Tropical Fish Forums

[straycat]

I have a 55 gal. long tank that I plan on useing strickly 4 big fancy gold fish & Black Moores. Do I need an undergravel filter AND somthing eles? What would that something eles be, and please be specific with brand and or part #bers. I have tanks with external overflow filters, and one with a Cascade Penn-Plax internal, in tank filter. I hear the generic term "canister" what exactlt is that? Newbe questions 4 sure, but have had fresh water most of my life, just have not kept up with the times! Thanks in advance, Lon

[Devs]

I personally don't believe in using UGF's with Goldfish at all.They are massive waste producer's and the gunk that could and would build up under that filter,would be bad overall.Personally,for a 55 gal.,I'd go with 2 Emperor 400's or even 2 Aquaclear 110's. Goldfish are recommended to have at least 10 X's the filtration of their tank,so with a 55-you want to at least have a filter with 550 gph. I have found through trial and error that the higher you go,the better off you are because goldfish do produce huge waste amount in a very short time. I like to keep at least two filter's on my tanks at all times,incase one stops,or needs to be cleaned----in case I need a seeded filter for a new tank etc... I know a lot of people usethe Cannister filter's and someday I'm sure that I will too.Those things are just a tad too costly for my budget right now. :lol:The ones I mentioned are pretty reasonable-especially at Big Al's.

[Oscer]

I agree with Devs, UGF's are probably the worst type for gold fish unless, used in Reverse.

The Aquaclear HOB 110's are good, but considering the cost, I'd rather use the Cascade Penn-Plax HOB filters, same principal the Cascades just cost less. Generally I feel that HOB filters contain too little filter medium, and because of the fact that they have to suck up water, their flow rates are not necessarily the best (some makes like Emperor and Aquaclear are generally better in this aspect than the others). For this reason I always buy the biggest, normally a Cascade 300 or Aquaclear 500.

If you
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Years of fish keeping = Good advice

[straycat]

I would like to thank both of you for the great info and put to me in a way I could understand it! Thanks. I found the Canadian Big Al's but don't they have one in the USA? Thanks Again, Lon

[Guybrush]

Big Al's US site is www.bigalsonline.com (apparently Google blocks the US site because of some copyright issue).

If you want something between HOB and canister, you can look at the H.O.T. Magnum filter. It's a small canister filter that you can hang on your tank. At Big Al's, it's $44.99 or $62.99 for the pro system (you get a bio-wheel and some tubing). But with a 55G tank, it might not be strong enough for you. On my 60G turtle tank, I use the Fluval 404 and it works great (just needs maintenance every month or so).

[Oscer]

Rather use the pro system, it has more water to air interface.
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Years of fish keeping = Good advice

[donaldduck]

I have a similar situation going, in that I'm setting up a 55 gallon for 4-5 fancy goldfish and some hillstream loaches (if I can find them.) I have a Magnum 350 Pro canister on order; is that enough by itself? Or do I need to add an aquaclear 500 or something else to it, to ensure that the fish do well? If I need a second filter, should I cycle them simultaneously, or wait until I have partial stocking to add the second filter?

I'm getting back into the hobby after about seven years out of it. In the past, I probably fell more into the "fish-haver" category. This time around, I'd prefer to be labeled as a "keeper", so I'm trying to do my best to put in the research time to start off right.

Thanks in advance for replies.
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What actually constitutes a "home zoo"? Five fish tanks, three cats, 5 dogs, and a parrot? Will that do it?

[Oscer]

The Magnum 350 Pro filter is great technology IMO and should be all you need for your 4-5 goldfish, all that you might want to add is a power-head, just to keep the bottom free of debris.

I'm glad you have decided to change your ways, your fish will be for ever thankful.
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Years of fish keeping = Good advice

[donaldduck]

Great. I'd picked up an Aquaclear, but I'll probably take it back, now.

I have no experience with powerheads, though. I must confess I've never understood the concept. I'll have to look into it.
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What actually constitutes a "home zoo"? Five fish tanks, three cats, 5 dogs, and a parrot? Will that do it?

[Oscer]