I planned on buying a 55gallon this week for a baby Oscar and i was wondering what the best setup would be, lights, sand/gravel?, filtration and what not... and is 55 gallon enough for just one Oscar or would 75 be better for his development? how much does a 75 gallon setup run compared too a 55? Thanks Mike
55gal setup
- Thread starter fastkid
- Start date
Some people say that a 55 is fine for an oscar, I disagree...oscars commonly get over 12" so IMO a 75 should be the minimum. I haven't priced a 55 in ages but I see 75's selling all the time for around $400 for tank, stand, lid, light and occasionally with an emp 400.
75G minimum. Think of it this way:
The more water you have, the less the chemical composition will swing. Long story short, you will have a more stable tank.
If you look on ebay/craigslist you can almost always some decent deals.
ANY lights will do, so long as you can see your fish. But no SUNLIGHT.
Gravel/Sand, its all up to you. Your oscar will most likely move it anyway.
You also want about a 5-6x + turnover rate because of the eating habits and feceal matter this fish produces.
The more water you have, the less the chemical composition will swing. Long story short, you will have a more stable tank.
If you look on ebay/craigslist you can almost always some decent deals.
ANY lights will do, so long as you can see your fish. But no SUNLIGHT.
Gravel/Sand, its all up to you. Your oscar will most likely move it anyway.
You also want about a 5-6x + turnover rate because of the eating habits and feceal matter this fish produces.
I was thinking a 55 with sand and like a few rocks in there, or some drift wood? what do you guys think? I cant really afford a 75 gallon at the moment, does any one have pics of there 55 gallon setup?
Some slate rocks and drift wood are ideal for Oscars (they tend to dig up and move plants around). Sand is fine too.
Just make sure you have an extreme amount of filtration on the tank. Oscars are messy eaters and their waste production is very high also.
Just make sure you have an extreme amount of filtration on the tank. Oscars are messy eaters and their waste production is very high also.
Consider saving up a bit more and buy that 75G!! Trust the cool people to direct you in the right way!
A 75G will be much better in the long run than a small 55G.
A 75G will be much better in the long run than a small 55G.