How many goldfish in a 55 gallon?

[turtle10]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I was hoping to turn into a goldfish tank. Because it used to house tropical fish, the substrate is sand. Specifically, the pool filter type sand. Is this okay? If not I can just buy some large river stones for the bottom, since I heard some goldies will eat the small gravel. How many goldfish is okay to put in? I was thinking three was a good number, from what I have read four would be pushing it. I really like black moors, so I wanted a black moor as well as two other types of goldfish that would get along with one. 

What are some basic goldfish supplies that are must haves? I know air stones/pumps, but is there anything else?

Also, I just looked at rain garden's page and his fish are amazing! I am going to try and save up money to buy from him.

[BruceP]

I answered your questions in the into page except for the 'how many'... Four or five will be fine as long as you keep up on the maintenance .  NO MORE.

[kayjay]

I'm not a fish breeder like Bruce, but here's what works for me:

My 55g houses 1 black moor and 2 panda telescopes. I wanted to leave them plenty of room for growth rather than stocking to the max. It's a barebottom tank so cleanup is easy, & no worries about silly GF sucking up bits of gravel or damaging their bugeyes. Filters: 1 hang-on-back & 1 canister, also a large bubble bar and a heater set to 72. I found that greater duckweed (floating) and valisneria plants in pots will survive my goldies where other plants didn't. I change out 25 to 30% of the water weekly, use Prime additive when I do that.

I don't claim it's a perfect setup but the fish must be happy, they just spawned!

[turtle10]

That all sounds great, I will probably go with three goldfish. My lfs carries orandas, ranchus, and other fancies so I was planning on getting two and then when they get a black moor in get that for a third. If I do that, how long should I quarantine the third for? And will the goldfish be okay with just the two of them, they won't pick on each other or anything? I am used to bettas .

I think I am also going to remove the sand, what is the best way to do that? Should I just scoop it up little by little?

I am going to check out aquabid for duckweed if the lfs doesn't have any.

[Lolafish]

I think I am also going to remove the sand, what is the best way to do that? Should I just scoop it up little by little?

You can do it all at once if there aren't any fish in it.  Otherwise, if it's occupied, do it in thirds....maybe over a course of a week and a half.

[Lolafish]

If I do that, how long should I quarantine the third for? And will the goldfish be okay with just the two of them, they won't pick on each other or anything?

Most goldfish get along, but every now and then, you get one that's aggressive. That's not real typical though.  Especially if around the same size.
 
QT'ing should be anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks.  If you're getting from an LFS, I would treat for parasites (AquaPrazi and Dimilin) per the instructions on the bottles.  Chances are, they've been exposed to who-knows-what and you don't want to introduce anything into your main tank.

[turtle10]

So I should treat even the first fish for parasites if I get them from the lfs?

[Kintaro]

So I should treat even the first fish for parasites if I get them from the lfs?

Yes I would treat them with prazi.

[turtle10]

Ok so I will order some of the prazi stuff from Dr Fosters and Smith (since I need stuff from there anyways) and do like one or two day shipping. Luckily it says that it won't disturb the biological filter so that is good. I ended up getting a red cap oranda, a calico telescope, and a chocolate-looking oranda. From what I have read the "chocolates" sometimes end up turning orange but I am okay with that, he or she would be just as pretty orange. I still have a few more rocks to put it and I am going to get some smaller stones to put throughout the tank, like just one layer of stones but still few enough that I can easily get any gunk out with the siphon. I am putting some pictures of the fish and the tank in the pictures section, let me know what you think.

[claire_uk]

I have a 56 US gallon with 1 XL Oranda and 1 medium Fantail, with 2 loachs and 2 bristlenoses. They all do well, good filters are the major factor in being able to stock more and also water changes and maintenance.
I have gravel with small granite stones, live plants and bogwood. I shall go and have a look at your pics, but your setup sounds good. :-)

[turtle10]

So recently I found out that my filter's gph isn't high enough so I have to buy a new filter. I can't afford to buy new and the only things on craigslist are a fluval 405 and an eheim 2229. The fluval is 340 gph but I can't figure out what the gph for the eheim is, that model isn't on their website. If I add the gph from the eheim I have now to the fluval it is 164 + 340 which is 504 gph. I know it is below 550, is it enough or should I keep looking for a better filter? Should I just get the fluval and do an extra water change?

[Lolafish]

Just keep doing the best you can for now. You can never have too many filters.
 

[Lolafish]

the only things on craigslist are a fluval 405 and an eheim 2229. The fluval is 340 gph but I can't figure out what the gph for the eheim is, that model isn't on their website.

The Eheim Model 2229 = 280 gph.

[Au_fish]

I would suggest keep checking ebay/aquabid/craigslist for bargains.
And the used filters you've already found sound like they'd be suitable.