Air Pumps And Other Stuff

[contrarymary]

hi, I'm new here and would appreciate some advice please;

my mam bought the kids a little fish tank with a dinky little filter and gave them 3 of her baby goldfish. This has sat in the kitchen for a few years, the kids feed the fish and I clean it out every now and again when we can no longer see the fish for green algae

The fish have got bigger and the tank gets dirty much more often, it's time I looked in to this and did it properly- feeling a bit sorry for them! There seems to be a lot of information on here which I will read but wondered if you could give me some advice;

Im thinking we need a bigger tank with a more powerful filter system. I was looking at tanks around 60litres/ 50cm ish x 30cm ish- does that sound about right for 3 goldfish? Im very skint at the moment so can you tell me a good quality but no frills filter system. Also, do I need an air-pump? Finally, I want to put some plants in the tank- is moss good, I need low maintenance prefeably- do the fish appreciate the plants or is it just asthetic? What about snails?

Ummm...thats all I can think of for now
Thanks for reading

 

[Aqua Tom]

Goldfish are a species of carp & grow very very big. 60 litres is far too small for 3 of them.

Tom

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Common Goldfish:
40 gallons (48 US gallons, 180 litres) for the first fish with an extra 12 gallons (14 US gallons, 55 litres) for each extra fish. The tank needs to have a minimum length of 4 feet (120cm) to allow swimming room. Single tail goldfish are more suited to a pond when they are near full size to give them swimming room.

Fancy Goldfish:
30 gallons (36 US gallons, 140 litres) for the first fish with an extra 10 gallons (12 US gallons, 45 litres) for each extra fish. The tank needs to have a minimum length of 3 feet to allow swimming room.

 

[contrarymary]

thanks for the replies

wow! I had no idea they needed so much room..how come so many people keep them in little tanks then? Ive read that it prevents their bodies growing but the internal organs continue to grow???! yeuck! they seem to do alright though?

Ive been reading a little since I first posted and I was getting the idea that you shouldnt keep goldfish in small tanks..getting quite excited about having an excuse to buy a big tank and do it 'properly' now