Please help me! Wal-Mart fish!

10 gallons/fish is probably overstocking, and that only applies to larger tanks, anyway, as a 20g is too small for goldies after a short time.
 
Thank you everyone for the great advice! I conditioned the water and cleaned the tank today, they're swimming happily about the tank. Luckily today and yesterday we had no school due to report cards being due, so I'm having my dad take me up to Petsmart today to get a bubbler, fliter, and a much bigger tank.
 
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Sorry, big picture, but that's the cleaned tank. I'll take new pictures when we get the big tank :D
 
looking forward to it. =)
 
It is true that you really need more than 10 gallons per goldie. The biggest possible tank you can get would be the best thing for them. It may be that you'll have to go with a 20 right now, but if your dad will let you have a 30 that's even better.

Even then, you will need to maintain a strict routine of water changes to keep their water clean and your fishies healthy.

I'm so proud of your hard work. You are going to be a great fishkeeper. Just remember what fishpoop said: Read everything you can about taking care of goldfish and fishkeeping in general.

This site is a great one to help you as you go, too. Many times I've gotten in trouble and have been helped out. People will tell it to you straight, and we sometimes may not sound tactful, but don't get your feelings hurt. People here really want you to do well, and want your fish to be OK. They really want to help.

You seem like a very dependable young lady, and that is what it takes. Dependability. Your fish depend on you to keep them healthy and safe. They count on you to make sure their water is clean, and take care of their needs.

Ask your dad to buy Prime water conditioner. I know as a noobie myself, when I read post after post in which these fishkeeping experts here praised this product and constantly recommended it to others I decided to use it. It is a life saver.

It will protect your fish from the harmful effects of ammonia and nitrites as your tank goes through the nitrogen cycle.

Get a liquid test kit, such as; API Master test kit, to check your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph daily, sometimes twice a day.

As you do vital water changes, Prime will help make everything less stressful for your fish, and it will be less stressful for you, too, because you'll know that they are OK.

(be sure to read up on cycling your tank. There's a sticky on that in this forum. It is extremely important)

We wish you the best. You've done good work taking care of them so far, keep up the good work.
 
I'm suprised no one thought of floating an active carbon cartridge. Active carbon is not the real answer, but it is like a chemical sponge, and can help improve the water quality while your fish are waiting for a new home.

I smple cheap cartridge (for like $1.50) could help you out. Just float it in there, and find a way to move the water around so it does get filtered.

Not (absolutely not) ideal, but it should help improve water quality a little and ease the stress on the fish.

Goldfish are like pigs. Very harty, and very messy. little poop machines.
 
Sure couldn't hurt, and maybe it could help.
 
So yesterday night, I was at Wal-Mart with my friend and we decided to save the 28 cent fish at Wal-Mart. I bought three common goldfish and a 1 gallon tank. We bought a small rainbow hollow rock with holes so they could hang out in there and some see-through "Jewel Rocks" for the tank. Well, we're both 13 and obviously the guy working there had no clue what he was doing, and so we didn't know to buy conditioner for the tank. As we drove home, I noticed one of them was acting strange and the other two were staying away from him. I got home and my mom thoroughly washed the rocks, tank, and the hollow rock out. We filled the tank halfway with tap water, and let the bag sit in the tank for a bit before we put the fish in there. We carefully put them in. I was stupid and sprinkled a flake or two of Goldfish Flakes in there, not knowing they wouldn't eat it. The third goldfish, the one both were staying away from in the bag, died. (He wasn't breathing, he was laying on his side at the bottom, ya know.) I put them under a little lamp, making sure that it wasn't shining directly on them. Today, they're still not actice. They just hide inside the rock and don't move. They don't even come up to eat. I know they're alive because i see their little mouths opening and closing, but I'm worried. I really want them to live a happier life than they were in the crappy uncleaned wal-mart tanks.

I wouldn't recommend putting a goldfish in a 10 gallon let alone 2 goldfish....and you have them in 1 gallon of water? That would be like if you stuffed yourself in a duffle bag and were expected to eat, sleep, use the facilities, etc all in the small cramped space :headshake2:

I think next time you should look into the situation & do a little homework before "impulse buying".

We all had to learn at some point. I am not being harsh but am a firm believer in education. When it comes to pets it is important to learn about them and knowing about it's needs first, before bringing it home.

I hope your fish work out for you.
 
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