New Aquarium

I would like to switch my fish to a big aquarium (presently, they are in 2
smaller ones). Anyways, I have a few concerns.

First of all, mostly all I can find are those "Kits", which come with a ton
of things I don't need, like books/video's on tropicals, food, plastic
plants, etc. Is it still cheaper to get one of the starter kits or to
purchase tank, filters, etc separately?

Also, I am thinking about having live plants this time, since I have found a
good source for them. Do I need to concider anything else - special
gravels? special lighting? other foods/additives? Which types of plants are
recommended for goldfish (which ones will last without the fish eating
them?).

BTW, I am concidering an 80-100 gallon tank. Right now I have only 3 fish,
but would like to purchase more, depending on the size of the tank (have one
fantail and 2 Oranda's).

Actually, if someone could just list for me the things I need for the new
aquarium, I would appreciate it. If it gets too expensive, I will have to
forget the idea, but I would like to try breeding my fantail - getting more
fantails, obviously. I've always been fascinated by genetics. I bred dogs
for 6 years,and I think having fry would be alot of fun, and less work than
finding homes for 8 yappy Boxers! LOL.

Thanks in advance,

Tammy

If you want to do a planted tank (which I'm a fan of), you'll need at least
2" of gravel, 1-3mm in size); Fluorite from Seachem is popular in the US,
but is expensive in Australia, so although I'd like to, I don't use it.
Don't use a fertilised substrate such as laterite, as the GF will dig it up!
I've had great success with Java Fern, Water Sprite, Anubias, Sprial and
Corkscrew Vals, as well as Elodea and Rotala Rotundifolia (although the last
two do get chewed up, but they row faster than the GF can finish eating them
g). Initially you'll have a lot of floaters; the GF will dig, but once
they get establised, you will not have any problems (except the Vals taking
over your tank; just pull out the runners). It might be an idea to start the
new tank first, and give the plants 2 weeks or more headstart (and if you
plant heavily enough, you don't need to cycle, as the plants take up the
ammonia from the fish).

I personally like canister filters for such a tank; with many plants, the
problem will be the lack of CO2 (assuming you have enough lights and
fertilise), so I prefer not to disturb the water surface. How about O2 you
ask? How much O2 gets produced by plants? Enough such that the O2 gets out
of solution (supersaturated), and you get pearling and bubbles rising to the
surface.

Breeding-wise, you can either o with the seperate breeding tank (for greater
success rates), or put plenty Java Moss on logs and have Cabomba or similar
and let them do their won thing.

Cheers,
Poe

"Tammy Dobbs" wrote in message
...

Also, I am thinking about having live plants this time, since I have found
a
good source for them. Do I need to concider anything else - special
gravels? special lighting? other foods/additives? Which types of plants
are
recommended for goldfish (which ones will last without the fish eating
them?).

BTW, I am concidering an 80-100 gallon tank. Right now I have only 3
fish,
but would like to purchase more, depending on the size of the tank (have
one
fantail and 2 Oranda's).

Actually, if someone could just list for me the things I need for the new
aquarium, I would appreciate it. If it gets too expensive, I will have to
forget the idea, but I would like to try breeding my fantail - getting
more