Hi i was wondering if anyone had experience in keeping Oscars with sand substrate and how they go about keeping it clean. I have 2 oscars in a 65g tank and the mess they make is crazy. I use an Rena Xp4 filter in the tank but even that can't lift the mess. So i use a net pooper scooper everyday to stop the tank looking like a farm. I tried the vacuums but the suction on that is not as good as getting stuck in. Am I over feeding (3 small meals a day) or is that just the way it is? Any little tips would be appreciated.

what size are they (how old)for info on feeding. the biggest advantage with sand is crap sits on top making cleaning very easy as you have found. i have been reading about nitrate removers and some of the stuff I have read suggests sand gives a better place for good nitrate eating bactiria to grow? not sure if that's true. something to do with less oxygen less air space make it better. i think the poop is just a oscar thing, i hate seeing it too.

One is about 5" and the other is about 9-10". I give them pellets most of the time about 15 medium sized between them on average 3 times a day. And sometimes a couple of prawns/mussels/cichlid sticks/tetra sachets as treats. Guess I have to live with it and do my daily routine scoop. It is much better than gravel though as i used to have it in the same tank. On vacuuming i never pick up as much poop as i do now. All disappears which is good for the eye but not good for water quality. O yh I have a baby bichir in there too 4-5" long so probably overstocking is the main problem.

I think you are giving a little more than needed for food. the 5" fish needs probably twice a day but the larger fish can be fed once or even miss a day. trying to do that is asking the impossible I know cos if you feed the smaller one the big will will get it.))))
If I feed muscles and prawns I miss feeding the next day as I expect them to take some time to digest the lot. you will be surprised how little a fish can live on. my fish don't poo every day for sure. may be cut down a little and see how they go.

I agree with marcus. Cut down on the feeding and only feed what they will eat in 2 mins. I would go with once a day. One day a week dont feed at all.

You will run into water quality problems as your fish get bigger. As you already know you are overstocked