Keeping a Gold Fish Tank is Easy
If you’re thinking of keeping a gold fish tank, there are a few basic rules you need to know to make sure you get the most out of your new pets and so your fish friends get the most out of their gold fish tank home.
First, if you plan to keep more than a handful of gold fish, you are going to need a large gold fish tank. Though a small fishbowl can play home to a pair of fish, the general rule is that one goldfish requires at least a 5 to 10 gallon tank. Gold fish tank sizes range anywhere from 5 to 50 gallons or more, and prices will vary depending on size, whether you choose glass or acrylic, etc.
Most packages come with the required filtration devices, and gold fish can survive in water temperatures from 78 degrees to very cold waters, so a heater is generally not necessary, regular room temperature will do just fine for the water in your gold fish tank.
You will want to make the gold fish tank hospitable to the gold fish, so find nice rocks, plants and accessories for them to enjoy and to add to the beauty of your tank. All accessories, including the rocks, should be washed in water before they are placed into the tank. You will need to test the water when you first put it in the tank and you’ll have to purchase a test kit to make sure the oxygen, nitrate and other chemical balances are in line.
Picking the Right Fish for Your Gold Fish Tank
Now that you’ve found the right gold fish tank, you need to find the right gold fish to fill it. When selecting a gold fish, make sure to examine the look of the fish in the store. If the fins are down and not erect, it could indicate that the fish is stressed. Also, if you see a gold fish that has foggy eyes, discoloration or other maladies, you want to pick a different one. Gold fish are not just gold, and come in many sizes, shapes and colors. Most gold fish will grow up to 5 to 8 inches in length, and they love company.
So now you’ve got the gold fish and you’ve got your gold fish tank and you’re well on your way to becoming an aquarium enthusiast. Aquariums and a good gold fish tank can provide hours of enjoyment, and an aquarium can round out a room, providing not only a great hobby, but an aesthetic boost to your home as well.