TheJimsterness

Okay... Here goes:

Last year, me and my dad decided to set up a few fish tanks. When I was itty bitty, he had a huge koi (like 18") that died when I was like 6. He always wanted to get back into the aquarium thing. He owned a 20g and a 55g, the 20g being kept in my room. About a year ago, I mentioned in passing that I would like to fill the 20g, and he saw it as an oppurtunity to get back on the horse. We set up the 20g with Tiger Barbs and a rainbow shark, and that tank is still going on today (with some additions and subtractions). My dad told me his goal was to practice on the 20g so he could more easily set up the 55g as a cichlid tank. he also mentioned that he really wanted an oscar to go in it, and it was a big goal for him. Well, my Dad passed away about a month ago. He was much too young and it was very tragic. I want to respect my dad's goal of an oscar tank, and I figured I would offer this continuing story in exchange for your guys's knowledge and help, because I doubt I can do it alone. I'll accept most any advice and I'll try to keep you guys updated. Thanks in advance.

Shawnie

wow such a sad story.im sorry for the loss of your dad....I lost my mom one year ago today at a young age...in time, things get better...I have a flower garden she always wanted so I know that tribute thing and how important it is...with the 55gal, you could have one oscar and maybe 2 or 3 silver dollars....you would have to make sure you have a filter that would do double the size of water capacity and you will be good...you will just have to make sure to watch your water parimters...first step would be to get the 55 gal cycled..are you familiar with that?

TheJimsterness

Square One:

This is what I've got:
1(sad) acrylic 55g tank w/ hood light
maintanence stuff (siphon, chems for water changes
bacteria,)
extra air pump and tube
Great little 20g tank


Okay here is my (sad) 55g tank:


That is gravel dust on the bottom and grime on the sides.
Got a big stroke of luck today, the hood light still works after 10 YEARS!!!!
IN YOUR FACE PREVENTATIVE MAINTANENCE!!!!

TheJimsterness

Thnx, first i gotta clean the ol' tank *begins to feel pain in southern region*

SkyCrystal

You came to the right place! Fishlore will be glad to answer any questions you have. Make sure that you cycle the tank first. Bio-spira or Cycle will cut the time in half if you really want the tank up and running soon. It is a bit pricey though. I'm no expert on fish keeping, but I'll help you in any way I can (except for stocking. I'm completely lost when it comes to that!)!

Shawnie

dont use cycle..its not the right kind of bacteria..bio spira, if you can still find it, or tetra safestart is the instant good bacteria

TheJimsterness

Can I use the bacteria that is already in the 20g? I read somewhere that a sockful of gravel from an established tank will provide really good bacteria for a cycling tank.

SkyCrystal

Oops! There I go again! Making such a noobish mistake. You know what? You shouldn't listen to me! I'm clueless. I'll probably end up getting your fish killed with the advice I give. Thanks Shawnie!

-SkyCrystal

Shawnie

oh yes some gravel, decorations, filter media will seed it much faster ...we learn as we go crystal...should have seen me before I did lots of reading on fishlore

jdhef

Either that, or a piece of filter media from the 20gallons filter.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I realized when my mom died suddenly (on my birthday of all days) that as bad as you imagine losing a parent will be, it's much worse. But time really does heal all wounds and it does get easier in time.

jdhef

Yeah, and now look at the reputation she has. (My mom always warned me to stay away from a girl with a reputation!)

Shawnie

so did mine

CindyJ

I'm still fairly new to fish keeping so i'm sorry I can't help you there but I just wanted to offer my sympathies to you for the loss of your father. And to tell you what a good thing your doing and wish you lots of luck!!

It'll be fun to watch this all happen with you!!

My mom passed away about 4 yrs ago about two weeks before my birthday. It is very hard but time does seem to help.

You've found a great place here and lots of nice people to help you!

Again, GOOD LUCK!!!

Take care!

Lucy

I'm really sorry for your loss, What a wonderful tribute you're doing for your Dad.
I can't help with your project, but I wanted to let you know we're here for you.

04_si

this is a really good idea. Its hard Im sure, but heres hoping everything goes well for you

and instead of Cycle, you can use Stability, made by Seachem

MrsM3197

Hey Jim,
The folks here on fishlore are just amazing in their wealth of knowledge, somebody on here seems to always have the right answer. Congrats on the wonderful tribute to your Dad, it's hard when we lose our parents. Another congratulations on the healing opportunity you have chosen. I'd be willing to bet once you get that 55 set up it's not gonna look near as "sad" as you think right now. It will be lovely, beautiful, active and a pure joy!

shih-tzu mom

TheJimsterness,welcome and so sorry about your Dad, what a wonderful tribute to your Father, i can't offer any advice lol but i will be more then happy to be here and follow along on your journey and thanks for sharing in, your sorrow. bella

TheJimsterness

Anybody know a good filter system for an Oscar? I've heard stuff about biowheels, and that UGF's aren't good, but other than that I have no clue.

pepetj

Hi there, TheJimsterness, sorry for your loss.

My dad got his call 6+ years ago and I do miss him badly, but time does it thing and we learn to keep on living (not just surviving) without their physical presence. Hurts every bit but I focus on how hard he tried to support my well-being, so I aim at that. My dad got me into fishkeeping when I was 7 years old. He had a pond built for me in our yard when I was 10.

For ONE Oscar ONLY, your 55gal tank should be OK. It looks really good! There is just not enough room for tried and true compatible tankmates. It will be perfectly OK for the fish to be by him/herself and very rewarding for you, since this particular fish does build up a relationship with his/her keeper.

I suggest you do a fishless cycle using ammonia solution. Search and read around. Your tank should be cycled in 10 to 12 days if you help it with seeded media/substrate from your 20gal.

For filtering I recommend AquaClear 100, this Hang On Back filter would cover you (it moves 500 gallons per hour, close to minimum 10 times water volume per hour needed for Oscars in this type of filtration), it's old tech but way easy to keep, very quiet, and flexible in media handling. If you can afford a canister filter or a Wet/Dry sump, then go for it but aim at one with at least 300 gallons per hour flow.

I would recommend sand over gravel since your Oscar may pick up small stones and bang the aquarium walls; and consider at least a piece of driftwood to provide cover. Keep the lid always secured, Oscars can and do jump! You may want real plants there, no guarantees on that but you could try since sometimes they just ignore plants; but usually they uproot or just destroy them. I keep my Oscars in a moderately planted tank, floating plants as Tropical Hornwort seem to work -so far, but Swords are relentlessly destroyed.

Welcome to Fishlore! Let's honor your dad's memory, we can pull this through! Make yourself at home.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Gunnie

How's the oscar tank coming along?