How bad are Goldfish when it comes to keeping a take clean?

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Ocean Railroader

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 31, 2010
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Richmond VA
I have four Goldfish in a 75 gallon fish tank with a under gravel filter and a power head. The Goldfish are each eight to ten inches long. The water in the tank can stay very clear but I have to vacuum the tank once a week to keep it that way.

I'm right now in the process of looking to upgrade the Goldfish tank to a 150 or 180 or if I'm lucky a 220 gallon tank.

How would these larger tanks affect the Goldfish would they cut down on how much I have to clean it or would they cause the Goldfish to grow even bigger?
 
If they're just basic feeder goldfish you've grown up then they might not grow much more but if they are any other kind of gold fish or koi they will grow. Your tank maintenance may stay the same even with the bigger tank. Keep in mind all the junk you are cleaning out of the tank now will still be present in the new larger tank. It just won't look as messy when you gravel vac it. Hope this helps.
 
If the goldfish are close to ten inches in length I don't see why they wouldn't grow at least a little more if placed in a bigger tank.I have heard plenty of of talk of goldfish being "dirty" but cleanliness should not be a big problem with adequate filtration.
 
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They're no more messy than any fish this size. Excessive mess is from over feeding or feeding low quality food. I'm assuming these comet or commons are several years old? If so, they're likely done growing. My ~2yr old comet is only like 5" and has been in a 55g.
 
They'll growing 2-5 more inches.
 
Keeping a goldfish tank clean is like any other fish. It depends of feeding, filter and cleaning habits.
 
absolutely terrible. I've never had a goldfish that contributed to keeping its tank clean.
No different from other fish at same size.
 
No different from other fish at same size.

actually, the cats often are more helpful with tank cleaning than the mid and top swimmers.
though my sunfish do a nice job sweeping the tank floor.
and my oscar would move the deco around so I could vacuum under them.
 
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