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.

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.

Goldfish Basics - Choosing the Right Tank for your Goldfish

Keeping fishes at home or at work can provide a peaceful and enjoyable frame of mind for its owners. It is not a demanding hobby to have; in fact a well-maintained and attractive aquarium can be a great therapy for people who are always stressed out and fatigued. If you are planning to own a goldfish, one thing you will need to consider is the perfect habitat for your pet. To keep your goldfish bright and healthy, you should take time to shop around and inquire for the right goldfish tank.

There are several factors involved in choosing the right goldfish tank. A goldfish tank that fits the owner’s lifestyle and personality is the most important thing to keep in mind in selecting the right tank. Whether you pick a large rectangular, hexagonal or small fish bowl for your goldfish, it all really depends on you. You will be the one to maintain and take care of your pet, so the option will ultimately be yours.

Budget is the key in purchasing an aquarium for your fishes. If you have no financial restriction, the biggest and stylish tank that you can afford is favorable.

Bear in mind the location to place your fish tank. It is okay if you have a small bowl or tank that is small and easily movable. But, if you got a huge tank, transferring it can be a hassle. After you’ve selected a spot in your house for your aquarium, choosing the appropriate size and shape is the next factor to consider. For beginners or if you are restrained by space in your house, a 10-gallon tank is all right. But, if you plan to take care of several fishes or plan to add more in the future, a larger fish tank is preferable. This will allow you to make more errors and kind of get away with it in terms of over feeding, over heating, or chemical imbalance that can have a bad effect in a fish and can lead to death. Also, bigger fish tanks can provide you with more viewing space and enjoy your fish.

You also want to consider the kind of fish you want to own. In general, a fish tank can housed one-inch of fish per gallon. If you want to keep bigger or various fishes with plants and adornments, a large rectangular tank is ideal. But, if you like to own a goldfish for aesthetic purposes, then a decorative tropical aquarium is a good choice. Nowadays, there are many styles and shapes to choose from in the market to fit your personality. You can customize it according to your preference if you want to put it in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom.

In choosing the right fish tank, you may also want to decide on what material will your goldfish tank be made. Is it glass or acrylic? Glass fish tanks are less expensive but heavier and difficult to manoeuvre. This type of fish tank is held together by glass sealer, so there is a possibility that sometime in the future it may leak. But, you can fix it by putting sealer on the leaking spot if you find the spot. Acrylic aquariums are a bit expensive and will rarely develop a leak but they can be scratched. The acrylic ones are also available in various shapes and sizes and are stronger compared to glass tanks.

Once you’ve found the right tank for your goldfish, utmost goldfish care should be observed. Be sure to clean and maintain it every now and then. Whatever size and shape you have chosen for your pet is your own personal preference. You pick the fish as your pet, so it is your responsibility to find and choose a perfect home for it to live healthy and happy.

Feeding your Goldfish

A common pet to take care of is a goldfish. They are easier to maintain and are beautiful to watch. Goldfish are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plant and animal food particles. To keep them colourful, healthy and grow well, they should have a balanced diet which includes fiber-rich foods, carbohydrates, protein and necessary vitamins. Feed a good-quality food and if it is dry food, soak it in water for a few minutes to moisten it before feeding.

Goldfish have large appetites and will eat almost anything you give them, so it is with utmost care that you control the amount of food you provide them. Be careful not to overfeed them because they can actually burst and die due to overfeeding. It is better to feed them twice a day and only in as much as they can eat in 2-3 minutes. By doing this, you reduce the level of wastes in the water. There will be less uneaten food left thus minimizing frequent water change. Another thing to note about feeding your pet goldfish is that they cannot digest excess protein, so choose those which are low on protein but high in carbohydrate.

Your goldfish can be fed with a variety of foods. Different types of food in the fish’s diet will ensure that they are receiving plenty of nutrients.

Below is a list of foods you can feed your pet goldfish.

1. Manufactured food. This can be in flake or pellet form. This is the most common fish food in the market which consists of an optimal blend of ingredients that deliver superior nutrition. Flake food is fortified with natural attractants, color enhancers, and highly digestible protein sources.
2. Live food. This can be tubifex worms, brine shrimp or mosquito larvae.
3. Frozen food. The frozen food like frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex worms or mosquito larvae are easily available at many pet stores. This can have the same nutrition as that of live food but with extra protection for the goldfish because of the growing live cultures.
4. Homemade food. Also called household foods. These foods provide fresh nutrients to the goldfish. Examples are lettuce and peas which you can feed your goldfish.

Proper goldfish care should be practiced all the time. Overfeeding is probably the leading cause of death in goldfish. But if your goldfish does not eat then perhaps your pet may be ill or needs water change. If your fish lacks feeding, this could be a sign of stress. Over- or underfeeding is not good for your pet, so keep in mind to check on them to prevent any problems later on.

How to Select and Buy Goldfish

When you plan to buy a pet like a goldfish, you really want to make sure that your goldfish is healthy and attractive. Also, before you acquire your fishes, make sure that you have the right habitat for them to last long.

In buying your first goldfish, research first and determine the specific requirements for the fish that you want to own. Visit your local and reputable fish stores and inquire regarding goldfish, ways to take care of them, the right container to keep them, and prices of the different varieties available. The owner of the shop has enough knowledge of the fish that you can apply once you already have chosen your pet. If you acquire your fish in a reputable store, you are assured that you are getting a healthy fish. Ask if they give a proper fish guarantee as well. This is an advantage for you if they provide that assurance.

Select a perfect habitat or tank for your goldfish. It really depends on your personal style and preference. There are so many to choose from in the market right now. Just remember the basis rule which is for every inch of goldfish, you need one gallon of water in your tank.

Determine the kind of goldfish you want to own. There are fancy and expensive kinds that are available as well as common goldfish varieties. Due to selective breeding, it has produced different varieties of goldfish. Choosing the right goldfish to keep is somewhat difficult because of so many shapes and sizes available in the market. Be sure to ask first what varieties go together in an aquarium; otherwise, you will be wasting money in buying fishes that are mean and will eat your other varieties of goldfish. Beware of a tropical orange fish which looked like a goldfish; they are quite mean and will harass a goldfish excessively.

Select a healthy and active goldfish. Observe how the goldfish swims and responds in the tank. A fish that is slow in reacting to your poking might be sick or dying. Be sure to inspect before buying them if they have bright, clean and shiny scales and fins. Make sure that you check also the fins of the goldfish. The dorsal fin should be straight and stands up. The back of the goldfish should be smooth and not bumpy.

The care for the goldfish is very essential. After you have selected your goldfish, make sure that the store will have to put your goldfish in a well-tied plastic bag. It should be placed in a plastic bag which has enough space on top for the oxygen and the right amount of water. The bag should be not too tight so that the fish could not be hurt and not too loose to avoid any leakage of water.