I just got a 50 gallon tank with nothing to go with it.

I know I need a filtration system (I read to get a canister and hang on). What kind do you recommend me getting?

What about a light? Do my fishes need it?

What else do I need? I know I need something else and I don't want to forget anything.

I don't know if I am getting goldfish or saltwater fish. My brother wants saltwater, but I have no clue on how to take care of them. And I have a 10g and a 20g with goldfish, so I would say I am more experienced with freshwater.

Thank you for anyone who helps.

Get one made for a 50 g, anything more or less and the filtering and the current will be off, but thats kinda self explanitory. My tank doesnt have Lights, its just fine IMO. its not in direct sunlight though, because that really encourages algea growth. You are forgetting a HEATER! very important. As far for anything else you need, i would geuss it depends in the fish. Salwater fish IMO would be harder to take care of, why not find a medium and get fresh water tropicals? That way you have the exotic fish, but with fresh water. Just make sure they are compatible! I think that tropicals would make your brother happy and theyd be easier to take care of. Depending on the fish of course. Good luck with your new tank! I wish i had a 50g

Oh, thank you very much. I never knew there was such a thing as fresh water tropical. But then again, I do not know very much about fish.

Saltwater is very expensive and can be tricky to maintain. I would wait on that personally. If you went saltwater you'd actually want a skimmer and live rock instead of a filter, but you'd have to do a heck of a lot of research.

For tropicals or goldfish, figure out how much you want to spend. HOB filters like the Aqua Clears are cheap and work well, but make more noise and take up room behind the tank. Cannisters are silent but expensive and a little tough to maintain until you get the hang of it. One of each is nice, but personally if I was setting it up on a budget, I'd either use 2 AC 70's (300gph) or one AC 90 (500 gph). Either way, goldies or tropicals, aim for that 10x flow rate.. so you'd want a total of around 500 gph on your tank.

A light is up to you. It would probably be best to have one just to see the fish. If you plan on trying live plants you'll definately need one, but that can be upgraded later.

You'll probably need a glass top to keep the fish from jumping out, a heater (get a good one), a thermometer, gravel, decorations.. that's about it.

Just make sure you research the fish before you buy them, the people at the store often have no idea what they are talking about.

how many goldies do you have in your 10 and 20 gallon tanks? They'd probably love the 50 if you were willing to give them the extra room.

Where can I find info. on Tropical (freshwater) fish?

Would I be able to mix goldies with tropical? Or does it depend on their campatibility?

I have 2 small (1 inch) goldfish in my 10 gal. And 3 (2-3 inch) in my 20 gal.

Nezzy there is a tropical forum on this site if you want to post in there.

Tropicals and gf don't mix well. Tropicals need a higher water temp than gf do. Also some tropicals can get tempermental with gf, causes everyone in the tank stress.
I would choose which one you really want and then stock it with them and not mix. Myaj gave you some good advice, I hope you enjoy getting it all set up. That can be part of the fun, let us know what you stock that beautiful tank with.

Lauries right you shouldnt mix them. Also some tropicals, accually alot of tropicals, get BIG, so do your research. fish might be small when you get them, but you dont want to have to keep upgrading your tank, as that ges expensive!IMO you should put the 3 larger gf in that big tank and upgrade the little gd to the 20g, becuase someday your gf are going to get big. What kind of gf do you have?

They are just feeder fish.

I would definately use the 50 gallon for your feeder goldfish then, they can get up to 12" long and will need larger tanks than 10 and 20 gallons.

For tropicals, here's a few good links to profiles, if you still want to look into this:

http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/freshindex.html

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.c...30&TopCatId=864 (this second one is a for-sale site, but their full grown info and min tank size is usually very accurate. The drawings often exaggerate the color of the fish a bit though, so mainly use it for full grown size and tank needs)

Also, is the 50 gallon tank used? If so, try setting it up outside or somewhere where it won't matter if it leaks and fill it up and let it sit for a few weeks to make sure it holds water. You have to be careful with used tanks sometimes, often they are reptile tanks and not designed to hold water.