Need advice on new filter for goldfish tank

[debldobbs]

Hi. I'm new to this forum and I need suggestions for a stronger filter for a 55 gallon goldfish tank. I want to get a stronger/better filter for the tank for my husband for Christmas. The problem is that we have approximately 15-20 goldfish of varying sizes. When we bring them in from their outdoor pond, we keep them in a 55 gal. tank in the basement for the winter. My husband mentioned needing a stronger filter so he doesn't have to be cleaning it constantly to keep up with their waste but said it would probably be $300+. I would like to get him one for Christmas but would like to keep the cost under $200 if possible. Can anyone give me suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Aiken Drum]

The problem is that bigger filtration doesn't mean less waste. The amount of waste is determined by the number of fish. All a bigger filter means is that it can process more ammonia into nitrate. If your filter cant process out all the ammonia, yes you need a bigger filter. But if your filter is sufficient to remove all the ammonia into nitrate, a bigger filter wont remove the same ammonia into less nitrate.

Your problem is that a 55 gallon aquarium is nowhere near big enough for 15 to 20 goldfish, regardless of how much filtration you have. A 55 gallon aquarium is going to provide a suitable home for 3, maybe 4 fancy type goldfish. Or 2, maybe 3 comet goldfish. Even as a temporary home for the winter, there is no way 20 goldfish should be in a 55 gallon aquarium. That is going to be a very stressful, unhealthy environment.

To answer your question though. For goldfish you need filtration rated for double your aquarium size, so look for something rated for 100 gallons. I'd go for a canister filter, and I'd look at a Fluval 407. If you are wanting something more budget, then SunSun are good value. I think the SunSun HW-3000 is good for 100 gallond. But thats not going to solve your problem, thats just not how water chemistry works. 20 goldfish will produce the same waste no matter how much filtration you have. The only way to reduce waste is to remove fish and change water more frequently.

 

[Airborne 82nd]

https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Perfomance-Canister-Filter-Black/dp/B07JFY2QW6/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UpD-Q8qum4LACf01YuGJBXYXVgOcmDhuDBWVZ9Jk1pmFZrjLTXeftsa1mivSfpX0kUIXuvomdigZGTgDF7A8TVQTuZ7Z7-8Q9KwTdtrCm3YbCTSpTK01u0So7VDuz1mb2YrRtm2I3fzN3kJ10G4MH_nkaD7ZOj_mUx_tGezRMp5lIZrp7aZgAj_CKQJZ00t4qvJPyNHRxSGGxxM-v2jXMPzsssQbSry3upzKuVfB6KyilLGKU3OiJbAkNYkk1n1pIgFwshmAVjIRu3Y0Skzk44rbO7T9GEOHKo3up1ap67M.AZgmldSd8CsWnGABNaRBKhBYVXfBlUXk8yTBT7BoAwI&dib_tag=se&keywords=fluval%2B407&qid=1765579400&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1&th=1

I use this plus a tidal75 in my 75 gal. with one Oscar and one pleco. I love the 407 I use it for bio and the hob tidal only gets floss and poly-bio marine Aiken is correct you can take his words to the bank. you have to many fish for your tank. some times I keep 10 small comets inn a bucket with 4 gals. of water for quaritine these are just food snacks I still keep there nitrates under 30-40ppm

 

[G2-B]

Sorry it's too late for X-mas, but I didn't see this until today X-mas day.
A simple gravel filter is dirt-cheap but 100% effective.

I know it works, because I use this in my aquaponics system. This is one situation where DIY is a lot cheaper and better than expensive store-bought filters. You can use the same system for your pond.



This is a 300gl IBC tote with close to 40 mature goldfish. They produce a lot of waste. And yet, as you can see, the water is crystal clear (3 1/2 ft deep) and there is no waste in the tank.

I use a 55-gl blue plastic barrel ($10-30 used) with gravel only.
You can scale it down for your specifics. Those barrels come in 30 and 35 gallons too.


For fixed-top barrels, you need to cut the top off at the narrow neck just under the top. I used a circular saw and/or reciprocating saw. If you turn the top upside down as shown in the picture, it will fit nicely over the opening.


At the bottom of the barrel, you need something that will collect the water and bring it up. I used a PVC pipe with T-connector inside a piece of perforated drainage pipe. You can make something similar with all PVC pipe and connectors and drill a lot of small holes (smaller than the pea gravel size).
I used 2" PVC. For a 30-gallon barrel, I'd use 1-1/4" or 1-1/2".



Cut the standing PVC pipe so that the top of the T-connector is at least 1" below the rim of the barrel. I used a UNISEAL (3" hole for 2" pipe) to prevent leakage around the horizontal overflow pipe. Fill the barrel with WASHED pea gravel.

No matter how well the gravel has been washed, it will still contain dirt and dust that needs to be flushed out.



The water enters at the top of the barrel (in the picture 2 IBC totes,) is filtered through the gravel and returns clean through the overflow pipe. In my system, I have a sump tank after the filter where I have the pump that returns the water to the fish tank.

This is gravity-powered. Fish tank overflow is highest, drains into the filter and the filer overflow drains into the sump tank. The pump returns the water to the fish tank.

With a glass aquarium, it would be easiest to place the filter barrel on concrete blocks, so the filter overflow is higher than the aquarium.
1/ the pump is your existing canister filer, or a cheapy sponge filter with a hose that lifts the water up into the filter barrel.
2/ The water goes through the filter and overflows into the aquarium.
3/ No sump tank needed.


How often do I have to clean this?
No less than 3 months. (I do mine twice a year, and not even necessary) You won't have to clean this thing until after you return your fish to the pond outside. I grow papyrus plants in my filter. That increases the cleaning power of the filter even more.

Aiken Drum is correct. Your 55-gallon aquarium is too small for that many goldfish. Instead of a bigger aquarium and filter, invest in a 150-gallon stock tank. ($200 and up @ Tractor supply, may be much cheaper on Craigslist)
That and my gravel filter will probably cost you less than a bigger store-bought filter.