Pushing the limits of a ten gallon tank?

waterlily · 07-27-2009, 04:08 PM

Shortened version at the bottom, if you like.

So, now very obvious to me, few people keep fish in their animal's water troughs.

Yes. I keep fish in a trough for my cow. I started with an orange koi and a white koi and two plecos. It's about a 100 gallon stock tank, maybe 120. They're only there to look pretty and possibly keep the tank clean between total cleanings. Despite 104 degree weather, a cow, and basically eating bugs, dirt, hay and cow feed, the white koi and one pleco have survived. One pleco died a few days after I got him, and the orange koi died while I was on vacation.

Now, unfortunately, my cow needs medecine...in his water. It's called Corid, if anyone needs to know, but I have no idea what it's made of and no idea what effect it will have on the fish((obviously because no one's tried putting Corid in fish water)). I would rather not risk killing them, because I've grown attached to my pleco. I have a now-empty 10 gallon tank at home((right in front of me, in fact)), and if possible I would like to house the fish in there for about a month so I can let the cow have his medecine and then I will clean the 100g tank and put the fish back. The koi is maybe 3-4 inches, and the pleco is maybe 5-6...I know that's way pushing the limit of a ten gallon, but can it work for a month if I keep it pretty clean?

for lazy people; I have a 3-4 inch koi and a 5-6 inch pleco I need to temporarily put in a 10 gallon tank. Will it work if I keep the tank clean, or no?
It's about 20x10x10.5 inches, so the fish can turn around and stuff...

minihorses4ever · 07-27-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

So, now very obvious to me, few people keep fish in their animal's water troughs.

I am not sure about your situation, but we keep feeder goldfish in our troughs to eat misquito larvae. The horses don't bother them at all. They seem to turn out to be pretty hardy little things usually.

ValRasbora · 07-27-2009, 05:55 PM

You put FISH in a water trough? hahahaha!
You could maybe give it to the cow in it's food or in like a vegetable puree.... I don't know I don't have a cow, ask your vet about my sugestion...
Well you wouldn't be overstocking your 10 gallon, because 4inch+6inch=10inch. It's not great but it's only temporary. Your fish, your choice, do what you think is right!

misterking · 07-27-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValRasbora

You put FISH in a water trough? hahahaha!
You could maybe give it to the cow in it's food or in like a vegetable puree.... I don't know I don't have a cow, ask your vet about my sugestion...
Well you wouldn't be overstocking your 10 gallon, because 4inch+6inch=10inch. It's not great but it's only temporary. Your fish, your choice, do what you think is right!

It's actually a fairly common practice at farms and stables, sometimes carp are kept in them for years.

It is pushing it a bit... but could work if you keep it clean as possible. Any other troughs lieing about? You could put a grate over the one with the fish in for a while to stop the cow drinking from it and put the treatment in the other, so you don't have to move your fish and spend ages cleaning out the trough when you want to reintroduce them.

waterlily · 07-27-2009, 06:56 PM

minihorses4ever & misterking- Oooo, okay. I forgot horses also drink from water troughs. XD

ValRasbora- Aww thats mean. :c I like my fish, and I also don't think they're very edible. I wouldn't eat them...I know what they've eaten. XD

misterking- Unfortunately, there are no more troughs lieing about. There was one a few pens down that was like 175 gallons, but someone came and took it somewhere.

Also, new question. Would it be possible to keep fish in a hot tub? It's broken and basically an oddly shaped pond. I'd have to clean out the snakes, bugs, water, and general gunk but I think it would be cool to have more koi fish, and/or more plecos. And maybe other fish. It hasn't been used in two years, so it's useless now. Would that be possible or could some chlorine residue kill the fish? :/

sombunya · 07-27-2009, 11:16 PM

I put my 5 inch Bluegill in a new, uncycled 10 gallon hospital tank. I did 100% water changes every day because the ammonia would rise to .5 ppm after one day. Very, very lightly fed.

If you try to put your fish in there for a month they will die unless you change the water EVERYDAY. Minimum 50% changes, de-chlored of course.

Just my opinion.

OrangeCones · 07-28-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterlily

for lazy people; I have a 3-4 inch koi and a 5-6 inch pleco I need to temporarily put in a 10 gallon tank. Will it work if I keep the tank clean, or no? It's about 20x10x10.5 inches, so the fish can turn around and stuff...

I'm not lazy, but here's my 2cents:

For a month it should work out, as long as you keep the water clean. Invest in an ammonia test kit (the kind that tests with drops, not the strips) and test daily. If the level gets at 0.5, do 50% water change. If its up to 1.0, do a 75% water change. If you are diligent, it should work. It may mean daily water changes.

1077 · 07-28-2009, 02:55 AM

Personally ,I would use large rubbermaid tub with filter to house the fish temporarily. Feed sparingly and as suggested, monitor the water with test kit. Is also possible that fish are already affected by whatever is ailing the cattle considering they share the same water. Might be worth a call to vet to see if fish can stay where they are?

homebunnyj · 07-28-2009, 06:02 AM

The rubbermaid tub is a good idea. You can get a big one for not too much money. And as for chlorine residue in an old hot tub, chlorine tends to gas off anyway, so doubtful there'd be any. Also, water conditioner neutralizes chlorine. Stick a submersible filter in there and you should be good to go.

(I think ValRasbora meant to give the cow his med in his food, which isn't very helpful really, since the vet's instructions are to give it in his water.)

FroggyFox · 07-28-2009, 10:52 AM

YES you can use the hottub as a fishtank

I have a friend in California who houses koi in a hottub on his deck! Cracks me up whenever he sends pictures of it lol He bought some of that black plastic that they use as pond liners and lined the inside of the hottub with it and he has a waterfall going into it (from the pond filter pump) and its kind of a nice little setup.

Chances are good that your concerns about the meds for your cow aren't going to be good for the fish, so no matter what I'd get them out of there and at least into that 10 gallon tank. You'll need to do water changes but it'll be ok. Biggest thing is going to be to make sure you have a lid because I cant imagine they are going to be too happy going from a trough to a 10 gallon tank

07-27-2009, 04:08 PM	#1
waterlily Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5	Pushing the limits of a ten gallon tank? Shortened version at the bottom, if you like. So, now very obvious to me, few people keep fish in their animal's water troughs. Yes. I keep fish in a trough for my cow. I started with an orange koi and a white koi and two plecos. It's about a 100 gallon stock tank, maybe 120. They're only there to look pretty and possibly keep the tank clean between total cleanings. Despite 104 degree weather, a cow, and basically eating bugs, dirt, hay and cow feed, the white koi and one pleco have survived. One pleco died a few days after I got him, and the orange koi died while I was on vacation. Now, unfortunately, my cow needs medecine...in his water. It's called Corid, if anyone needs to know, but I have no idea what it's made of and no idea what effect it will have on the fish((obviously because no one's tried putting Corid in fish water)). I would rather not risk killing them, because I've grown attached to my pleco. I have a now-empty 10 gallon tank at home((right in front of me, in fact)), and if possible I would like to house the fish in there for about a month so I can let the cow have his medecine and then I will clean the 100g tank and put the fish back. The koi is maybe 3-4 inches, and the pleco is maybe 5-6...I know that's way pushing the limit of a ten gallon, but can it work for a month if I keep it pretty clean? for lazy people; I have a 3-4 inch koi and a 5-6 inch pleco I need to temporarily put in a 10 gallon tank. Will it work if I keep the tank clean, or no? It's about 20x10x10.5 inches, so the fish can turn around and stuff...

07-27-2009, 05:55 PM	#3
ValRasbora Large Fish Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 616	You put FISH in a water trough? hahahaha! You could maybe give it to the cow in it's food or in like a vegetable puree.... I don't know I don't have a cow, ask your vet about my sugestion... Well you wouldn't be overstocking your 10 gallon, because 4inch+6inch=10inch. It's not great but it's only temporary. Your fish, your choice, do what you think is right! __________________ Fish aren't boring like everyone says! 20 gallon planted swordtail, platy, neon tetra, harlequin rasbora, albino corydoras, otocinclus 10 gallon oriental a pair of betta imbellis

07-27-2009, 11:16 PM	#6
sombunya Little Fish Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: So. Cal. USA Posts: 295	I put my 5 inch Bluegill in a new, uncycled 10 gallon hospital tank. I did 100% water changes every day because the ammonia would rise to .5 ppm after one day. Very, very lightly fed. If you try to put your fish in there for a month they will die unless you change the water EVERYDAY. Minimum 50% changes, de-chlored of course. Just my opinion. __________________ The name is Joe. Member NANFA

07-28-2009, 06:02 AM	#9
homebunnyj Super Fish Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,299	The rubbermaid tub is a good idea. You can get a big one for not too much money. And as for chlorine residue in an old hot tub, chlorine tends to gas off anyway, so doubtful there'd be any. Also, water conditioner neutralizes chlorine. Stick a submersible filter in there and you should be good to go. (I think ValRasbora meant to give the cow his med in his food, which isn't very helpful really, since the vet's instructions are to give it in his water.) __________________ Judy Down to 3 tanks... from 7!! 29g: 3 goldfish (temporary)... thinking of convicts instead 55g: 12 glowlight tetras, 3 yoyo loaches (planning for another school of tetras, some more yoyo's, and maybe a pair of rams... any suggestions?) 2g: 3 guppies waiting for a bigger home and a few more buddies

07-28-2009, 10:52 AM	#10
FroggyFox Forum Manager Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,479	YES you can use the hottub as a fishtank I have a friend in California who houses koi in a hottub on his deck! Cracks me up whenever he sends pictures of it lol He bought some of that black plastic that they use as pond liners and lined the inside of the hottub with it and he has a waterfall going into it (from the pond filter pump) and its kind of a nice little setup. Chances are good that your concerns about the meds for your cow aren't going to be good for the fish, so no matter what I'd get them out of there and at least into that 10 gallon tank. You'll need to do water changes but it'll be ok. Biggest thing is going to be to make sure you have a lid because I cant imagine they are going to be too happy going from a trough to a 10 gallon tank __________________ 29, 46 & 55FW 29 SW + dog + horse + catYou can view info & photos of my critters here...

07-27-2009, 06:56 PM	#5
waterlily Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5	minihorses4ever & misterking- Oooo, okay. I forgot horses also drink from water troughs. XD ValRasbora- Aww thats mean. :c I like my fish, and I also don't think they're very edible. I wouldn't eat them...I know what they've eaten. XD misterking- Unfortunately, there are no more troughs lieing about. There was one a few pens down that was like 175 gallons, but someone came and took it somewhere. Also, new question. Would it be possible to keep fish in a hot tub? It's broken and basically an oddly shaped pond. I'd have to clean out the snakes, bugs, water, and general gunk but I think it would be cool to have more koi fish, and/or more plecos. And maybe other fish. It hasn't been used in two years, so it's useless now. Would that be possible or could some chlorine residue kill the fish? :/

07-28-2009, 02:55 AM	#8
1077 Little Fish Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 123	Personally ,I would use large rubbermaid tub with filter to house the fish temporarily. Feed sparingly and as suggested, monitor the water with test kit. Is also possible that fish are already affected by whatever is ailing the cattle considering they share the same water. Might be worth a call to vet to see if fish can stay where they are?