ok being 14 and on a tight budget i need to know what i can do for a good tank setup. i plan on saving to get a a 240 gal. tank or bigger but i want to put my 9" oscar in it and my 11" pacu in it along with some other fish. but how can i set this tank up to make a wide variety of fish happy. this being filter setup and tank setup. i think i am going to go with sand as my starting idea but i need a little push to make it better. i just started on this hobbie as my age clearly states and i only have a 55g tank and a 30g tank. i usually use the 30g tank for feeders for my oscar but could be used for something different if need be.
tank setup and neccessities
- Thread starter jerzyperson
- Start date
sweet welcome to the hobby you must be hooked already if ur jumping right up to a 240 gallon that is awesome though because you have some killer sources for fish right in your state sand would be a great way to start now work out from there what kind of rocks and plants do you want filtration i think most people would say that with a tank of that size you will be better off to use a sump id recommend exploring the site and ask questions you will spend alot of money to set it up but when you just get to sit back and enjoy it theres nothing like it
welcome to keeping fish. its a very interesting and rewarding way to relax. that being said, its good that you know your oscar needs a bigger tank. keep that responsible attitude and you will go far. oscars are messy fish so filtration is key. just make sure you have plenty of filtration on the tank. canisters or HOB filters are popular and easy for oscar keepers as well as a wide variety of fish. your 30 gallon could be turned into a very nice planted tank. this coud still serve as a feeder tank, or what would be cooler a tank for breeding. you could look into some smaller fish that you could breed in the 55 gallon, and then throw the babies (fry) in the 30 gallon. but like i said, focus on filtration first. check craigslist, ebay, the classifieds here on mfk, and also clearance/sales online
well buying the tank is a big expanse
filtration wise you can build a wet dry filter for pretty cheap, but a good pump will coast you at least 100
with an oscar and pacu tank maintance will be alot of work lots of water changes
sand will be cheap you can by play sand but still prices will add up your probably looking at at least 500 dollars for your setup if you find a cheap used tank and are able to build your filtration
i would also try to get your fish off of feeders unless your raising them your self
as they carry diseases not to mention can be more expansive then feeding pellets
so the brake down be prepared to spend at least 300 on a used tank
another 50-100 on building a sump and over flow
media can add up so will go high and say 50
pump 100 plus
sand 30 $
stuff adds up quick
not to mention the water/electric bill
but wheres there a will theres a way
good luck
filtration wise you can build a wet dry filter for pretty cheap, but a good pump will coast you at least 100
with an oscar and pacu tank maintance will be alot of work lots of water changes
sand will be cheap you can by play sand but still prices will add up your probably looking at at least 500 dollars for your setup if you find a cheap used tank and are able to build your filtration
i would also try to get your fish off of feeders unless your raising them your self
as they carry diseases not to mention can be more expansive then feeding pellets
so the brake down be prepared to spend at least 300 on a used tank
another 50-100 on building a sump and over flow
media can add up so will go high and say 50
pump 100 plus
sand 30 $
stuff adds up quick
not to mention the water/electric bill
but wheres there a will theres a way
good luck
yea i see that and i have a job and about ready to move from a job where i work weekends only to working weeks instead of weekends. and also being 14 i don't have to put mney else where yet so i can save for these things all i need is a way to set everything up. i do not even know how to set up a sump but i would really like to find out how they work and how they are maintaned