Any filter recommendations for my setup?

So I'm a beginner in all of this.

I have a 1.5 month old 20gal tank with 4 fantail goldfish running on a Tetra whisper filter that came with the tank. I've had massive ammonia spikes and am still waiting for tank to cycle.

I've been told already to upgrade my filter fairly substantially. I also suppose I need to be able to transfer the cartridge from the Whisper, or run two filters for a while to keep that good bacteria.

Any recommendations or tips? Much thanks!

 

I would Keep the current filter running but add a good sized canister as well. A large sponge filter is also an option if you have an air pump running.

 

I would Keep the current filter running but add a good sized canister as well. A large sponge filter is also an option if you have an air pump running.

Thanks so much for the quick response. I don't have an air pump, but like the idea of adding a canister filter. I'm looking into an Aquatop. Do you know if they are any good, or have any reputable brands or specs I should look into?

I started some research and am leaning into one with an internal motor pump.

Lastly, I keep running into articles about under-gravel filtration systems. Would this be hard for me to add at this point, being the tank is already set up? Or even necessary if I get the canister?

 

Hi and welcome! You have been given good advice on the filter upgrade however, 4 fantails in a 20 gallon isn’t a good idea. These guy’s get pretty big 6-8 inches and they are messy. You are experiencing ammonia spikes due to your tank not being cycled. Are you using Prime and do you have a test kit?

 

Hi and welcome! You have been given good advice on the filter upgrade however, 4 fantails in a 20 gallon isn’t a good idea. These guy’s get pretty big 6-8 inches and they are messy. You are experiencing ammonia spikes due to your tank not being cycled. Are you using Prime and do you have a test kit?

Thanks for the tips Diane 007!

I just purchased the Seachem Prime Conditioner to start using, thanks to the wonderful people on this forum. Before I was just using a Tetra Aquasafe Dechlorinator/conditioner.

I've been doing 50% water changes daily since I noticed the ammonia at 8 and it's been around .25-.5 since.

I use the API Master kit, but it took me about 1.5 weeks after the tank being set-up before I started testing water. (which I know is probably bad). We also probably over fed the tank because we were trying to get the pellets (food) to the black moors which struggle getting any before the fantails.

We purchased the fish at a local fish store, and they seemed knowledgeable and assured me the four fish would be fine in a 20 gallon. It's actually 2 Fantails and 2 Black Moor's. Not sure if that's basically the same thing or makes a difference at all..

I too have since been worried that we added too many at once, and hopefully not too many for the long-term...but seems that that may also be the case.

 

Thanks for the tips Diane 007!

I just purchased the Seachem Prime Conditioner to start using, thanks to the wonderful people on this forum. Before I was just using a Tetra Aquasafe Dechlorinator/conditioner.

I've been doing 50% water changes daily since I noticed the ammonia at 8 and it's been around .25-.5 since.

I use the API Master kit, but it took me about 1.5 weeks after the tank being set-up before I started testing water. (which I know is probably bad). We also probably over fed the tank because we were trying to get the pellets (food) to the black moors which struggle getting any before the fantails.

We purchased the fish at a local fish store, and they seemed knowledgeable and assured me the four fish would be fine in a 20 gallon. It's actually 2 Fantails and 2 Black Moor's. Not sure if that's basically the same thing or makes a difference at all..

I too have since been worried that we added too many at once, and hopefully not too many for the long-term...but seems that that may also be the case.

I’m going to tag a couple of members I think can really help you out. AcornTheBetta can you help out with this goldfish set up? And mattgirl fish in cycle?

 

Those goldfish will need an upgrade ASAP.



However, if that's not an option, I would look into rehoming them at a pond shop or a local pond owner. 99% of fish keepers will not have an aquarium setup suitable for these fish, which is why I recommend looking at a pond shop or a pond owner and donating them or getting credit for them.

As for your filter, that aquatop won't do you any good, even if you change the livestock. A sponge filter would be a good idea, an aquaclear 70 would be a good idea, or a canister filter. I would recommend checking out the fluval canisters and the sunsun canisters.

Removing the fish will also let you cycle the tank normally with your better, newer filter. A fish in cycle? Use prime. Don't let nitrites go over 2ppm, and don't let ammonia go over 1ppm. Water changes if they do, just don't make them 0.

 

four fancy goldfish would at minimum need a 40g Breeder tank. a 55g, 60g, 65g, or 75g would be ideal.

a canister or pair of Seachem Tidal 110's.

 

I’m going to tag a couple of members I think can really help you out. AcornTheBetta can you help out with this goldfish set up? And mattgirl fish in cycle?

Thanks for that ( : Mattgirl has actually helped me in another thread about cycling, however the conversation of overcrowding the tank hasn't come up yet until now.

Those goldfish will need an upgrade ASAP.
View attachment 788843

However, if that's not an option, I would look into rehoming them at a pond shop or a local pond owner. 99% of fish keepers will not have an aquarium setup suitable for these fish, which is why I recommend looking at a pond shop or a pond owner and donating them or getting credit for them.

As for your filter, that aquatop won't do you any good, even if you change the livestock. A sponge filter would be a good idea, an aquaclear 70 would be a good idea, or a canister filter. I would recommend checking out the fluval canisters and the sunsun canisters.

Removing the fish will also let you cycle the tank normally with your better, newer filter. A fish in cycle? Use prime. Don't let nitrites go over 2ppm, and don't let ammonia go over 1ppm. Water changes if they do, just don't make them 0.

Wow, that picture really helps put it in perspective.

I can't believe they sold me 4 of these for my 20 gal tank. Also, I was idiotic to not do my own research beforehand. I went back to the store today to purchase a Fluval canister filter that's suitable for 20-45 gal, I believe.

I may decide to donate them like you mentioned and return it. Somewhere with a pond is a really good idea. This tank was a reward for my 4-3 year old daughters to start sleeping in there own room. Though, since then I've really started enjoying the tank, we won't be able to upgrade the tank to a larger one.

Maybe hard to say, but about how long for them to grow into larger guys where it's uncomfortable or inhabitable? They're about 2" now.

Thanks so much for all your advice.

four fancy goldfish would at minimum need a 40g Breeder tank. a 55g, 60g, 65g, or 75g would be ideal.

a canister or pair of Seachem Tidal 110's.

Can't believe I'm just figuring this out! Thanks for the response.

 

Maybe hard to say, but about how long for them to grow into larger guys where it's uncomfortable or inhabitable? They're about 2" now.

4 - 6 months. physically they'll still be relatively small but they'll be producing a good amount of waste for a 20g tank.

 

So I'm a beginner in all of this.

I have a 1.5 month old 20gal tank with 4 fantail goldfish running on a Tetra whisper filter that came with the tank. I've had massive ammonia spikes and am still waiting for tank to cycle.

I've been told already to upgrade my filter fairly substantially. I also suppose I need to be able to transfer the cartridge from the Whisper, or run two filters for a while to keep that good bacteria.

Any recommendations or tips? Much thanks!

Hi and welcome! Also, sorry that I haven't checked Fishlore in a bit and didn't see this until now.

A 20g is way too small for 4 goldfish. I would say that for four fancy goldfish, a 40 breeder with at least a Fluval 407 (or similar canister) is needed. If these are common goldfish and I would push that number to 75g with an FX6. Fancy goldfish can reach 6" easily and maybe even 8" or 10" while common goldfish can get to 12" (or maybe even bigger). I assume this tank is a 20g high which means the dimensions are 24" x 12" x 16" which if you look at how big just one of these fish gets, seems to be too small. Another problem with keeping goldfish in a tank of this size is waste. It is not a surprise that you re having ammonia spikes since goldfish are super messy fish and produce a ton of waste. I would upgrade the tank which would inherently mean that you upgrade the filter since the whisper will be too small for a larger tank. Afte for transferring bacteria, once you get the new tank I would take the cartridge from the whisper and figure out how to stick it in the new filter.

I can't believe they sold me 4 of these for my 20 gal tank. Also, I was idiotic to not do my own research beforehand. I went back to the store today to purchase a Fluval canister filter that's suitable for 20-45 gal, I believe.

I may decide to donate them like you mentioned and return it. Somewhere with a pond is a really good idea. This tank was a reward for my 4-3 year old daughters to start sleeping in there own room. Though, since then I've really started enjoying the tank, we won't be able to upgrade the tank to a larger one.

Maybe hard to say, but about how long for them to grow into larger guys where it's uncomfortable or inhabitable? They're about 2" now.

Thanks so much for all your advice.


Can't believe I'm just figuring this out! Thanks for the response.

Don't beat yourself up about it. I find that a lot of fish stores often mislead beginners (no offense). The best thing that you can do now if you can't upgrade is to rehome the fish. I'm sure that there's a member on here that lives near you and would be willing to take the fish.

If you decide to rehome the fish, you could do something else with the tank like a community tank which would be really fun for your daughters to watch. If you want I could help you figure out some stocking options for that.

I would say that they will outgrow the tank in less than 6 months. If fed properly, goldfish can grow a ton.

 

If you can rehome the gold fish eventually, there are a lot of stocking options for the 20g set up you have.

You will get a ton of excellent advise here on the forum.

I would suggest to post questions on the forum vs getting more info from your local fish store.