So you all have the recommended size tanks then?

I've been into this about a year and was your typically setup to fail sucker who just wanted to get something "simple" to keep his GF happy and bought two goldfish for a 12 litre tank. I read up, saw what a mistake we'd made, and got the biggest I could afford (80 litre) to replace it.

(aside: When I bought that one from a different shop the guy mentioned I could fit two more goldfish in it...)

I was pissed off I'd gotten goldfish after reading how much they need, although they're very sweet and pretty, so are horses and I don't have the room or money for those in my home either.

I have to say, after lurking here for a bit, I'm extremely sceptical anyone but the most serious hobbyist/youtuber has 40 US gallons per each goldfish they own. That seems utterly absurd to me. Particularly that people say "always buy for the size of the adult fish", like really?! All you long-timers bought 300 litre tanks for a combined three inches of fish and just waited for them to fill it out? Really?

Like most, I hadn't a clue when I started and bought an APIstrip test kit which promised to cover "all I needed". It tested for everything but ammonia. When I met a much more knowledgeable friend he assured I was overlooking the most important thing and sure enough, when he tested my water with his liquid kit, the ammonia levels were (literally) off the charts. This was about 3 weeks into the cycle, it two months to cycle properly.

The fish seemed fine in their behaviour but one caught ick which we quickly got rid off. I am sure we're in real danger so I started having to change 20-40 litres of water every fucking day for these "simple" pets until the cycle completed.

Now it's kind of cool. I have a bunkin and a fantail and they're about 5 and 3 inches long including their tails. The tank has been fully cycled for about 9 months now and after a week of no water changes, all levels are zero except nitrates which hover around 5ppm. (Yes I shake the life out of both bottles!). Currently my PH is higher than I would like it but that's about it

I used Prime to condition the water and Flourish to help the plants. I don't use ferts any more and just really on fish poo for plant food.

Even now I wish I could get just one more fish to fill out the tank a bit but I know they'll grow bigger.

Now obviously when people post photos hear their close up and you can never truly see the size of the tank but based on perspective and tank ornaments that might be in frame, I bet most don't have more than a 20 long.

We also see daily "rescues" of goldfish who appear to be many years old living on conditions most here are certain will kill them in days.

Do you see what I'm getting at? I'm sure the collective wisdom is generally correct but the number casually recommended for keeping goldfish are so wildly impractical I seriously doubt any of us really honour them so what are we doing here?!

My plan is to build a pond (not fucking cheap either) when we move and put them in there if the water levels degrade too much but so far, I'm not seeing the devastation that the prophecies foretold in my over stocked 20 L tall.

Can we have an honest conversation about how we keep goldfish indoors and what, if anything we've observed that contradicts the conventional lore?

It strikes me as very odd that people never ask about the level of filtration before reeling off the bath tubs sized aquariums required.

So... do you REALLY all have tanks that size for every goldfish?

edit: typos

edit 2: Thank you to everyone that replied. Some very helpful advice and clarification for me!

Here's my guys, sorry for the blurriness, they don't sit still Pic1 Pic2