Tank Transfer

Question
I've started a new tank, gold fish. Black moor, calico and golden fantail. 10 gallon tank.

There's the problem right off the bat, I was told that my 3 large goldfish would be fine in a 10 gallon tank, the pet store attendant was wrong after I did a little research. I'm going to be upgrading to a 20 gallon, but I'm going to need some time to get the money, unfortunately. The main problem is, my Black Moor is getting inadequate oxygen. If I bought an airpump, would that help him out a bit? I'm REALLY fond of this fish :).

Also, when I transfer them to the 20 gallon, how should I go about that? Thanks for the help.

Answer
Hi Jason
You're the 3rd person in the last few days I've talked with that got real bad advice from pet store employees.  It's so sad, you'd think that because they work in a pet store, they'd know what they're talking about.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of them don't.  Your best bet, next time you want to buy a fish or product, check out this site, fish forums, search engines, and just do the research yourself.  It's much easier and saves a bunch of money as well!!

Are you in the US?  I ask, because Walmart sells a 29 gallon complete set up, think it was around 60.00 or so, maybe a tad higher.  Not sure what you're going to be paying for the 20 gallon, just shop around and especially keep your eye out for sales.  

How long has the current tank been set up? Why are you saying the moor is getting inadequate oxygen?  Is it gasping at the top of the tank?
If so, and the tank is fairly new, it's probably having problems with ammonia or nitrite poisoning.  Your tank is probably going through the biological cycle.  Fish put out ammonia(goldfish put out more then other fish, that's why a larger tank is recommended for them, and they grow big), ammonia gets converted into nitrites.  Both are toxic to fish in small amounts.  And eventually, nitrites are converted to nitrates.  When you get nitrates, your tank is done cycling.  Here's a few links for cycling a fish tank, need to copy/paste to your browser:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/startupcycle/Step_5_The_Cycle.htm

http://aquafacts.net/wiki/index.php/Cycling_a_Freshwater_Tank

What you're going to need to do, is buy a test kit to test for ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.  You're going to need to be able to see where the levels are for those.  That first link also has advice for treating fish with ammonia or nitrite poisoning.  You'll need to do a water change, and add some aquarium salt.  The salt will help them with their breathing and gill function.  You can add the air pump, probably won't hurt.  But the salt and water changes would be better for them.

When you get the new tank, move all your gravel and decorations to the new tank.  Don't let them dry out either, there's going to be beneficial bacteria on them(from the cycle process).  You can use the same tank water from the old tank.  That way the rest of the water will be fresh water, and hopefully won't be as much of a difference in ph and temperature for the fish.  If you're buying a tank that comes with a new filter, but the old fitler pad and anything else in it, into the new filter.  There's bacteria on that as well.  If you have the room, I'd run both filters on the new tank.  Doing all that, you're new tank won't have to go through the cycle process like what you're probably dealing with now.  Be sure to put the fish in a bucket or something and slowly let them get used to the new tank water.  And also be sure to add them about the same time you add the filter, gravel, etc.  Withing the same day I mean, because all that bacteria needs to have an ammonia source to survive, so no fish, bacteria dies, tank cycles all over again.

Hope that helps, and good luck!!  If you have any more questions, please ask!!

Christy