Hi Every one Im Patrick I am new to the site I am keeping a 7 1/2'inch oscar with 3 silver dollars and 1 Tapajos (red Cap)
My Aquarium size is 20inch on the side, 20 inch hight 20 inch long in front
my filter is Powerhead with a overhear filter medium with a filter case.
Is this ok to keep them all. THROW ME YOUR BEST ADVICES PLS>>> WHAT CAN U ALL SAY ABOUT NUTRAFIN MAX FOR CICHLIDS food

hi there and welcome.
You confuse me a bit, for the tank you describe, holds 29 Gl.
Are you sure it measures 20"x 20" x20"?
We advice at least 55Gl per single oscar with no tankmates.
Frequent waterchanges will still be needed to keep your fish healthy and happy in a 55 Gl tank.

But i see you say in your sig ,that you have a 50Gl tank?
is the oscar in the 29Gl tank?
We need you to test your water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH.
That will tell us how your filter is coping with the bioload at the moment.
How often do you change water, and how much at a time?

I think he's got them all in a 50 gallon. I think. At first the measurements were custom built 20 by 30 (?) by 20.

thank you guys for the fast reply. i was right expecting you guys to be the first to answer.. in this site it has a computation for how many gallons. it says here it has a 53 gallons. sorry guys i dont have a testing kit yet and i am keeping my oscar now for maybe 7months first i place it in a 5 gallon then after a month of saving and a couple of credits.. i have fix the custom tank.. my water is realy clear but i know it cannot tell even if it is clear of dangerous toxins... i do water changes every 5days or twice a week

penchang wrote:


Well, I would say you're good for one oscar with that setup..not ideal, but its doable. If I were you I would rehome the SD's and the tap. You're gonna run into pretty significant space and water quality issues with the fish you have.

As for the filter, you said 'medium,' do you know the GPH (gallons per hour)? Most likely you might have to add some more filtration...

As for the nutrafin for cichlids, I personally use the hikari bio gold pellets (I find the 'sticks' messy--it seems as if most of it goes out the gills and ends up on the bottom) but I'm sure those will work fine for a staple...just make sure you vary the diet.

I dont know.... I like all of them i am planning to DIY a better filter... i guess

penchang wrote:

Oh Oh! that is not good... you are prone to MTS
..

but that is normal! every body had been inflicted with it

penchang wrote:


I agree with Johnny ...you must remember just because "you like a fish" does not make it right to cram them in a Small tank.

Adding a better filter is not the issue and will make no difference ...we are talking water volume.

Re home the Other fish and keep the Oscar for if you dont soon enough you will not be able to keep up with the extra Bio load and your water quality will suffer.

Sorry to put a downer on you but if you want advice then im going to give you truthful Advice.

Welcome to OFL I hope you stick with us!!

Firstly get a cannister filter rated for a 110g tank

Secondly test your water for Ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every week before a water change. The ammonia and nitrite should be zero, Ph between 6 and 8. If your nitrate is above 40 then you will need to do bigger or more frequent water changes

Only feed once a day what your oscar will eat in 2 mins and no more. Feed a varied diet

Use a water dechlorinator before adding new water

Have your lights on for 4 or 5 hours a day, this reduces algae

clean your gravel once a month or more often, or remove waste sitting on sand

thanks all of you. i was also thinking all of that because i work at a book store so i can read a couple oh books on aquarium keeping water tem level and care... its just sad to see him all alone is that ok to him or her? and STAFFIE i will be here for a long time because i like my oscar.my neice also she calls it her own brother shes 2yrs old somestime she help me feed. may be i am planning to build a new a bit bigger i guess.. thanks all.. soon i will upload my tank picture....

penchang wrote:


Oscars do fine on there own and this will make it easier for you to manage the waste.

Like you said you can always upgrade your tank size in the future and add some friends for him/her

hope this helps and once again Welcome to OFL

i guess i will give them to my friends.... thanks bro