Post by Allaquatica on Jan 29, 2007 18:40:49 GMT -5
One of the easiest beginner setups is a coldwater tank. The most basic being A 25 gal tank, gravel and two goldfish with a tub of fishfood and a bottle of dechlorinator. With this setup I have known one lady to have had her two goldies (a couple of fully grown comets) For over 26 years. Once every fortnight she would change 25% of the water and feed once daily, often skipping a few days a week in winter. The fish are still in great condition to this day.
Single fish can be kept in 10-15 gal tanks with this very basic setup but care must be taken to vacume gravel carefully as there is no filtration in the tank. Unfortunatly with this setup, even though there seems to be a lot of space in the tank you can only keep very few fish as waste will build up too quickly or fish will expire from lack of oxygen.
The second and most common is A setup that involves:
1x 10-20 gal tank
1x electric internal filter (preferably one with bubbler) OR air pump/box filter/airstone
several small goldfish
1x Good quality goldfish food
1X water dechlorinator/conditioner
1X syphon/gravel vacume for cleaning and waterchanging
Gravel and decoration of choice * (optional)
this setup needs basic care of 25% waterchanges (once every 3-4 days for first month) then every fortnight after tank is well established
feeding once a day (only in very tiny ammounts for first month while tank establishes)
possibly the removal of algae once a fortnight
*WARNING*
When buying a basic setup, avoid small or novelty tanks, most of these are unsuitable long term homes for fish even though they are commonly available. they are usually targeted at novice fish owners who 'dont know better' and are overly expensive. The new pet owner will then need to buy a proper setup to keep their pets alive, or fall into the trap of constantly buying replacement fish and medications, or a second tank setup which only benefits the petshop! A good setup will let you Avoid this long-term cost and heartach so be very wary!
Single fish can be kept in 10-15 gal tanks with this very basic setup but care must be taken to vacume gravel carefully as there is no filtration in the tank. Unfortunatly with this setup, even though there seems to be a lot of space in the tank you can only keep very few fish as waste will build up too quickly or fish will expire from lack of oxygen.
The second and most common is A setup that involves:
1x 10-20 gal tank
1x electric internal filter (preferably one with bubbler) OR air pump/box filter/airstone
several small goldfish
1x Good quality goldfish food
1X water dechlorinator/conditioner
1X syphon/gravel vacume for cleaning and waterchanging
Gravel and decoration of choice * (optional)
this setup needs basic care of 25% waterchanges (once every 3-4 days for first month) then every fortnight after tank is well established
feeding once a day (only in very tiny ammounts for first month while tank establishes)
possibly the removal of algae once a fortnight
*WARNING*
When buying a basic setup, avoid small or novelty tanks, most of these are unsuitable long term homes for fish even though they are commonly available. they are usually targeted at novice fish owners who 'dont know better' and are overly expensive. The new pet owner will then need to buy a proper setup to keep their pets alive, or fall into the trap of constantly buying replacement fish and medications, or a second tank setup which only benefits the petshop! A good setup will let you Avoid this long-term cost and heartach so be very wary!
