few questions for help planning oscar tank...

[celloplayer]

I am planning (and may forever be planning) an oscar tank... I have the location, and my DIY stand is 90% complete, but I need help with the technical decisions... I'm also being lazy and not looking back through the forum history...

1. in a 75 gallon tank I can fit two Oscars, but is it OK for them to have a friend, such as a Jack Dempsey or another medium-large sized cichlid?

1b. what would you suggest?

2. should I use substrate? I've been advised against it, but I like attractive tanks...

2b. what kind of substrate?

3. if yes to question 2, is a UGF appropriate/necessary/inadvisable?

4. If I can use a UGF, then should I have other filters, such as a hang-on back filter?

5. Is a HO lighting all that I need?

6. I know that if I put rocks in they need to be big, but how big is big enough so my Oscars can't move them?

7. No plants, right?

8 for a hood, how would you suggest to weigh it down, with books (I have plenty, trust me) or a lock of some sort?

9. oh, and even though I have the location planned, I just want to make sure its good, so is it ok to have a 75-gallon tank on a second floor? because there's room in the basement if I need it, but it gets around 50 F in the winter... which is the best suitable arrangement, and will I need extra heating if I keep it in the basement?

your help is appreciated and thanks for not being scared away by my uber condescendingly objective test-like questions, and the overuse of adjectives and adverbs in this sentence

[Northernguy]

A 75 will barely be big enough for two full grown oscars.
They will fight for space.The loser is the one that is usually dead in the tank.That may take years but it will happen sooner or later.
Your lid does not have to weigfhed down just closed.
You will up to 3 times the filtration for that sized tank. I recomend a canister and an HOB.
I have two Os in a 135 with a sailfin pleco. The tank is starting to look full and my Os are only 10" right now.
The aggression has stopped but this is a 6ft tank.

[MonkeyPox]

NG hit the nail on the head when it comes to stocking.

To some of your other questions:
Substrate is really personal preference. Unless you plan on adding plants, which could be difficult with Oscars, the type of substrate you use is up to you. Sand, pea gravel, river stones, etc... are among some of the more popular choices.

I personally dislike UGFs as I feel their disadvantages far outweigh their benefits. Many people find success with them, however. I believe most prefer to run them in reverse.

You do not need HO lighting unless you plan on growing plants. Any cheap lights will work.

Any decent size stone should make it oscar proof, especially if you're placing it ontop of another substrate. Its hard to qualify exactly how "big" is decent sized, but, like porn, you should know it when you see it.

As mentioned, plants are entirely up to you. In general, Oscars have been known to redecorate according to their whims, though not all. One of the reasons people like oscars is their personality, which is never the same as another oscar. Some will like plants, some will destroy them. The smaller blade plants (grass) I've heard of more success with then larger stems.
If you do want to give plants a try, I recommend making that decision ahead of time. In this case, lighting and substrate will factor into the decision.

The second floor is completely dependent on how the ceiling is reinforced. Generally speaking, that much water should be fine for a second floor. It isn't until the 125g or so sizes that people start reinforcing, cross-bracing, etc... Though again, this is entirely dependent on how the second floor was made.

The basement is an option, though if it does truly get that cold, I highly recommend 2 separate heaters.

[Northernguy]

i agree that UGFs are not needed,just good filtration.
A natural colored substrate works great.I have white sand that needs vacuuming every other day to appear clean.
Oscars like to hide under driftwood.I have not had one yet that used caves.

[celloplayer]

so do you think I should only put one Oscar in the tank?
can I put anything else in with it, or just that?
and by the way NG, sorry for not thanking you for the rep you gave me a while back

[Northernguy]

That will depend on your oscar. Some are mean and want to be alone, some are fairly mellow and don't care if they share their space.
Its better to raise fish together from a young age.
I have a pleco that doesnt seem to mind the oscars.I'm sure others will have suggestions.

[MonkeyPox]

Generally speaking, there's a whole host of tankmates you can place with an oscar, but individual temperament will ultimately determine success.

Some dither fish, a pleco, and an oscar would make a nice assortment. Convicts, Severums, and some other CA/SA cichlids can have success as well.

[celloplayer]

so I could place 2 Oscars, but just that-- err, depending on the temperament of the two... but that's really a mystery, isn't it? If I see two oscars hanging out with each other at the fish store would it be a good idea to get them, opposed to two who aren't or are in different tanks?

[Northernguy]

Its always best to raise them together from a young age.
Its when they get bigger that you will have problems. Get a 6ft tank and two oscars will get along better. That extra 2ft makes a huge difference.

[celloplayer]

I see your point, NG... I am going to have to think about the stocking for a while now though...

thanks guys for the advice!

[HorrorShowRot]

Best way to get fish that get along. Is to actually buy them right from a breeder or a fish store that just had some juveniles. Get around the same size. And they will grow up together and it normally helps the two to be calm around each other. I did it with my convictcs.