New Tank Set Up Need Advice

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Zachk29

Zachk29

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2015
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California
Hello everyone I'm new to the forum. So yesterday my oscar died after 6 years of having him. I want to set up my 55 gallon again, but I don't just want one oscar in my tank. I want to do South American cichlids again was thinking firemouth,convict,jack Dempsey, and a small/medium size Pleco. What do you guys think any advice will be helpful.
 
Sorry to hear that about your Oscar. Why did it die it's important to know if there is any parasites or any type of trophites that might be in the tank.

An Oscar in a 55 gallon was very cramped for him he must've been extremely large.

The fish you want would be ideal except for Pleco which can get monster size and JD can get huge as well.

If I had a 55 gallon I would do a hang on filter and two sponge filters inside.
 
I'm not 100% sure how he died just woke up one day and found him. If I did get new fish I was planning on doing a complete wash and water cycle before introducing new fish.
 
Do you test your water parameters often, I'm asking this because you may not have to start completely over especially killing the bio- bacteria you already have developed in the filtration system, and in your aquarium , and on objects in the aquarium such as ornaments, subsrate. :)
 
Zachk29 said:
I haven't tested my water in a couple weeks.
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Test the parameters and if every thing is stable I would be comfortable with adding fish. If you still feel uncomfortable then break down aquarium but save the bio media keep it wet, and add a air stone to keep it oxygenated.
 
Using the bio media you already have will speed up the cycling process, please add a good dechlorinator such as prime to the aquarium water tohelp from killing the bacteria.
 
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