My first tank ever, am I doing it right?

This is my first tank. My sister got 4 gold fish from a state fair and didn't want them, I didn't want the fish just dumped or flushed so I took them. I bought a 10 gallon tank and the girl at petco convinced me to get some more fish. Me not knowing anything about fish thought ok sounds great. So now I have 4 gold fish, 2 pleco, 1 spotted, 1 guppie, and 1 angel fish. I know I have too many for the tank and I really need to get a 30 gallon but for now it's my 10 gallon. I'm doing 50% water changes every other day and I completely change the water once a week. I treat the water and I have a sponge filter that came with my tank, I'm not sure if it's enough the sponge gets dirty quick and I have to change it often like twice a week. Any tips would be amazing please and thank you. I now know I need a heater.

 

If you are still in the time frame to return the fish I would to be honest, when I first was going on my 10 gal I ran into the same type of person at my local pet store. Came home all excited found out the plecos get to like 14 inches, etc.

Anyways I don't know when you got them but I would return everything but the Gold Fish you owned for now.

At 1 inch of fish per gallon the goldfish probably are close to max for that tank. If you do that and then add some other stuff to fill out the tank you might have the best results.

Toss in a couple Marimo balls to help with the water quality and get a couple decorations and a small heater that can be set to 74 rather than a preset temp. Once you fill out the tank with some other stuff the fish won't look as alone. Remember gold fish can get huge too, regardless of anything else you will need a bigger tank just for the goldfish eventually.

 

Goldfish (comets) non fancied, belong in ponds or extra extra large aquariums. They are after all carp. They can grow beyond 12 inches and live long lives 20 for example in the correct environments. Gold fish are truly wonderful and intelligent fish. If kept in smaller tanks their insides compact as they continue to grow but their bodies can only grow to the size of the tanks they are in. I hate state fairs and other disgusting establishments that treat these beautiful fish with such disrespect and ignorance.

Gold fish are are also cold water fish but you have mixed them with tropical fish. This is not a good mix at all and the filtering is way too low to keep the fish healthy in the long term. But I do respect you for wanting to help these goldfish. I would take the tropical fish back to the store and give them a peace of your mind. This appears again to be another act of monetary greed, the sales person wanted to make a sale but didnt appear to care at all about the fish or you. I am sorry for that, these people have no right to work in these stores.

 

I understand that gold fish pollute the water a tremendous amount with their waste...but who told you about ur water changes and why do you believe you have to clean ur sponge fliter so much...how are you doing ur water changes..do you have a siphon...if so please leave ur sponge fliter be and it will be beneficial to ur tank and keep ur water in check...ur sponge fliter contains a lot of postive stuff that helps ur biological process....twice a week clean ur gravel while doing a 25 to 30 percent water change will be fine...if ur planing on purchasing a 30 gallon tank buy a fliter larger enuff for the 30 gallon tank now and hang it on ur ten gallon...you really can't over fliter ur ten gallon...but when ur ready to purchase a 30 gallon...take the hang on fliter off the ten gallon put that on ur 30 gallon and get ur cycle going right away...I hope this helps

 

I really don't want to return any fish especially my angelfish I really like that one I can buy another tank for my tropical fish though. What size should I get? I'm learning most of this online and off youtube, I didn't know the sponge did all that it started looking yellow/ green and I just assumed it was dirty and needed changed. I just figured I wasn't changing the water enough and that's why it's so dirty. I also now think I'm over feeding leading to excessive waste from the fish. And I had no idea the pleco would get so big. I've had these fish about a month now and just now admitted that I need help I thought I could self teach through research and it's not working.

 

if you can, return everything except for the guppies (if you upgrade to a 30 then you could possibly keep the angel). The goldfish can reach the 12-18 inch range and the common goldfish that you have really need some swimming space(like 180g+ range), the plecos can get 18 inches (they need a HUGE tank to get to their full potential). Additionally, you are falling into the beginners mistake of only getting one of every type of fish, most fish are happier in groups(even most traditionally aggressive fish if given enough space) so if you can, once you get rid of all the fish except for the guppies I recommend getting a few more guppies.

I know this is really hard to hear and it is even harder to bring them back to the store but we have all been there and this hobby is all about recovering and learning from mistakes, please don't let this experience disenchant you and bring you out of this wonderful hobby. There is still so much that you can do with a 10 gallon so don't give up.

if you are going to get a bigger tank get the biggest one possible (that angel would love a 55 and you could get a group if you wanted to).

 

I really don't want to return any fish especially my angelfish I really like that one I can buy another tank for my tropical fish though. What size should I get? I'm learning most of this online and off youtube, I didn't know the sponge did all that it started looking yellow/ green and I just assumed it was dirty and needed changed. I just figured I wasn't changing the water enough and that's why it's so dirty. I also now think I'm over feeding leading to excessive waste from the fish. And I had no idea the pleco would get so big. I've had these fish about a month now and just now admitted that I need help I thought I could self teach through research and it's not working.

I too was once overly excited when I first started a couple years back. Ended up killing my fish and it was a mess. I advise you to take the communities advise if they say to return the tropical fish.

 

Well I been keeping fish for over 30 years and iam still learning...I do not know ur budget...but the larger the tank u get the more easier if will be to take care of

I have many tanks and all I use is sponge fliters that are all tied in to the main air pump....and I do not ever clean my sponge fliters...I might take my python and clean it that way...on my show tanks I have back fliters with easy to remove fliters for light cleaning....I do not know if you have room for a 55 gallon..or can afford to buy a 90 gallon...if ur able to I would suggest that you go on the app.....offer up.....or the app...let go...purchase urself a used 90 gallon and go from there...people start out with 10 gallons then go to 20 gallons then 30..36..40..55...etc...just buy a 90 gallon and dive right in...laughing.

 

Ok so is there any way I can return all fish except angel let the gold fish have the 10 gallon until they grow out of it, get a 55 gallon for my angelfish and a like 2-3 more to keep it company? And I'm about to move in two week and I will have my own pond a pretty good size one too, however I live in northwest GA and don't want to freeze any fish over the winter. I feel bad for my fish I hate sending them back to Petco.

 

yes that plan sounds perfect, as soon as you can get those goldfish in a pond and depending on the other fish in the 55 there is a possibility of overwintering them in there( although you will have to make a judgement call as to when they outgrow this situation I would say that once they go past 8 inches you may have to make different arangements) although I wouldn't move them unless the temps go below 40-35 degrees

 

I agree the pond for the goldfish is excellent idea especially since they have had such a terrible start at life. You will be doing them and yourself a huge favor. If you take them to petco, they could very easily end up in much worse situations i.e. sold to be kept in a tiny fishbowl or as feeder fish for instance. At least you are giving them a chance and good on you for that.

 

I agree they are cold water fish. Pond them, return the plecos and move on.

 

If you are still in the time frame to return the fish I would to be honest, when I first was going on my 10 gal I ran into the same type of person at my local pet store. Came home all excited found out the plecos get to like 14 inches, etc.

Anyways I don't know when you got them but I would return everything but the Gold Fish you owned for now.

At 1 inch of fish per gallon the goldfish probably are close to max for that tank. If you do that and then add some other stuff to fill out the tank you might have the best results.

Toss in a couple Marimo balls to help with the water quality and get a couple decorations and a small heater that can be set to 74 rather than a preset temp. Once you fill out the tank with some other stuff the fish won't look as alone. Remember gold fish can get huge too, regardless of anything else you will need a bigger tank just for the goldfish eventually.

I really think the 1" fish to gallon is very stupid as you could have a small fish to a 1" per gallon ratio but still not have adequate space for it, sorry, just my opinion.

 

I just learned about feeder fish I met someone with an Arawana that said she could take my goldfish but I don't want them to end of fish food this sucks I really like these fish but I know I have to do what's best for them, and on a side note now my boyfriend wants either an arawana or an Oscar he likes how aggressive they are but they need like 150(+) gallon tanks and a lot of maintenance don't they? Idk I like my little fish my angelfish is the most aggressive and it's not at all I just read that they could be.And another questions I saw online that goldfish can take over a pond, how likely is that bc the pond is very lively with many different fish already in it will that be a problem?

 

I would bet that the poor little innocent goldfish who have had a bad start at life would definatley end up as feeder fish for an Arawana so I would still hang out if you can to move them into the pond when you move house. They will be fine for a couple of weeks in the tank as long as you keep the water parameters in check i.e ammonia and nitrites 0 or as close to by doing water changes and treating the whole tank with prime to detoxify the ammonia/nitrites and maybe a larger filter more fitting to the fish but separating the tropical from the gold fish is a must right now as the tropical need a heater but the gold fish being cold water fish should not have a heated tank. I say please give these gold fish a chance, they came to you for a reason. I know you can work it out in the best interests of all of your finned buddies. p.s. Oscars would also make a meal out of the gold fish and also the guppies etc. I think your boy friend might need to buy his own large tank to house the arawana as they can grow to 2ft + and do prefer isolation. Yes their tank requirements are at minimum 150 gallons and that is just to start due to their large sizes. Oscars would also feed on your other fish.

 

Oh don't worry I told him very quickly there was no way in heck was putting an oscar or arawana in with my fish I love them to much even though I just got them lol but okay I'll return the pelcos, get a 55 gallon for my tropical fish and when I move I'll release the goldfish into the pond I'm just scared the catfish or bass will eat them

 

Ok, that is another issue by itself yes the bass with definatley eat the gold fish and also the cat fish could accidently eat them during feeding time. So therefore if you have bass and cat fish in the pond then no you will be giving the bass a quick meal. I didnt realise there were bass or cat fish in the pond. Are there any local park ponds that you can inquire if you can home your gold fish with.

 

No I think it's illegal where I live but the pond on my yard is natural and has a lot of tiny fish in it not just the bass and cat fish it also has like 6 other type of fish in it the current property owner has been living there since the house was built in front of the pond in 79 and he feeds the fish a few cups of dog food twice a day so some of them have gotten pretty big I know one cat fish is 2.5ft

 

This is a dillema, if you just type into google "do bass eat goldfish" you will be confronted by some very horrible s. Those poor gold fish it seems are not in a very good position. I would personally go against my better judgement at this time and say is it possible to get a very large tank to keep them safely housed, I am sorry I don't have a better answer for you

 

Don't know if anyone has said this but you really only need to replace the filter media once it starts to fall apart
Other than that a clean once every 4-6 months is fine, unless it gets clogged quickly
Remember to wash it with tank water

Hope all goes well for your fish!

 

I just google bass eating and it was horrible I don't want that happening to my Goldie's but I noticed all the gold fish used for food where pretty small mine are all 3 inches the biggest 4 inches if they grew to a certain size would they then be safe to release?

 

I know it is terrible. How big are the bass in the pond and you have said the cat fish is preety big, I really don't know. Its not an easy situation to be in right now. Maybe keep the goldfish in the tank until they get bigger to provide them with more protection. This one is hard I do hope some other people can jump in here and offer some advice.

 

I'm looking up the Marimo moss balls how many do I need? Should I just get the one of the largest ones? They say it's the size of a baseball ️?

And I don't know how big the fish in the pond are my parents in law live next door and have an artificial pond they made about 10years ago that's had the size of the other pond and I've caught and released pretty big fish the bass 3-4lbs so idk how big the fish are in the much larger and older pond, especially since the current owner is feeding them dog food twice a day

 

probably better off getting the 3 pack of medium just make sure you get real ones not fakes. the site I linked are real

 

@ thank you I will buy the 3pack

And here's a pic of one of the ponds with the catfish we were surprised could live in it being the size it was we didn't have a container big enough to transport it so we just put it back in
But again the pond next door, the house me and my boyfriend are buying, has a pond twice the size maybe even more and it's natural this pond was made 10yrs ago with just a back hoe, plus my pond has been fenced in where as this one has not and during heavy rain I have seen small fish escape into the gutters.



Ps sorry for the way he's holding the catfish but I promise he was okay and swam away and we saw him a few days later just fine

 

Oh dear I think the gold fish will be a quick meal for the catfish he is huge. I really feel for you with this situation.

 

site about marimo care: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/resources/marimo-moss-ball-care.27/

 

Well I've found a 75 gallon that I can afford they only want $75 with stand it's a steal so my Goldie's can live awhile in it and once they out grow that they should do fine in my pond, again there are like a hundred tiny fish but they may just be baby blue gill I'm not sure living in the pond just fine hopefully they do well in this bigger tank

 

Here are some pictures of the ponds