New O Owner needs help w/new 75 gal

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

nero6370

Gambusia
MFK Member
Aug 5, 2006
269
2
18
Medina, Ohio
Greetings!! I am getting a new 75 gal tank next week for my 3 juv o's and 2 juv plecos and I have some questions about set up...........



1) How much time is needed for the new tank water to "cycle" before adding my fish?

2) Is room temp fine (we keep the house at 73-74 deg) or should I get a heater to warm it up a little?

3) What is a powerhead and wet/dry? I keep seeing these mentioned in other posts and have no clue what they are or if I need them...

4) What is the best substrate? Sand, small pebbles, and bare-bottom have all been suggested to me...

5) I have used Ammo-loc, Stress zyme, and Stress coat in the recommended dosages for my previous tank and they seemed to do fine. Is there anything else better or different I should be using?

Thanks for all the help. If I am missing anything, please let me know. Thanks, Tom
 
this is a good article on cycling with no fish

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

do you know that letting the tank run with just water is worthless? cos there is no bacteria in the filter after because they have no food. (I think you do know that)


I *think* it would be better to get a heater, just in case

a powerhead is this

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z309073.asp

it just provides flow

a wet/dry is a sump I think, I'm not sure either

I've never actually heard of anyone using ammo-loc on a permanent basis, because that's what a filter is for.

Finally, I think that 3 oscars in a 75 is overcrowded, and that just the one would be much better
 
I probably wouldn't use sand. As psycho as my 14inch O can get, it would make a huge mess. I would stick with small pebbles. Some oscars like to dig, and bare bottom would be boring for him. Your chemical selection is fine, though I seen that most people use "Prime". I have never tried it. I dont use anything but stress coat with my water changes. A 75g is definately too small for 3 oscars. A mated pair, maybe, since they wouldnt mind sharing the same space. You may be OK for now, but plan on getting rid of one, if not 2, of the oscars. If they are common plecos, and you got them for algae control, you'll want to be prepared to get rid of those as well. They only eat algae (and very few types, for that matter) when they are young. When older, they eat more real fish food, plants and such.
 
I agree with the above post. 75 is gonna be two small. Oscars are notoriously messy, and they will eventually pair off, leaving an odd man out to get picked on. As for the Plecos, I'd find them a new home. Common Plecs get huge, and IMO are nothing more than big poo machines
 
what tank do you currently have them in? Maybe you can use some things from that tank to help you cycle yours.
 
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