Oh, and one more thing…The area should be able to tolerate a water spill. And of course, you’ll need to be close to an outlet and a source of water. In a corner or against a wall is ideal (that’s where the floor is strongest). You’ll want to make sure the surface is level to avoid placing uneven stress on the aquarium bottom. Where should you put your new aquarium? Placing it in a source of strong light-direct or indirect- can lead to algae problems and an unstable temperature. Others are open, which can allow you to stack tanks or leave them open for a minimal look. Some are cabinet-style, allowing you to store your equipment and/or filters underneath. Plus, there are different styles to choose from, depending on your preferences. A good stand will support the number of gallons you are going to have. You’ll also want to get a stand to put it on. You can do a leak test by filling the tank with water outdoors or in a garage for 24 hours as a preventative. Glass tanks can be more affordable (especially if used), but watch out for leaks. These tanks are super lightweight, strong, and don’t have a distracting trim. I like (and use) both, but I’m crazy about the Seaclear acrylic aquarium line. Check out our article on tank size to see why.Īquariums come in two main materials: Glass, or acrylic. Well, it’s not a simple black-and-white answer like you might think. So be sure to calculate the volume of water you’ll need to support the number of goldies you intend to keep. Lots of folks start out with a small tank, then realize they need to upgrade.

This means less frequent cleaning than a smaller tank (with the same number of fish). And another… and another…īigger tanks can even be easier to maintain than small ones because the larger water volume dilutes the waste products. The bigger tank you get, the more fish you can keep.Īnd trust me, you will probably fall in love with another fish. I highly recommend people get the biggest tank they can afford when they’re starting out.

Why? You’ll save time, money, and do your fish a big favor. This is probably one of THE most important things you’ll want to get right from the start.

There are a few things to consider when picking out your aquarium. Choosing Your Goldfish Tank Image Credit: panpilai paipa, Shutterstock The 7 Steps to Set Up Your Goldfish Tank 1. The best part? It’s really not that hard. I’m going to give you some pointers so you can get off to a fantastic start! So, you’re thinking about setting up a new goldfish tank? That’s great! You’ll want to make sure you do things right so you can have a happy, healthy pet.

55 gallon goldfish tank setup