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

[CP]

For bio tank maybe you shd caution them not to add too many fish at the initial stage (common begineer mistake) until the tank is cycled say after 2 months to prevent the "new tank syndrome".

[steffie]

May I say for the feeding, feed the goldfish more veggies (like peas, bananas, spinach, frozen bloodworm, etc) instead of dry food. It's good for them, but don't give them mushroom. mushroom is a no no. However, Hikari brand is good

You could also make gel food to feed them.

[steffie]

For water change,

change water 10% - 20% everyweek is good.

Don't forget dechlorinate the water.

As for me, I change the water every other day



o o I forgot, they should cycled the tank first before have goldfish inside the tank.
Until the perimeter is fine, then they can add goldfish.

During cycling time, they can have danios inside the tank, danios helps cycling your tank.

I have 12 danios in my tank during cycling, it lasted 3-4weeks for the tank to cycle.

That's what I learnt

[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.

[HappyBuddha]

For water change,

change water 10% - 20% everyweek is good.

Don't forget dechlorinate the water.

Here we advocate massive water change at least once a week, and by massive I mean 100% everytime. Although your method seemingly equals to 70% (10% x 7 days) per week, the comparison is flawed as nitrate accumulates linearly. Having a large amount of water is also able to buffer the deterioting water before requiring complete change; makes life easier.

[top_view_ranchu]

Here we advocate massive water change at least once a week, and by massive I mean 100% everytime.  Although your method seemingly equals to 70% (10% x 7 days) per week, the comparison is flawed as nitrate accumulates linearly.  Having a large amount of water is also able to buffer the deterioting water before requiring complete change; makes life easier.

Hi Founder,
Life is not easy doing 100% water change! I don't agree
You sud see me with my wet underwear when I do 100% change for 4 tub every 5 days!

[HappyBuddha]

Hi Founder,
Life is not easy doing 100% water change! I don't agree
You sud see me with my wet underwear when I do 100% change for 4 tub every 5 days! 

I don't believe and you'll have to send in a pic of you after water change to show me how wet the undies are.

I change more water then you without breaking out much sweat. It's all depends on how you setup the container.

Changing water is a lot easier compared to nursing sick fish back to health.

[top_view_ranchu]

I don't believe and you'll have to send in a pic of you after water change to show me how wet the undies are.

I change more water then you without breaking out much sweat.  It's all depends on how you setup the container.

Changing water is a lot easier compared to nursing sick fish back to health.

I'll request my wife to take pics of me in my wet underwear, on my next water change! That is if I don't get ban from keeping goldfish after that! Will keep you updated!

You know hor, I even use a metal tea spoon to scrape off stubborn stain leh....and that is usually under hot sun hor...

[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

[desireless]

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

Aiyah... You of course lah!

But most newbies start with very small tank. More commonly with a 2ft tank. So they do not understand the concept of overstocking. And because most keep g/f indoor, they are quite unwilling to start with bigger tank. Recently, got one newbie over at "that the other forum" keeps 7 fishes (some very good ones) in a 2-ft tank.

I believe the FAQ serve as something with higher requirement to build up their initial hobby discipline. Once they got a hang of it, they should be able to adjust when they upgrade.