Nw Cichlid Tank, Ready To Start Putting Things Together

[ReMz]

Posted over here a couple months back in regards to what acceptable tank m8s would be and got some awesome responses that verified a lot of the research I had done. Here is the thread if anyone is interested: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/24...And-Tank-Mates/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/24...And-Tank-Mates/[/URL]

I'm now ready to purchase a 125 gallon tank. I wanted to run my stocking and tank ideas by you guys and get some more detailed input.

2 Oscars (1 if necessary).... need input on whether 2 would work in this size tank with the following tank m8s
1 Severum
4-6 Silver dollars
1 Convict or JD?
1 Plec ... suggestions for something other than a common plec?

Buying all as juvies, except for the silver dollars. I realize this could be overstocking a bit, but just want some input on a good stocking in a 125g.

I'm going to attempt to keep a few live plants.... not counting on it working with the O's tho. I might try to anchor them with heavy rocks.

Also, what do you guys recommend for filtration in this sort of tank? I'm talking about brand and model.

 

[minxfishy]

Not just the Oscars you need to worry about with the plants, the silver dollars will make light lunch outta them LOL.

 

[CentricOregon]

yeah and if it's a green severum you want then def say goodbye to those live plants, I would skip the oscars unless you are gonna keep them on there own, eventually they will probs eat your silver dollars as oscars have huge mouths, plus oscars grow at some rate so will have to have equally growing fish.So my advice would be either have them on there own or get everything else and miss out on the oscars.

 

[ox5477]

first off, yes... most of these fish will make short work of any live plants...

Second.. with oscars... usually best to keep a single individual or get six and try and get a pair... but to do this... you need a large tank .... ~300G at least. So would stick with the single o and you should be fine.

My 125G has/will have roughly the same bioload as yours will and it runs fine, but I have a ton of filtration on it. In it I have a adult male JD (8"), 2 ~juve sevs (~3.5" right now), 6 sd's (~3.5" round), 6 giant danios (~3.5"), and a common plec (12"). O's are especially messy, as I'm sure you've researched so I would def say have atleast 8x turnover for your filtration with this stocking.

Also... sd's are perfect dithers for o's because of their shape. As long as you don't put juve sd's in with an adult oscar (which you said your buying everythign juve cept for the sd's ).... you will be fine. The sd's grow just as fast as the oscar and with their round shape... they will not make easy meals for the o. Mine have grown from their original 1" round size to their current size in just under 3 months... so they grow pretty fast.

Ox

 

[ReMz]

Thx again ox and everyone else.

The point of buying the SD's larger was so they would work with O's . The O's would be the highlight of the tank... so not taking them out of the equation. I have read conflicting info on whether 2 O's was a good idea, that answered it ox

So say a 125g with:
1 Oscar
6 or so SD's
1 Convict/Severum/ or JD (I'm iffy on this working)
1 Plec

Seems to be a proper tank?

Also what sort of filtration do you guys recommend. I'll shoot for 8x turnover, but any particular filters you guys are using and have good experiences with?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

yeah and if it's a green severum you want then def say goodbye to those live plants, I would skip the oscars unless you are gonna keep them on there own, eventually they will probs eat your silver dollars as oscars have huge mouths, plus oscars grow at some rate so will have to have equally growing fish.So my advice would be either have them on there own or get everything else and miss out on the oscars.

I disagree. I have seen many full grown Oscars in my life, and I have never seen an Oscar with a mouth big enough to eat a silver dollar. I could imagine he could shread it a part, but I have never seen that happen either (my shop owns a tank with a large shoal (7 or 8) Silver Dollars and 5 Oscars.)

 

[Dave Ehl]

i like the rena filstar canisters for filtration. the design prevents bypass and is really easy to maintain. i am running 2 xp3's on my 180 gallon with a single oscar and a pleco. i bought the xp3's for $115 online, which is dirt cheap. i recomend multiple filters because if one dies there is always filtration running, and during maintenence there is always filtration. check out 4petsdirect.com

 

[ox5477]

Your stocking list looks good

I agree with the multiple filter approach. Def a good idea...

Canisters are prob the best way to go with this kind of tank due to the size and the bioload. I use one FX5, dont get one, they are crap for the price.... and use two HOB filters to suppliment it as I dont like the flow I get through it...

If you have the money, eheim's are prob the best quality canisters on the market.... but for the price... you can go with Dave's suggestion. Just make sure you take into account the head height chart for any canister when your buying because most "advertised" flow rates are at 0" of head.... this number will lower the higher your sending water back up to your tank.

Ox

 

[ReMz]

Thanks a lot guys! Much appreciated.