Hi there,

Glad you ask this question. (i'm refering to 10 ranchu, if 5 ranchu, space devide by 2)

For baby ranchu (present stage) they'll need a 2.5' x 5' space (approximately 1 meter square). can last till aug/sept. Then you can shift them to a 5' x 5' tank (approximately 2 meter square) This will last them the whole life time. Space is very important. Too much space, or too small space, or too little fish/too many fish... will effect their appitite therefore development. (But my recommendation just for a guideline, plus or minus a little shouldn't be a problem.) A big No-No is something like 4 fish in a 5'x5' pond.

Water level should be shallow. For Malaysia, best depth for babies is 4" (10cm) and adult is 6" (15cm).

Cement or Fibreglass tank does not make much different. Don't worry about temp fluctuation... even if you r using fibreglass tank, you can always give better shading or stick styroform on the tank's outter wall to keep temperature stable. 3 bucks a peice of 1" think styrofoam, easy-jup la...

I'd recommend using fibreglass cos it is easy to maintain. cleaning is many many many times easier then cement tank. you can flip it up and down just like a coin but you can do that with cement tank. some says cement tank buffers water hardness... but by changing 100% water 4-8 days period, you wouldn't worry about these problem anymore. Two important thing we need to plant in our mind set.. One, don't make yourself suit/work for the fish, but make the fish follow what you give/available/lifestyle. Two, keep everything as simple as possible and easy to work with. So, you'll spend more time to play with them but instead take more time to "work" for them. Think what suits you best before you think what suits the fish best. But of cos, we need to serve them in terms of feeding, water change, etc.

Location is always very important. PLace it at a place you'll get minimum good 3-4 hours or sunlight (morning sunlight is always the best). More sunlight is never a problem cos you can shade them with styrofoam, wood, etc. But you can't produce sunlight if there's not enough of it.

Our cement tank has a 2" drainage pipe at the corner with the water level slanting towards it. So, we just pull out the 2" PVC pipe and all the water will drain out from it. Our fibreglass tank has the same design. only difference is the fibreglass tank is not a permanent fixture and can shift around easily. For 100% water change, we scoop some tank water into a metal basin and put the fish in it. along with the air stone, we place it somewhere else and start draining the water and cleaning the tank. After job complete, filled the tank with new water and dechrolinate it. Place the basin back to the tank and wait till the basin's water is same with the tank's water temp. With that, you can scoop the fish one by one back to the tank. Easy. Remember, use metal basin, it is a much better conductor than plastic. If you use plastic containers... you gonna wait ages. While you wait for both water temp equals, you can enjoy the fish in the basin close up ans decide what to do next to groom it further... ain't it's nice?

If you use storage tank, make sure the water use is less then 24 hours. or else it is considered aged water... it is ok to use but fresh ones is better. Say , you plan to change water tomorrow morning; fill the storage tank only at night before the water change day. Green water or clear water... it is the matter of how heavy you feed or how much shade you put. When you got used to it, it is very easy to control. Pump some air if you have an extra hose but you do without it.

My advise is, don't rush into any quick decision... plan slowly (not too slow please,..heheh) and the fish will wait for you.

If you have the setup readied already... you can grab the baby anytime you like. Green water is for at least 2-3 months later. You'll need carpet algea around 10 days later... That will be their maindiet for the next few weeks until their colour change take place.

Hope my explaination helps.

Cheers.

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Japanese Ranchu is another ball game