So now I'm planning on getting a 150 gallon U.S tank.

Here are the measurements :

Height - 48

Width - 24

Length - 30


In total, the tank is 150 gallons.

Do you think the measurements will let the oscar turn around, play, eat, etc?

Or should I look for something different in measurements?

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Okay, so the minimum for one oscar is 75 gallons. 75 + 75 = 150.

What other fish do you think I can get? Maybe 2 oscars?

Other chichlids in there?

Other than the tank, does anyone recommend any CERTAIN heaters/filters that will be suitable and how many?

I don't want to wake up and find my heater/filter broken or disassembled.

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Do you think 800.00$ (US Dollars) is a good price for the tank, stand, and canopy/light?

Thanks everyone!

Hi John, if your tank info is correct:

I don't think you want a tank that tall and so short for keeping Oscars. The surface area is very important since they need room for swimming. Tanks that tall can be pretty unstable and difficult to keep.

Personally I wouldn't keep Oscars in any tank less than 48 inches (4 footer) long. Keep in mind I'm only a newbie down here, so wait for the veterans to answer your question.

I believe the best starting point is a standard 72"Lx24"Wx24"H.

I don't have the ideal tank, since I have a custom built 72"Lx18"Wx26"H (121 UKGal, 142USGal) and it's better to have a width of 24".

As for price, I think you have a good deal, but not just for Oscar keeping, unless your tank is 48"Lx30"Wx24"H; in which case it should be OK for two Oscars. Aim at ten times your tank volume per hour if using HOB filters; with Wet/Dry and Canisters it would require less than that, again, others will likely give you that information. I'll pass on heaters since i don't use them at all (I live in the Caribbean).

I paid 475USD for the tank only. So far I have spent already another 500USD for three HOBs (AquaClear 110), two standard 36" 20W lights (All-Aquarium Glass), custom made glass canopies, 18W UV Sterilizer (Resun UV-05, submersible), Airpump (Tetra 100), and two 36x24x3/4" cork-sheets (to level the tank and protect ceramic floor tiles). And the stand is still pending.

I'm not sure what fish species will thrive in a tank with those dimensions... maybe already paired-off Oscars will do fine there. Otherwise consider Discus, Angelfish...

Pepe
Santo Domingo

i think he got the measurements muddled up lol
did you mean
lenght-48 inches
height-30
width-24 ???

A long wide tank is far better than a tall slim one of same gallonage, as a long wide tank will give biggest sureface area. The sureface area is very important in allowing oxygen to circulate. also as you have said the fish will need space to turn and even swim up and down. i say this as i have seen some very tall tanks with very litte length. this is fine for small fish but a 12" oscar will only swim up and down and soon become stressed. cleanig bottom may test your diving skills ))))heating for a 150g tank I would use 2x300watt in protective casing. i say 2 just to allow for one going wrong.pepe has given some good advice too. I have a 150g 6ftx2x2ft this makes a great size tank for 2 oscars and 3 medium tank mates.I love clown loach as dose ofl they make good mates if you can get them large enough but there are many other mates that do well. But dont over stock or your tank will become a hard hobby to keep up.

the tank dimensions you decribed would not be adequate for oscars or any other large cichlid. ideally you should look for a tank with a minimum footprint of 60x24. of course the larger the tank the better. this will give your fish some room to to swim and turn around in. a 60x24x24 tank holds approx. 125 imperial gallons(145 us) and is large enough for a pair of oscars and some tank mates.

as for heaters pepe and marcus already explained that one. for filtration there are a few option to consider. a couple of canisters would work fine or even a sump filter. the decision depends on the available space and finances.

good luck to you

Aww, that's the only thing they have at my local PetsMart...

Petco's biggest tank is 55 gallons...

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can get a 150 gallon tank? I don't think any of my LFS have them!

And if I order from a website, the shipping will be around 200$...

i have a tank thats in inches...
length-48
hight-24
width-12 but bows to 18 as it is a bow fronted tank and holds 260l of water and is great for 1 oscar:)

Sorry guys, they told me the wrong measurements.

I called just now and they told me this.

150 gallon:

Height - 31 inches

Width - 24 inches

Length - 48 inches (4 feet). That's the only one they have.

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I asked them for a long tank. They told me that the long one is the 120 gallon tank.

The measures are...

120 gallon:

Height - 26 inches

Length - 5 feet, 60 inches

Width - 18.5 (18 and a half)

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Okay, so... will I be better off buying the 120 gallon or the 150 gallon?

I hope that I can fit some tank mates in there... Maybe an oscar or other chichlid?

I also forgot to add ... my tap water is very high in pH. It's in between 7.8-8.0.

Bump.

Either one would work, but I believe the 4 footer might impose more limitations as for choosing tankmates than the 5 footer, despite being smaller in terms of volume.

If it were my call, I would go for the 5 footer, and go with as big as I can get Wet/Dry sump filter; not difficult to DIY, if you take your time -there's some info in this site for that- which is an enjoyable part of fishkeeping and not that expensive to purchase either, if you consider its trouble-free easy maintenance, and aesthetics conveniencies: heaters and other equipment can be placed in its sump, out of sight. Not the best mechanical filtration, but in my opinion, no other system beats W/D as biological filtration, which is very important with the bio-load of Oscars.

With the 5 footer you provide fair surface area and with the W/D you add extra water volume that will help in keeping water parameters in check. As far as I see it, in a 60"Lx18.5"W area, there should be enough "landscape" to be claimed by (hopefully) pairing-off Oscars and still leave some room for other tankmates that will need some territory for themselves.

It seems you have at hand a good tank for Oscar-keeping.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

It's a tuff choice...

If I go for the 120, I'll be stuck with it. People recommend to buy the biggest tank you can afford.

If I buy the 150, will two oscars fit and be able to swim and turn? With maybe one chichlid or something...

Or is the 120 recommended?

What would you guys choose?

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Also, Do male oscars need female oscars to keep him company? So he won't be lonely for like 8 years or so?

And if I get 2 oscars, will they be "more" agressive towards me or the fish? Like if I approach the tank.