Tank for a monster.

[iron]

This might be in the wrong spot, move if you like mods.
I am considering my monster tank and its set up. I have 2 oscars and a pleco. I know the pleco in time can get up to 20 plus inches. The oscars will soar to 14 inches max. So what I am considering is length or height?
I have the Oscars in a long aquarium right now. They were in a tall aquarium before this. So what is best for this tank buster? Long or tall?
Long gives them room to swim out while tall gives them room to swim up.
If I consider the way fish move in the wild. I would think long would be great. In terms of room, tall would work for space saving but is it what the fish want as well?

[Holey_Rock_of_Texas]

long

[Rift2Reef]

The oscars will soar to 14 inches max.

Try 18" even females grow to 16".

[iron]

At 18 inches or somewhere in that neighborhood. Im thinking nothing narrower than 24 inches perhaps 36. Length. Now theres an open idea. Height is a minimum of 36 inches. I would say for max comfort for anyone, a lake.
gives me food for thought.

[Typical Tony]

atleast a 100gal long tank.

[Rift2Reef]

At 18 inches or somewhere in that neighborhood. Im thinking nothing narrower than 24 inches perhaps 36. Length. Now theres an open idea. Height is a minimum of 36 inches. I would say for max comfort for anyone, a lake.
gives me food for thought.

Iron not to kick a dead horse but I remember long drawn out threads about how a 10 gallon was the only size tank you could afford for various reasons. That being said I don't know the purpose of the thread? If you were really concerned with the Oscars and their well being after everything you've been told here you wouldn't still have the fish.

At minimum i'd say a 240gallon 8'x2'x2' would be what you need. That setup unless you find a used one of course with everything you need would be in the $2500+ range.

Whenever you are ready to cross that bridge is when topics like this should be posted. As helpful as everyone here likes to be ultimately I feel that people will start to just tune you out.

[iron]

I am fixing to go get a 100 gallon and obviously, you havent noticed the 10 gallons are long in the past.
They were in that tank for like a week. They are in a much bigger tank already, and as I stated Im about to go look at a 100 gallon.
When I first started asking about the tanks in which you are referring to I was flat busted. I am not however right now. So, things are getting much greater for the oscars quick.

[AbovetheStorm]

I have kind of a similar set up as yours. I've got 2 six inch oscars, one JD and a feeder goldfish thats earned his right to live with the big boys. They started out in a 29g and then I did some bargin shopping on craigslist and with some of the nice folks here. I ended up getting them a 150g with stand for $200. It isnt the best tank, and infact it needs a repair as we speak but it makes them a happy home for the mean time. Later on down the road I will more than likely go bigger for them but for now all is well and I didnt break my wallet. So that is my sugestion for you. Put some money aside and search craigslist for a few weeks. Dont jump on the first tank you find and you will end up getting a deal. :)

Also with the Oscars once you get them in a larger tank their personalities will come out even more.:D

[tsunderl]

Iron, glad to hear things are getting back on track for you.

135g tanks are common and easily found on craigslist. Tank, stand, canopy should be around $300 max. I'll keep on eye open and let you know if I see anything that might work for you.

[iron]

I might have found a 100 gallon for free. :) They also have a 20 for $5 and a 29 with stand for $5 I am about to go check on them in about 1/2 hour. I have an ugly 125 or greater at my disposal, its too ugly to think about. lol If anyone is interested in that say the word. Its free all day long. If your crafty you might make it look good.
The purpose of this thread is which habitat would be best, a long or tall tank. They seem to enjoy the long tank. I have circulation pumps in the tank to give them a more natural feel. They love to play.

[spxsk]

This is a good idea for the size tank you might want. This site is also good for help with larger fish.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157177&page=24

[debbiedo7]

I have an ugly 125 or greater at my disposal, its too ugly to think about. lol If anyone is interested in that say the word. Its free all day long. If your crafty you might make it look good.
They love to play.

if you still have access to the 125 I my son might be interested in it. Is it scratched or does it just need to be taken apart & put back together?

I agree that you need a long tank for your monsters. Matt "zoohouse" had his in a 125 - 150 & they still would splash water out of the tank (I think on purpose haha) His tank exploded when their house burned about a month ago. That's why he may be interested in your 125.

Thanks,
Debbie

[iron]

Ok, I went to the fish shop. I have an aquarium I want! Nice 185! Only $2000. Thing doesnt even have disco lights! You spend that much cash you would think there would be some strobes, mirror ball, black and like police lights in it. As fancy as it was, not a light one in it!

[alta678]

roflmaoroflmaoroflmao :exactly:I know what you mean!

[OOwl]

I've SEEN that tank! It's a Deep Sea Aquatics tank and GORGEOUS! If I had money to burn, that would so be mine! :) I guess it doesn't have lights because the maker ASSUMES if you're buying that tank that you'll be wanting specific reef lighting that you'll pick out yourself. The stand opens on each END so you can literally crawl through it long-wise. I love that tank! I wish they'd sell it so I don't have to look at it when I go in there every week. Iron, I think that tank will pass ANYONE'S criteria for a suitable oscar tank. :)

[iron]

Well, I will have to save for that one. Wife loved it though. Yeah will make anyone satisfied but RR. I am not looking for approval, I am looking for what is best. :p: I think that tank is totally up there in the running. When I walk through a pet shop and see monster Oscars in 10 and 14 gallon tanks, I have to consider all thats been said. Sure looks like they can survive in one of them. lol I dont want them to survive I want them to thrive. If its in a 55 gallon or in a 550 gallon. 550 gallons does not make them happy neccessarily. It may be done in under 75 gallons. Thats what I am looking for. That sweet spot. Fish are territorial. They stay in a certain spot and hold it. I dont care if its a big monster black bass. Or a little tiny Oscar. They have territories they maintain. I speaking of these type of fish. They are not the earth roaming salmon.
I frankly would love to see them in the wild and grown. Seeing them either swimming solo or in a tight band of 20 or 30 if thats what they do.
I see mine swimming up and down vertically in my tank. I see that more than a long horizontal swim. They stay in the right corner more than anywhere else. So, I think this deserve study and not an arogant thrash.
Why spend $2000 on a tank you dont need. Moreover a tank they dont need?

[fishman76092]

Try 18" even females grow to 16".

Post a pic of an 18" oscar... Im calling you out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:tease:

[iron]

Yeah I would love to see that too! Everyone I talked to said 15 tops.

[OOwl]

X3. I've got oscars and I'm a bit concerned that I'm looking at two with the potential of 18" each. Mine, however, are the veiltail type. The largest one I've ever seen of the veiltail variety was my own I had in the late '90s and she was about 12". I rehomed her because she outgrew her tank.

[Typical Tony]

http://www.oscarcichlid.com/

Oscars have been reported to grow to a length of 45 cm (18 in) and a mass of 1.6 kg (3.5 lb).

google is your friend.

[OOwl]

I very well know how to use Google, thank you. :) That site has pictures of oscars but not that I found that were reported to be 18". Just the text SAID they could get that large. I'm not disputing it; I would just like to see a picture of the one that was cited by R2R. Curiosity, since I have oscars. Guess I'll have to consider another upgraded tank if mine do grow that large.

[Rift2Reef]

Post a pic of an 18" oscar... Im calling you out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:tease:

There were two of them last summer at Keller Farms that were 16.5" and 17.5" both albinos. Proven on a measuring table used by fisherman.

I don't even sell Oscars how can I prove it? I'm just speaking from experience not google knowledge :brandy:

Buy a wild oscar that you know hasn't been stunted by a Florida Fish farm or someones 10 or 20 gallon tank or Petsmart employees and I am certain that anyone could grow them that large because that's how large they should get.

Rift2Reef added 4 Minutes and 11 Seconds later...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_(fish)

Approx 18"

[biggin]

I was thinking the same kinda thing.

Oscars seem to be constantly stunted by their enjoinment. I think it would be tough to get one to 18" in a aquarium but I bet it could be done. Some one actually feeds them properly, right filtration, and tank size. <O:p></O:p>

There were two of them last summer at Keller Farms that were 16.5" and 17.5" both albinos. Proven on a measuring table used by fisherman.

I don't even sell Oscars how can I prove it? I'm just speaking from experience not google knowledge :brandy:

Buy a wild oscar that you know hasn't been stunted by a Florida Fish farm or someones 10 or 20 gallon tank or Petsmart employees and I am certain that anyone could grow them that large because that's how large they should get.

[zoohouse]

Well, I will have to save for that one. Wife loved it though. Yeah will make anyone satisfied but RR. I am not looking for approval, I am looking for what is best. :p: I think that tank is totally up there in the running. When I walk through a pet shop and see monster Oscars in 10 and 14 gallon tanks, I have to consider all thats been said. Sure looks like they can survive in one of them. lol I dont want them to survive I want them to thrive. If its in a 55 gallon or in a 550 gallon. 550 gallons does not make them happy neccessarily. It may be done in under 75 gallons. Thats what I am looking for. That sweet spot. Fish are territorial. They stay in a certain spot and hold it. I dont care if its a big monster black bass. Or a little tiny Oscar. They have territories they maintain. I speaking of these type of fish. They are not the earth roaming salmon.
I frankly would love to see them in the wild and grown. Seeing them either swimming solo or in a tight band of 20 or 30 if thats what they do.
I see mine swimming up and down vertically in my tank. I see that more than a long horizontal swim. They stay in the right corner more than anywhere else. So, I think this deserve study and not an arogant thrash.
Why spend $2000 on a tank you dont need. Moreover a tank they dont need?



In the stores those tanks you see are hooked into a large filter along with all the other tanks so imagine it is more like a small pond divided up into small tanks. Each one of my towers add up with sump to 280 gal.

zoohouse added 4 Minutes and 49 Seconds later...

Post a pic of an 18" oscar... Im calling you out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:tease:


I don't remember if I have any good pics but I had a female oscar for 14 years and she was in the 17-18" range. I have personally seen wild caught fish caught on hook and line of upwards of 22". These aren't fisherman tales either.

[iron]

I would love to see an Oscar that huge. I heard it said in other places in lengths up to 22 inches. Been searching for that monster. Its hiding well!:D