thefishdude Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 What should I be looking to cover the bottom of an oscar tank with keeping in mind the tendency to dig and re-arrange the tank. Is sand a good option? I was hoping to do sand, but Im kinda worried about how much upkeep their is involved in using it. How do you keep from sucking sand up into the water intake on a filter and out of the water change bucket as well?? Would you do sand, small gravel, big gravel, or anything else???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudy Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 I like sandbut if you do not have an external filtration such as a sump I would not suggest it. It basically cuts the life of your filter in half and is a constant pain to clean out. Smaller fish and coarser sand works, however as an oscar will stir just about anything you put in there up I would definately reccomend gravel. Medium sized to small is great for oscars as they will be more inclined to dig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 We found that the river washed stones in walmart that come in the mesh bags work great for oscars. Althought sometimes they do pick them up and throw them. You may want to use gravel if you want to breed them. The parents dig "pits" for the fry to rest in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 thefishdude - for what it's worth ; I would suggest going bare bottom. Adding substrate increases the maintance. For the first while a BB tank will give you an idea as to the output of the oscars and allow you to keep the tak bottom clean. Give the oscars some hiding spots, at first. You can always add substrate later one. Smokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Smokey what do u sugest that is big enough for oscars?? i mean sure when small you can use a rock pile but when bigger what do u use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted October 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Im liking the bare bottom idea... However, wouldn't it take longer for the tank to build up the beneficial bacteria if there is no substrate to hide in? Much less upkeep though.... Ah I cant make up my mind!!! :boom: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Just use sponge filters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 The foams/ bio-media, in whatever filters you choose to run, are what the bacteria will colonize. This is why you choose a filter with as much bio capacity as possible. Gravel has only limited external surface area for the bacteria to colonize. A Foam, the A/C style, has much more exposed area; internal and external. Bacteria will colonize on any surface; glass, rocks, gravel, etc.... however, it is in the filters that the water is passed through the foam media. This allows the ammonia and nitrites to be "PRESENTED" to the bacteria. Even air powered foam filters can harbour more bio-bacteria. :smilebig: There is an article in the DIY section on fishless cycling. And how to raise the bio-bacteria. HTH Smokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted October 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 I'll just be swapping the sponge thats in the bottom of my AC500's to seed my new tank. Should be ok NO?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 That should work fine and will help kcik start the nitrogen cycle in your tank... Here are a couple of articles that may help..... http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cycling.php http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/jump_start.php Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted October 19, 2004 Report Share Posted October 19, 2004 Perfect method. :smokey: Smokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted October 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Thanks a bunch... Very good articles; will help me alot :smokey: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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