well, it looks like I'll be able to afford a new tank for my goldfish (its currently 3 gallons). I was looking around Petsmart at all of the tanks and I saw two different kinds that I liked. This may be a dumb question, but is it better to have more surface area with a tank because I liked a tall hexagon shaped one over the basic rectangular kind...just wondering

That is a great question, most people should ask that before buying a tank.

GF needs lots or surface areas, they don't do very well in the Hex tanks.

(I actually wanted one till I found that out). I know they look more cool, but the fish do better in the others. However they do make "bow" tanks and corner tanks that are cooler than the plain old rectangle. You could look at those.
Remember to always go bigger than what you need, fish seem to come home with you no matter how hard you try and resist.

Thanks for the advice! I know what you mean about goldfish coming home with you, thats why I have two already...