With the koi FINALLY moving out of the 55 gallon tank, I'll have a 55 gallon... with absolutely nothing in it.

I believe I'd like to get a black moor and a telescope for the tank to start out with, and maybe add one more telescope or moor later.

But, I'd like to know what the ideal way to set up a 55 gallon for the fish would be. I'm planning on going barebottom, as when I've had goldfish in the past, they liked to throw the gravel against the tank walls or play soccer with the little glass stones.

What type of filter would be best for them?

What sort of decorations should I have? I'd like the tank to look a little less bare.

Is there a way to make the bottom of the tank not so reflective, without putting gravel in? This has really bothered my koi, and it's not very relaxing to look at for a long period of time.

Will they need a heater? The tank usually stays at around 64 degrees.

Finally, what would be the best type of light?

Thanks in advance!
Peace

Well, moors and teles are not hard to care for, particularly. What you are looking to do is remove anything from the tank that could potentially damage the eyes of the fish - since they stick out a fair amount. This does not mean you have to strip the tank clean.

I tend to think of the telescope eyed fish as fitting into just about any basic tank setup - I do not like having anything in ANY tank that could catch and rip delicate fins or damage eyes of any breed of fish. So I do not treat my telescope eyed fish any differently.

I use plastic/silk plants. I have never had much luck keeping real one alive - the fish eat them. So I purchase the softer, rounded leaved plants - leaving the spiky grasses and sharp pointy leaves on the shelf for someone else. These I make sinking by glueing pebbles to the bases with aquarium sealant.

I like a bare bottom for any type of goldfish - they are easier to clean. But I do not like the "glare" too much, either. I use a foam board under each of my tanks as a type of leveler - the tank will compress the foam into a custom support for each tank. Because I have this foam board, it is easy to cover it with my choice of bottom deco. I usually purchase fabric at the fabric store that looks like larger river pebbles. For anyone looking down at it, you see the pebble look. From the side, it takes the "glare" off a bit.

Koi are always a lot more skittish in a tank than goldfish. Even goldies coming in from a pond who have never experienced a clear water tank will quickly adjust to the clear tank and bottom - much faster than a koi will. They should relax within a few days. Most, coming from breeders or stores never have a problem.

As for filters, I do not worry about them. All my filters have an intake grate on them - and these are plenty sufficiant for telescopes. A bubble eye fish will need an extra "layer" of grate to keep from getting bubbles caught in the suction, but a telescope should not have any problems.

I do not put any excess deco in my tanks, other than the plants for the fish to sleep in and for a bit of green color. The fish are FINE with that. If you do choose to add features, run your fingers over them carefully and make sure there are no sharp edges anywhere. Telescope fish are like any goldfish - they will try to cram themselves into anything they even THINK they may be able to get into - to look for food. If you have any sort of deco with an opening, it is best to block it off. Eyes can be damaged as a fish attempts to enter an opening that is too narrow.

I have, in the past, used larger rocks in my tanks - interesting colors and shapes. These are too large for the fish to play hockey with - yet still add interest and color to a tank. Mine were up to 6 inches in diameter - and as little as 3-4inchs.

Heaters - well, personally, I would not bother with one. IT is nice to HAVE one, though, for there are many treatments that are better done in warmer water for sick fish. But in general, the fish should do ok.

Moors used to be one of the hardiest pond fish - doing well in the 60s all year long. They have been crossed out to the telescope fish and have shorter, chunkier bodies because of it. They are not quite the coldwater fishes they used to be, but are still plenty hardy. If your tank truly stays at 64 all year, you might want to use a heater to bring it to 68-70 F for part of the year, letting it drop in the winter to the 64. Cooler temps are said to keep a black fish blacker.

AS far as light - flouresent is the way to go. Incandensent is too hot. I like to vary my lighting - having two bulb units on most tanks. I use a full spectrum in one socket and a bluer light in the other - to bring out the fish's colors. That is my personal preference. If you want real plants or have different colored fish or different lighting units, you may wish to play with the spectrums to see which one gives you the colors you enjoy.

Wow, thanks for the detailed response!

I've been thinking of having a heater in with them that will keep the tank to about 70 for their first year of life, seeing how I'd like to get them while they're young and watch them grow. I know that until a guppy matures quite a bit, you're supposed to have their temperature a bit higher than what they would be kept as adults, so I'd assume it works the same way for goldies.

Thanks for all of your help.