improving my filtration

[The mad titan]

Oscars are a Cichlid species that is susceptible to Hole in the Head disease so I suggest a larger% wc and maintaining your filters. You want your Nitrates to be at the lowest level.

Thanks for the intel, how much more of a % would you suggest?

 

[The mad titan]

Welcome to MFK! My first inclination is that you should be good with that set-up, at least for a while until they get bigger, but I'll leave your main question to others with more knowledge about set-up/filtration.

That said personally I'd be interested to see a pic of how you connect the HOB overflow so that it drops down into the sump.

Ok, thanks. Here is a pic of the overflow and the back of it as it goes into the sump.

 

[The mad titan]

What's your sump pump running at? Are your filters constantly nasty?

Personally for me I would like to see 8-10x turnover rate on a tank like that if it were mine.

I do large wc's on cichlids like that usually down to they're back.

Thanks for the info. The return pump is a DP 560 with a rated at a 575 GPH but of course that not including the return line. The only sponges that I have are in the canister and I haven't did any maintenance on it since I had the Oscars. But I will look at them this weekend. Ok so it sounds like I need to increase the size of my water changes. Thanks again.

 

[The mad titan]

All your current stock are small at the minute. Those Oscars will get big, and quick, your parrots will get bigger and depending on what type of pleco you have it could end up the biggest fish in that tank. Accumatively that is a huge bio load when those fish max out. So, as others have already mentioned, you need to start getting into a new routine of bigger and more frequent water changes to keep them happy and healthy.

Just be aware. At this point, whilst they're still growing, your bio load will slowly get bigger and bigger as they grow. So your increase in water changes now might be OK whilst they're small but that constantly increasing weekly bio will mean you need to up your water changes as they grow.

I think a test kit will be your best friend over the coming months.

Thanks for the info and duly noted. I will increase the water changes and monitor the levels accordingly.

 

[The mad titan]

I agree with some of the others. Your current filtration sounds fine, as long as you keep up with maintenance on it. Clean out the FX6 every two weeks and keep up with cleaning the mechanical filtration in the sump and you should be fine.

However, you should increase your water changes to at least 50% a week IMO. Then, increase the percentage or frequency of them as the fish grow. I have a 220 and I pump out as much water as possible every week for my water changes. It probably comes out to 90% or more every week. Of course, it is a very heavily stocked tank so this is necessary.

Good copy, and will do. I haven't done any maintenance on the FX since I had them but will take care of that this week end as well. I was considering removing the mechanical filtration and running another FX. What to you think of that? I know I can't completely remove water changes and maintenance but will this help reduce it some? Thanks for the reply.

 

[LBDave]

Really glad to see someone getting some oscars after having africans. To me they just seem more personable.
My tank is 20"X47"X 36" and I have 4 oscars and other fish. Other members will say way overcrowded, heavy bio load etc. No room to swim, aggression etc. I started this tank in September and plan was to get similar sized/ appropriate sized fish and grow them in the tank. I may very well have to get rid of some fish we shall see. BTW Arizona Tropical Fish (fish farm) recommended multiple oscars for this set up. I didn't end up buying from them but it was good advice (so far). Helps them get along. BTW- This is also a planted tank. Again going against all the advice for big fish/ oscars.
As far as filtration - I always say I love sumps! Easy to clean. I clean the media about every 2 weeks and add new about every 2 months. I change water weekly I can't imagine changing every 2 or 3 days! I do have a strong DC pump that pumps about 650gal/ hour max. After the tank gets a bunch of poop I turn the pump up for a day. I also direct the water inlets to stir up the bottom a bit. When I change the water I do 25% one week then about 35% the next.
I also have eartheaters which I really think help with getting rid of uneaten food.
This tank as set up always has about .001 to .003 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-5 nitrates.
I also use carbon in the filter. I use plant fertilizers also. I am not worried about any of this causing hole in the head, Change some water weekly, test the water and feed good food.
Should be fine. Yes, with oscars you will see some big poop.

 

[The mad titan]

Thanks for the response! The Africans Cichlids were nice but after during some research I think I'm going to enjoy the Oscars more. I already notice a difference in personality within only a few weeks..Not sure if there just hungry but it is welcomed. I must agree the sumps are much easier to clan than the canister and I do understand the benefits of the frequent water changes, my schedule doesn't allow for me to do that. I already get that look from the wife when I go to the basement.

 

[LBDave]

Hang in there. One thing I have read and I'm a pretty firm believer, when starting with small fish try to stock the tank early so they grow up together. And with your oscars get some dither fish. Personally I like silver dollars. These help tamp down aggression. Be advised that you oscars will grow fast. Be careful if you add oscars at this point. Must be the same size. I started with 2" oscars in September. Now they are about 5 or 6". Yesterday one jumped out and bit my finger when I fed them. They are voracious.
The advice I was given when I told this fish farm about my tank size and fitting only one or 2 oscars is get 4 or more (less chance of fighting). Remember - There is always a pecking order. If you are going to try with just 2 make sure they grow at same rate. All the warnings I have read say eventually the oscars will start fighting (territorial). We shall see. I have one oscar slightly smaller than the rest. She gets some scrapes but she eats as well or better than the others. Size is keeping up. Make sure if you have any problems with oscars aggression (and with other fish) that you keep them well fed. Plants and dithers help to. Don't be afraid to do a 40-50% water change if you feel it's needed. Be careful about tank temp. Make sure you have a strong heater. Use plenty of dechlorinator if adding fresh straight to the tank. I live in SoCA so water is never real cold. Also, I use vita-chem. You may want to read about this.
Pretty much you have 2 new puppies.

 

[jaws7777]

Nothing to add other than definitely get that test kit. Its a must, especially with juvenile fish and i would just do fin level water changes. Remove as much water as you can leaving enough for the fish to swim in. It wont add that much more time to the 40 or 50 % wc's.

On the top of my head you probably at 1000 to 1300 gph not bad for now but that test kit will tell you if its truly ok. No ammonia = ok. Maybe wanna add as they grow.

You can go nuts and redo the sump but i dont see that as a must at this point

 

[LBDave]

Nothing to add other than definitely get that test kit. Its a must, especially with juvenile fish and i would just do fin level water changes. Remove as much water as you can leaving enough for the fish to swim in. It wont add that much more time to the 40 or 50 % wc's.

On the top of my head you probably at 1000 to 1300 gph not bad for now but that test kit will tell you if its truly ok. No ammonia = ok. Maybe wanna add as they grow.

You can go nuts and redo the sump but i dont see that as a must at this point

Agreed