Well I guess I had no idea what I was in for. I bought my 5 year old son an Oscar today. (OK I wanted it too) I have been on the site reading for hours now.. I have realized I need a bigger tank very soon.

When I was a kid my mom had an Oscar that's kinda why I persuaded my son to want one lol. It seems I had forgotten how big they get and how quickly they do it. Right now he/she is only a couple inches long so I'm not worried that its uncomfortable. However I am immediately in the market for a large tank, filtration setup etc.

At this point (my son hasn't named him yet)the Oscar is in a 10 gallon tank. It has only been in the tank a few hours now. We literally got this for my son for X-Mass. I know we have a lot of work to do to get him a new home but I'm sure we can handle it.

Being an admin on other forums I know the typical answers to new people when asking questions on the forum. With that said I am new to the Oscar world and would like to get the best/biggest tank possible. Where is the best place to find a tank? I only plan on having the one Oscar with a Plecostamus. I was thinking a 55 gallon would do. But of coarse, the bigger the better.

I'll save my other 10 or 20 questions for later.. Yes, I'm still reading others threads... lol

Thanks in advance for your replies.

~ John

Welcome to OFL!
Feel free to ask, we'll try to answer.
Your son is lucky with a dad like that!
Enjoy the site.
Best tank are on craigs list or secondhand sites.
Or spend some bigger money and run to the LFS.

Hi John and Merry Christmas.

First off let me say, unlike most forums, here you can never ask too many questions. We all love to help.

Now to answer your question, I would search Craigslist and your local newspaper for a used 75 gallon tank(I wouldn't go any smaller).. You can also watch these areas for filters. you will be best off with a canister filter with maybe an added Hang on the back filter.

You will also need to get yourself a water test kit for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.

By chance was your 10 gallon already properly cycled?

Anyway welcome and ask any questions you may have. That's why we are all here!

Nickisue wrote:


Yes we did cycle the tank. Yeah I was thinking 55 gallon plus with canister filters. I did check craigslist and being OCD I even sent someone a text about a 120 gallon tank and stand. I didn't get a reply as of this point but it is X-Mas lol.

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm happy that I found this forum and site.

~ John

Welcome to the forum! Its a great place and everyone is extremely helpful...its very addicting! haha! Yeah I would also go for a 75 gallon or larger...i've noticed on craiglist there isn't alot of price difference between the two anyway. I just put a wanted ad in the pet section and within a couple hours someone contacted me and I picked it up!

But as stated before...ask as many questions as you need to...everyone is here to help!

ikkie78 wrote:


Thanks, I will also post a wanted add on craigslist. I have a friend that I know has a 100+ gallon tank he is not using. I'll be contacting him to see if he wants to sell it.

Thanks again you guys..

~ John

That would be perfect if you could get the tank from your friend. I have a 90 gallon right now and hoping to upgrade to a 150+ this spring.

lol, upgrading and adding more tanks will soon consume your thoughts!!!

Yeah I am thinking his tank is a 120 gallon but I'm not sure. Funny thing is I'm already trying to figure out what I'm gonna put in the 10 gallon tank when I move the Oscar into his new tank lol.. I'll prolly not put anything in it and use it for maintenance purposes for the big tank.

~ John

10 gallons are pretty small for most fish, but you could always do some guppies, or mollies. They are colorful and stay small! Just a thought.

Guppies are cool and a 10 Gallon will get you a mini tank with a very cool community.
I have and are very fond of me.
They allways go crazy when I'm near the tank.
Very low maintenance as well, if you put in some fast growing plants.

Noddy who wouldn't go crazy when your nearby !

Welcome to the site 918John... I just found a killer deal on Craigslist. 120 gal with oak stand, light and sump filter for $200. It took about 2 weeks of looking but there are a ton of people dumping those big tanks. Be patient, you'll find one!