How to Start a Goldfish Tank

Goldfish are one of the first fish to be kept by humans in captivity for pleasure and hobby purposes. They come in many beautiful colors that were bred into them for many centuries in China. They can grow as large as 12 inches and weigh almost 5 pounds in optimal conditions. They hold the same fascination today that they did for the emperors that cultivated them in ancient times. Today, goldfish are the most common and affordable pet fish to keep.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank
  • Gravel
  • Water preparation chemical
  • Plants and ornaments (plastic plants are fine)
  • Bacteria starter kit
  • Carbon filter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a tank that will be large enough for the number of goldfish you want to keep. A good rule of thumb is 30 square inches of surface area for every inch of fish.

    • 2

      Add a 1.5-inch layer of gravel to the bottom of the tank before adding water. Using tap water with a water preparation chemical mixed in is okay.

    • 3

      Arrange some plants and ornaments in the bottom to give the goldfish some areas to hide in and feel more comfortable. Aquarium water needs to have a level of healthy bacterial growth, so add bacteria at this point. You can buy bacteria starter kits most pet stores.

    • 4

      Attach a carbon filter to increase oxygen level of the water and keep the aquarium clean. Let the fish tank sit for one week before you add the fish to distill the water, insure proper bacterial growth and to allow the water to reach room temperature.

    • 5

      Add the fish to the tank by floating the bag of fish on the surface of the water for 30 minutes. Open the bag and add one cup of tank water to the bag and wait 15 minutes. Add one more cup of water to the bag and wait 15 more minutes. Repeat this procedure three more times or five times in total before dumping the fish into the tank to acclimatize them to the new chemical conditions. Their transition from pet store to your home is now complete.