are posting on FK.

This saves so much time and unnecessary questions so it helps everyone here

The importance of QT when adding new fish to an existing tank, to avoid losses (and tears):
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles_84/fishkeeping_quarantine.htm

Re: Oranda help
#10
Posted on: 18/2/2012 18:30
Profilejaspersdad
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What Violet said ^^^^^^

Great stuff he'll love you for it

JON
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