I like your tank and the schooling fish are very relaxing but I think that oscar is going to clean house (smaller fish) once he is bigger. I love oscars I have 5 of them in a 55 gallon tank JOKING (ethics thread lol). I have to admit you have thought this out really well and your set up works for you and I will be using some of your ideas for my tanks mainly return pump choices, jehmco controller for my heaters I hope to have my tank up and running for the winter its in my garage and wonder how to heat the damn thing (how many jager heaters?) so I can test run it without fish. Anyways love the videos.
I agree with you that this was a mistake on my part...if the Oscar turns into one of the 16" monsters O's I've recently seen, I'm going to have to make a decision; let nature take it's course, or rehome the smaller fish. Without getting too deep into the "ethics" issue here, I understand that some fish eat other fish...it's natural and I'm not opposed to that. Even those who feed exclusively pellets...anyone who feeds Hikari or New Life Spectrum is feeding their fish other fish.
There was a Rasbora Tornieri in the shop that I bought mine at that was easily 8" long. It's going to be a close call with them. This pic I found of one looks to be around 6" so at 8" they "might" be ok if my Oscar doesn't grow into a giant.
I was told and have read that the Arulius Barbs get to be 5" and are much more stout than the Rasbora, but I am more worried about them over the long term. I currently have 12 at about 3" and 40 fry that are almost 1". I may rehome them all and replace them with a school of Tinfoil Barbs or Bala Sharks. If I end up replacing the Rasbora, I would get a school of Pink-Tail Chalceus which would be a more appropriately sized Oscar tankmate.
What do you think I should do?
Kevin is correct, 1,800 watts. Almost everyone I have spoken with has said that this would not be enough and my heaters would burn out from being underpowered. I will share any failures here if I experience any problems. Last winter they powered on for about 5 to 6 hours during a 24 hour period to maintain 80F when the room temps were in the upper 50s during the coldest days/nights. I'm not sure how bad it is for them to be on for 25% of a given day. I may end up getting a controller that can utilize 2 dedicated circuits and run 3,000 watts. My tank would still require the same amount of energy to achieve 80F, it would just get there more quickly if I ran more powerful heaters, so I think going this route makes sense.
I appreciate the kudos and glad you found some ideas that might be helpful, but I must admit I "borrowed"....ok I stole most ideas from others members on this and other forums.
