In this post, I’ll show you how to set up a perfect goldfish tank by choosing the right tank size, substrate, decorations and filter.
If you’ve always dreamed set up a goldfish tank, you’ve come to the right place!
Goldfish is a fish originating in Asia and is known for its different colors, the most common being golden. The species is considered to be very peaceful and hardy, but needs well-stabilized environments to thrive.
In this article, check out some important tips before you go out and go to a store to buy everything you think you need!
How To Set Up A Goldfish Tank?
Below, we set up a step-by-step guide with the main information on how to set up a goldfish tank. I hope you enjoy!
What Is The Ideal Fish Tank Size For Goldfish?
First of all, you need to know what is the recommended fish tank size to keep a single specimen or a group of goldfish.
An tank for a single specimen of Goldfish should have about 31 gallons (120 liters). If you choose to raise a couple or a group of fish, you will need to add another 15 gallons (60 liters) for each fish you add.
It’s important that you keep in mind that the Goldfish is a large fish and requires a lot of space. It’s no use adding it to small tanks, because with all the certainty you will have problems keeping the fish healthy and the water of good quality.
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In addition, it’s good to remember that Golfish require special care, such as proper nutrition, regular cleaning and medication to treat illnesses. That’s why you need to be aware of the responsibilities before you decide to breed a fish of this species.
There are many varieties of goldfish available, and each one has its own specific characteristics and needs. If you follow the recommendations in this article correctly, you will have resistant, healthy goldfish that will live for many, many years.
What Is The Best Filtration System For A Goldfish Tank?
Goldfish are large fish and require good filtration to keep the water clean and oxygenated. Some of the best goldfish aquarium filters include, for example:
1. Canister Filters
Canister filters are some of the most powerful and efficient filters for large tanks, as they have a very good filtering capacity and can be hidden inside furniture and corners of the tank.
This type of filter also provides all the filtration steps an aquarium needs (mechanical, chemical and biological).
The Canister works when the water is pressurized through the filter media, making it a good option for environments with a high biological load, in this case an goldfish tank.
The main disadvantage is that it’s a type of filter that usually causes problems, such as leaks. So it’s always good to buy models from famous brands and trusted sellers.
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2. Sump Filters
The Sump is an excellent filter option for a goldfish tanks, as it’s ideal for handling a large amount of biological load.
This type of filter is nothing more than a reservoir that is located at the bottom of the tank. The reservoir collects the water through siphoning or gravity, causing it to pass through all the different filter elements, which are separated by sections. Then, the water returns to the main tank through pumping.
One of the main advantages of the Sump is that it’s easy to clean. Also, it’s the most customizable type of all, especially when you decide to build your own filtration system.
You can choose any of the types of filters mentioned above and you will be successful in creating goldfish. The choice will basically depend on your budget!
What Is The Best Substrate For A Goldfish Tank?
The substrate is a layer of material that goes on the bottom of the tank that helps create a natural environment for the fish.
For goldfish, you should use fine-grained sand or gravel, as this helps prevent the fish from choking if they eat such material. In addition, these substrates are easy to clean and don’t affect water quality, as they help to keep the environment clean and well oxygenated.
It’s important to avoid using gravel with sharp edges, as they can injure the fish’s fins. Any types of organic substrates can also release ammonia, so avoid them!
You can also leave the tank without substrate. There are many examples of goldfish tanks that don’t have a substrate, as this makes it easier to clean the environment.
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Should I Use A Heater In A Goldfish Tank?
The heater is an electronic device that helps keep the temperature of the water in the tank always constant.
In the case of goldfish, you must use a heater and set it so that the temperature is always between 22 and 26°C (Celsius) or 71,6 and 78°F (Fahrenheit).
Fish are poikilotherms, that is, body temperature follows the temperature of the environment. If the water temperature is too low, they can become stressed and sick, and if it’s too high, they can experience respiratory failure and die.
Also, it’s important to keep the tank in an area with a stable ambient temperature and to avoid placing it near heat sources such as radiators or windows exposed to the sun.
How Can I Decorate A Goldfish Tank?
Goldfish are large fish and require a lot of space, so it’s important that the environment has decorations, but also open areas so that they can swim freely.
1. Plants
The natural plants help to oxygenate the water and provide refuge for the goldfish. You can add some hardy, broadleaf plants to a goldfish tank.
The only thing you need to be aware of is that goldfish like to turn over the substrate and move the plants out of place. So opt for the resistant species.
Some good plant options for Goldfish tank are:
- Java Fern;
- Anubias Barteri;
- Cryptocoryne Wendtii;
- Amazon Sword;
- Java Moss;
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2. Rocks
Like natural plants, rocks help create a more natural environment for fish. I recommend that you add large rounded rocks as this helps to prevent fish from injuring their fins and scales on sharp decorations.
You can add the rocks in the middle region, towards the bottom of the tank. This type of arrangement creates a very attractive environment for fish and those who observe them.
Purchase Fish Tank Conditioners To Treat The Water
Fish tank conditioners are essential to maintain good quality water. They help eliminate chlorine, chloramine and several other heavy metals present in tap water, which are extremely harmful to aquarium fish.
What Do Goldfish Eat?
Goldfish need to eat a lot to keep their “plump” appearance, but you shouldn’t overdo him, as excess feed makes the water dirty, lowers the pH and increases the levels of ammonia and nitrite. Therefore, it’s good to dose in quantity.
To feed the goldfish, throw some food and wait for it to eat, as soon as you notice that the fish is no longer with the same initial momentum, stop feeding it. You can feed the goldfish two to three times a day.
Small goldfish eat flake feed, but medium and large ones adapt better to granulated food, as they are easier to pick up and don’t break down in water.
Can I Add A Goldfish To A Community Tank?
Water temperature and quality, nutritional and water hardness the goldfish needs are quite different from so-called “community fish” or tropical fish. Therefore, we don’t recommend that they coexist with almost any other cold water species.
If you have already mixed species of tropical fish with goldfish, you must have noticed that they adapted to the tank without major problems. However, the ideal is for these animals to coexist only with other cold water fish, as the parameters of most tropical species differ and much of what goldfish need.
So, we can emphasize that putting goldfish in community tanks isn’t a good idea, but still possible, as long as the parameters are very similar and the aquarist has a little luck.
Why Are Goldfish So Famous?
Goldfish are very popular because of their beauty and strength. They are also known as Japanese Fish (although their origin isn’t Japanese), and also Kinguio fish.
The species has an unusual longevity and an impressive adaptability. I believe goldfish are the most abused animals in the world, surpassing even Bettas. This is because they are hardy and very adaptable fish and are therefore subjected to the most gruesome atrocities.
There are many cases in which goldfish are raised in small glass bowls and without any type of equipment (filter or heater). In addition, people who raise these fish in these environments, usually change all the water tank, ending with the little biology that was created inside it.
As much as goldfish is a resistant fish, it shouldn’t live in precarious conditions. Koi, another example, are very beautiful fish and some of them, more refined, can be worth thousands of dollars when they win the crowded exhibitions that take place all over the world. However, they are usually created in tight spaces!
Goldfish, like carps, inhabit cold water lakes and don’t usually suffer from this. Most often they live in artificial garden or indoor ponds. In some Europe countries, having this type of pond in the backyard is very common.
Conclusion
Set up a goldfish tank isn’t a very difficult task, although you will need to invest in slightly more expensive equipment to create them correctly.
Goldfish are peaceful fish that like to swim through all corners of the tank, so it’s interesting that they have space to swim and that they live in the company of others of their own species.
I hope this article has helped you on how to set up a good goldfish tank. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
