Brand new to freshwater fish keeping! pics

[David R]

There is some great maturity all levels stay below 10ppm.

Ammonia and nitrite should be at zero, completely undetectable, in a "mature" tank. 10ppm Nitrate could either be from a well maintained tank [water changes] or an unestablished filter not able to convert all the waste from ammonia to nitrate. Detectable ammonia readings coupled with low nitrate is a good indication that there isn't yet enough bacteria to handle the waste from your fish. With the way you've set it up you should be well on the way to having a well established tank [IMO you can't "buy" maturity with bottled products] so just keep up the regular water changes and try keep the ammonia and nitrite as close to zero as possible. (and forgive me if by "all under 10ppm" you were meaning 0, 0, and <10).

It's a great looking tank for a first effort too! I think it is big enough for the three oscars, though I'd look at rehoming the ray before it gets too big [or dies], there's plenty of other oscar-proof bottom dwellers that would do alright in there.

 

[fishnatics]

very nice layout.

 

[fishboobs]

Yeah that sounded kind of confusing. I was trying to put two different sentences together. The nitrates are below 10ppm and all other levels are untraceable. I've been looking at another bottom dweller fish, I wish Rafel Cats got bigger.

 

[fishboobs]

very nice layout.

Thanks

 

[fishboobs]

Does anyone think that I can maybe fit one more oscar ( or a friend for the white oscar ) ? The white one doesn't have a buddy. They show aggression quite a bit, but never any damage on any of them. Just a lot of shaking.

 

[Matt S]

Yeah that sounded kind of confusing. I was trying to put two different sentences together. The nitrates are below 10ppm and all other levels are untraceable. I've been looking at another bottom dweller fish, I wish Rafel Cats got bigger.

I had a striped repheal cat that was 9 inches they get big enough that the oscars couldn't eat them you just have to find a big one


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[Cookie*]

I'd consider rehoming the white one instead of adding another.

The tank does look awesome as well. I've set up lots of freshwater tanks, I'm a little irked you did so well on your first try.

 

[richkid]

Tank def looks awesome. Long term of two of the O's pair up the third wheel will be in trouble. It would be better to form a pair and get rid of the third than to add a fourth in my opinion. Good luck.


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[David R]

Yeah that sounded kind of confusing. I was trying to put two different sentences together. The nitrates are below 10ppm and all other levels are untraceable. I've been looking at another bottom dweller fish, I wish Rafel Cats got bigger.

That makes more sense, and sounds good! As for the cats, google Megalodoris irwini if you want a big Raphael cat.

 

[fishboobs]

Nice tank...

It is true you can overcome overstocking with more water changes and more filtration to some extent but you have some heavy waste machines there!! lol

The ray you have is a converted ray and can be VERY difficult to keep in fresh long term, there are populations in the wild that live in fresh so it is theoretically possible but that being said not only may it stress easier but from what i have read because they are in fresh they actually produce MORE waste do to the way there physiology works... Monitor the tank very closely any signs of stress from him and do a HUGE water change. Also you may want to think about adding some salt to the tank, shouldnt bother the oscars at a tablespoon or so per 5 gallons but will help the ray.

Good luck!

What type of salt were you particularly suggesting?

That makes more sense, and sounds good! As for the cats, google Megalodoris irwini if you want a big Raphael cat.

Wow... Im in love! Thank you!