Maybe 2 Oscars, but need feedback and ideas.

I have been thinking about a new tank(by thinking, I mean convincing wife to allow us to get one).

I have been thinking about getting an Oscar or two.

After doing some research(reading and watching videos), I see that most people recommend 125+ for 2 Oscars. Frankly, I think this still looks kinda cramped for some of the monsters I have seen.

In your experience is it typical for them to get to 14"+, or is that on the larger side of average?

I am aiming for a 150 gallon(larger if I can find one for the right price). But I don't want to do the bare minimum for these amazing fish.

I really like the idea of a bigger fish with a big personality, but I want them to be happy and not cramped. If you have any other suggestions for a centerpiece fish that would be happy in a 150 gallon or larger tank, with a sand substrate and rainbow shark/peacock eel/cories as roommates I would more than open to ideas.

 

well I have two oscar's 2 pelco, 2 clown loach's they all are in a 210 gal. tank. and they all get along fine and have penty of room , the oscar's are 10in and 12in. and I have had them for 2 1/2 yr.as for tanks it up to you . if you plan on putting more fish in or not, I love the 210 my self !

 

its funny that you posted, I just found a 210g on craigslist that I am deciding on. I am building a custom stand, so I need to decide on my size before I build.

I am placing the tank where our book shelves are, so I need to build a stand that can be used as book shelves. all of my equipment(air pumps/filter/etc...) will be in the basement below the tank.

on a side note, has anyone had any experience wih the ETH inline canister heaters?

 

Hydor ETH inline heaters are AWESOME. I have them on most of my tanks, and they work great. I highly recommend them to anyone with a canister. I got mine from Kens.

As far as Oscar size goes. I have heard stories of 16 to 18 inch monsters. I have never seen one that big myself. I think those are big fish stories. They will definitely grow to a foot, or a bit more. 13 or 14 inches is not unheard of. And in a 210, you should not have any problems. You could even have some tank mates with them if you wanted.

 

its funny that you posted, I just found a 210g on craigslist
I am placing the tank where our book shelves are, so I need to build a stand that can be used as book shelves. all of my equipment(air pumps/filter/etc...) will be in the basement below the tank.

You hopefully thought about this but if not...

Is your floor strong enough to support a 210 gallon tank (approx 2100 pounds) plus books? (Books actually load a floor a lot more than one would think.)

 

yes...this is accounted for in the project. I will be putting columns under the joists running to the basement foundation. I will turn these columns into shelving for general basement storage and for the filters, etc...

thanks for the follow up though, always appreciated.