Hi folks,

The names Jason. I am a long time fish enthusiast. I started out with freshwater tropical fish (Not counting my first and only Gold Fish). I moved on to breeding Betta and Guppies and eventually Mollies (by accident). Then I discovered Cichlids but could never get em because I had always started my tanks with tropical fish. Well I had to move and sadly I lost all my fish in the travel or shortly after.

Well I started fresh, with a Water Dragon who just didn't survive. Walmart fish. I knew better. Well then I decided, why not get some cichlids. I have never been more pleased. I love em. The closest thing to a salt tank. I love watching them change color, interact with myself and each other.

I started with African Cichlids and then my wife brought home Pete, a Blood Parrot. I was excited to learn that he was also a cichlid. Well then Walmart stopped selling fish in my area and went on a half price sale. I decided to take a gamble and that's when I picked up two Oscars. I was aware that they got pretty large but like most 1st time Oscar owners, I did not know what I got myself into, especially with 2 of em.

Well they are my pride and joy especially the albino, Fu Fu as named by my 5 year old step son. I have what I believe is a 30 gallon tank at the moment and plan on upgrading to a 110gal at tax season. Problem is I can't locate one. Atleast not for under $1400.00. Right now my Oscars are 3 inches long and are growing fast, at the rate of nearly 1 inch per month.

They are doing great with 5 African Cichlids, 1 Chinese Algae Eater, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Firemouth, and 3 Blood Parrots. They have been coexisting for a month now with only one fatality which was a suicide by my Jewel Cichlid who jumped last week.

Anyway that's all in tank 1. In tank 2 I have a Gourami and an Chinese Algae Eater and in tank 3 I have a Tetraodon and a another Chinese Algae Eater.

I think that just about covers my introduction

Hi Jason and welcome!

Without looking at your profile I am wondering where you live.... If you are in the states, Craigslist is a GREAT place to find used tanks. Often bigger than 100 gallons...

You will need to find one quick with that stock... What filters are you running?

hi jayson
welcome to OFL
where are yu located and have yu tried craiglist?
or ebay? they are an option if yu dont want a brand new tank
you can pick up cheap tanks on one of them sites and yu have a fair few fish =]
=]

Nicki--Sue wrote:


Thanks Nikki...
I hahaha am in Virginia. Thanks for the heads up. I shall try Craigslist. Ebay is limited at the moment. As far as my filter, it's a whipser filter. Not larg enough because I can smell the water if I get really close. And I have algae growing daily. You are right I do need to upgrade soon. Curse the Fish sales...

[qoute]welcome to OFL
where are yu located and have yu tried craiglist?
or ebay? they are an option if yu dont want a brand new tank
you can pick up cheap tanks on one of them sites and yu have a fair few fish =]
[/quote]

I am in Virginia and thanks for the advice. What does FAIR FEW FISH mean?

Hey someone from va too welcome abourd i thought i was the only one located in this state anywho ya ur tank its like beyond overstocked but thats okay it can be fixed. Worst case sonarion you buy two 55 gallon tanks might be more money idk maybe less 1400 dollars for a 110 dosent sound to right? But anyway in the mean time make sure u got like 1ooooooo times the filtration needed for a thirty. Get like a canister dont take up room in the tank but sorta wastes your space below lol.

ncardia wrote:


I am in Virginia and thanks for the advice. What does FAIR FEW FISH mean?[/quote]


If you are in Virginia, you should have many options for well prices used aquariums on craigslist. Worst case scenario, you will need to make a bit of a drive for the tank. Just make sure you check the tank for leaks and overall condition.

ncardia wrote:


If you can smell the tank, and have an Algae issue, I would suggest first that you get a Liquid water test kit, and second to keep your water in the right area, (so you can't smell it) You will probably need to do a 30% water change twice a week or so... And last but not least you need MORE filtration!!! You need to really filter the hell out of that tank as you are WAY overstocked!!! I hope this helps!

welcome

hey there and welcome to OFL!

You stated:
and in tank 3 I have a Tetraodon and a another Chinese Algae Eater.

what kind of tetaodon do you have?
i presume a freshwater puffer, for you have an Algae eater in with it?

Noddy wrote:


Yup that's right a freshwater Green Spotted little guy.


MATT, Yeah I figure for now I am not overstocked. But the two most volitile words in our language are THINGS CHANGE and as such, so do fishy's. They will get bigger FAST.

"cebosound" Thanks for the heads up. Tell me where abouts in Va are you at? I am in Fort Valley which is near Woodstock.

ncardia wrote:




Hey ncadia, welcome...

I have to agree with Matt here on the tank issue: if you have 5 African Cichlids, 1 Chinese Algae Eater, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Firemouth,3 Blood Parrots, and 2 oscars in a 30 gallon you are indeed overstocked, and massively so right now. I would strongly suggest you get that new tank ASAP--much sooner than tax time, or rehome some of them for the time being. You mentioned you have a tetra whisper? What size currently? I don't really know of any whisper filters, indeed any HOB filter at all, that could handle what you have currently on its own. Have you been getting high nitrate readings?

Those oscars will be 7 inches or more by that point, and a 30 gallon is too small for one oscar at 5 inches, much less another, and all the rest of your fish in there as well. I would also strongly suggest 150 gallons for that stock with something along the lines of a fluval Fx5 canister filter or a sump if you want to maintain all those fish in one tank for the foreseeable future, as 2 oscars with no other fish would necessitate 110-120 gallons.

Like was mentioned before, craigslist can really, really help you out and you should be able to get a much, much larger tank for far less than you were expecting to pay. Good luck.

ncardia wrote:


OK, if it's really a green spotted puffer, or tetraodon nigrovirides, that would mean it's actually NOT a freshwater puffer...
They get sold as freshwater fish, and indeed as babies they reside in freshwater, but they will move towards the sea when they become a little bigger, and will stay in brackish riverbeds.
they will move to the sea when they are becoming adult.
Same goes for your puffer in your tank.
As babies they can stand freshwater for some time, but they will need brackish water pretty soon after they reach 2".
Eventually they will need salt water to thrive and live a long life.
Keeping them in freshwater once they start to grow, will shorten their lifespan and may lead to health issues.

How long have you had the GSP and how big is it at the moment?

here are my GSP's and i must be honest to tell you i thought they were FW as well when i got them, but after getting the new info, i converted their tank to brackish.



i hope i didn't burst your bubble, for i only want what's best for your fish and i wish for you to enjoy them as long as possible!