Poorman's Monster Fish Tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Someone needs to selectively bread an Oscar that grows to 8" only.
I guess I will get one Oscar and be on the watch for a used tank. I am looking all the time.
For my 75, I am thinking white sand and plastic sand/beach toys. I like the lose vines idea. If I never set it up, I can't get upset if the Ocsar moves things around.
Man, that is a paradigm shift for me....
I like to arrange things.
I was reading your post FINWIN where you were commenting on when the fish set the tank up and it looked good, but I take it, that was not too often
Thanks for the input. :mwave:
No prob. I plan to get another oscar at some point myself. Quick tip, might want to tone back white sand with some dark gravel. White sand is like a strobe light to baby fish and can stress them out.
 
My last post got cut off. Here's the rest of it.

With Oscars size its all about space and (clean) water changes. Then food. Genetics will determine how big they ultimately get if the first 2 things are taken care of. 90-95% of their lifetime size is in the first year. So most Os can range from 9-12 inches in that time. If you can get one to a foot in the first year you're likely going to have a larger oscar. The bigger they get the slower they grow. This was Bricks' growth curve:

12 inches at 1 year

14 inches at 3 years

15 inches at 5 years

But they also get taller and wider. A 14 inch Oscar weighs about 30-40% more than a 12 inch one.

I'd say a 75 will buy you about 5 months as a growout for a baby. Oscars usually grow an inch per month but it can be more. Brick went at a 2" per month clip for a bit. Tank size had something to do with it.
 
I can attest that female Oscar's can and do get as big as males. My female Toni hit 12in in a year. And around three years after I gave her away to a fellow MFKer I got the last Pic of her at 15in.
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When she got shipped, took her to The Wet Spot and they did the shipping. This was a temp bag to get her to the warehouse where they do the shipping from.
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And this is the last Pic I got of here. Was told she was 15in at this point. She winters over in a 500g tank in the garage. Summers in a 10,000 gal pond.
 
In my opinion there are many fish to consider for this tank but an Oscar is definitely not one of them.
We're mfkers so if you wanted the thumbs up on this idea it will be on the other forums!
If you must do it at least get the ac110's running with a powerhead until you can find a bigger tank.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but a standard 75-gallon is 48 inches long, correct? So, only a couple inches longer than 3x the length of Brick. Can you seriously imagine that 15-inch fish in a 48-inch tank? Ridiculous.

They just love wrecking things but that's part of their charm. I had a huge ceramic log I removed because Brick kept slamming it against the front glass. Because I knew I was getting an oscar the tank has tempered glass but it still made me nervous.
This ^ for sure! I don't say this about many species of fish, but...they're as bad as kids! :)

I am thinking... I would love an 8' tank, but not sure I will be able to do that...
I am wrestling with what to do... No other fish interest me for this tank. I have been searching...
How many hundreds...or thousands!...of fish species are available to us in the hobby? But Oscars, as endearing as they are, are the one and only species you will consider?

I see three choices here: First, select a different fish species, something more appropriate to the tank you have.

Second, if an Oscar is an absolute must, get a more appropriate tank. Would you keep a Saint Bernard in a studio apartment? That's roughly the canine equivalent of this plan.

Third, forge doggedly ahead with an overcrowded and labour-intensive set-up which will be comfortable neither for the fish nor for you.

It's always best to actually have the intended long-term home for the fish in your possession and ready to go before getting the fish; many earnest and well-laid plans for a bigger tank "soon", or "this coming spring" or "when they get big" somehow never come to fruition...but the fish continues to grow and grow nevertheless...
 
Here is my long time coming project. I want to set up a tank I can afford to set up, stock, feed and maintain. I have been contemplating this tank for over a year and I am finally determined to do it. I just want a tank that I can enjoy and watch and with fish that will interact with me, so I will go with ordinary Oscars. I will add a Pleco, just because I think they look like a dragon in style.

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Here is my build plan. Please feel free to hammer me, as I am often persuaded to change course by wise counsel.

Day 1 – Preparation Work – Initial Setup
  1. Clean & Sanitize
    • Rinse the aquarium, canister filter, and all media using clean tap water.
    • Use vinegar to clean tough spots.
    • Clean the outside back glass and spray 4–6 light coats of Plasti Dip.
  2. Install Under Gravel Filter
    • Lay out the under gravel plates evenly.
    • Attach two 250 GPH powerheads to the uplift tube.
  3. Add Substrate
    • Add 2–3 inches of rinsed small pea gravel to cover the plates completely.
    • Add Osmocote root fertilizer caps in back corners to feed Jungle Val plant initially.
  4. Place Hardscape
    • Arrange large limestone and river rocks.
    • Build a sturdy central formation in the center as an island encouraging fish to swim around it and ensure good water circulation.
  5. Connect Canister Filter
    • Fill with clean media (sponge, bio-rings, etc.).
    • Connect and secure hoses.
  6. Fill with Chlorinated Tap Water
    • Fill slowly to avoid disturbing layout.
    • Do not dechlorinate yet.
    • Cover the tank top tightly with plastic wrap to trap chlorine.
  7. Circulate Water for 48 Hours
    • Run the canister filter and powerhead continuously.
    • This acts as a mild sterilization phase using chlorine.

Day 3 – Water Conditioning
  1. Uncover and Vent
    • Remove plastic wrap. Let chlorine off-gas for.
  2. Add Dechlorinator
    • Example: Seachem Prime — use 5 mL per 50 gallons (use ~7.5 mL for 75 gallons).
  3. Add Beneficial Bacteria
  • Add a full bottle of API Quick Start.
  • Pour directly into the tank and filter intake.
  1. Add Ammonia
  • Use 10% pure ammonia. Add enough to reach 2 ppm.
  • That’s about 3 teaspoons for 75 gallons (confirm with a test kit).
Day 4 – Planting and Fertilization
  1. Prepare Hydrogen Peroxide Dip (To Kill Snails/Algae)
  • In a clean container, mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water.
  • Submerge plants for 5 minutes.
  • Gently rinse with clean tap water.
  • Let plants drip dry for a minute while attaching.
  1. Attach Anubias to Rocks
  • Drill a small hole in the rock, insert a hooked stainless wire, and secure with gel super glue.
  • Wrap the wire loosely around the plant rhizome.
  1. Place Plants and Add Fertilizer
  • Position the Anubias-attached rocks.
  • Add liquid fertilizer such as Seachem Flourish — 5 mL per 60 gallons (use ~6.25 mL).
  • Start light cycle using a timer:
    • 12:00–9:00 PM

Days 5–13 – Cycling Period
  1. Monitor Water Chemistry
  • Test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate daily.
  • Ammonia should drop and nitrite will spike before converting to nitrate.
  • No water changes unless ammonia exceeds 4 ppm.
  1. Optional: Algae Control
  • Add API Algaefix only if algae blooms occur.
  • Avoid if Anubias show signs of stress or melting.

Day 14 – Fish Introduction
  1. Prepare Salt Dip
  • In a separate container, dissolve 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per gallon of dechlorinated water.
  • Gently place each fish in the salt bath for 30–60 seconds.
  • Remove with net and transfer directly into the tank.
  • Observe for aggression and stress, especially during first 48 hours.



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I have been planning and tweaking my do list way to long. Time to just do it..Hey ✋🏾😎😂
Looks like you pretty much have it all planned out for the Tank . What size is the tank again ? Anyway I think that you will have great success in this New Tank Just wanted to wish you luck and welcome back to the Hobby 👌🏾👍🏾😎
 
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How many hundreds...or thousands!...of fish species are available to us in the hobby? But Oscars, as endearing as they are, are the one and only species you will consider?
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I understand your statement and your concern. It is not that I have a 75 and only consider an Oscar for it. I have had aquariums since 1973. I have had all kinds of fish. And I learned from all of them and got to know them.
I have had Oscars before, and I re-homed them when they grew too large.
I have just started a new season in my life, and as I look back at all the fish I have ever kept, I have decided that my strongest desire is to raise up and Oscar and give it my undivided attention.
So, I am getting an Oscar. I am also setting up other tanks, but they are 55. i may set up some om 20s or a 65.
But I have been longing for an Oscar again for the last 5+ years.
If I am forced to re-home, so be it, but there is a strong possibility I may get a larger tank. But I could get the fish and something happen and it not survive.
Simply put, I am excited about getting an Oscar.
It has been a very long time coming and now I can do the water changes and all I need to do to care for Oscar. :cheers:
 
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