Fancy GoldFish Tank Ornaments and Accessories for your Aquarium

AQUARIUM HOOD
A tight-fitting hood is also a great addition in setting up a goldfish aquarium. There is a convenient “all-in-one” hood that’s available in the market which holds both your lighting and filtration system needs.  This will also prevent your goldfish from jumping out as well as prevent dust and dirt from falling into the tank.

AQUARIUM BACKGROUNDS
Backgrounds are pretty additions to the tank. These are either made of plastic or paper material with attractive and colorful images that are placed at the back portion of the aquarium.

OTHER ORNAMENTS
Other ornaments such as castles, ships, caves or even volcanoes can make even the simplest aquarium into a striking display tank. These ornaments are available in various materials such as resin, ceramic, plastic, rock or wood. They provide security for smaller fishes from the bigger ones. They also offer a place to stay and play.

The decorations and accessories you placed in your fish tanks are not only there for aesthetic purpose. They have also some functional benefits to your goldfish.  Try to keep the aquarium as your goldfish’s natural habitat as possible.

What you put to enhance the look of your aquarium is your own preference. Use caution when choosing and purchasing aquarium accessories and ornaments. They should not only be attractive; they should also be safe to your goldfish.

Tank Accessories and Ornaments for Goldfish Aquarium

Adding some accessories and ornaments will add zest to your aquarium. There are several varieties of ornaments to adorn your aquarium. It solely depends on the owner’s style and personality. These are added to enhance the overall appearance of your goldfish tank. Also, make sure that the decorations or accessories you put in your aquarium are nontoxic. If in doubt of the safety of any decorations you put in your fish tank, buy them in reputable aquarium or fish shops.

GRAVEL
Use medium-sized gravel as your tank flooring. Be sure to clean the gravel before use with hot water. Be sure that the gravel is not too sharp or pointed. Keep the gravel in the aquariums at most one-fourth inch thick.

PLANTS
Use artificial plants instead of live ones. Plastic plants work better in aquariums, as they tend to be scavengers and dig up plants. If you are planning to place live plants, you can use low growing plants and tough, hardy plant species like Java moss and fern. Plastic plants for aquariums are available in different sizes, colors and shapes.

ROCKS
Fishes like places to hide like rocks. Add rocks of different sizes, shapes and colors. Do not put those with sharp or pointed edges. Avoid getting rocks just from your garden as they may contain pesticides, chemicals, or toxic minerals which are harmful to the goldfish. Arrange them in strategic portions of the fish tank and make sure not to overcrowd the tank with them.

PLASTIC DRIFT WOOD
Placing plastic drift wood in your fish tank will provide a resting and hiding places for your goldfish.

Setting up Aquarium Equipment for Goldfish Aquarium

Setting up an aquarium is not that hard as long as you have the right tank and certain basic equipment to go with it. If you want your goldfish to survive in their new habitat, you must provide your fish with some essential aquarium equipment, too.

HEATERS
Keeping the water temperature steady all year round is very important for your goldfish. Goldfish are more active when the temperature remains near 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything cooler than 68 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of time will eventually kill them. Be sure that you choose an aquarium heater that matched your goldfish tank. If you get a heater with too low voltage, it will not substantiate your large tank. An aquarium heater with very high voltage will only take the life of your goldfish. Do not hesitate to visit and ask your local fish store regarding the right heater for your aquarium.

LIGHTS
Goldfish require a daily dose of 4-10 hours of lighting. A well-illuminated aquarium allows better viewing and highlights the color of your fishes. Turn off the lights during night time as goldfish rest and sleep too. There are several types of aquarium light fixtures available such as striplights, full hood and canopy lights.
Get fluorescent light instead of incandescent ones because these give off less heat, produce more light per watt, and are more energy efficient.

FILTERS
An efficient water filtration system is the most necessary component for any aquarium. Goldfish do not have a stomach, so they produce a large amount of wastes through their gills and feces. Without a filter all the wastes and bacteria in the tank will build up and make it hard for the goldfish to breath. Filters come in various brands and types. Select a full-size canister filter or a hang on filter for your aquarium. If your tank is larger than a 10-gallon, investing in an undergravel system with powerheads is a good buy. Installing an outside filter (which makes use of fibrous material and activated carbon to purify the water) is a plus. Make sure that the filter will not produce excessive current in the tank for this will make it tough for the goldfish to swim. To maintain its proper functioning, clean or change filters every month.

WATER SIPHON HOSE
An aquarium siphon hose is also helpful in your scheduled water change to keep the fish healthy. The hose will suck the water out of the tank and remove wastes.

Owning a goldfish is a big responsibility. You can not leave the fish to live and grow healthy on his own. Providing your fish with a right tank is not good enough. You must be able to clean and maintain his environment by giving him at least the basic aquarium equipment for his survival and development.

Factors to consider before purchasing Goldfish tank

Factors to consider before purchasing a goldfish tank is the number of fish you want to own. Remember that to maintain a healthy school of goldfish, you will need a large tank. A large tank means more water, and more water will help dilute and lower the concentration of wastes that can harm the fishes. For starters, it is generally recommended to invest in a 10-gallon rectangular tank if you have some money to spare because it is best suited for goldfish. As you go on, getting a 20-gallon rectangular tank is a good investment. It is more expensive, but you’ll really make the goldfish happy and comfortable. Keep in mind that in goldfish care, a fish tank can hold one-inch of goldfish per gallon of water.

It is also very important to locate the desired and available spot for your goldfish aquarium. Choose a location that is not near the door or window and not exposed to heat, direct sunlight or cold drafts. This can make or break the fish tank you’ve chosen or purchased. It is all right if the tank you’ve purchased fits perfectly to your chosen spot. What if it’s too large or too small? Or even exposed to direct sunlight or cold draft? It will really be a dilemma forcing you to buy a new one or finding the next best site for your aquarium.

The life of your goldfish depends on the space and surface area of his habitat. Of course, larger fish tanks are highly recommended for the many benefits they can give for the owners and the fishes as well. Smaller fish tanks involve frequent water changes and demanding maintenance of water parameters. The most important thing is to look after the goldfish–keep the aquarium clean and make their environment a happy and comfortable place to live in.

What should be the Tank Size for Goldfish Aquarium

Before buying an aquarium for your goldfish, careful considerations must be observed. The goldfish is one of the very attractive and most commonly kept fishes in aquariums. They are easy to care for and deserve a safe, healthy and comfortable habitat. There are various fish tank sizes available in the market these days. It is very essential to choose the right tank for your goldfish for them to grow well and live longer. Before buying a fish tank, it is very important to research some basic information on setting up a goldfish aquarium.

Goldfish requires a fish tank that can provide the largest possible surface area and less depth for oxygen exchange, so they should never be kept in a goldfish bowl or smaller containers. Actually, for every inch of fish length, you will need 30 square inches for the surface area. But, remember that these fishes also grow, and they have the potential to grow quickly, so this should be taken into account in selecting the right size for their home. If you are only a beginner or a fishbowl is your only option, make sure that it is only filled halfway. You may have less water, but the surface area is not compromised and allows more oxygen for the fish.

List of items for cleaning your Goldfish Aquarium

Here’s what you will need for cleaning your aquarium:

ALGAE SCRAPER/PAD
There are several kinds of aquarium algae scrapers available in aquarium supplies or fish shops. There are long-handled scrapers and even magnetic scrapers to clean unwanted algae inside of the fish tanks. Others preferred to use a flannel or soft cotton cloth for it will not scratched the aquarium glass. A magnetic aquarium scrubber is also one of the favorites to use because it scrubs the entire inside surface of your aquarium without getting your arms wet.  It also makes cleaning quick and easy, keeping your aquarium spotless. For stubborn dirt and residue on the glass, use a razor blade to scrape it off. If you have an acrylic fish tank, utilize a plastic razor blade to avoid scratches.

BLEACH
A big no-no in aquarium maintenance is the use of soaps or detergents in cleaning the fish tank as well as its equipment, ornaments and accessories. Prepare a 10% bleach solution to soak your aquarium paraphernalia and leave them there for 15 minutes. Scrub the remaining residue off, rinse with running water and let it dry to eliminate residual bleach.

If you use live plants in your aquarium, soak the plants in a 5% bleach solution for two to three minutes. Make sure that they are rinsed well before putting them back in your aquarium.

BUCKET
Buy a new bucket which will be used solely during your aquarium cleaning session. Other buckets which you have already used may contain residual detergent or harmful chemicals which can contaminate your aquarium water.

WATER SIPHON
There are various types of siphons available in the market. Water siphons clean the gravel by vacuuming debris from your tank. This can also be used to transfer water from bucket to your tank.

LIME REMOVER/GLASS CLEANER
Clean also the outside portion of the fish tank as well as the hood, light and tank top. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners as they may harm your fish. You can use vinegar or alcohol to clean your aquarium or buy specifically-made aquarium cleaners from your local fish or pet store.

FILTER MEDIA
Clean or better yet replace the filter media to be sure that your filtration system will work efficiently. But, do not clean your filter on the same day you clean your aquarium. Wait at least two weeks for you will significantly disturb the aquarium’s balance. Filter media containing carbon, ammonia absorbers or ion-exchange resins should be replaced if it’s more than three weeks old. Clean also the filter tubing and other parts of the filter system.

FILTER BRUSH
Clean also the filter tubing and other parts of the filter system. A filter brush which you can get from your fish or pet store can help clear out the build-up sludge in all small crevices.

OLD BATH AND PAPER TOWELS
Use clean towels to wipe excess water and other cleaning products before returning back your aquarium’s equipment and accessories. This will prevent any type of accidental contamination.

How to Clean Your Aquarium

Proper and regular cleaning of your aquarium is very essential to make sure that your fish will live long and healthy. There are fish keepers who are very meticulous and want to make their fish tank as clean and clear as possible. But, did you know that frequent and too much cleaning can also endanger the lives of your goldfish.

The most important thing to remember in cleaning your aquarium is to not overdo it. Of course, regular water changes are essential as too much ammonia due to accumulated uneaten food and fish wastes will rapidly reach a dangerous level for your fish.

When cleaning your aquarium, remove only about one-third of the water and replace it with fresh, dechlorinated tap water. Smaller containers or fish bowls require larger water changes more often. It is not recommended to empty your fish tank as your goldfish will lose all the beneficial bacteria produced in the aquarium. Use a water siphon to suck debris