Setting Up A New 30 Gallon Tank.

Hello, folks. I am about to upgrade from a 10 gallon tank to a 30 gallon. I would love some suggestions on what filters to use, type of light, etc. Also, I have one cichlid in my 10 gallon now and I am wanting to get at least one more cichlid and one oscar. Hopefully 30 gallons would be enough for those three and a pleco. Any and all suggestions/recommendations about any aspect of the upgrade would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

If you want an Oscar you need to go larger than a 30 gallon. From memory, it's 40 gallon for ONE Oscar. Unless you're doing the tiny cichlids, they need lots more space as well. Ditto the pleco. The common get to be 18" or better, so very large tanks are necessary. The smaller varieties like rubbers and clowns might be okay, IF temperatures are compatible.

I would peruse the cichlid subform and then ask follow up questions there.

Good luck with your new tank.

 

I use bristlenose plecos because they only get about 4” in length. Mine do a nice job of keeping algae down too.

 

A single oscar needs 55 or 75 gallons (sort of a debate as to whether 55 is large enough). Your 30 is not large enough for an oscar, especially with other cichlids.

As to the cichlids, you need to be more specific. There are everything from sub 2" african shell dwelling cichlids to monsters like Oscars that get huge.

A pleco is fine so long as you get a variety like a bristle/bushy nose or rubber lip that stays small.

 

Awesome, thanks for the feed back! Ill check out the cichlid forum and see what they recommend. Appreciate the help everyone!