View Full Version : Might have to reconsider my tank...
...I've been researching and planning my planted tank for a couple of months now...
...I've researched tank sizes and settled on a 75 g, substrates, substrate heaters, lights, canopies, fertilzers, plants, fish, CO2 canisters, biotopes...etc.
Now I'm wondering if I'm currently in the mood to look after it all...:confused:
Something else I've always wanted is an Oscar tank...
...I wouldn't need the lights, the CO2, the substrate, the substrate heater...it's sounding nice and simple...
...but is it???
If I want 2 Oscars and a Pleco...I'd then need a 120 g tank...and huge filtration, right? Then what? 10% water changes weekly to keep up with all the pooping these fish do? How much do I overfilter by? LOL...I'm gonna drive myself crazy long before I even bring the tank home...
That also means I'll be keeping my over-stocked 25g, and looking for a new tank for the 2 goldfish and the dojo...
*ARGH*
cocoa_pleco
03-08-2007, 08:50 PM
i hate it when that happens. You set it all up, then its like "i dont like it".
What happened to your 120 g tank?
Well...I never get rid of anything...unless it passes away of old age...so if I set up the Oscar tank...and they live 10+ years...that's how long I'll have Oscars for...
...so it's an important decision for me...
cocoa_pleco
03-08-2007, 09:13 PM
i used to have tons of tanks from the mid nineties and quit for a bit in 2004, sold it all. It sucked because i lost ALL my knowlege on tanks, and fish. In early 06, i found a 10g set with a fluval (now my SW tank) for 10 bucks. after that, MTS took over and now i have six tanks.
...I need a time-line...
...in the mid-nineties you'd be what? Eight years old? And you had a 120 g tank? You must have GREAT parents...thumbs2:
...ask 'em if they want to sponsor me???
cocoa_pleco
03-08-2007, 09:23 PM
about 8. at five i think, i had goldfish in bowls (ammonia disaster waitin to happen), then bettas a year later, then a 5g
i didnt have the 120 til '01
2 oscars and a pleco in a 120. Not sure if there is an exact measure of by how much you should overfilter. But then again, it won't really be overfiltering if they need it, right? I am particular to Eheim canister and Aquaclear HOB filters. My opinion would be to put a Professional 2028 on there and also an Aquaclear 110. I do about 15-25% weekly water changes on my tanks. I think you'd be okay with that but hope others can weigh in on this as well. Maybe the Aquaclear 100 would be overkill and a 70 would be adequate?
...I'm used to Aquaclear...so I'd love another...I haven't read much about them though...
Do you know anything about the Rena HOB? The big one only goes to 55 g, but it looks like an easy to manage filter too (just curious)...
A friend of mine has one and hates it. One opinion should definitely not sway you one way or another however. Aquaclears are great. Very low maintenance, a great supplemental filter to a canister for improved chemical filtration. Or, depending on the tank size, a great filtering solution in general.
Chrona
03-08-2007, 11:30 PM
I just want to say that 10% water changes would do essentially nothing. At the very least, you'll have to do 25%-50%, but you won't need to do it weekly if it's just a pleco and 2 oscars in a 120g
jeffs99dime
03-09-2007, 01:52 AM
i would go with all canister filters for a 120g
What are the advantages of the cannister over the HOB?
jeffs99dime
03-09-2007, 02:16 AM
What are the advantages of the cannister over the HOB?
they're a lot more versatile. you can position the inlet/outlets pretty much however you want. typically, they have more area in which to hold more filter materials. you can direct water flow better. they can be placed under the aquarium to free up more space behind the tank and in the tank. canisters are especially vital in a planted tank where you don't want CO2 to dissipate rapidly or have high current. this is my take on it anyway.
Thanks! I need to know as much as I can...I don't know why...but I've read a ton of books...and none ever seem to address all the questions I have...
...wonder if it's me?
So if I get the Oscars, do I actually want a stronger flow? Or would it be a gentle flow like it is for the planted tank?
cocoa_pleco
03-09-2007, 02:33 AM
canisters force the water to flow through the media unlike a hob
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