Filters and Pumps

• What do filters and pumps do?

A motorized pump is used to create water motion. The pump is simultaneously used along with a filtering system. Goldfish produce heavy amounts of waste, and a filtering system will not remove toxins from the tank water; this can only be accomplished with freshwater changes, combined with the use of water treatment, but a filter will assist in keeping the water clear and free of floating debris, and most importantly filtration systems provide the perfect place for beneficial bacteria to live and breed. This pump will need to create adequate surface action without creating too much current for the goldfish to withstand. This surface action is critical in allowing harmful gases to escape from the water, which greatly depletes oxygen levels.
There are many fancy and expensive filtering systems available in all price ranges, some costing hundreds of dollars. Most of these systems are designed for tropical fish, not goldfish. Goldfish waste accumulates at the bottom of the tank; where they rest and feed; hence toxins also concentrate in this same area. Most standard filtering systems are located at the top of the aquarium where there is little or no waste; prolonging the nitrogen cycle. Friendly bugs feed on goldfish waste, so in order for these beneficial bacteria to build strong colonies, the home they live in should be located in the same proximity as the waste.

• What type of filter and pump works best for goldfish?

A simple submersible water or pond pump, which is affordable, and creates a strong action at the surface without causing a current in the tank is highly recommended for use in goldfish tanks. The mechanics provide the perfect spot for breeding large colonies of friendly bacteria. The pump is located in the bottom of the tank where waste accumulates, and the jet of water will easily break the surface agitating it. An agitated surface keeps the water oxygenated which is critical for the ecosystem. Heavily oxygenated ponds or tanks discourages the production of harmful bacteria.

 Bacteria; Friend or Foe?

These pumps typically come equipped with water flow settings, and may be turned up or down to obtain the desired action. When you are cleaning your tank or sponges, and unintentionally cloud the water, a higher setting should be powerful enough to clear the water quickly.  

• How to size pumps

Water pumps are rated by gallons or liters per hour. A minimum of 100 GPHs is recommended for every 10 gallons of water, but when you?re finished calculating; add on 100 GPH for good measure. Taller tanks or ponds require a stronger pump to create adequate action; shallower water may benefit from having two pumps at half the rating.

Larger pumps come with sponges, but the some of the smaller ones which work well for smaller goldfish tanks do not. An organic sponge or filter sponge purchased from the pet shop may be wrapped around the pump?s intake, and bound with rubber bands for use as a filtered pump. They cost a fraction of the price of the more fashionable aquarium filter systems and do twice the work.

• How to maintain pumps

Use old tank water to rinse out sponges. Even though the sponge may appear clean at the top, grunge accumulates mostly at the bottom. The more grunge, the heavier the bio load. Depending on your stocking levels, this task should be performed weekly. Although there may be some friendly bacteria in the sponge, if it is rinsed regularly this will discourage friendly bacteria from building in it. It is important that the tank water is moving through these sponges sufficiently to clean floating debris.

If your pump is too loud, try placing an (aquarium safe) sponge under the motor head; this makes all of the difference.

It is preferable that you have more than one place for friendly bacteria to accumulate and form colonies; more than one filtering system or pump, or the combination of the two; just in case a pump goes down. Having a second pump might keep you from having to start from scratch on the cycle. If the mechanics to your unit slow, and the sponge is clean; try unplugging the it for only an instant. The sudden action will push the clog through, and if this doesn't get the job done, rinse the pump itself using old tank or pond water, but remember to keep a close watch on your water parameters; prepare yourself for a spike in the cycle.

 Cloudy Water

If your pump is heating up the water by more than a few degrees; it may be too large for the body of water, or the pump may need to be replaced with a newer or one of a higher quality, or perhaps the body of water is just too small to begin with.

A good pump that is sized appropriately shouldn't heat up the water by more than 2 or 3 degrees.

• Charcoal filters for goldfish tanks?

Some of these filtering systems may contain carbon or charcoal; beware. These products absorb ammonia, starving the beneficial bacteria, keeping the cycle from completing. Unfortunately, pet shops often recommend these expensive filtering systems for goldfish with dire consequences. If your filtering system contains carbon or charcoal, it should be removed permanently.

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