Granny's Goldfish Surprise

So here's the short version....

This past Christmas, my well-meaning mum showed up with 1.5 gallon fish tank kits for my kids ... complete with 2 comets for my 6 year old and a shubunkin for my 4 year old.

Insert head shaking and sighs.

It made perfect sense to her; since I already have several tanks, what's a few more? They're so small, that makes it easier, right?

But, not wanting to be that "mean mom who returned the pet grandma got me for Christmas " I went out the next day to solve the issue as best I could on a day-after-christmas budget. So for the past 3 months, they've been in a 40 gallon with a 70 gallon HOB filter and 2 homemade sponge filters, trying to compensate for the bioload. So far each is at about 2.25 inches not including tail. Tank currently stays stable with 25 percent weekly water changes and the fish don't exhibit signs of stress, but obviously that won't be true for long.

So I guess the question is, now do I construct a tank large enough for all 3? How big would that be? Get two tanks at around a hundred gallons each? Or skip straight to a kiddie pool in the garage? And if I go that direction, living in Ohio... would I have to heat said garage through the winter?

Meanwhile, none of my kids have their own rooms. Someday they'll look back and call ME the crazy grandma

 

oh goodness... Is there no way to get a pond (can be above ground or big trough)? That would likely be the best option. For a tank it would have to be around 400g's. One Goldie needs a 200 gallon and 100g+ for each additional common.

I don't know if you'd need to heat the garage, maybe just the pool for a bit, but goldies can do well in colder temps. Just maybe not as cold as Ohio gets at some points.

I really wouldn't do a tank and try getting a big stock tank or trough of around 400g for the garage or perhaps even the backyard if that's doable.

 

Eh, I'm a bit more liberal when it comes to things like this. You didn't ask for this, you got stuck with it.
I'd upgrade to a 75 gallon next, or a 125g if you have room. That will allow them to grow to their full sizes, and while they may not have as much swimming room as they would like, they're not dying of ammonia poisoning in a bowl. I've got one in a 60g, plus some fancy friends, and she's fine. Since there's only one single tail, nitrates are easy to control. Invest in a Python water changer if you haven't already, it's a life saver.
If you really feel up to it, look at the King of DIY's plywood aquariums, but you'd have to reinforce your floor for something huge.

 

Eh, I'm a bit more liberal when it comes to things like this. You didn't ask for this, you got stuck with it.
I'd upgrade to a 75 gallon next, or a 125g if you have room. That will allow them to grow to their full sizes, and while they may not have as much swimming room as they would like, they're not dying of ammonia poisoning in a bowl. I've got one in a 60g, plus some fancy friends, and she's fine. Since there's only one single tail, nitrates are easy to control. Invest in a Python water changer if you haven't already, it's a life saver.
If you really feel up to it, look at the King of DIY's plywood aquariums, but you'd have to reinforce your floor for something huge.

Aren’t shubunkins single tails? I really believe a 75 or even a 125 would be pushing it for a common... not enough room for them.

 

I believe Rtessy was referring to his own tank regarding the "one single tail" comment.

Thanks both of you for the suggestions. Rtessy, heck yeah, I love King of DIY videos, that's how I made my filters and totally the instructions I would be using in the construction of a larger tank. I do live in a concrete slab ranch so floor strength is less of a problem than it could be

Platylover, a pond could be a possibility down the road but would have to clear with landlord + zoning... also have some toddlers I would rather not drown... again, not impossible down the road but need a more attainable solution for the here and now.

 

I believe Rtessy was referring to his own tank regarding the "one single tail" comment.

Thanks both of you for the suggestions. Rtessy, heck yeah, I love King of DIY videos, that's how I made my filters and totally the instructions I would be using in the construction of a larger tank. I do live in a concrete slab ranch so floor strength is less of a problem than it could be

Platylover, a pond could be a possibility down the road but would have to clear with landlord + zoning... also have some toddlers I would rather not drown... again, not impossible down the road but need a more attainable solution for the here and now.

Perhaps I misunderstood then.

lol, yes, no drowning toddlers please. In that case I really would recommend getting a stock tank. Something similar to this (this one is 800g)-

It’ll likely be much cheaper than a tank as well.

 

Lol my friend brought a goldfish home and her mom immediately put it in a pond and yelled at her for getting a fish bowl (in grade 10)
pretty sure your toddlers won't be too shocked/heartbroken if you don't feel like spending an arm and leg on unwanted pets and give them to someone else that wants them/already has a pond

honestly, you could probably replace them with calico fantails and your kids wouldn't notice (and then u wouldn't have to upgrade)

 

Aha, very nice! Thanks for the link. The smaller kids can't get into the garage and I believe that surface (being designed to support a car) should support the weight.

 

Tarter brand has some stock tanks that are a little less costly than the linked one (but not as pretty). Maybe a bit smaller. 8'x2' tank will run about $399...

 

Aha, very nice! Thanks for the link. The smaller kids can't get into the garage and I believe that surface (being designed to support a car) should support the weight.

It should. A fair number of people put these on decks and such and they typically support it. So a slab of cement like that should work fine.

 

honestly, you could probably replace them with calico fantails and your kids wouldn't notice (and then u wouldn't have to upgrade)

High five to your friend's mom!

It's a rational plan, but I kind of have a thing for taking on immense tasks. I'm a bit of a ****. Now that I've had them 3 months I'm pretty committed to seeing it through, silly or not

Should have specified: the toddlers (15 month old twin boys) are the drowning hazards, and would be easily fooled by a fish swap. The 4 and 6 year old to whom these fish were given are able to sex platy fry; can't get anything past those little sh*ts! If push came to shove and the goldies were rehomed they'd get over it, but I appreciate all these ideas for making lemonade outta this lemon!

 

or you can try stock tanks. tractor supply has the 150G and 110G on sale right now. going to get one for my comets.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stock-tanks-on-sale.400311/#post-4091726

 

High five to your friend's mom!

It's a rational plan, but I kind of have a thing for taking on immense tasks. I'm a bit of a ****. Now that I've had them 3 months I'm pretty committed to seeing it through, silly or not

Should have specified: the toddlers (15 month old twin boys) are the drowning hazards, and would be easily fooled by a fish swap. The 4 and 6 year old to whom these fish were given are able to sex platy fry; can't get anything past those little sh*ts! If push came to shove and the goldies were rehomed they'd get over it, but I appreciate all these ideas for making lemonade outta this lemon!

Lol I had a feeling you may be emotionally attached to them, Goldies have that effect
sorry to be the negative Nelly on the thread lol
solid gold on youtube has some pretty awesome stock tanks for Goldies