possible 70 gal goldfish tank

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mango

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Messages
43
Location
northern MI
I think my boyfriend may soon be getting a new 70 gal tank from someone at work who no longer wants it. He wants to make it a goldfish tank and I told him I'd help him get it up and running. The largest tank I have ever owned is 10 gal so I really have no idea where to start when it comes to large tanks and have a few questions.

What am I going to need to get filtration-wise? I've heard that canister filters are best for larger tanks, but don't know what would be best where goldfish are concerned since they are rather messy fish. Would more than 1 filter be best?

Since it's goldfish we shouldn't need a heater, right? Or would it be best to keep them heated slightly even though the temp of one of our 10 gal tanks never drops below 70 even without a heater (the one it had recently gave out and I broke my backup heater so it's been watched very carefully for the last 2 weeks and will be getting a new heater next week)?

Since it's goldfish, it won't be planted so no fuss over plant needs. Probably just some low-maintainance floating plants like anacharis or something.

How much aeration am I going to need for goldfish in a tank this large?

How many fish should, ultimately, go in this tank? I think it's supposed to be 1 goldfish per 10 gallons but I've also been told 1 goldfish per 20 gallons. So somewhere between 3 and 7 fish?

Thanks for your time!

Dan
 
No heater for Goldies, unless you expect the tank temp to fluctuate wildly or get below 65 degrees for a long time. I don't use a heater in my wifes goldie tank. Yeah, somewhere between 3 and 7 fish, depending on the size. Good surface agitation from filter outflow is all you should need for oxygenation, unless you like the look of bubbles. Since I put two canisters on a 55 gal, I would definitely recommend two canisters on a 70 gal. But HOB's can work out fine too.
 
If you are into fancy goldfish, esp. if you want to get into show quality/large fish, you would be wise to invest in a heater. Fancies do better in mid 70's & will grow faster in warmer water. You don't need anything big, a 100 - 150 W will do to keep the temp just a bit warmer than room.

Canister is good for this size tank, or you can go for a wet/dry, esp. if you are tending to overstock.
 
I would recommend a cannister and a HOB because of how messy goldfish can get. A HOB is easier to clean on a regular basis IMO. My goldie tank has two A/C HOB's with 600 gph turnover. The tank stays clear and it is overstocked. Goldies also really enjoy an air stone or bubbler. I have a large one on my tank and the goldies play in it all day long.
 
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