HI everyone and Merry Christmas!
For Christmas I asked for a new tank for Christmas with a top and every thing its basically a 20 gallon beginners set with a heater, thermometer, 2 trial sized stress coats(basically a sample), 2 trial sized stress zyme(basically a sample), video, filter, top, light, tank, and i got it for christmas. I have 3 goldfish and i know i should have a 30 gallon tank but this tank is alot better than my other one which is an old one with no top or light and it is tiny compared to this one. Anyway, I was wondering if i could get any tips on how to set it up. I watched the video and everything but the problem is I already have fish.
-1 Shubunkin
-1 Sarasa Comet
-1 Comet
Having fish already complicates everything because all the stuff I have is in the other tank and i don't want to leave my fish in an epty tank for a couple of days because one time i jus did that overnight and they started loosing their color so i was wondering if u could give me some tips and answer these questions:
-What temperature should I have the heater on?
-Should I just get new gravel cause I don't have enough?(I curently hav blue but when i first got it the blue was coming off the gravel, so should I just stick with plain?)
-What are the best compatible bottom feeder fish I could get out of all the compatible fish for goldfish?
-About how long will all this take cause I would most likely end up getting new gravel?
-If I just took out the plants would the fish be fine?
Thanks.
~goldygurl

Hi Goldygurl! Congrats on the new tank!!! I don't want to be the one to mention it,but for the kind of fish you have,the reccommended gal.per fish is 15-20 gal. each. What size are your fish,Hun? And what size was the old tank? The first thing that I'd like to mention,is to read the article on the main page for cycling tanks. You have your work cut out for you allready,as you have have not only fish,but three Messy goldies. Depending on the size tank that they're in,my advice would be to move all gravel/filter media/ornaments plants etc. into the new tank. You are going to need a really good filter..You didn't mention that. What kind do you have? Goldies need 10x fitration,so on a 20 gal. tank,that would be a filter with a flow rate of at least 200gph. A good filter,and plenty of water changes will definately help you out alot. I also recommend a bubble wall,or some type of air stone for extra aeration. And one more thing that unfortunately is another must,is a water testing kit,to keep track of your water params as you go through the cycling process. Since the site was down for a week,I'm going to stop the post here,until we hear back from you. You may have allready started the process. Please keep us posted as to what's going on,so that we can further help you! Good Luck!!! Happy New Year!

They used to be in a 12 gallon tank. Thanks 4 the tips, I know alot about goldfish, i read the articals along time ago, too. My goldys are 2-4 inches i think, at least the shubunkin is the others are smaller. I have a Topfin 20 that came with the set. And yes I alredy started the cycle and switched the fish in the new tank with healthy plants and a root ornament from petsmart that looks like this (its the medium sized one) In the summer most likely the fish will be going in a fish pond. I don't know how to do all the test stuff because it's kinda complicated. By the way, wat are some foods that u would recremend? I want to get ProGold but I have to wait until my other food is gone. When I can in the summer my grandpa gets me insect larve and sometimes worms(I don't just throw them in either). I know goldfish need 10-15 gallons per fish, but i don't have the room and i don't want to separate the fish, its also expensive.