I'm choosing whether to get 1 big tank (50gallons) or just two small ones (20gallons). It would occupy about the same space in my room so I'm wondering which should I get? Which would be better for my gold fish?

Hi, I would go for two smaller tanks. It would be more expensive as you would have to buy two filters, lights, etc, but if that is not a concern the benefits of two tanks vs. one are:

1. The water changes per tank don't take as long and you do each tank on different days.

2. You can have two themes of decoration instead of one.

3. You can swap your fish around if you find they don't get on with one another.

yep...the lights and filters are true. A big filter is actually more expensive than 2 small ones...weird huh? A divider could separate 2 fish but 2 separate tanks would even be better. Made me think, i could actually make one for goldfishes and the other a tropical set up

Good Idea.

Finally decided to get another 20gallon tank. I currently one 1 20 gallon tank and I'll just buy one of those double aquarium stands so it will occupy the same amount of space. One at the top...one at the bottom. Do I really need a light coz the window is near my aquarium. It gets light but not direct sunlight.

B) I just got a 55. And a double stand, but I can't fit a 55 on the bottom. I mean you can, but there isn't much room to work with AKA cleaning. So I am going to get a 40 long. It's also 48", but it's only 16" high instead of 20". Go BIG man!!!!!

I guess I'm weird, but I would have gone with the 1 big tank! At least for goldfish. I would never put a common or commet in a tank that was smaller than 50 gallons, but I feel a little guilty putting even fancies in small tanks, because a full-grown fish might not have enough room to swim happily. Also, water parameters stay much more stable in a bigger tank, as does temperature.

About the light: it's not necessary as long as the room has a natural light/dark cycle (light during the day, dark at night), and it sounds like it does because it's near the window. Direct sunlight would probably be bad anyway because it would warm the water and possibly cause algae problems. Lights would just be for your own benefit, to see your tank better, as long as you don't plan on getting live plants.

Actually...I've been trying to grow green algea because it is good for goldfishes. I would go for a 50 but the space doesn't permit me to get one.

Here's the new problem.
The new stand I will get will be placed where my old stand sits.
I currently have 1 filled tank(w/ gf's) and 1 empty tank.
How the22 should I place the 2 tanks in the new stand where the old stand used to be. Because I have to emply the filled tank so that I could put it in the new stand but there are fish in it.
What should I do first?
HELP!

Finally got my tank and stand. Luckily, my old stand had wheels on it so I could push it somewhere else. What I did was to place my new stand where it should be, placed the new tank on the lower space, then cycled the tank. When it was cycled, I transfered all my fish into it and emptied my old tank. When it was emptied, I placed my old tank on the top space on my new stand, filled it with water and cycled. Finally got it done!

hes right, a single 50g tank would have been much better than two 20s hands down. 20g is hardly enough swimming room for growing goldies, but a 50 offers 4 feet of room. 20 gallons isnt really even considered a GF tank, would be great for smaller tropicals though. goldies can outgrow a 20g tank

I know what you guys mean. I would have gotten a 100g if I could. The only prob is that I don't exactly have the space anymore. And the tanks go to the 2nd floor of our house. I'm just afraid that the floor might not be able to take that much load. When the house clears up of all the junk we have then I might just be able to get a 100 or maybe 2 50's. My fish are still small anyway and I bet they would be happy in their 20 for about a year or less. That gives me some time to fix up the house.

I also have some probs with cleaning. It's really a bummer that you don't have that free space anymore when cleaning and all but after a while, you'll get used to it.