We have 3 oscars in a 48 gal tank amd the foot long is terrorizing the 3inch ones.We are going to move Maynard(ft long) to a 75 gal but only have 1 pump at the moment. How long cand one of the tanks be ok without a pump? We REALLY need to seperate them before he eats the other ones or damages them more.

When you say pump, do you mean filter? If you are keeping fish, you need a filtration system. The filtration system removes the dangerous toxins from your tank, as well as debris. Without one, your fish are doomed.

I'm afraid you are in a bit of a situation. It sounds like you are damned if you move the fish into a tank without the pump, and you're damned if you leave the fish with the others. I don't know what to suggest, if you can get a filter on Monday then you could put the fish in the tank without the filter and just do a large water change every day. However, only do this if you can get a filter on Monday. Alternatively, read him the fish, all you will have to hope they don't kill each other.

oops, did mean the filter. Thank you. 1 more question- we use carbon in our and and blue scotchbright looking filter. Is cabon something we shouldnt be using?

Popular opinion is NO CARBON. Ever. So I would say no!

what should we use? We are new

What filter are you using?

hang on that uses carbon

Carbon is used to remove impurities from the water. if you treat your tank with medication whilst you still have carbon in your filtration, the carbon will just remove it all out before it has a chance to do anything.

If you leave carbon in your tank for too long, it might get saturated with all sorts of nasty things and then start leeching back into your tank.

I second what has already been said, don't bother with carbon, it really is not necessary.

what do u recommend instead? should we get a diff system? We have a hang on

the size of your tank will dictate what the best type of filtration should be used. generally speaking a canister will be more than adequate for any oscar tank that is under 200 gallons.

as for what size of canister to get depends again on the tank size. you should try for something that is rated for twice the volume of the tank you are putting it on(if you have a 75 gallon tank look for a filter capable of handling a 150 gallon tank) .

other than that the brand name isnt really overly important. just remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to filters.

fyi... imho the top three brands of canister filters are fluval, eheim and rena filstar.

I also have Hang on the back filters in some of my tanks and I run the pads without the carbon. Just slide the sleeve over the frame and skip the carbon....