Another member setting up a 55.

Robbw · 04-06-2007, 10:34 AM

I'm looking to set up a 55 gallon tank that was given to me. I intend to house 5 goldfish, 2 fairly large Black Moors, 2 small red cap orandas, and one small orange veiltail. These fish are currently in a 29 gallon tank being treated for a small Ich breakout.

The 55 is going in the same spot the 29 is now. My original plan was to move most of the water, fish and filter to a plastic container, move the 29, and install the 55. I intended to move the 25 lbs of substrate gravel from the old tank to the new, with maybe another 25 lbs to keep the 1" depth. I also intended to move the decor and then use the Penguin 200 from the old tank. Putting in most of the old water and topping it off, I hoped to be able to not completely mess up the nitrogen cycle. With further thought, I'm not sure it would be that easy.

My only other option is to move fish and water to the plastic container so that I can physically move the 29 to a temporary place across the room. Then I can put the water and fish back in (all in less than an hour) and probably have less effect on the cycle. After that, I can set up the 55 and do a fishless cycle.

I'm also trying to decide what filter(s), lighting and heater to use. On the filter, I was thinking of a single Marineland Penguin 350 or Emperor 400. Since I have very low KH and low PH I am also thinking of adding crushed coral or oyster shells as a third filter media.

Lighting, I don't think I need to get too fancy since I don't have any plan to have many plants. As for the heater, it's only to prevent the tank temp from bottoming out on those occasions when the room temp is 60 degrees.

Any thoughts, opinions and advice are appreciated.

gm333 · 04-07-2007, 12:07 AM

Sounds like you got a plan, keep us updated on any problems that might arise.

BMueller777 · 04-07-2007, 11:23 AM

I've got the same set going for me, my friend is giving me a 55g tank and stand and I'm planing on keeping goldfish too lol, Goldfishs water temps can varry from like 33F to like 110F or something crazy like that, If you're house temp drops low it's not going to happen immiediatly (sp?) to you're 55g, that's a lot of water to cool down and it'll happen slowly so the fish can adjust (I think) if anyone could add their option on this that'd be cool, I really want to know for myself from one of you experts

BJP · 04-07-2007, 11:35 AM

The first plan for transfer will probably go without a hitch and if it doesn't add enough bacteria to compensate fast enough there's always Marinelands Bio-Spira. Reduced feedings alone will most likely buy you enough time when combined with the additional water volume and a few water changes.

I firmly believe you're setting up to house way too many fish long term in too small of an aquarium. Two to 3 goldfish total would represent a full load as they reach maturity. A continual flow setup would help greatly with the water quality increasing the number of fish you could house but given spacial concerns I would still think the total number to be excessive. I'm not planning to have that many goldfish in my future 72 continual flow setup.

For filtration, splitting the filtration between the two sides is the way to go. A pair of Emporer 280's or a pair of 350's or at least keep the Penguin 200 on one side long term with an additional filter on the other.

Heater's aren't a bad idea if they're used to take the bounce out from day to night but season to season swings down to 60 gradually are of no real concern for goldfish. A continual flow arrangement would counter the swings from air temperature also. I'm getting a constant 65 degrees year round on my incoming water. No overheating in the summer, no cooling down excessively or even freezing outside with the goldfish ponds and no day to night swings. I also get to save the initial cost of the heaters and the continual cost of the electricity to operate them.

Crushed coral or oyster shell will probably work fine in the baskets on the 350 but it really isn't needed if enough water changes are done. Mom's had goldfish since the mid 90's in super soft acid water. They'll adapt easily.

When you make the switch, take the old cartridge from the Penguin 200 and place it in one of the slots on the Penguin 350 if you go that route. It should be an exact match and you'll transfer bacteria directly to the new filter that way.

Robbw · 04-07-2007, 12:29 PM

How many of these goldfish should I be housing in a 55? I mean, right now I've got the two decent sized moors but the other three are small. If I'm very lucky and my fish thrive, then sure, I can see 5 big goldfish would be too many for that 55 gallon tank.

BJP · 04-07-2007, 04:51 PM

It's not so much what the tank can hold right now, it's what it can hold long term as they grow up. Two to three is really about it, then I have other concerns with the limited space affecting the crown growth on the orandas and I have had many complaints over the years with agressive moors. I'm trying for a moor myself and hoping I can avoid the problem but if it comes up I've got multiple outddor ponds I can relocate fish too.

By starting off with too many fish now you force yourself to have to upgrade later on which may not always be possible if financial situations change. An easy example of that is I just got told last night after 38 years that I've finally fertilized a field successfully and should be expecting a little me around December. Now I'm thinking I might have to shuffle a bunch of priorities and forgo additional tanks in the near future.

Robbw · 04-07-2007, 08:59 PM

Congratulations!!!!

I understand your point on overcrowding. Interestingly, one of the little orandas is harassing the big moors a little. Not constantly, only every once in a while.

I was going to set up the 55 today. But company showed up around noon and just left so now it's the Red Sox game and a Miller Lite.

I bought two 24 inch hoods for the tank yesterday. It's got the center brace. Turns out this tank, which is probably 20 years old, is only about 11 1/2 inches wide which is probably half an inch or an inch less than the width of the 2 hoods. I wonder if the standard size has changed a little over the years. I may not be able to use the standard hood.

BJP · 04-07-2007, 11:56 PM

I can't say it's changed but I do know it's slightly different from one companys tank to another. Usually you can find a tag for who manufactured the tank if you look straight down at the bottom frame from the inside of the tank. I just got a reminder a little over a year ago when my store ordered in 75 gallon glass tops from AGA to go on my 75 gallon Perfecto and they kept falling in the tank. I had to take them back and wait 3 more weeks for the Perfecto tops.

Front to back width issues shouldn't be that bad to deal with especially if you have extra width on the tops. Most can be trimmed without too much hassle. Even the standard glass tops come with a plastic back strip that can be trimmed down. I end up custom cutting most of my tops to exactly fit the filters of preference with a hacksaw instead of using the prestamped knockouts.

I'm going to end up being very happy if I end up with a healthy baby but right now I'm still kinda blown away by the news. I haven't told anyone yet other than you and she wants me to wait a few months before letting anyone know. I'll stop though before I spin your thread way off topic. I've got too many what should I do now thoughts.