The Correct Setup Of A Goldfish Tank Options

[HappyBuddha]

I've been asked to write a FAQ on how to set up a goldfish tank for newbies who want to get it right, right from the begining.

I don't know it all... so here's my draft and I ask for your comments. Eventually we'll collectively build the FAQ when I combined all feedbacks.

[HappyBuddha]

Since it's for newbies, we'll restrict the setup to a clear water bio-filtered tank.

Tank Size & Stock Load

Most goldfish needs at least 50 litres of water per fish, assuming it's a 3-4 inches ranchu. You'll use the AquaCal to work out the volume of your tank. A typical 2x1x1.5 feet tank is 80 litres which means you can keep just one 3-4 inches ranchu. A 3x1.5x1.5 feet tank is 190 litres, so that's good for four 3-4 inches ranchus.

Filtration

Goldfish don't like current. So your filtration system must not generate unnecessary current. The most ideal filtration for goldfish is therefore sponge filter. Install one per fish.

Decorating your tank

Don't be a sissy. Keep the tank bare for easy mainatenence instead of wanting the oh so passe gravel bed. If you want a mini aqua eco system with plants, gravel, rocks, and a ferry's wheel that spins in techno colour, please keep a community tropical fish tank instead. Real goldfish keeper focuses on their goldfish, and not day dreaming about how cute the tank looks.

Sickness prevention

Goldfish is hardy. So long as you take care of the water, it takes care of itself. Most sickness can be attributed to bad water. Now, a tank of crystal clear water does not imply it's good water. Can you see bacteria/parasites and nitrate with your naked eyes?

Water change

One of the most commonly asked question is how often to change the water. No one can give you a concrete answer except yourself since we don't know your exact setup, your feeding routine etc. To find out when to change water, get a nitrate test kit. Change water on the day nitrate measures above 40 ppm. To stretch the interval, increase your tank size, or cut your stock load. There's no other way out. As a general rule, a stock load of 100 litres per fish with 3 feedings per day requires a complete water change once a week.

Feeding

The best food for goldfish, all things considered, is Hikari Bio-pure frozen bloodworms. Alternatively, feed Hikari Lionhead pellets.

Feed as much as your fish can finish in 5 minutes, taking a break of an hour and repeat 3 times per day.

If you follow the above, the hobby will be enjoyable where your fish don't fall sick and develops well.


Cheers

[The Matrix]

HB, some questions .... my queries in BOLD and RED.

Filtration

Install one per fish. Erh .... 1 sponge per fish ??? got type wrongly or not ?

Feeding

The best food for goldfish, all things considered, is Hikari Bio-pure frozen bloodworms. Alternatively, feed Hikari Lionhead pellets. Hmmmm ... Japan Ranchu Lord is actually a good staple and growth food.

Feed as much as your fish can finish in 5 minutes, taking a break of an hour and repeat 3 times per day. Those use Auto-feeders, how can we be sure the fish can finish in 5 minutes leh ?

[HappyBuddha]

HB, some questions .... my queries in BOLD and RED.

Filtration

Install one per fish. Erh .... 1 sponge per fish ??? got type wrongly or not ?

Feeding

The best food for goldfish, all things considered, is Hikari Bio-pure frozen bloodworms. Alternatively, feed Hikari Lionhead pellets.  Hmmmm ... Japan Ranchu Lord is actually a good staple and growth food.

Feed as much as your fish can finish in 5 minutes, taking a break of an hour and repeat 3 times per day. Those use Auto-feeders, how can we be sure the fish can finish in 5 minutes leh ?

Grin. I forgot that I was preparing this FAQ.

Er, yes... one guppy sponge per fish. Do you think that's not enough or an over-kill? Of course having more filter doesn't mean you get better filtration; there's a point of dimishing return depending on the waste load but my logic is the more sponge filters a newbie installed ... the more aeration a newbie will unknowingly create for our dear, DO craving, goldfish. I'm so smart!

Without a doubt from what I read in geert's writing (mentioned elsewhere) that JRL is good. But in Singapore and for newbies with lousy fish, Hikari lionhead serves its purpose well enough for its cost effectiveness.

Erm... just try different openings on the AF and observe how quickly the pellets are eaten, adjust the opening until it's right.

[The Matrix]

Grin.  I forgot that I was preparing this FAQ.

Er, yes... one guppy sponge per fish.  Do you think that's not enough or an over-kill?    Of course having more filter doesn't mean you get better filtration; there's a point of dimishing return  depending on the waste load but my logic is the more sponge filters a newbie installed ... the more aeration a newbie will unknowingly create for our dear, DO craving, goldfish.  I'm so smart! 

Without a doubt from what I read in geert's writing (mentioned elsewhere) that JRL is good.  But in Singapore and for newbies with lousy fish, Hikari lionhead serves its purpose well enough for its cost effectiveness.

Erm... just try different openings on the AF and observe how quickly the pellets are eaten, adjust the opening until it's right.

If every fish = 1 sponge filter, given a basic of 50L per fish, which would means that in a 4x2x2 ft tank, ~260L, the hobbyists going to use 5 sponge filter for a max of 5 fish in it ? If a keeper only put 2, then 2 filters ? If we use 80L per fish, that could only be a max of 3 filter in it. Chim .... very chim ... No wonder u smart ...

[HappyBuddha]

If every fish = 1 sponge filter, given a basic of 50L per fish, which would means that in a 4x2x2 ft tank, ~260L, the hobbyists going to use 5 sponge filter for a max of 5 fish in it ? If a keeper only put 2, then 2 filters ? If we use 80L per fish, that could only be a max of 3 filter in it. Chim .... very chim ... No wonder u smart ...

I know. And to think it will be hard to convince newbies to accept 50 litres per (3-4 inches) goldfish; 80 litres is... out of this world.

[The Matrix]

I know.    And to think it will be hard to convince newbies to accept 50 litres per (3-4 inches) goldfish; 80 litres is... out of this world.

Need to convince one meh .... the fish will tell the story. I won't be bother if anyone change 10% or 100% weekly or 10L per fish or 100L per fish.

Just show the fish.

hahaha ... I am keeping in 150-200L per fish

[CP]

hahaha ... I am keeping in 150-200L per fish

Mad.

[top_view_ranchu]

Mad.

I don't know why you're claiming this? But I can definitely tell the growth differences when I was keeping 50L per fish and now 100L per fish.
That volume of water per fish is my dream!

[HappyBuddha]

I don't know why you're claiming this? But I can definitely tell the growth differences when I was keeping 50L per fish and now 100L per fish.
That volume of water per fish is my dream!

And do you have the answer as to why 100L is better for your fish compared to 50L? Magic? More "space" for your fish to roam about (I haven't seen any goldfish stupid enough to keep bumping into one another in a decent sized tank to the extend they can't move/exercise in it and so... don't pick this answer.) Or is it becoz your water quality is now twice as good/stays good twice as long?

My answer lies in a pic posted by our dear Geert on his unfiltered and relatively high stock load (relative to "madness"!!) of clear water.

[CyberET]

And do you have the answer as  to why 100L is better for your fish compared to 50L?  Magic?  More "space" for your fish to roam about (I haven't seen any goldfish stupid enough to keep bumping into one another in a decent sized tank to the extend they can't move/exercise in it and so... don't pick this answer.)  Or is it becoz your water quality is now twice as good/stays good twice as long?

My anwer lies in a pic posted by our dear Geert on his unfiltered and relatively high stock load (relative to "madness"!!) of clear water. 

jipun hee and cheena hee different neh