To start things out I'm in the process of resealing an 80 gallon HEX, rebuilding the stand, and making a hood. I had visions of a rio negro biotope or a reef for my office but my wife has other ideas. She wants orandas. I have to live here so she wins.

I've mentioned that we live in Florida and that these fish seem to like colder water. She doesn't care. I mentioned that these fish seem to enjoy destroying plants, ditto. I've told her that they are tremendous waste producers she says I can clean the tank more often. So basically, I loose.

If I'm going to do Oranda's (and it appears I am) I want to do them correctly. Here are a few of my questions. Please feel free to answer the ones that I should have asked and didn't.

Is this info correct?

Your goldifsh's temperature should never rise above 73° Fahrenheit, and ideally should remain between 65° and 68,° so you will need a thermometer. Keeping a goldfish above 72° for long periods of time will result in Oxygen deprivation, which can cause nerve damage, heart damage, and can seriously hamper the immune system, making them more susceptible to many diseases, from easily treatable Ick to nearly untreatable swim bladder infections.

What is the best pH range for these fish?

What filtration would you recommend?

Are there any natural plants that these fish won't bother (eat, tear up, uproot, etc)?

What type and amount of lighting would you recommend?

Finally, anything else that you think I should have or know? I only want to do this once (correctly) and I want the fish to thrive.

Thanks for your help.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

Your goldifsh's temperature should never rise above 73° Fahrenheit, and ideally should remain between 65° and 68,° so you will need a thermometer. Keeping a goldfish above 72° for long periods of time will result in Oxygen deprivation, which can cause nerve damage, heart damage, and can seriously hamper the immune system, making them more susceptible to many diseases, from easily treatable Ick to nearly untreatable swim bladder infections.

I have a friend that keeps all kinds of goldfish and that is about right on temp. Anything above 75 you would want to add an airstone or powerhead, even lower the water level so that you would have a waterfall effect.

What is the best pH range for these fish?

Closer to a neutral ph, but can take a little higher or lower.

What filtration would you recommend?

a minimum of 10 times the size of the tank.

Are there any natural plants that these fish won't bother (eat, tear up, uproot, etc)?

She keeps different kinds of plants in her tanks with goldies. Some are potted and some are in substrate. I have seen vals, java ferns and swords in her tanks. But she doesn't keep soft leaves stems in there as they are considered food.

What type and amount of lighting would you recommend?

Basically it just depends on what you want on the tank. Her's are anywhere from high light to low light. On her big tank she has 6 pendants with MH in them, on some she has low light.

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SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Thanks Susan. The real killer for me is the temperature. I couldn't get and keep it in range without running a chiller on the tank. Just going to have to try again to talk my wife out of goldfish.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

You could always try putting a fan to where it would blow across the top of the water, it will help keep it a little cooler.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Going to have to do something. My wife insists on goldfish. I've got a spare 1/15hp chiller that I can use if I have too. I just didn't want to. Again, I loose.

OK, what kind of filter is going to move 800 gph and work in freshwater? I've never run anything bigger than a Magnum 350 in fresh. Also, are the fish going to like that turnover rate? It's bound to generate some flow issues in the tank.

Guess I need to get serious about this because I don't want to loose any fish and I kind of feel sorry for those fancy finned fish. They don't seem to swim very well and I'm afraid that they might have some serious problems with too much flow.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

I have nothing to add, but I find it funny that you have troubles keeping the water cool! I live in Canada and I have no trouble keeping the water just right for gold fish!

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One 33 gallon tank. Eight Bloodfin Tetras, Four Honey Fire Gouramis, Three Pepper Cory Cats and one Pleco.

My biggest filter is an FX5 rated for 400 gals. But I use it in a 220 with angels and they don't have to much problem with the flow. You could always set up a sump and run your filters there.

Or you can run a plant filter along with your magnum 350. Here is an article by my friend that does the goldfish.

The Plant Filter

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Thanks, I really needed that!!!

__________________
Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

So, it looks like nitrate build up is the major problem. I might have to consider an algae turf scrubber. The real problem with a hex tank is that there is never enough room under the tank to do what you want to. I could do a sump by putting a tub of some type (maybe the bottom 18" of a big brute trash can but the access door is only 8 1/2" wide and 20" tall. Not what I'd consider generous.

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Doc

Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

Hey Doc, well I have kept Oranda's for years, and I live in south Texas. Temp is not an issue with me. I use a good undergravel, or sponges powered by powerheads. Oranda's are a little harder because they have been so highly breed, if you could try Ryukin, or Fantail to start with they are easier. I do not use live plants with goldfish, because of the salt I keep these fish on. They are enjoyable, and to me it is a myth they produce more waste. Big fish = big waste goldfish or not. I don't worry about pH, watch the alkalinity keep it above 80 ppm. The nitrifying bacteria needs this level also. Feed good foods, and stay on top the partial water changes, and enjoy.
Here is a very good link
Goldfish Basics | Goldfish

I owned a koi farm in Florida on which I kept alot of goldfish which I raised and sold. Temperatures ranged from freezing to almost 100 degrees as I raised them in ponds made of black plastic liners. Don't worry about chilling the water.