I have been given a tank,its 20 inches long and 13inches high with a plastic top with alight (which don't work)i had a aquarium years ago like 30 plus.

All i want to put in is goldfish nothing that needs loads of care,i was going to put gravel in it and a little stuff to make it look nice but the question is.

Do i need a pump being goldfish and can i just use normal tap water and leave it settle and how about a heater for the water.

Sorry for being a bit thick on this but aint dealt with fish for ages.

One or two goldfish will be fine in a tank of that size. You should never use plain tap water for fish of any kind. Putting in some oxygenating plants and possibly a small flual type filter will help keep the water clear. If you put a heater in they may grow bigger and faster but it will also shorten thier lives. Change no-more than a 1/3 of the tank per week on any one water change, put the water in a bucket and allow the chill to go off it for a few hours before adding. Hope that helps. Ive had goldfish right up to Discus as per my avatar, yes that was one of mine. 

 

good Luck.

Agree with @JImpster definitely need a filter, goldfish are notorious poopers! 

Ideally you would want to get the tank and filter through the nitrate/nitrite cycle first, well you do with more sensitive fish anyway. 

If you've done that, with water changes I leave the fresh water in a bucket with a small recirculating pump in it overnight to get it up to room temperature. Alternatively/as well you can add treatment to it to get rid of the chlorine.

 

Disclaimer: I have never kept goldfish but have had a few tanks with tropicals over the years and now have a couple of non-heated tanks including one with about 15 white cloud mountain minnows which I have managed to bring on from spawning. 

Thanks for the advice,just filled it full of water just to test for leaks and all fine.

I will get some gravel and some plants from our local shop,i have also seen online a colour bubble light like a round thing so fits in the bottom with LED lights and gives out bubbles.

Because i have had it given me i dont want to spend over the top on stuff but then again want to do it right as i don't want to kill them and would get about 3 or 4 .

So you can still get the tablets to make the water better stil,get some of them as well.

This is the stuff I use, just measure the amount you need.

Personally I would think 2 fish would be enough for a tank that size as any more would start to be overcrowded when they start to grow. 

9 hours ago, Turvey said:

This is the stuff I use, just measure the amount you need.

Personally I would think 2 fish would be enough for a tank that size as any more would start to be overcrowded when they start to grow. 

Great will get some of that,cheers.

I think heater wont be needed and do use a tap water conditioner before placing the fish rest is all upto you for decoration purposes, like hydra or any aquatic plants to replace a water filter