Rate my goldfish tank setup! And what would be the best tank mates?

[Brickosaurus]

Stunting has more to do with lack of enough and large enough partial water changes, than actual tank size.
Of course metabolic waste like nitrate, and other organic compounds builds up faater in a small tank, turning tank water into an organic hormonal soup which hastens stunting , but that can be mitigated by large frequent water changes.
In a 10 gal tank, 50% every other day water changes for gold fish is not overdoing it.

That would make sense, because about a year ago I had to deal with an ammonia spike (one of my fish even got some ammonia burns)

I was able to do enough water changes to save the fish. And thankfully the burns went away. I need to be more diligent to make sure that doesn't happen

 

[Niki_up]

I did not get the vibe of you being grumpy. I know you're just trying to help me

I'm definitely going to get some test strips asap. I've been neglecting that too long. Thanks for your help, I'm hoping that my fish can still be saved, like I said, they are very happy and active.

I put them in the 30g about 2 years ago, and they immediately started to grow. But the growth spurt seems to have slowed down (except for the bigger one. He has grown from 4 to 6 inches in the past 6 months)

Haha good good!

if I were you I would skip the strips as they are not as accurate.

I know you asked Duane’s about ideal water changes and frequency and amount. Your test kit will be the thing to assist you with that. You want to aim for 20ppm of nitrates and below, so however often and how much you need to be changed will be dictated by your test results.

I can tell you from experience it’s very very difficult with goldfish. I kept anywhere between 3-5 “fancy”goldfish in a 60g and the white one I had kept getting the red vines in the fins which indicated I was not changing enough water. And I was a weekly 90% water changer.

 

[Brickosaurus]

Haha good good!

if I were you I would skip the strips as they are not as accurate.

I know you asked Duane’s about ideal water changes and frequency and amount. Your test kit will be the thing to assist you with that. You want to aim for 20ppm of nitrates and below, so however often and how much you need to be changed will be dictated by your test results.

I can tell you from experience it’s very very difficult with goldfish. I kept anywhere between 3-5 “fancy”goldfish in a 60g and the white one I had kept getting the red vines in the fins which indicated I was not changing enough water. And I was a weekly 90% water changer.

I did a %50 change two days ago. I'm already ordering the Api test kit instead of the strips. In the meantime I'm probably do another water change.

I'm hoping to have a 55 set up in the next two weeks

 

[Niki_up]

I did a %50 change two days ago. I'm already ordering the Api test kit instead of the strips. In the meantime I'm probably do another water change.

I'm hoping to have a 55 set up in the next two weeks

The good thing about goldfish is they are Hardy, for this reason they are listed as a beginner fish. However, I personally do not agree with them being listed as a beginner gosh as they require more maintenance and larger tanks.

I think you have your situation under control! I can’t wait to see your new setup!

 

[Brickosaurus]

The good thing about goldfish is they are Hardy, for this reason they are listed as a beginner fish. However, I personally do not agree with them being listed as a beginner gosh as they require more maintenance and larger tanks.

I think you have your situation under control! I can’t wait to see your new setup!

Thanks!

 

[Brickosaurus]

 

[Brickosaurus]

Added the gravel and some deco I had in my garage (obviously I washed it first)

I'm going to be getting some aquarium hose, so I can get the under gravel filter up and running

 

[Niki_up]

Added the gravel and some deco I had in my garage (obviously I washed it first)

I'm going to be getting some aquarium hose, so I can get the under gravel filter up and running

Looking better already!!!

 

[Joshuakahan]

Yes. I'm definitely planning on upgrading to a 55 when they get bigger. It will probably be a couple of years yet until I'll need to though

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm very much considering weather loaches now. I'm worried if I put smaller fish in the tank, the goldfish might try to eat of accidentally injure them (the goldfish have pretty big mouths

What’s holding you back from upgrading now? If it’s cost, there’s lots of 55s for very cheap on offerup and craigslist most places, many times for free. Equipment can be found cheap or free too

 

[Brickosaurus]

What’s holding you back from upgrading now? If it’s cost, there’s lots of 55s for very cheap on offerup and craigslist most places, many times for free. Equipment can be found cheap or free too

There is not one single 55g in my area that's not under $75. And even then I still need to get a lid, light, filter, etc

I'm currently messaging someone about a possible 55 for $50 with the lid and light. But I'm not sure that will work out