Lastly, consider the price of the product compared to the quantity you receive. Check the ingredients list and do your research to ensure that it is non-toxic. When buying any form of aquarium starter, make sure it contains genuine nitrifying bacteria that are consistently reported to arrive alive. The choice depends somewhat on your personal preference, as well as what you need it to do. They come in the form of liquid bacteria in a bottle, dried-out bags or containers of bacteria, or bacterial supplements.Įach of these three types of starters accomplishes something slightly different and are the most beneficial in different kinds of tanks. There are three different types of aquarium bacteria starters. Each starter is different, so make sure that you read the instructions. They may need different-sized doses depending on the size as well, requiring more or less from the product to be effective. The size of the tank matters because certain amounts and ratios in the formula of the starter will be different if they are smaller or larger. Tank Sizeĭifferent aquarium starters are developed for different sizes of tanks. Make sure to research this before buying a product and choose based on your storage capabilities and preferences. Others have specific storage instructions to keep their internal colonies happy and healthy. This lifespan is because these starters contain live bacteria and are useless if they have “expired,” or died.įor some products, they may need to be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life. Would your goldfish be better off in a pond? Starting a pond is not for everyone, but it is a very common way to keep goldfish, particularly because they require so much space.Shelf life has been talked about in almost every one of the products covered above.Will you have enough time to dedicate to the care of your goldfish? It doesn’t take much time to perform a water change or to replace your filter media, but you also need to be available to test your tank water and to keep an eye on your fish in case they become sick.Do you want to keep any other fish or invertebrates with your goldfish? If so, you will need to do some research to make sure they are compatible.Do you want to buy everything individually or purchase a starter kit that includes the basic equipment you need?.Where are you going to put the tank? Your tank should be visible and accessible, but not in the way – you should also keep it out of direct sunlight.Below you will find a list of other things to look into while you continue your research: Keeping an aquarium is a wonderful experience, but it is also a challenge and a responsibility so you want to make sure you can handle it fully before you begin. Don’t worry! The best thing you can do is to learn as much about these fish as possible before you buy them and bring them home. This will also help for when you go out of town.Ī hood for your tank is a good idea because it will prevent your goldfish from jumping out and it will also shade their eyes from any sudden light switching on them (they don't have any eyelids so this can be stressful on them).Īfter reading this article, you may very well realize that you are not as prepared as you initially thought to start keeping goldfish. Unless you are very consistent about turning their light on and off so that they'll get about 10 hours of bright light during the day, go ahead and get a timer for the lights. Think about buying an automatic timer for your lighting because goldfish need their light to be regulated. As long as you don’t see an increase in algae bloom or the tank temperature, you can go up to 10 watts per gallon of water. The general rule of thumb is you should have 2 to 2.5 watts per gallon of water for your goldfish tank. Use your aquarium size to figure out how much wattage you need to light the tank. Florescent lighting is probably better for your goldfish tank as it won't warm the water as much. Incandescent lighting is cheaper, but it burns hotter, won't last as long, and uses more electricity. You can get either incandescent or florescent lighting. You can also see the tank's condition better as well. You probably don't need to worry about them being too cold unless you're keeping them separate from your living areas (like in a garage or basement).Ī light for the tank makes it easier to see your fish. The best temperature range for your goldfish is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. That might seem cold to you but remember, goldfish are not tropical fish. You do not need a heater for your goldfish tank as long as you can keep it at above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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