Considering A Goldfish Tank...

[nessar]

Well, I have been offered a tank, unsure of exact measurements but they believe it to about 120 litres.

When I was younger I had goldfish, and to be honest I find them more interesting than their tropical counterparts, which I have a few of in a 60 litre now. I think its the flowy fins and the wiggling way they swim

The plan is (maybe) to buy 2 small goldfish, put them in and watch them grow to their full size. I was thinking a pearlscales and maybe a moor or fantail.

So could I realistically do this with a tank that size? And could I have a small shoal of mountain minnows or something as well in there? It will look rather empty at first!

Also the temperature in my house drops and rises a lot, as it heats up very fast but cools fast too (probably rises about 10c in 1 hour when the heating is on, then takes 2 hours to cool back down again). This obviously isnt ideal for the fish. But I would get the heater with this tank, so could I just set it to 20c or 22c so the temperature is more steady?

 

[Noahs ark6]

Goldfish are very good fish. I got one and it is realy cool. U would definately need a heater. Just get a common goldfish with the big tails.

 

[the biffster]

you don't need a heater for gold fish
the only advice i give on gold fish is
get the biggest tank and filter you can
afford

 

[seffieuk]

I too love Goldfish but have stayed clear of them as many need very large tanks, they are a coldwater species, so I assume the water fluctuation will not cause them too much of a problem (however check with someone who actually knows about the type you want to keep). And I am sure you know they don't require a heater

There is a really good link somewhere about the different types of goldfish, how big they grow and their requirements

Take a look at the top of the forum, think it might be up there:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/45-goldfish-and-koi/

I have a feeling that The Wolf wrote a really good piece about goldfish - but I could be mistaken about the author ...... oh heck, why can't I remember!!!!

Seffie x

 

[nessar]

yeah I've read that piece and it says minimum 20 gallons for one, then 10 for each one after, which the tank will roughly be. But the minimum for a betta, say, is 1 gallon, yet I wouldn't keep it in something that small personally. Just wondering if the same applies to goldfish - is that a good tank size to have for 2 fancy goldfish, or simply the bare minimum 'your fish wil survive, not thrive' situation.

Also is that just for swimming room, in which case I could have a small shoal of minnows, or is it because they're so poopy?

i just thought as well, would an upstairs flat's floor be able to withstand the weight of a 30 gallon tank? what is the maximum a normal upstairs floor will hold?

I know the heater is not needed for heat, but I was wondering whether it would make it more comfortable for them to be at a more stable but still low temperature (if it was set at say 18 or 20 degrees) than to fluctuate so wildly, the temperature in my house on a chart would make a steep zigzag shape with 3 high points, if that makes sense? Not like a normal day with a gradual rise and fall.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

As for upstairs weight; I have a 2 x approximate 15 gallon tanks (one is larger slightly and the other slightly smaller) - anyway point is; I have the 2 tanks stood on top of fairly heavy cabinets; so it it will support them I'd imagine it would support the bigger tank.

I think the size tank for goldfish is because they are so messy (I've had golfish for years and TBH not noticed them to be any messier than any of my other fish) - except for maybe my common pleco. My fish are in a smaller tank than they "should" be in; but they seem to be thriving; 9 years old and counting. All but 2 are full size as well (one has a tumour which stunted it's growth); the other is an inch or so smaller than the rest. I introduced 4 babies last year and they are a huge size already.

 

[nessar]

Your goldfish got to full size in a 15 gallon?

So do you think I could maybe get 3 and some minnows in a 30 gallon and they'd be happy? I could always move the minnows to my tropical when the goldfish got bigger.

 

[nurglespuss]

The goldfish might try and casually eat the minnows once they atart growing

Yeah all goldfish will attain a good size, no matter the aquarium. Some are slower growing than others, and the fancy varities often don't get as large, but do get very bulky (a bit like a lion-fish).

You could try bitterlings, or a big shoal of whiteclouds ?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Your goldfish got to full size in a 15 gallon?

/quote]

No sorry. The goldies are in a bigger tank. I was using my 15 gallons as examples for the weight (sorry for the confusion).

 

[nessar]

If you dont mind me asking, what size are they in, and how many in each tank? You can PM me instead if you like, i know some people can get angry

had a look at bitterlings and tbh they dont take my fancy, look a bit like tetras.

I'm loving the celestial goldfish but from the temop range in the pinned section it looks like they would be better off in a tropical tank!

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I've PM-ed you

 

[Skins]

Hello,
I currently have 3 fantails and 1 oranda in a fluval roma 125Ltr aquarium. As one of the other members mentioned they are dirty fish so good filteration is called for, I currently use the fluval 205 external which seems to handle things ok. I also use a heater(22c) simply because room temp can get rather low in winter months.

Skins.

 

[nessar]

Hello,
I currently have 3 fantails and 1 oranda in a fluval roma 125Ltr aquarium. As one of the other members mentioned they are dirty fish so good filteration is called for, I currently use the fluval 205 external which seems to handle things ok. I also use a heater(22c) simply because room temp can get rather low in winter months.

Skins.

Ahh so you have more than the reccommended amount of fish in there. Are they full grown? And do you have to do more water changes with it being overstocked? Any other problems? Thankyouuuuu

 

[Skins]

Hello,
I currently have 3 fantails and 1 oranda in a fluval roma 125Ltr aquarium. As one of the other members mentioned they are dirty fish so good filteration is called for, I currently use the fluval 205 external which seems to handle things ok. I also use a heater(22c) simply because room temp can get rather low in winter months.

Skins.

Ahh so you have more than the reccommended amount of fish in there. Are they full grown? And do you have to do more water changes with it being overstocked? Any other problems? Thankyouuuuu

They are still very young the largest being about 3 inches. I do a 30% water change + good gravel clean every week. As they get older you could proberly say its over stocked but, long as you have good filteration and perform reg water parameter checks along with water changes then they will be fine.
I think they are great looking fish.

Skins.

 

[katfemme89]

I have 8 comets and 2 minnows in a 55 gallon. I plan on building a pond for them soon--at what point do you think they will need it? I have had them for about a year and they are about 5 to 6 inches long. At what age and what length do you think I should move them into a pond? And what size should the pond be?

Also I noticed them to be very "poopy" as well, but when I reduced how much I fed them (one pond pellet per fish per day) the poop quickly waned. now my filters take a lot longer to get clogged and my gravel is always relatively debris-free.