Which power filter should i buy??? for goldfish fantail aquarium 55 gallon ??

And how can I cover the intake strain from sucking up my little fishes ?

So far I'm thinking of buying these
1. Aqueon
2.Hagen aqua clear up to 70 gallon
3.Fluval aqua clear
4. Aqua tech 30-60
5. fluval C4

How long does it take so my ammonia levels drop to 1ppm I'm doing the fishless cycle its about a week now

When I buy the fantails is it crucial to buy same sized fish?

I currently have the emperor 400 bio wheel running now but I heard I need a second filter,
and no I won't buy another emperor 400,

is 330 gph or 300 gph enough for a second filter?

Can I use flower pots the red colored ones ?so the fantails can hide

I read I could cover the intake strain with fabric tule, mesh, or fiberglass screen, I heard using sponges are bad because you never know if they chemicals

Can I use pvc pipes in the aqaurium , I have used dirty ones I found , not from my house, how can I clean them?

I heard not feeding the fish for 24hrs is healthy for them is it true?

I know I need 550 gph for the whole tank , but would each filter need to filter 550 gph or have a combined filtration of 550 gph? so far the emperor is 400gph

every answer is appreciated thanks

 

HI Eric8055 and welcome.
Personally, all your filter options sound fine and you really just need to make sure you have plenty-goldfish are mass producers!
As far as fishless cycling, someone else will need to respond to that one.
I like to buy about the same size of fish, this keeps them on an even playing feel for competing for food, etc.
Not sure why you don't want the same kind of filter-it would make filter changing simpler.
I use red clay flower pots in my tanks and I would just rinse them really well.
panty hose work fine to cover the filter intake-you can use sponges that are designed for aquariums-probably they were talking about sponges in the kitchen department.
The dirty pvc could be scrubbed with bleach-then rinse really well and maybe dip in water treated with prime.
I am assuming that you will be getting young fish, two fantail. If so, you may keep an eye on your perimeters and make sure that the filtration is doing the job. You can also do a couple of water changes in the week if you need to but be sure and keep the water as pristine as possible keeping in mind these guys are huge waste producers.
Good luck, have fun!

 

Yeah I decided I'm going to buy the aqua clear, But I heard panty hoses get clogged? or should I still use them instead of buying a sponge designed for the filter, or can I use a car wash sponge?

 

question answer order:
1. Aquaclears are great filters
2. 1-2 months depending on your method
3. don't know about goldfish...
4. flower pots? the clay ones? yes you can put clay pots in the aquarium
5. plain sponges are fine, you just have to make sure it's clean. I recommend pillow batting
6. PVC is fine in aquariums, and you don't have to clean it super good, depending on it's previous usage
7. Don't know, but fish only need to be fed 3 times a week to lower nitrate bildup
8. aquaclear sponges come with the filter, but just search aquaclear foam insert.

 

Which prefilter diy should I use?

which prefilter can I use to cover my intake filter strain from not sucking my fantails? I read I could use filter floss, polyfill, or pillow bedding but don't know which one to use? ,
how long does it take so ammonia levels can first drop while doing fish less cycle, its been a week today

Do I need to feed fantails everyday 2x times a day

When placing clay pots inside my aquarium does it matter how I face them, should I place them with the opening facing toward me where people can see them easy, or place it with the opening facing the sideways, or facing toward the back of the tank where I can't see them?

what time should I turn on their lights from what time to what?

Can I use any fluorescent light bulbs from Walmart daylight spectrum for them?

Where should I place a decor with holes that I already have through so fish can swim through it in the tank since I'm placing two hob filters on the left and on the right, should I place it in the middle, or can I leave it on any side but one side with free space so they can swim freely

what can I feed them that has potassium?

 

I've never owned an aquaclear, but many love them, so id go with this one.

How long does it take so my ammonia levels drop to 1ppm I'm doing the fishless cycle its about a week now

It depends on many factors such as right ph, tank temp, etc.. in optimal conditions, 2 - 3 weeks for your first set of bacteria to start settling in.

When I buy the fantails is it crucial to buy same sized fish?

No, but preferred as goldies can be bullies and you might have issues at feeding time, also buy from a reputable LFS, a breeder if possible.

I currently have the emperor 400 bio wheel running now but I heard I need a second filter,
and no I won't buy another emperor 400,

is 330 GPH or 300 gph enough for a second filter?

Your emperor, it is rated at 400GPH, this is before your filters start getting established, after, your flow slows. The second aqua clear should get you to filtration at 10X your tanks volume.

Can I use flower pots the red colored ones ?so the fantails can hide

If you are referring to terracotta pots, many have successfully used them, just make sure they are not painted.

I read I could cover the intake strain with fabric tule, mesh, or fiberglass screen, I heard using sponges are bad because you never know if they chemicals

There are special intake sponges you can purchase for cheap, here is a link to an example of one, just a reminder that if you do add one of these, they tend to get very dirty really fast which will add to your maintenance schedule and also slow down your filters flow:




Can I use PVC pipes in the aqaurium , I have used dirty ones I found , not from my house, how can I clean them?

PVC is so cheap, buy new, you don't know if there are any chemicals that remain on the PVC or a contaminant that can harm your fish.

I heard not feeding the fish for 24hrs is healthy for them is it true?

There are varied opinions on fasting fish. Fasting is used to help with swim bladder issues and relieve constipation in gold fish. Personally, I fast my goldfish once a week.

I know I need 550 gph for the whole tank , but would each filter need to filter 550 gph or have a combined filtration of 550 gph? so far the emperor is 400gph

Combined, 55 x 10 = 550GPH total.

A few other things I thought I should include:

Have you chosen your substrate ? goldies are always rummaging through substrate and are big waste producers. I always recommend bare bottom tanks and yull find that most breeders keep their goldies in bare bottom tanks for easy maintenance and to help with the build up of waste. Also, if you choose to go with substrate, make sure its large so your goldies don't accidentally get something stuck in their throat.

Get an air pump to aerate your tank with an air stone that produces large bubbles.

I'm not sure where you are located, but I always recommend to get a heater with goldies. Many disagree and state that goldies are freshwater fish that can acclimate to colder temps, but why have them acclimate ? I set my heater at 68, it very rarely turns on.

Fancy goldfish are rather clumsy swimmers, please make sure any tank decor has not sharp or rough edges where your fish can sustain injury.

Have you thought about what you will feed them ? I highly suggest you opt for a good quality sinking pellet. Omega One, New Life Spectrum and Hikary all make great sinking pellets.

I highly suggest you reach through forum member Akari's "Gold FIsh Care Guide" it has great information, here is a link to it:

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-common-and-comet-goldfish-care-guide.129872/

If I think of more, ill add to the post. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Yes I have a few piles of gravel to weigh down two artificial plants , but the bottom is mostly bare, I also have three bubble wands running , yes I already bought new life spectrum and omega one, As oyu can see I've been doing a lot of research before
which prefilter can I use to cover my intake filter strain from not sucking my fantails? I read I could use filter floss, polyfill, or pillow bedding but don't know which one to use? ,
how long does it take so ammonia levels can first drop while doing fish less cycle, its been a week today

Do I need to feed fantails everyday 2x times a day

When placing clay pots inside my aquarium does it matter how I face them, should I place them with the opening facing toward me where people can see them easy, or place it with the opening facing the sideways, or facing toward the back of the tank where I can't see them?

what time should I turn on their lights from what time to what?

Can I use any fluorescent light bulbs from Walmart daylight spectrum for them?

Where should I place a decor with holes that I already have through so fish can swim through it in the tank since I'm placing two HOB filters on the left and on the right, should I place it in the middle, or can I leave it on any side but one side with free space so they can swim freely

what can I feed them that has potassium?

 

which prefilter can I use to cover my intake filter strain from not sucking my fantails? I read I could use filter floss, polyfill, or pillow bedding but don't know which one to use? ,
how long does it take so ammonia levels can first drop while doing fish less cycle, its been a week today

Do I need to feed fantails everyday 2x times a day

When placing clay pots inside my aquarium does it matter how I face them, should I place them with the opening facing toward me where people can see them easy, or place it with the opening facing the sideways, or facing toward the back of the tank where I can't see them?

what time should I turn on their lights from what time to what?

Can I use any fluorescent light bulbs from Walmart daylight spectrum for them?

Where should I place a decor with holes that I already have through so fish can swim through it in the tank since I'm placing two hob filters on the left and on the right, should I place it in the middle, or can I leave it on any side but one side with free space so they can swim freely

what can I feed them that has potassium?

eric, I suggest you edit your other post and add these questions to it so not to confuse people, for a minute there, I thought my reply to your other post had not gone through.


Which prefilter can I use to cover my intake filter strain from not sucking my fantails? I read I could use filter floss, polyfill, or pillow bedding but don't know which one to use?

See you other post. Question already answered.

how long does it take so ammonia levels can first drop while doing fish less cycle, its been a week today

See you other post. Question already answered.

Do I need to feed fantails everyday 2x times a day

Two small feedings per day are ok, with regards to type of food and fasting, please see you other post..

When placing clay pots inside my aquarium does it matter how I face them, should I place them with the opening facing toward me where people can see them easy, or place it with the opening facing the sideways, or facing toward the back of the tank where I can't see them?

Up to you, I like to place decor in all ways.

what time should I turn on their lights from what time to what?

4 - 6 hours a day should be sufficient unless you are planning on including live plants in your aquarium.

Can I use any fluorescent light bulbs from Walmart daylight spectrum for them?

I've always purchased florescent bulbs specific to plant growth sold at LFS's.

Where should I place a decor with holes that I already have through so fish can swim through it in the tank since I'm placing two HOB filters on the left and on the right, should I place it in the middle, or can I leave it on any side but one side with free space so they can swim freely

Up to your liking, there is no set way of doing this.

what can I feed them that has potassium?

This is new to me, did someone recommend you feed this to them ? Usually good quality foods for goldies have Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate which is a source of Vitamin C, I've never heard of feeding goldfish potassium, I believe you received some bad advice.

 

Okay looks like all my questions been answered thanks

 

I just happened to notice that the sponges from the cheap sponge filters I bought fit on the intake of my canister filters. This is really convenient because if I need to set-up a QT tank, or a new breeding tank, I have already cycled sponges that I can steal from the canister intake and put back on the sponge filter.

 

Merged Threads

Good morning,


I have merged your 3 threads all dealing with filtration for the 55 gallon tank. It will be less confusing to other members. Please only create 1 thread per topic.

Thanks!

Ken

 

I am be a bit late to chime in, but the Fluval C series is superior to the AquaClear ( I have both). If you have an aquaclear, be aware of the bypass issue due to design flaws in the media basket:

Go here and note the ideal solution with epoxy and plasctic. Personally, I just used duct tape;

:

The AquaClear will not polish water "out of the box," however there is a cure. Eliminate the carbon and use tightly packed floww (sera wool is best) .... and seachem Purigen. Then you're good to go.

[The AquaClear will not give you crystal clear, polished water "out of the box" because the sponge is not "graduated" and does not get out fine micron particles.]

 

I am be a bit late to chime in, but the Fluval C series is superior to the AquaClear ( I have both). If you have an aquaclear, be aware of the bypass issue due to design flaws in the media basket:

Go here and note the ideal solution with epoxy and plasctic. Personally, I just used duct tape;

:

The AquaClear will not polish water "out of the box," however there is a cure. Eliminate the carbon and use tightly packed floww (sera wool is best) .... and seachem Purigen. Then you're good to go.

[The AquaClear will not give you crystal clear, polished water "out of the box" because the sponge is not "graduated" and does not get out fine micron particles.]

Thanks for the input but I already bought the aqua clear filter but I will look forward to buying in the future