we have oscars need help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I am trying to upload a photo, also.

Please forgive me, but what does it mean to cycle a tank.

As I mentioned, I took over fish duties. I removed everything from the tank, cleaned it out. Unfortunately, I couldnt release them with the former tank water as directed because the water was disgusting. The spouse had used flakes. I added Aquil (?) to the water. My customer recommended it. He said it would keep the amonia down and the hormones in check.

I bought pellits for baby ciclids (sp?) as well as frozen mealies and frozen blood worms.I read hikaria and Oscean something or other (sorry have the names written down on my calendar) were good choices so I bought those two. I have frozen mixed seafood meadly that I use to make my 7 yr olds favorite "fish soup". I found a clam or muscle and diced it up and threw it in the tank. The fish kids went nuts.

I plan on cleaning the tank once a week. Am I to leave 20% of the old water in the tank?

About a yr ago we were given 6 fish. The largest being 2". It was that couple that laid the first set of eggs. The next 2 couples to lay eggs (expired when tank had air issues...filter stopped pumping) were their off spring or from the smaller of the original 6.

After cleaning the tank, I must have 20 of these guys. Some 1/8".

My client said it is best to give away most of them so the tank doesnt crash. Is this true?

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Cycle is short for nitrogen cycle. you need a nitrogen cycle in your tank to establish nitrifying bacteria " aka beneficial bacteria" that converts your ammonia to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrates. With out an established cycle ammonia and nitrite build up and will kill your fish, which very well could have been what happen to you. the first thing you need to do before any help can be given is to test your water.
(Ammonia, nitrite, nitrates, and Ph) Also what type of filtration are you running on the tank?
 
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How do I test the water. Petco isnt too helpful. The spouse bought the tank and filter. Its a filter you hang on the tank and plug in. The filter refills are charcol I think. It came with one refil and that is scummy from fish flakes (which are now banned in my guys tank). What kind of filtration should I use?
 
I test water using API test kit http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?id=580#.Vb0XI_lVhBc Most LFS will carry them.
It sounds like you are using a hang on the back filter .which is good if its large enough. oscars get big fast and are really messy. as for what filtration you should use that's really up for debate as there are tons of options. If you are talking hang on back filters two good options are Aquaclear 110 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3610 or the emperor bio-wheel http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+14448&pcatid=14448 If it were me id want to have two large hang on the back filters for oscars
 
good stuff Andrew, I would add that you never clean your sponges or media in tap water, always either old tank water you draining or treated water. never tap water unless you on a untreated well.
 
agreed.
 
The spouse was told they were Oscars. If they are convicts, what are the differences? Do I care for them the same as I was told on this thread? Sorry, this is all new to me. Just a quick peek on google, it says a 20 gal tank is okay. They are very maternal, carrying babies in their mouths and are protective of their "nests" and babies.

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The fish on the bottom of the photo above is a sucker fish. They are tolerated.

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sucker fish as you call it is a pleco, common pleco from the look,s get upwards of 14" , looks like the convicts been nipping his fins,
 
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