Lazy Aquarist Reforming

[Relheok]

Growing up I had a ten gallon tank that was stocked with tetras, kissing gourami etc. I then went fish-less for about 8-9 years. About a year ago my son wanted fish. We went to the LFS and you can already guess what I came home with, 1 common pleco and 1 Oscar. You can already guess what size tank they went in. They have remained there and still live in that 10 Gallon. It wasn't until 3 days ago when I noticed the pleco laying upside down in the tank that I realized something was wrong. I have researched and researched and realized all kinds is wrong. I bought a gravel vac and did a 50% water change. I am going to do another WC tonight and gravel vac again. The tank had no heater until this morning. The heat kept temp with the house, so about 68 in winter and 70-78 in summer time. I now have the tank at a stable 78. The Oscar is 7" and the Pleco is about 6". The only "good" thing about my setup is that I have had a Penguin 150 running so filtration seems to be good.

Now it's on to upgrade and get these guys into a more proper home. Budget isn't necessarily a problem as space is. My wife was balking at a 55Gallon setup and like the 30. The 55G is probably too small for them so a 30 is out of the question. A 55G with heavy filtration and regular WC's, would that work?

I would like to report that the fish are moving and are full of color now. I wish I had researched more into this previously and only because I am out of work with a broken finger for a month that I have been able to realize how bad my tank is.

Thanks guys!

 

[rwellbaum]

Welcome to MFK!
for an oscar a 75 gallon tank should be minimum but a 55 gallon tank can last him for a wile.
if space is an issue and you want a larger tank you could look into getting a 4x2x2 120 gallon

 

[jeremoose]

Yeah a 50g'ish could definitely work. The footprint is important though. Go for one with a 36x18 footprint instead of the common 48x12 footprint and your Oscar will be happier for it.

 

[Relheok]

So tanks are not cheap around here, going to wait a week until we go south into NH where there are no taxes and a lot of fish stores. I've called and found tanks for 1/2 price of what we have up here.

 

[Minnow]

Petco has a sale that I know was just running. Where you pay a dollar a gallon up to a 55 gallon tank. Do you have those in your area? Might be a cheap temporary home until they get larger. Also check Craigslist. I see people on here all the time scoring great deals on some very nice tanks. Worth a shot. Good luck!

 

[Relheok]

Craigslist has been hit or miss. My closest Petco is almost 2 hours away but we are heading down that way next week. Thanks for the heads up.

I did another 50% water change tonight. Will keep doing them every couple of days until we get them a bigger home.

 

[Minnow]

I was in Petco yesterday and that sale is over with. Sorry about that. Hopefully they will start that back up before too long. I would like another 40b for a project I have going.

 

[Red Devil]

welcome to mfk.........nice to meet you.. Thats a good way to start....... and now you moved on up to monsters...... lol

 

[Miguel]

Yep. You are in for a ride. Wellcome.

 

[Relheok]

Update....

I bought a 75 Gallon 48X18X20... 50 lbs of mixed small and medium gravel. I have her up and running with my Penguin 150 and an Emperor 280. I know I am under filtered however it has to be better then my 7" Oscar and 5" Pleco in that 10Gallon with the Penguin 150 running. My plan is to keep the Emperor 280 on the 75 and buy a canister filter such as the SunSun 400? or possibly even another Emperor 400. I would like to keep around $100 for the filter. I have had good luck with Marineland products.

Also heaters, I know very little. What brand etc? 250Watts enough for a 75 Gallon?

And once all that is going well I want to stock a few more fish to round out the tank.

Thanks for suggestions, good or bad I need suggestions. I have read plenty and see there is some flexibility depending on filtration etc.