Goldfish can be easy and fun to take care of if you know the proper way to do it. Below you will find step by step directions for setting up a goldfish bowl.
1. Purchase all supplies needed, including a large goldfish bowl, gravel or rocks, water conditioner/dechlorinator, goldfish food and a small net. Additional recommended supplies are a small hiding place or plants, an air stone, air tubing and air pump.
2. Thoroughly rinse bowl, gravel, plants and decorations and place in bowl.
3. Fill with room temperature tap water.
4. Add water conditioner/dechlorinator as per directions on the bottle. This takes hard metals, chlorine and other harmful chemicals out of the water. It also adds a conditioner that helps reduce stress on the fish.
5. Connect air stone and place in the back of the bowl just above the gravel. Plug in air pump to begin circulation of water. This will help keep the water oxygenated and help to prevent the growth of algae.
6. Wait 24 hours before purchasing your goldfish to ensure optimal water quality. Many pet stores will perform a free water test to make sure the water is safe.
7. Take home your new goldfish immediately after purchasing and allow the bag the goldfish is in to float in the goldfish bowl for 15 minutes. This will help acclimate the fish to the water temperature of the bowl.
8. Scoop the fish out of the bag with the small net. Never use your hands and avoid putting the water from the bag into your bowl.
Clean your goldfish bowl once every week. Waiting longer than that can cause the ammonia in the water to reach dangerous levels. Do not overfeed your fish as this can also cause ammonia to rise and algae to form. Feed only what the fish can consume in 5 minutes one time per day. Your goldfish can live happily alone for its life, but if you do decide to introduce another fish, use this rule: one gallon of water for every inch of fish. If you follow the above rules you can enjoy a clean bowl and a happy, healthy goldfish for years to come.
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