Please critique my 90g setup

[Natalie]

I am so excited to be setting up my first "big" aquarium next weekend. It's a used 90g that my parents used for years and they're handing down to me. I want to make sure before I order everything that I'm making good choices as far as filtration, stocking, etc.

Stocking (I already have the cichlids, need help with dither choice):
- one 10" Oscar (mellow as can be)
- one 4" male Gold Saum (high-strung but doesn't pick fights)
- one 3.5" male convict (a big wuss actually)
- for dithers either giant danios or silver dollars--- which should I pick??

Filtration:
- Fluval FX5 (buying discounted but new for $180)
- Whisper Power Filters 330gph and 150gph (added from an older aquarium to cycle the tank)

Heater:
Ebo Jager 250W

Lighting:
- whatever I can find cheap and used!

Others:
- pool filter sand substrate
- driftwood

Does this all sound ok, or should I get more filtration? Also I hope my stocking will be ok, considering all of my fish are mellow so far. I'd love to add a male JD but I think that would overdo the bioload.
I'd really appreciate any input you all have, considering I have limited funds and want to do this right the first time! Thanks!!

 

[japes]

Seems pretty good, just make sure it's fully cycled before you go adding that 10" Oscar and friends

For Dithers I'd go with the Giant Danios, although by the sounds of things you really don't need them as actual dither fish. Silver Dollars tend to get a little too large and ugly when compared to the fish you're housing, in my opinion. Not too sure on how cold winter gets in Alabama but you may need to consider adding a second Jager heater unless your room is well insulated.

That's about it really, good to see people properly planning stuff prior to setup!

 

[FSM]

I think the heater will be enough, although it may have trouble getting it up high if you want to raise the temperature for treating disease. The stocking is fine, as long as you don't have any aggression issues. A FX5 is probably more than enough filtration- it will work great.

 

[Cdog]

Dithers: I would use Silver dollars personally. I think they add more flash and are a good schooling fish.
Filtration heaters and lighting should be fine.
1 JD would probably be fine as well.

Good luck ~ post pics when you can.

 

[Natalie]

Seems pretty good, just make sure it's fully cycled before you go adding that 10" Oscar and friends quote]

I'm adding two fully mature filters (the 350gph and 150gph Whispers). Do you think this will cycle well enough to add fish immediately? If not I'll have to do some thinking because those filters are what's on the Oscar's tank right now.
I could also add some mature ceramic media from a Fluval canister filter I have if that would help.

 

[Cdog]

If you had some previously used gravel from another tank you would probably be good to go for sure.

 

[johnny_1993]

just add old filters to new tank and 10% water. nothing else. adding old substrate is stupid and causes a small amonia spike usually. so set up the new tank with new filters, gravel, etc. then put the old filters on and add fish, done! no dithers or 3-5 giant danio's

 

[hbluehunter]

Everything looks pretty good, as far as dithers i really don't think you need them being your fish are mellow, unless you just want them. As for the filter media i would transfer it to the FX5 and that should help speed up the cycle.

 

[gonnelro]

johnny, come on now, were all friends here. Stupid? Go ahead and disagree of you like, but please use corteous terms, like, I think adding old substrate is a bad idea because.... and for my .02, I think you should be alright with the old filters and old water plan, and I dont think adding the substrate is a bad idea per se, but any way you could add the fish slowly to ease the process?

 

[Natalie]

Thank you all so much for the help. The only reason I'd like dithers is I like the extra motion they add to the tank. Plus they could take care of the extra food my oscar spits out-- he's the messiest eater ever!