How can I set up a goldfish tank quickly?

Question

I'm becoming a fish owner on Friday. I'll have 2 goldfish and a sucker fish that have been living together. I have a 46 gallon tank but its currently empty. I don't really have any options as far as time I'll be getting them and everything I'm reading online says the tank needs to be going for a month prior to adding fish. Since that isn't an option is there a way to safely get them set up and going by Friday afternoon? 

I'm new to fish and wanting to do things the right way even though its rather short notice.

fish man+ · Accepted Answer

If you have no time to cycle the tank, get Safe Start. It will instantly cycle the tank and it will make it ready for the fish. Look for it online or at a fish or pet store. 

Heres a link

http://www.aquariumplants.com/SAFESTART_instant_tank_cycler_replacement_for_Ma_p/tet-01.htm

If you can not get this product in time( by store or online), pet stores sell bacterial supplements that won't cycle the tank, but will help keep the fish alive and help the cycling process. A good product I have tried is called Cycle.

Hope this helps!!

P.S. You will also need to do a water change every other day when cycling with fish( except with Safe Start).

Anonymous · Answer

Ideally you should have been cycling your tank 4-5 weeks prior to obtaining fish. Set it up immediately and toss in some fish food to start the cycle. 

If you know someone with an established tank (disease free) you could take a cupful of gravel or some of their filter media to seed your tank. If that is not an option, you will need to purchase a test kit (which you should do anyway) and monitor your water, especially for ammonia, and nitrites.

Please don't keep an algae eater with goldfish. See if you can take either or, but not both. It would be best for the algae eater to go to a tropical tank and the goldfish to a coldwater tank.

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How can I set up a goldfish tank quickly?

2 Answers