Hey all,

I've just cleared out 2 of my tanks and i want to setup at least one of them as a gold fish tank preferably my bigger one. The tanks are fully cycled as i just emptied them, and i know i need to get something in there pretty quick to maintain the bacteria. The tank i'm looking at using is my 280g (72" x 30" x 30"), and i'm worried that the new fish won't be able to find the food i put in for them. So i was wondering how many you guys would suggest i put in? I'm a huge fan of oranda's have kept them in the past and really do miss them.

In case you're wondering about filtration i currently have:
3 - Aquaclear 500
2 - Aquaclear 802 Quick~Filter Powerheads
1 - Filstar XP-3 Canister Filter
and a fluidized bed fed from an AquaClear 302 Quick~Filter
All in all about 2824 gph circulation. A little excessive but i needed it before

So what do you guys suggest???
Keep in mind, $$$ is an issue

My fishes always swim to the surface and take pellets directly from my hands during feeding time ... probably when yours are hungry they will do the same too, try train them so you can hand feed them.

280 gallons? my thats a big tank! just drop food on the surface, those fish should smell the food

Why do you now have a tank that is empty? Did you have health problems in it before?
If you did, with a tank that size you could always disinfect it and start completely over and if you only add around 7-10 fish you probably will never even see ammonia or nitrite readings.
I always like too cycle a new tank with extremely low stocking levels and just let it take its course. And with 280 gallons you will have plenty of leeway.
Regarding food: When they get hungry enough they will find it. Sinking, floating, or in between, they will find it.
Your biggest concern is, since I assume you will not be quarantining any fish is too buy the healthiest fish you can find. Now is definately not the time too rescue that little sick one that you know you can help. I would look over every fish tank in the pet store and if there is any sick fish I would go onto the next store. By stocking it with healthy looking fish from a store that keeps healthy fish you will help yourself out in the long run.
I don't want too scare you since most people would be envious too have a tank that size , but buyer beware.

An empty tank?? Hello, you should hear my hubby laughing!! If I would have an empty tank with no fish in it, that would come close to a miracle!
DireSoul, your filtration sounds about perfect, since its suggested to keep 10times the gallons of your tank as filtration, so you are right on the ball!

I've had the tank for just over a year now. It was stocked with a couple of stingray's imported from china, a bunch of so called "sharks" (ie. bala sharks & ID sharks) and a bigger jardini than the one i have now (about 21" long not including the tail). I have since sold / given away all of them. So illness is not a concern for the tank.

so you would suggest 7-10? the reason i'm so concerned is because when i first got the tank filled, out of excitement i just threw in one comet. it looked so small and it actually didn't find food that i put in and ended up overfeeding. it wasn't until i had about 30 of them in there that they found the food. they just kinda followed the leader.

I actually have a really good LFS down the block from me. That's where I get all my fish from. Firstly because they're usually 1/3 of the price of say petsmart or petland and they take exceptional care of their fish. There have been a few times where i've seen a fish that looks really healthy and i've asked to get it and they've declined, because the fish hasn't been eating or is just doing something odd. Really really honest people. So i'm not to worried about aquiring bad stock.

So my question is still how many?

Jetman u suggest 7-10?
i'm actually looking at getting all oranda's about half an inch or an inch in length. that way i can grow them till they're old and gray

Actually I would have put 7-10 in there if I was cycling it from the start. With 280 gallons you should easily be able too accomodate 20-30.

hmmm... thats what i was thinking too... sounds like its time to go shopping...
I think fish must be the most expensive hobby around....

Do you have any pics of this tank? What kind of a stand do you have for it?

I noticed you already have a breeder tank set up for Cichlids. You might want to consider Goldfish fry with your big tank. Maybe only stock it with a dozen and wait for babies...?

I could be mistaken, but doesn't it take goldfish about 3 years to mature till they are at the breeding stage? Might be a little long to wait . . .

Well, er... yes. It depends on how big you're getting them to begin with as well. If you're getting puppies (6 months) right from the LFS, then yes, you'll have a few years or so to wait. Just a thought.