Setting up a new tank (need tips)
 

I am setting up a new tank for my goldfish (I only have one) I'm going to get a ten gallon with a (normal?) filter. Not under gravel filter. My question is mainly how long should I let the tank sit before adding the fish? Do I just need to wait until the water is room temp or wait for a day? two days? I'm a noob so I have no idea what I'm doing.

Thanks!

Kender

PS: I know the tank is too small but it's the biggest I'm allowed to get.

You need to let the tank cycle completely. How long that will take has to do with a lot of factors.

Here are two articles on cycling a tank:

http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=343

http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3738

why dont u see if your lfs(local fish store) will take your gold fish back then u should get five zebra danios 5 kuhli loaches and a dwarf gourami [ make shore your tank is cycled]

How long does fish cycling take? What kind of fish should I use?

i would use 3 or 4 feeder guppies Mine made it through the cycle.
It should take about 2 to 4 weeks but theres no way to tell when its over unless u test the water for nitrites and ammonia. Your lfs should have test kits
i would recommend getting a liquid test kit not the strips

This goldfish is currently in a really tiny tank- so it's better to put the goldfish in the 10G tank and cycle with that. There's already a huge ammonia concentration in the small tank so the 10G will be an upgrade even if it is cycling.

oh yea didnt think of that