Goldfish in a Rubbermaid stock tank?

[darylann]

I'm a newbie (found this site about a half hour ago and registered right away). I'm trying to find out the feasibility of putting a few WalMart goldfish into our horses' Rubbermaid stock tank (about 200 gallons, if I remember correctly) to keep the algea levels down -- and of course for entertainment for the kids and me! Maybe this topic has been addressed somewhere already. It gets REAL cold up here near Lake Superior, and we have to put a water heater in the tank in the winter or the whole thing freezes solid! Would goldfish survive in such a set up year-round? Would I have to be concerned about sudden water temperature changes when we drag out the hose to replenish the supply (using very cold well water), even when adding it to the partially ice-covered stock tank)?

The only goldfish experience we have is with the three my daughter bought last week at WalMart, and one already died! But the other two are looking very healthy and -- could it be? -- seem to have grown bigger already! We're quickly getting hooked on watching them ... and are thinking bigger!

Any suggestions would be appreciated... Thanks!

 

[JH]

If it was me I would really think of bringing the fish inside. If you don't have a tank you can use a large storage container. The type use usually put clothes, Holiday stuff, etc in. I would get the largest that you can. Here at Dollar General you can get a large one for about $10.00. You will want a pump/filter, but you shouldn't need a heater as long as the room remains warm.

In my pond that is 3 feet deep the bottom was about 30-40 F during the winter. The top was even colder. I ran deicers as well and during the really really cold periods I even had a thin layer of ice over that. Nothing major though.

I would think that your stock tank would get even colder than my pond. You are also further north and have colder winters than I do here.

In general your pond should be at least 2 feet deep for goldfish to survive the winter assuming that it is not a above ground pond. They are really amazing fish and can survive in extreme situations but I really would not risk it, especially if it is a fish you have grown attached to.

Adding Ice cold water to the pond/container with the fish when the water is already cold I would think that would cause more stress on the fish that are already stressed out because of the cold temps. You would have a higher chance of your fish becoming sick during the winter/spring. Temperature changes are a big problem in spring especially. That is when most fish start to show signs of illness and some aren't able to handle the added stress.

Perhaps others would disagree with me but I would rather play it safe and relocate the fish indoors for the winter.

 

[Peekaboo]

The water heater is a good thing. However any movement created by the horses, or change in water temperature once it is freezing weather can kill the fish. They are very sensitive when in such a cold state.

I suggest you get another 100 or 200 gallon rubbermaid container with a de-icer and leave the goldfish in that all winter. This would run you $100. They will be fine. This is assuming they are regular, shubinkin or comet goldfish. The fancier fat bodied kind might not last a winter. Also get them special cold-weather food for spring and fall.

P.S. Don't buy another fish from walmart, I've only made that mistake once and had one die right away. Other places sell way better fish.

 

[Shekoi]

the amount of water is right for a couple common goldfish.

there will be a problem with adding cold water it will shock the fish, the water you add should be within a couple aof degrees either side of the temperature of the 'pond'.

As for using fish to keep algae down i can't see it working. fish produce lots of ammonia which is turned into nitrates by bacteria in the tub. the nitrates is what algae and other plants use to grow. so adding fish will increase the amount of algae.

 

[Gambusia]

You can dump goldfish into a cold tank.

I have done it and the fish do fine but I guess it's not reccomended.

 

[schiejr]

I used to have a customer that successfully did this. She would bring in some nice shubunkins to trade (the results of breeding) in the summer when it is hard to get healthy goldfish due to shipping stresses. They did fine over the winter with the tank heater. I agree with point made that any algae control would be minimal.

 

[darylann]

Thanks so much for all the advice... Yes, it's VERY cold up here in the winter. I think if I were careful about adding small amounts of water each day to avoid drastic temp changes in the tank and to keep the level fairly consistent, it would work with the water heater. But my greatest fear is that we inevitably have the occasional power outage from blizzards. That would certainly mean the demise of the fish, when the floating water heater becomes frozen in the quickly-formed icecap of the stock tank! Perhaps I'll try the fish until winter sets in, and then bring them indoors for the winter.

Thanks again!