Hi everyone. I am new to the site today and just posted a bit of a rambling intro in that section.

My oscars (I have 2 and have had them about 6 weeks) are currently in a 100L tank. Soon after getting them I realised that this was not going to be big enough and I needed a new setup asap (they are growing rapidly)

But I can't afford a new setup all in one go. So to kick things off, last payday I went and bought a new canister filter (sera fil bioactive 400 + UV), after a bit of a mini cycle this is doing a fabulous job of keeping my water sparkling clean (ammonia and nitrites are undetectable). I am doing 25% water changes once a week with one additional small water change mid week due to a quick additional gravel vacuum, so nitrates are low too.

Next payday I am planning on buying the timber and building a stand+hood for my forthcoming tank and the month after that a new tank. the tank i am thinking of is This one . So after a lot of ramblin on I have three questions.

1) Will the fish be ok in the little tank for 6-8 weeks
2) Is this suitable for two oscars plus 4 convict fish?
3) As I will have the old tank, I have the option of getting the new tank with a wier and setting up the old one as sump with lots of filtration. Alternatively I could add a second canister filter at a later date, any preferences?

In case any of you are sci fi buffs, did you know Ensor, Orac's creator in Blakes 7 kept oscar fish See this video about 8:45 in

Thanks for listening

Your fish should be ok in that tank for 2 months (assuming they are small babies) but you may have to do lots of water changes. Test weekly and if the nitrates go above 40 then you will need to do more frequent water changes

Couldnt find the size of the tank from the link but you should be looking at 120g. Make sure the convicts are all the same sex or they will breed (convicts are the rabbits of the fish world) and then you will be in trouble due to aggression

I like cannisters, got for a Fluval FX5

Sorry, the tank link must rely on cookies to go to the right page. The one I am looking at is

72" L * 15" W * 24" H

Thats

390 Litres, 103 US Gallons, 85 Imperial Gallons

When you say 120 Gallons do you mean UK or US?

I can't go too big as I live in 2 storey flat with wooden floors. Very old and sturdily built but dont want to push the weight too much.

I am in the uk so I am using uk gallons. your tank is 93.5 uk gallons.

That tank isnt really big enough for 2 oscars and 4 convicts

You have enough room for 2 oscars and 1 or 2 convicts. I would rehome 3 convicts and stick with 2 oscars and 1 convict

I think you are right about the convicts I will try and take them back to the shop while they are still smallish. 1 Pair looks like its getting ready to breed already.

When you say I need 120 gallons is that because of swimming space or water volume? If it's water volume, would the sump idea help. I could easily have 20 gallons or so in the sump.

120 Gallons for space, and if you are thinking of having a sump, please keep in mind that a sump needs to be 25% of your tank volume. So if you are looking at a 120 Gallon tank, then your sump needs to be 30 gallons. But I do have to say in smaller set ups you are FAR better off with a Canister filter. If you are looking at a 300 gallon setup then I would go with a sump. But on anything less than 200 gallons. Stick with a canister!

I have One canister filter already but that is not going to be enough on its own, even though its rated at 1100Lph. I was trying to decide between 2 canisters or 1 canister + sump.

A sump would let me try out different arrangements and media etc and would mean I could get a greater tank turnover rate.

If I am really honest with myself I am considering a sump so that I have more varied jobs to do and extra bits to play with. I have to clean my canister filter now, adding another one just means I have to do the same job twice, I would rather have a different job.

I enjoy tank maintenance as much as looking at the fish, I find it relaxing.

Maybe I'm weird.

Hey there, and welcome, nice thread... call me jamie

A well planed sump with overflow system can be an excellent choice.
I love my sump, only have to clean the pre filter from time to time, and change some cotton wool weekly, i have the prefilter topped of with.
A sump should carry at least a quarter of your tank volume, to do the best job possible.
On swimming space, i got 2 oscars and allthough they are not fullgrown my 6 foot tank is no way too big for them.
With the tankmates you are planning, better get a bigger tank than you are planning for right now...Or cut down on the bioload.
just my 2 cents.

hi have you thought of investing in the fluvel fx5 i have 2 on 9x3x3 and 2 on my 10 x4x4 with a 305/205/204 the fx5s are good my lfs sells them for £189 but have seen them ebay sell for aprox £80

Yes

Everyone is raving about these filters so if I do choose to go down the additional canister route then I will probably get one of these.

I can stretch to a bigger tank but I am starting to get a bit worried about the floor. I would feel safer with a longer and thinner tank (probably 15 or 18 inch wide rather than 2ft) to spread the weight across more joists.

Assuming I chose a suitable tank length to get the right amount of room what do you all think about having only 18in wide, is that too narrow?

What do you all think?

Great site btw everyone is being very helpful

a Fluval FX5 goes for about $500 AUS here, freakin rediculous.... just found one of ebay, starting at 6 bucks, BID! already at over 100 bucks....