Moving goldfish from 1g to 15g tank

That's the impression I got from your intial post a few days ago... that you care, but if you had a say in the matter you wouldn't have a fish at all, lol! You're a good guy though.

If you want to take the tank to school, that will be easy to do, even a 2-hour ride... small rubbermaid bucket, put some tank water and the filter into the bucket (completely submerged so it doesn't dry out) and you're off. If you want to leave him behind, nobody will judge you... you gave Hank a good start, leave an instruction sheet w/ your folks and let them (or your sister) take care of him.

I totally agree, college dorm rooms are WAY too small for anything much bigger than a 15... and even that's pushing it. Hank will do just fine in his 10 gallon!!

Return 2 bags of gravel, at the very least, get a bit of keg money back ;)

~Tara
 
It's funny you found this place because of a car site.... so did I :) I came from NASIOC.com, a Subaru owners board. I think we have a running rivalry with vwvortex, because apparently our WRXs are faster, but your VWs have a nicer interior, or something like that ;) :D :p

It's great what you're doing for the little goldfish. I'd say take it with you to college. It's not that hard to take down a 10g aquarium and take it there with you in your car. Aquariums can be a lot of work, but sometimes it's just relaxing to sit and watch your fish swim around and eat. It'll be a nice break from schoolwork and workwork. If you can just dedicate a few minutes a day to observing your tank, making sure the fish isn't behaving oddly, etc... it's worth it. Fish aren't cuddly like dogs or cats, but they're certainly fascinating... and it doesn't take long to get addicted to having them.

If, however, you do choose to get out of the hobby once Hank passes on, something that would be a really nice gesture is to use what you've learned here and donate the aquarium to a local middle school or something and help them get it set up with a few guppies or rasboras or something. The aquarium we had way back when I was in 7th grade was the teacher's personal aquarium... the schools wouldn't pay for it. You might be able to put down a little bit of a tax writeoff for it, but mostly you'll just have the good karma of knowing you helped out a teacher and students that will greatly enjoy it.
 
Alright well I'll return 2 bags. And yes the test kit has all the tests I've ever heard of! pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, alkalinity, hardness. The shop owner was trying to show me a $9 ammonia-only test. He walked away and I grabbed the last one of this. It only has 25 tests compared to 140 in the other, but I think it will be fine.

I just called the shop, they don't carry 15 gallons but can order one for $43.59. That's quite a price! I'd just need a hood and light. But I need one more or less now. There are other pet shops in the area. but I wouldn't have time to drive and get the tank :(.

But I'm having another thought: I can raise Hank for a year in this 10 gallon until he outgrows the tank, and then give him up for adoption. Then I could have my little stint in fishkeeping, satisfy my sister, and not be cruel. Or I could buy my sister a 20 gallon tank for her birthday and give her Hank!!

I'm realizing this tank has many redundant things now... like a net and water treatment. In addition to the heater and UGF. But I'm rather liking my adoption idea and think I may keep it... then I can save a bit of space in my room compared to a 15 gallon. And I can start things now, instead of waiting to order or running around town finding a store that carries one (I seriously don't have any time to do this. I do nothing but work, sleep, and learn on weekdays). Ah. Things may eventually come together. Thanks for bearing with me, especially dwayne. You all have been very helpful through this.
 
Originally posted by chkltcow
It's funny you found this place because of a car site.... so did I :) I came from NASIOC.com, a Subaru owners board. I think we have a running rivalry with vwvortex, because apparently our WRXs are faster, but your VWs have a nicer interior, or something like that ;) :D :p
Click to expand...

:D I used to drive a VW and stick around VWvortex, (mostly in the computer forum), but I just got a WRX wagon in June and have been around NASIOC a lot now. You're right, the VW has a nicer interior, but I'd take the WRX any day! My sister has the VW now - the window just fell out, a common problem. Serves her right for putting me through this fish stress!!

I think I will stick with the ten gallon, and then once he passes on (or outgrows it if I'm lucky!!) I can donate the tank like you suggested. It makes more sense for the space I have (actually a fraternity house, not a dorm, but low on space regardless). I enjoyed the keg joke, LOL :p

And who knows, maybe I will become addicted to the hobby. I saw a clown fish at the store today and thought how cute he was, but salt water is a whooole different story I know! :eek:
 
you live in a frat house? Pledge or brother? We had some gold fish at our frat house and lets just say they didn't taste bad or thats what our pledges said.

If hank makes it for a year you'll be hooked and you'll want even more fish.

If you are a brother I'm sure there are pledges that would "love" to "help" you in your care for the fish. If your a pledge don't give them any ideas about feeding gold fish to pledges
 
Hmmm Nate I like your thinking!! I'm an active member. Never had to do anything like eating goldfish either! Now as a fish owner, that hurts me!

Haha... well I'm actually feeling good about this and am excited to fill up the new tank so I can get Hank in there on Wednesday. There will be pictures to follow once he is at home and comfy.
 
Another reason that many goldfish are kept in bare bottom tanks is that, as was mentioned earlier, they like to sift through the gravel and suck on the pieces. One of the most common causes of sudden goldfish death is a piece of gravel lodged in the throat.
 
I think you're doing a very noble thing for this little fishie. Don't be too hard on your sister, she probably had no idea it was going to be so much work for you.
Don't overthink things, you've got everything you need. The 10g is great, the Penguin filter is great, Hank's going to like his new home.
Welcome to the most addictive hobby on earth!

Oh, one more thing, before you consider getting out of the hobby or adopting out your fish, know this:
Chicks dig guys with pets :D
 
Originally posted by Blinky

Oh, one more thing, before you consider getting out of the hobby or adopting out your fish, know this:
Chicks dig guys with pets :D
Click to expand...

Well he's a frat guy, so that's already a strike against him.... negates any pets he might own, even if they're cute and cuddly! ;)

And yes, addictive it is. I had to go by my parents house today to pick up some stuff, and on the way I ended up at the LFS looking at more fish. I ended up with 5 small Harlequin Rasboras and a special treat of brine shrimp for my fishies. They LOVED the brine shrimp... and the rasboras have made the danios and black neon tetras more active. They actually ALL school together!

It also reminded me of something else for you. If a year down the road you're ready to get out of the hobby, talk to your LFS. These guys will let you sell them fish (yes, for considerably less than they sell them back for)... and it seems to be a common practice. They had a few nice sized goldfish in a pond, and he said a few of those were bought from local pond owners that were trying to get rid of a few fish. Again, it's probably a last resort for you, if a year from now he's getting a bit big for his tank or you just decide you can't properly care for him. I still stand by my suggesting of donating the tank and equipment to a worth local science teacher though.
 
Well, the new tank is running! I opted for gravel, I used almost 2 of the 5lb bags I bought.

I can honestly say now, I am really excited! I can see why people love this hobby. Who knows, maybe I will become addicted! Already I'm enjoying the strong and helpful community, and I'm sure I'll enjoy watching my fish thrive (hopefully).

I changed half of the water in the 1 gallon tank where Hank currently resides. I checked numbers before and after with my test kit, here are the results:

BEFORE:
pH: 7.2
Alkalinity: 80-120
Nitrite: .5
Nitrate: between 0 and 20

AFTER:
pH: 7.2
Alkalinity: 300 (can anyone explain this? is it bad?)
Nitrite: <.5
Nitrate: 0

This was a 50% water change in the one gallon tank, 24 hours since the last water change.

My last question - the new tank is currently waiting with full water and filter running. I just put in water treatment chemical. So how long until I should put Hank in? 24 hours? 48? I can't wait, but I also want to do this as healthily as possible for him :)

Thanks again for your help everyone! You've helped make a sad boy and fish into happy ones!

newtank.jpg
 
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