Questions from a newbie

Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of
baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing
that the goldfish will growth soon and that 5g is not a good home for
them, but the idea was to start small. After 3 weeks they are now
2.5".

I wanted to wait and learn before buying a proper size tank. I
understand now the pain of cycling a new tank, specially a small one;
I've been doing 50% water changes every 5/6 days and finally I have a
clear tank and ammonia and others indicators finally under normal
range. I'm planning to keep the current tank as a hospital tank or
maybe I'll put some really small fish now that is cycled.

I'm ready to buy a new tank and I have some limitations to consider:
physical size of the tank, price and filter performance for the messy
goldfish.

I would like to stay in the 36" W, 15" L and up to 20" H range. I
found several options that I can afford:

29g - Marineland Eclipse 29 [glass] - Filter: one Eclipse 3
45g - Clear for Life Double Eclipse 45L [acrylic] - Filter: two
Eclipse 2
55g - Marineland Eclipse 55 [glass] - Filter: two Eclipse 2
(larger than I want but still a possibility)

My idea is to look for a double filter to have a backup in case of
failure and to have more filtration power for the goldfish. I'm
looking to have 2 goldies for the 29g, 3 for the 45g and 4 for the
55g; and no other fish, is this ok?

I'm really a newbie and I don't anything about filters and brands, but
I kind of like the simplicity of the Eclipse filtration and their bio-
wheel filter.

Does the Eclipse be enough for the number of goldies that I'm planning
to keep? I'm a little concern on that, no previous experience so no
point of reference.

Another question, when I change water what I'm supposed to do with the
bio-wheel fitter? Put it on existing tank water or submerged in the
water? For how long can be without water before damaging the bacteria?

Any recommendation for other tank/filter combination? If so, please
specify brand and models so I can search for a good deal.

Looking forward to your comments.
Thanks.

On Mar 26, 7:24*pm, marquintosh wrote:
Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of
baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing
that the goldfish will growth soon and that 5g is not a good home for
them, but the idea was to start small. After 3 weeks they are now
2.5".

I wanted to wait and learn before buying a proper size tank. I
understand now the pain of cycling a new tank, specially a small one;
I've been doing 50% water changes every 5/6 days and finally I have a
clear tank and ammonia and others indicators finally under normal
range. I'm planning to keep the current tank as a hospital tank or
maybe I'll put some really small fish now that is cycled.

I'm ready to buy a new tank and I have some limitations to consider:
physical size of the tank, price and filter performance for the messy
goldfish.

I would like to stay in the 36" W, 15" L and up to 20" H range. I
found several options that I can afford:

29g - Marineland Eclipse 29 [glass] - Filter: one Eclipse 3
45g - Clear for Life Double Eclipse 45L [acrylic] - Filter: two
Eclipse 2
55g - Marineland Eclipse 55 [glass] - Filter: two Eclipse 2
* * * (larger than I want but still a possibility)

My idea is to look for a double filter to have a backup in case of
failure and to have more filtration power for the goldfish. I'm
looking to have 2 goldies for the 29g, 3 for the 45g and 4 for the
55g; and no other fish, is this ok?

I'm really a newbie and I don't anything about filters and brands, but
I kind of like the simplicity of the Eclipse filtration and their bio-
wheel filter.

Does the Eclipse be enough for the number of goldies that I'm planning
to keep? I'm a little concern on that, no previous experience so no
point of reference.

Another question, when I change water what I'm supposed to do with the
bio-wheel fitter? Put it on existing tank water or submerged in the
water? For how long can be without water before damaging the bacteria?

Any recommendation for other tank/filter combination? If so, please
specify brand and models so I can search for a good deal.

Looking forward to your comments.
Thanks.

The 55 gal would be best. There is nothing wrong with the Eclipse,
however filter media for them is pretty darn high and if you change it
out as often as you should you will lay out a fair amount of $$ on
filter media alone. In regards to the bio wheels, nothing has to be
done to them. As long as they do not dryout they will be fine......and
the time frame to do a water change will certainly not harm them.

I would, and this is just my personal opinion and that is buy one or
better yet two Hagen Aqua Clear AC110 filters The filter media in them
is cleanable and reuseable over and over and over again. They are easy
to clean and service, and they are also biological in nature. They use
a porous ceramic type media to give bacteria a place to inhabit and
its trouble free. They move a lot of water and do a bang up jopb of
keeping water clean clear and not become a drain on the wallet in
regards to always having to buy filter media that is propreitary in
nature. YOu can buy 2 of thr AC110 for about what a Eclipse will cost,
if you look on line. Check out Drs Foster and Smith or BIg Als
Online.they both match prices and if y have a Petsmart or Petco print
their price out and the local big box stores will match it as well.

"marquintosh" wrote in message
...
Howdy, let me give you some background first. I bought a couple of
baby orandas (1.5") for my daughter and a eclipse hex-5 tank knowing
that the goldfish will growth soon and that 5g is not a good home
for
them, but the idea was to start small. After 3 weeks they are now
2.5".

I wanted to wait and learn before buying a proper size tank. I
understand now the pain of cycling a new tank, specially a small
one;
I've been doing 50% water changes every 5/6 days and finally I have
a
clear tank and ammonia and others indicators finally under normal
range. I'm planning to keep the current tank as a hospital tank or
maybe I'll put some really small fish now that is cycled.

I'm ready to buy a new tank and I have some limitations to consider:
physical size of the tank, price and filter performance for the
messy
goldfish.

I would like to stay in the 36" W, 15" L and up to 20" H range. I
found several options that I can afford:

29g - Marineland Eclipse 29 [glass] - Filter: one Eclipse 3
45g - Clear for Life Double Eclipse 45L [acrylic] - Filter: two
Eclipse 2
55g - Marineland Eclipse 55 [glass] - Filter: two Eclipse 2
(larger than I want but still a possibility)

My idea is to look for a double filter to have a backup in case of
failure and to have more filtration power for the goldfish. I'm
looking to have 2 goldies for the 29g, 3 for the 45g and 4 for the
55g; and no other fish, is this ok?

I'm really a newbie and I don't anything about filters and brands,
but
I kind of like the simplicity of the Eclipse filtration and their
bio-
wheel filter.

Does the Eclipse be enough for the number of goldies that I'm
planning
to keep? I'm a little concern on that, no previous experience so no
point of reference.

Another question, when I change water what I'm supposed to do with
the
bio-wheel fitter? Put it on existing tank water or submerged in the
water? For how long can be without water before damaging the
bacteria?

Any recommendation for other tank/filter combination? If so, please
specify brand and models so I can search for a good deal.

Looking forward to your comments.
Thanks.

In addition to ExPat's reply, I will add that if
you live in or near a city that has several
independent aquarium stores, often they will
have much better prices on tanks and stands
than the chains. And they will often have a
better quality product. It's worth it to check
around.

Gail
near San Antonio TX