General Care Discussion :: Comet goldfish & turtles

[TurtleMania]

I've had Roy (my RES) for a little over a year--- had him in a 55 gallon long until he got too big for it & upgraded to a 125 gallon tank--- he caught RI while we waited for the new tank (the guy said within a week but it took close to 3---) we also ordered a pump the FLUVAL 405, again that took forever... We took Roy to the emergency vet at the first sign of wheezing & we were given medicine ( to be fed through an eye-dropper) & the wheezing stopped... 2 weeks later it's back & I think he's lost weight (his eyes & face look sunken in & his legs look skinnier--- my girlfriend says he looks small bc his shell grew but I know his face---)

He's in the 125 long with the FLUVAL 405 running well--- but there have been 2 comet goldfish that have not been eaten over the past year & I know the secreet amonia... they are a pretty good size (as large if not larger than the average pet goldfish)--- COULD they be adding to the problem? Should Roy be in the tank with them??? --- they get along & he never wants to eat them... even swims & eats with them but my priority is Roy... I can boot the fish no problem, I just took them out & put them in a bucket but I am really worried about Roy!

any... ANY info would help greatly! he has an appointment tomorrow morning for an over-night visit (it's all our work schedules allow...) but I fear a change of scenery will add to his fragile heath and hurt him more than an IN & OUT visit... please help! & thanks for any input....

[meltedspork]

Wait... so you had him out of the tank for 3 weeks? Why wouldn't you just leave him in the 55g until you got the new tank?

A Fluval 405 is not strong enough for that big of a tank with a turtle. Actually, the 405 is not even strong enough for that big of a tank period. It's only rated up to 100 gallons. For a turtle, you need something 3x as strong as the size of your tank, so you need a filter for up to 300 gallons. I would stongly suggest upgrading to the FX5.

Goldfish are very messy, and with a filter that is not adequate for your tank, they are only causing the tank to get dirtier faster. And if Roy is sick, he should have the cleanest water possible.

Is he basking? Does he have a heat and UVB light? What are your water and basking temps?

[TurtleMania]

I had him in the 55 but the upkeep was crazy--- was vacumming it every other day. But no, I didn't have him roaming around the house for 3 weeks.

the 125 g tank is a little more than half full (about 75-80 gallons) so the Fluval 405 is just right (I actually researched it before spending the $200 on it) but I never heard about it needing to be 3x stronger... what's the FX5 for & how much is that?

He basks, has all the right lights & is totally spoiled, I just can't figure out if these fish are making him sick. He basks quite a bit & you can't hear him wheeze, it's when he comes up from the water it sounds like a whistle. the water looks spottless one minute & cloudy the next, can't figure it out. We were using spring water but now use tap water with Repti-safe (was using prime before hearing about repti-safe)

[twyangzii]

Goldfishes do [----] a lot thus the bioload will be extremely high .

[scottpkura]

Goldfish are filthy. I booted mine, and immediately noticed better water quality. Additionally goldfish aren't the best choice of live fish for him to be eating. Rosy red minnows are a little healthier and a lot cleaner of a tank mate.