Fish tank set up help needed!

[Blu Mongoose]

We have a few fish and want to know more about aquarium set-up. It's been 20 yrs. since I seriously kept fish. I don't remember much and care of fish has apparently improved greatly over the yrs.
Kelly is wanting to put a variety of goldfish in her 44 gal. tank and I would like to see them thrive. I have been out of it so long, help is needed!

[Mindibun]

Goldfish in a tank that large will be gorgeous!!!

I love goldfish, it's just such a shame they're some of the messiest fish. Because of that I would recommend a set of under-gravel filters, as well as a carbon filter which hangs on the outside (or, they make in-tank ones nowadays which is what I have because it allows the tank to be pushed right up against a wall). You wont need a heater because goldfish like colder temps. (about 74 degrees F)

I would also recommend NOT getting normal gravel. Goldfish were all vaccuum cleaners in another life (-lol-) and they suck everything up, sometimes even swallowing the rocks. So, for their safety and ease of cleaning for you, I'd say to buy the much larger "river rocks". You can usually get those in petstores as well, you just have to look harder.

I used a sheet of aluminum foil as a background on my tank. It was free and it reflects the light and looks really nice. Also, goldfish like peas and oranges. It's neat to watch them eat the orange. Just buy a fresh one, clean it, and cut it into wheels. Let them float in the water and the goldfish will eat the middle of the ring out and swim through it. -lol-

I would put no more than 5 fish in your tank, that way they can get to an impressive size. My favorite are Ryukin goldfish but the panda bear ones can be really neat. There's so much to say about keeping fish! If you have any other questions you can PM me. ^_^ I'd be glad to help. I only mentioned some not-so-common stuff here.

[Blu Mongoose]

Thanks for the info. I know what you are talking about as far as them swallowing rocks,I had one that I had to pull a wedged rock out with tweezers!!
What foods do you feel are best. I hate to just pick anything up, just because they call it goldfish food.

[joepythons]

Thanks for the info. I know what you are talking about as far as them swallowing rocks,I had one that I had to pull a wedged rock out with tweezers!!
What foods do you feel are best. I hate to just pick anything up, just because they call it goldfish food.

The only thing i can add here is the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon.In english words if a fish will grow to 6 inches when full grown he needs 6 gallons of water room .

[jknudson]

The only thing i can add here is the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon.In english words if a fish will grow to 6 inches when full grown he needs 6 gallons of water room .

I'd throw that rule out with Goldfish...like Mindibun said...messy messy messy.

[joepythons]

I'd throw that rule out with Goldfish...like Mindibun said...messy messy messy.

Yea but with to many in one tank the ammonia will the water lol

[Mindibun]

I only buy Omega One brand food. It's much more natural. If you look at the ingredients on that it's stuff you can actually pronounce and recognize. Other brands you're like, sounding stuff out and raising an eyebrow.

[Mindibun]

Yea but with to many in one tank the ammonia will the water lol

Thats what he means. Going by your "1 gal for every inch of fish" rule, you could put A LOT of goldfish in there. I gave each fish 10 gallons, and you figure they'll only grow to about 6 inches. That way the water should stay clear. I think there was just a misunderstanding.

Both of us definitely argue that less fish = better water so it's all good.

[jknudson]

Twenty inches of goldfish is way worse than 20 inches of tetras... that was basically my point...

[Mindibun]

no no, ...tetras are gross. Their poop is fine. THEY are gross. -lol-