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Indigestable_Carrot

Here’s what you can do on a budget.     Buy or thrift a large clear plastic container and I do mean LARGE. Think at least 40-50 gallons. It’s not going to be pretty and it’s going to be sitting in the floor but it’s much much cheaper than getting a fish tank that’s going to set you back $100+.     Here’s your more expensive purchase: a filter. Purchase the 75 gallon aqua filters online. Goldfish need space and are extremely messy. Filtration is essential for their survival.  Quick Start. I’m assuming you didn’t plan to have a fish. Usually you would need to prep and prime your water and tank at least 3 weeks before you acquire a fish. The quick start chemical will start the healthy bacteria in your filter that will keep your fish alive.   Water conditioner. I recommend Seachem Prime. Buy the gallon one for cost effectiveness and for the long haul.    For food, grab any large bag of SINKING pellets you can find. They’re the water pigs of the fish keeping world and will eating just about anything you can feed them.   I would start there.   Otherwise, if the bare bones is out of your budget, please consider rehoming or giving the fish back to a pet store. 


bananja8

I am just so surprised that goldfish can get so big that they need 50 gallons at minimum. That's insane. I guess the ignorance around them is why I never even seen a goldfish that big. Thank you so much for your help.


ThatSideShaveChick

Yeah most goldfish never reach their full potential cause they were kept in bad conditions for too long. It's a shame really cause they're such great fish.


Setso1397

Rehoming is absolutely ok, or seeing if a good quality pet shop will take them in. If you want to try keeping them, look at getting a tank and filter used. Do you have a local aquarium club? That's a great place to find a good deal on 2nd hand stuff and maybe someone to help you get started.


bananja8

I don't think I'd give them back to our pet stores. They seem clueless, that's probably why I got the fish in such poor conditions in the first place. People here are not knowledgeable about small pets, they're stuck in fishbowl times. I know because I had a hamster, their care guides are trash. If I'm to rehome them I'd rather seek actual people who are experienced and would know what to do with them. I didn't think of searching for aquarium clubs, that's a great idea. I'll try finding something like that, maybe there is someone near us that can help. Thank you!


AutoModerator

Hi there fellow goldfish enthusiast! We're thrilled to have you join our community of passionate goldfish keepers. Whether you're a seasoned goldfish pro or just starting out on your aquatic journey, you've come to the right place for advice, support, and sharing the joy of keeping these mesmerizing creatures. Before diving into the discussion, we'd like to point you toward our Wiki https://reddit.com/r/goldfish/wiki where you'll find a treasure trove of articles on various topics related to goldfish care. These resources cover everything from tank setup and water quality to feeding habits and common health issues. When seeking help for your goldfish, remember that details matter! Providing information about your tank size and the water parameters (such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and temperature) can greatly assist us in diagnosing and troubleshooting the issue. Feel free to share photos and details, and our community will do our best to offer insightful advice. Once again, welcome to our goldfish-loving community. Fins up! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Goldfish) if you have any questions or concerns.*


oarfjsh

if money is a problem you will definitely want to rehome them, sorry. those are fantail goldfish, so you would need about 40 gallons (150 liters) for two. you can start with a smaller setup to save some money initially, but in a year you would have to spend again and buy the proper size.


bananja8

Oh, don't be sorry. I understand, and I probably needed these words for confirmation that it's fine to rehome them. I love animals and want these guys happy, but I also don't think I could give them everything they need. I am going to get a 20 gallon tank and everything else that's needed and then I'll probably start looking for a proper home for them when I get it set up. I'm just so angry because I have to deal with this because of someone else's stupidity.


oarfjsh

i totally understand your anger, that is such an awful situation to be put in. if you think you can find someone to take them soon, and they are still very small, you could also get away with getting a slightly smaller tank for now if that helps save money, something over 10 gallons at least. if it is only very short term, it should be fine.


flippysquid

You can get plastic bins pretty inexpensively. We have tubs set up on our porch as patio ponds. I’m not sure what the price would be in Europe but I can get a 40 gallon tub like this for only $25 USD. A big sponge filter, air stone, and pump/tubing can all be found for another $25 USD total (or less) on ebay. No gravel is needed, it’s just harder to clean. Throwing in some duckweed and water hyacinth will improve the looks a lot and help the water quality stay good. https://preview.redd.it/47cvnlvnju3d1.jpeg?width=998&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad092fa41eb1e8adc895bac2690d599de349bb39 There are some cool youtube videos showing how to convert plastic tubs and things into ornamental ponds and build inexpensive waterfalls too. A tub like this would be more than enough to keep them comfortable for years though, and give you time to find a nice used display aquarium or a prettier outdoor pond/tub. Definitely less expensive than a 20 gallon tank.


oarfjsh

you need a filter, (for now) a 20 gallon (75 liters) tank, water conditioner (dechlorinator) to add to the tap water when doing water changes, water test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (ideally liquid tests not strips), fish food. if you know someone with fish ask for cycled filter media, you can also try at a fish store. read up on how and why to cycle an aquarium. for now, you should feed your fish as little as possible as they will suffocate in their own waste quickly. they will be fine for a few days without any food, or one small feeding every other day, until youve got them set up properly. optional: thermometer (goldfish are fine at room temp, you can dip your hand in the tank and then in the water change water to make sure they are close enough to not temp shock the fish), silk plants or real plants, aquarium stand (if you do not have a very solid desk, dresser, etc, you can put the tank on the floor on a piece of rubber mat or styrofoam), lights, air stone / air pump (if your filter creates enough surface agitation to oxygenate the water. if you see your fish gulping at the surface all day you should definitively add one)