HI, folks.

Please help me brainstorm. Or talk me out of this plan if it's not a good one.

I have room for a new 75 gallon tank, which would eventually house 4 big fancy goldfish plus maybe some white clouds or Dojo loaches. I will also include some plants that are palatable to goldfish--their amusement is the point, right?--plus a few that they won't eat.

I've been advised every-which-way by LFS folks. "All you need is an Undergravel filter." "A cannister is the only way to go." And I get lots of "Why would you want goldfish?" and "You can't have plants *and* goldfish." These folks mean well, and to their credit, they are not trying to sell me the filters they think will work instead of the most expensive ones they carry.

One LFS owner suggested that I look into tanks with built-in trickle filters. It seems to make a lot of sense, and the maintenance costs would be really small if I make my own DLS prefilters. But I can't find out anything online except that they make good reef tanks.

I'm looking at a 75 gallon tank with two 48" flourescent lights (for happy plants) and a powerhead that filters 650 gph. Costs are about the same as for the same size acrylic tank plus a strong cannister.

If this is madness, please talk me out of it.

Many thanks for your advice,
CJ in San Jose

It is not madness it is an addiction, and I would like too welcome you too the board since I suffer from the same disease.
I love the idea of a trickle filter on a tank but would like too know more specifics about it. I am not very well schooled on the use of trickles in tank environments but that is what I have been looking at for my next pond upgrade. Granted, it is two completely different environments but the logic is the same.
Another great idea is only putting 4 goldies in a 75. I personally would not add the other fish but that is just me.
What I don't like is only using 2, 48 inch bulbs. If you want too be able too grow plants you will more than likely need more lighting. Hopefully someone with more experience in plants can help you in that regard.
Keep us updated.

Jetman, thanks for the tip about the lights... I will find out more about what I need for plants.

CJ in San Jose

You can get low light plants, like water wisteria and java ferns. They grow great in my tank, with only 1 bulb.

mkinga, how many gallons is your tank?

From what I have been reading, I won't be able to have a fancy Dutch-style tank, but I can keep some pretty greenery with less than maximum lighting. And some floating anacharis will do nicely as a salad bar.