Sand with oscar?

[flintstone]

I Finally found a larger tank for my oscar! (got a deal from a friend of a friend). Anyway, I am getting ready to set it up and let it cycle. Here's my question:

Is sand a good substrate for an oscar tank?

Up until now I have been using gravel. I am interested in trying sand because of the more natural appearance as well as (from what I hear) better clean-ability. The main concern I have is that my oscar very often will swish his tail rapidly from side to side, creating huge waves which send everything light enough flying around the tank. He also digs up anything I put in there, including rocks.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[judcoynehunter]

i have had sand with oscars the loved it the only problem i had was and still is that i found that only a small layer of sand is agree able about an inch others will say diffrent i suppose but the deeper the sand the more problems you have (sand does not act like gravel the water and waste cant penetrate too deep) so cos it was shallow i could not grow plants in it so i have to buy potted and attach them too rocks or bogwood mself or buy then ready done but oscars are amazing in a sand bottom tank how large are they now mine were 19.5" but i lost them (gutted)

 

[flintstone]

My oscar is about 8 inches & two years old. I started with 3 but the other two died young. (They didn't get along with each other)

 

[judcoynehunter]

i started with 6 and then a pair formed and then only 2 they were 12 yrs when they died and i was the baby sitters fault but hey it happens can you not get a bigger tank 4 him you will be amazed at how big he will grow at 9 month mine were already 9" but they were in an 8ft tank but a 5ft will do have you tried to get him a mate???

 

[EX-AmP]

i personally dont like sand. oscars might like gravel more because they like to dig

 

[Vip]

You have to get pool sand so it doesnt muck around with your ph, i have sand with my 20 month old 10" oscar.
Coral sand sends the ph sky rocketing.
But pool sand doesnt do anything.

 

[LIVEBait]

Oscars are like dogs...they like to dig.

Try pool filter sand. I hear it is coarser and heavier than normal play-box sand.

Just a thought to help prevent sand getting into the impellers of your filters causing wear n tear, would be to turn of your filter(s) when introducing the sand.

As far as substrate depth, I would keep it shallow, about 1 1/2 in. if not less.
The deeper the sand, the more chance of having dead spots, where anaerobic activity may result.

HTH

 

[Bomag]

only my opinon but i would and do use small gravel hope this helps