How to Prepare a Goldfish Bowl

Setting up a goldfish bowl is a cheaper alternative to having a filtered tank. Goldfish are high maintenance if kept in a simple bowl. It's important not to overfill your goldfish bowl with too many rocks and decorations. You want your fishy friend to have plenty of room to swim around. The type of water matters to the health of your goldfish as well. Having a simple routine for caring for your goldfish ensures a long, healthy life.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass fish bowl
  • Colored gravel
  • Aquarium decorations
  • Bottled water
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pour in the aquarium type gravel into the bottom of the bowl. It should be no more than one-fourth of an inch thick along the bottom of the bowl. Too much gravel can crowd the bowl. It is also a good place for goldfish feces and uneaten food to build up without you seeing it. This can cause the bowl to become dirty more quickly.

    • 2

      Add some small aquarium-safe decorations on the gravel. Artificial plants can be placed in the bowl with the base buried in the gravel to hold them in place. One or two small plants are ideal. Any more will take up too much room in the goldfish bowl and crowd your fish's swimming space. Too many items in the bowl is also a breeding ground for algae.

    • 3

      Pour bottled water into the bowl carefully. Stop two inches from the top of the bowl. This allows sufficient airflow into the goldfish's bowl. Tap water has too many chemicals in it that aren't safe for goldfish to live in. Tap water can be converted to use safely in goldfish bowls if set aside for a few days with a few drops of water conditioner. Put your arm into the bowl and straighten the gravel and decorations if needed. Pouring in water can create waves and move things around a bit.

    • 4

      Let the water in the fishbowl sit for an hour before adding your goldfish. This will allow the temperature of the water settle to room temperature. This also prevents the goldfish from being in shock from diving into water of a different temperature, which can kill the goldfish.

    • 5

      Keep clean bottled water aside ahead of time for bowl cleanings so it will be room temperature and ready to go.