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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Goldfish / March 2008Questions from a newbie
Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing that the goldfish will growth soon and that 5g is not a good home for them, but the idea was to start small. After 3 weeks they are now 2.5". I wanted to wait and learn before buying a proper size tank. I understand now the pain of cycling a new tank, specially a small one; I've been doing 50% water changes every 5/6 days and finally I have a clear tank and ammonia and others indicators finally under normal range. I'm planning to keep the current tank as a hospital tank or maybe I'll put some really small fish now that is cycled. I'm ready to buy a new tank and I have some limitations to consider: physical size of the tank, price and filter performance for the messy goldfish. I would like to stay in the 36" W, 15" L and up to 20" H range. I found several options that I can afford: 29g - Marineland Eclipse 29 [glass] - Filter: one Eclipse 3 45g - Clear for Life Double Eclipse 45L [acrylic] - Filter: two Eclipse 2 55g - Marineland Eclipse 55 [glass] - Filter: two Eclipse 2 (larger than I want but still a possibility) My idea is to look for a double filter to have a backup in case of failure and to have more filtration power for the goldfish. I'm looking to have 2 goldies for the 29g, 3 for the 45g and 4 for the 55g; and no other fish, is this ok? I'm really a newbie and I don't anything about filters and brands, but I kind of like the simplicity of the Eclipse filtration and their bio- wheel filter. Does the Eclipse be enough for the number of goldies that I'm planning to keep? I'm a little concern on that, no previous experience so no point of reference. Another question, when I change water what I'm supposed to do with the bio-wheel fitter? Put it on existing tank water or submerged in the water? For how long can be without water before damaging the bacteria? Any recommendation for other tank/filter combination? If so, please specify brand and models so I can search for a good deal. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks. > Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of > baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > Looking forward to your comments. > Thanks. The 55 gal would be best. There is nothing wrong with the Eclipse, however filter media for them is pretty darn high and if you change it out as often as you should you will lay out a fair amount of $$ on filter media alone. In regards to the bio wheels, nothing has to be done to them. As long as they do not dryout they will be fine......and the time frame to do a water change will certainly not harm them. I would, and this is just my personal opinion and that is buy one or better yet two Hagen Aqua Clear AC110 filters The filter media in them is cleanable and reuseable over and over and over again. They are easy to clean and service, and they are also biological in nature. They use a porous ceramic type media to give bacteria a place to inhabit and its trouble free. They move a lot of water and do a bang up jopb of keeping water clean clear and not become a drain on the wallet in regards to always having to buy filter media that is propreitary in nature. YOu can buy 2 of thr AC110 for about what a Eclipse will cost, if you look on line. Check out Drs Foster and Smith or BIg Als Online.they both match prices and if y have a Petsmart or Petco print their price out and the local big box stores will match it as well. > Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of > baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > Looking forward to your comments. > Thanks. In addition to ExPat's reply, I will add that if you live in or near a city that has several independent aquarium stores, often they will have much better prices on tanks and stands than the chains. And they will often have a better quality product. It's worth it to check around. Gail near San Antonio TX > I'm ready to buy a new tank and I have some limitations to consider: > physical size of the tank, price and filter performance for the messy [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > looking to have 2 goldies for the 29g, 3 for the 45g and 4 for the > 55g; and no other fish, is this ok? The bigger the better (always with goldies). The stocking levels would be the MAX for the fancy types, such as your Orandas. If it were Comets or the common feeder type fan tails, you would need to go larger in all stocking levels. They get much longer than the fancies, and need more room. Obviously koi are not for fish tanks, so I don't include them in stocking levels. Being that you stated you're new to the hobby you may not know that Koi are not fine for fish tanks, and are pond fish. > I'm really a newbie and I don't anything about filters and brands, but > I kind of like the simplicity of the Eclipse filtration and their bio- [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to keep? I'm a little concern on that, no previous experience so no > point of reference. As long you don't slack off on weekly water changes, you'll be fine at those stocking levels. > Another question, when I change water what I'm supposed to do with the > bio-wheel fitter? Put it on existing tank water or submerged in the > water? For how long can be without water before damaging the bacteria? When you're doing a water change you can either leave it in it's housing or put it in some tank water. As long as it doesn't dry out it'll be fine. If it dries, the bacteria die. > Any recommendation for other tank/filter combination? If so, please > specify brand and models so I can search for a good deal. For something like a 29g, I would use a power filter (HOB). For tanks larger, I'd go to a canister filter. If you like the Eclipse hood set up, go for it. It'll be just fine, and look real nice too. People forget how pretty a large tank, with large fancy Goldies in it, nicely decorated, and well kept can look. Properly cared for goldies are pretty fish, no doubt. They just need to be kept right. Thanks a lot for your comments, I've decided to go with the 55g tank. Based on your recommendations I'm going to do some research in filters in my local pet shops to have a better idea of the associated costs and maintenance. > Thanks a lot for your comments, I've decided to go with the 55g tank. > Based on your recommendations I'm going to do some research in filters > in my local pet shops to have a better idea of the associated costs > and maintenance. Future needs as to filter media etc is one thing that 9 out of 10 folks never even consider. They get sold a bill of goods by a store clerk and off they go, happy as a lark. Then they ifnd out the associated costs for replacement proprietary filter media and for awhile they still buy and change it out. Then it gets to a point its getting expensive and corners are cut, so filter media is made to last a bit longer, and then longer still and then the next thing is Oh wow, whats wrong, my fish are dying, and I have not done anything tothe tank to warrant this.........as surely an extra week or two or three out of filter media is not gonna kill my fish since my water is so nice and clean and clear...............You would be very surprised how much some fitlers replacement media can cost you over even a short period of time like say a year.......Thats why Aqua Clear filters are nice.......as they are probably the most economical filter to maintain and they do a great job of filtering water. |
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