Oscar Tank in Window

**materbona** · 02-18-2013, 02:34 AM

I had no choice for position of my large tank. Is there anything I can put in with my Oscar to help with the algae? I do clean it and tried putting a snail in--ho ho--and straight out again because he went for it immediately. I have no choice for tank location but is there anything but scraping and washing ornaments and plants that I can do to slow the algae down or control it? Thanks--

**Cascade** · 02-18-2013, 02:42 AM

My big tank is near a window too. I hung a black curtain on the back and side of the tank to block out the light. You could also use cardboard or anything else that's opaque and won't let the sunlight get to the tank.

I can't think of anything that you could actually put in the tank, except of course for a bunch of plants and a CO2 system... but not exactly compatible with an oscar, eh?

**VoidParadigm** · 02-18-2013, 05:26 AM

If you want something that looks nice, you could try making your own rocky-looking concrete or fish safe alternative background. There's plenty of DIY tutorials online. Though I'd still suggest an opaque blocker on the outside of the tank, just, if you're stuck with an ugly one, suggesting a way to make things better.

I don't suppose you have a white oscar? One of those big ugly black ones I bet. lol A shame if so, 'cause I was just thinking the white ones might pop beautifully on a black backdrop.

**materbona** · 02-18-2013, 12:12 PM

nice idea--I'm an artist by training---I could draw any background and have the paper size to do it---how would you fasten it to the tank back? Thanks again!

**Sandz** · 02-18-2013, 08:45 PM

You could fasten it to the back by simply taping it.

**Cermet** · 02-19-2013, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by materbona

I have no choice for tank location but is there anything but scraping and washing ornaments and plants that I can do to slow the algae down or control it? Thanks--

Yes, an algae scrubber will do that but an in tank algae scrubber is not gonna fly with an Oscar. That said, an external small slump tank with an alage scrubber should get rid of the algae problem completely. Of course, you need the room for the small slump tank.

**Honey Badger 1** · 02-19-2013, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Cermet

Yes, an algae scrubber will do that but an in tank algae scrubber is not gonna fly with an Oscar. That said, an external small slump tank with an alage scrubber should get rid of the algae problem completely. Of course, you need the room for the small slump tank.

This is probably more work than most would want to do and since the oscar will probably not appreciate it, this is not the best choice for this tank. Besides an opaque background and a curtain will work just as well with regards to the algae, and I doubt the oscar will mind. I have two tanks directly in front of my living room window and I put black backgrounds on them both and hung a curtain and I don't have an algae issue in either of them.

**KingFisher** · 02-19-2013, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by mommy1

This is probably more work than most would want to do and since the oscar will probably not appreciate it, this is not the best choice for this tank. Besides an opaque background and a curtain will work just as well with regards to the algae, and I doubt the oscar will mind. I have two tanks directly in front of my living room window and I put black backgrounds on them both and hung a curtain and I don't have an algae issue in either of them.

+1, a background is 1000x simpler than an algae scrubber.

**Odicombe** · 03-30-2013, 03:28 PM

How big is your Tank and Oscar? Mines very aggressive and I keep a bristlenose Plec in there with him and he doesn't touch him? Maybe with enough small hiding places?