Hi
I have not had goldfish in quite a while, and want to start again when I move into my new apartment. I will not be able to have a large tank there for a myriad of reasons, so I am coming here to ask about a tank that likely won’t be upgraded.
Goal:
I would like to keep either two or three fancies, either ranchu or yuan bao/shortfin oranda, or a mix of the two types. I want to keep them bare bottom, with some large cobbles and flowerpots for decor, and a carpet of green algae.
Tank:
I have a 33 gallon long aquarium (48 x 12 x 12) that served as my Amazon tank until my angels outgrew it and I upgraded to a 60 breeder. I like it a lot; I think the shape is very attractive, and gives the fish room to move around naturally, while being easy to clean. It is also what I have, and getting a 40 breeder will likely cost a day of my time and $200+.
I see online that people say a 40 breeder (36 x 18 x 16) is the minimum size for fancies. I get that it has a little more turning room 18” vs 12”, more surface area, 648 in2 vs 576 in2, and obviously more volume, but not by a very wide margin, and people recommend 55s for goldfish; which, from the goldfish’s point of view, should be nearly identical to the 33, as it has the same footprint. I also feel that the goldfish I want are smaller and slower than some other fancies, like regular orandas or veiltails, which should make the narrow tank less of an issue.
Equipment:
I have some reef lights for with blue+UV+red+green that were on my 33 gallon soft coral reef (yes I really like the size) that I sold, and a general purpose white LED strip that I think would combine well to create the algae. I would put on 2/3 of the reef lights, as I think that would be enough. I already know that these lights grow algae well in freshwater. I want to run a canister filter for a clean look and a quiet tank. I would also have a pair of 50w heaters in the tank. I do not want a sump.
My plan:
I intend to follow Goldfish Corner on YouTube’s guide for green carpet algae, except that I intend to do it while I cycle the tank, before I add the fish, and just do a fishless cycle.
Goldfish Corner’s guide:
Green Carpet Algae
My Questions:
Is the 33 long good for ranchus?
How much flow is too much/what size canister should I get?
Should I add a powerhead, or will the canister provide enough flow?
Do I need a UV filter?
Do I need to fertilize the algae like I would a planted tank?
Will I be able to grow pathos on top, or will the algae outcompete it?
Do I have to worry about the goldies burning themselves on the heater?
Can too much light stress the goldfish?
Goal:
I would like to keep either two or three fancies, either ranchu or yuan bao/shortfin oranda, or a mix of the two types. I want to keep them bare bottom, with some large cobbles and flowerpots for decor, and a carpet of green algae.
Tank:
I have a 33 gallon long aquarium (48 x 12 x 12) that served as my Amazon tank until my angels outgrew it and I upgraded to a 60 breeder. I like it a lot; I think the shape is very attractive, and gives the fish room to move around naturally, while being easy to clean. It is also what I have, and getting a 40 breeder will likely cost a day of my time and $200+.
I see online that people say a 40 breeder (36 x 18 x 16) is the minimum size for fancies. I get that it has a little more turning room 18” vs 12”, more surface area, 648 in2 vs 576 in2, and obviously more volume, but not by a very wide margin, and people recommend 55s for goldfish; which, from the goldfish’s point of view, should be nearly identical to the 33, as it has the same footprint. I also feel that the goldfish I want are smaller and slower than some other fancies, like regular orandas or veiltails, which should make the narrow tank less of an issue.
Equipment:
I have some reef lights for with blue+UV+red+green that were on my 33 gallon soft coral reef (yes I really like the size) that I sold, and a general purpose white LED strip that I think would combine well to create the algae. I would put on 2/3 of the reef lights, as I think that would be enough. I already know that these lights grow algae well in freshwater. I want to run a canister filter for a clean look and a quiet tank. I would also have a pair of 50w heaters in the tank. I do not want a sump.
My plan:
I intend to follow Goldfish Corner on YouTube’s guide for green carpet algae, except that I intend to do it while I cycle the tank, before I add the fish, and just do a fishless cycle.
Goldfish Corner’s guide:
Green Carpet Algae
My Questions:
Is the 33 long good for ranchus?
How much flow is too much/what size canister should I get?
Should I add a powerhead, or will the canister provide enough flow?
Do I need a UV filter?
Do I need to fertilize the algae like I would a planted tank?
Will I be able to grow pathos on top, or will the algae outcompete it?
Do I have to worry about the goldies burning themselves on the heater?
Can too much light stress the goldfish?
