Filtration

**sk8trf69** · 12-25-2006, 02:51 PM

what would be a good undergravel filter to get for my 55 gallon?

**Fishguy2727** · 12-25-2006, 04:04 PM

None. Do not waste your money on UGF filters, there are many much better filters out there, especially for an oscar tank. Is the 55 going to be the oscar's permanent home? Do you already have the oscar? What other filtration do you already have?

**sk8trf69** · 12-25-2006, 04:19 PM

yea this is his permanent home and he is already in there i have two HOB filters on does about 250 GPH and the other at about 100 GPH

**Fishguy2727** · 12-25-2006, 10:48 PM

GPH does not matter, what size tank are they rated 'up to'?

Definitely no UGF, especially on cichlids. I would definitely add a Fluval 405, especially with an oscar in a 55. You will also need to do big frequent water changes on that setup. What are you feeding?

Here is a good explanation on Hole in the Head, something very omportant for oscars.

Here is a good one on diet, something that ,ake a huge difference in success and problems.

**sk8trf69** · 12-25-2006, 10:58 PM

i do 50% water changes once a week and his diet consist mainly of pellets and his guppy treat 2 or 3 times a week

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-25-2006, 11:00 PM

I agree. NONE.

**sk8trf69** · 12-26-2006, 12:15 AM

none of what?

**Fishguy2727** · 12-26-2006, 02:05 AM

Absolutely no live food. Unless you are raising them yourself (which even then isn't completely safe) you are running the risk of introducing A LOT of different pathogens. Live food is completely unnecessary for your fish. If you are dead set on a treat go with frozen, but there is no reason to deviate from the very high quality foods like Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold+ and New Life Spectrum. I would step up to 75% weekly water changes if you are comfortable with that, which if you are already at 50% with no problems you should have no problems stepping up to 75%.