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Goldfish tank size

6 replies

SecretSquirrel193 · 07/05/2012 18:02

I thought I'd done ok as I bought a 45l tank with a filter for two fancy goldfish (a blackmoor and a red/black fantail) but on looking on here its too small isn't it?
How big a tank should I be looking at?

(I initally had one of those plastic bowls but realised PDQ how crap they are)

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EauRouge · 07/05/2012 18:30

Ooh, you'd be surprised. Make sure you're sitting down! For 2 fancy goldfish I'd be looking at something at least 40 gallons (180 litres). I know that sounds like an awful lot but they do grow very large and they are messy fish so they need lots of space and a really good filter.

This explains a bit more about what they need and this is a picture of how big they get (hard to imagine when they are cutesy little babies!).

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SecretSquirrel193 · 07/05/2012 18:37

Thanks :) I am guessing I need to upgrade pretty quickly and can't do it in the next couple of months :(

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EauRouge · 07/05/2012 19:13

If they are babies then they'll be OK for a few months, if you keep on top of the water changes. If budget is an issue then you could try freecycle, car boots or the local tip. Loads of people are getting rid of fish tanks and if you're not picky about it having a few scratches then there's loads of choice.

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SecretSquirrel193 · 07/05/2012 19:45

I'm doing a change weekly at the mo, and I have (I think) a good filter (is a Interpet Internal Power Filter PF2)

They are about 1.5" long at the mo. I shall keep an eye out - theres a 200l for sale for £80 on local classifieds at the mo but its a bit more then I can afford at the mo.
Is there such thing as too big for a tank?

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EauRouge · 07/05/2012 20:27

Nope, you can give them as much space as you like! The more you give them, the easier it will be to keep them healthy. 200 litres will result in 2 very happy fishies :) Does it come with a cabinet? Have a shop around, I sold my 180l a year or so ago with a filter, cabinet, lights etc and I only got £60 (was pretty miffed...) so take a look on ebay etc.

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SecretSquirrel193 · 07/05/2012 21:25

I'm not on the mainland so ebay isn't much use (I'm not on the mainland again until March which I think is too long to leave them) Don't think the 200l has a cabinet and tbh I don't know where i'd put it if it did!