Okay, so I went on a preverbial shopping spree online for supplies the other day. Today, I came home with a new 29 gallon SeaClear acrylic tank w/ stand. Here's a list of supplies I've ordered, it's been a while since I've had goldfish, am I missing anything?

Seachem Prime
Seachem Stability
Aquarium Salt
Jager Heater - 100 Watt
Marineland Penguin 350B Power Filter
Digital Thermometer
RENA Air Pump 200
Flexible Bubble Wand
Airline Tubing
Syphon

I plan on picking up some river rocks and a black background, aside from that... I think I have everything covered. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Looks like you have most everything there. When you get closer to getting your fish, get some good food and medications to have on hand. Oh, and if you don't already have it, a test kit

A test kit - or kits that include pH, gH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Drop tests are really the best. I would forget the Stability in the future - I, personally, think it is a waste of money.

You might also wish to pick up a bottle of clear ammonia - at the grocery or a hardware store. This can be used to do a fishless cycle on your tank before you introduce any fish. It is one of the fastest, cheapest methods that involves the least amount of work and the least amount of chance of injury or death to any fish.

Oh yes, and I also have Pro-gold and Salad Supreme on the way! (I Goldfish Connection!)

As for the Stability stuff, I read some reviews and figured it was worth a try. I have used Cycle in the past and felt it was a waste of money... I guess I had a lapse in logic, as it appears these products are very similar. As for a fishless cycle using ammonia... I hate to say it, but I am scared to death of doing that. I have read about it many times, and I'm just afraid I will mess things up. Although I agree, it is much better to face my fear than to cause harm to a new fish... I had an idea of starting the cycle off with a snail (once the water was fairly stable from the products), but it turns out Apple snails are illegal in WA.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I ordered the test strips, ammonia & the combo strips as well. I probably need to invest in a good test kit. Do you think the strips are inaccurate?

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I'm so excited!

Okay... the more I think about it, I think I do need to do a fishless cycle. When I first started fishkeeping a few years ago, I was really ignorant and set up my 30 gallon tank the same day as I got my fish. To make matters worse, I was ridiculously overstocked. I'm not going to make that mistake again... I sufferred from a really bad 'new tank syndrome' and lost almost every single fish within a very short period of time. It was tragic. Even though I now understand water quality and proper equipment and stocking levels, I do not want to lose my fish again... So, I probably should do a fishless cycle. Thanks for the suggestion!!! Sorry to get off topic of tanks & equipment!

Test strips are not more inaccurate - but they can be more difficult to interpret correctly. Since you have them, use them. I have both kinds - there are days when I simply do not have the time or the inclination to do a drop test - and the strip is wonderful! Also - you can compare strips - the changes turn out to be more important than the actual numbers. As long as you interpretation of the colors remains the same, all is good.

Do not be afraid of a fishless cycle or ammonia. Ammonia is what your fish are producing, anyway! A snail - while it does put out ammonia/waste, does not do any amount that could be enough to even BEGIN a cycle that is strong enough to house the smallest goldfish. Goldfish are MESSY.

Give the tank a good jolt of ammonia and sit back and let the ammonia work for you. It is the lazy person's method of cycling a tank.