THE IDEAL TANK SETUP FOR OSCARS Known by the scientific name Astronotus ocellatus, Oscars belong to the cichlid family of fishes which contains over 2,000 separate species. Other names for this species include velvet cichlid, tiger Oscar and marble cichlid. The natural habitat of these fish is South America where they can be found throughout the Amazon River basin in slow-moving waters, typically hiding amongst submerged branches and aquatic vegetation. Because this species does not tolerate cool water temperatures, its distribution is fairly limited – temperatures below 55°F can actually be lethal for Oscars. Tank Size and Requirements Do not buy any fish that is small enough to fit into your Oscar’s mouth (nothing smaller than 5 inches is ideal) Look for fish that will not be overly timid – they must be able to compete for food in the tank Avoid fish that are very timid or shy – the Oscar may chase them around the tank, causing them stress Consider bottom-dwelling fish that will stay out of your Oscar’s way (Oscars prefer the top to mid-level areas)

It may seem like a lot of extra work to do the research necessary to find the ideal tank mate for your Oscar, but it is definitely worth it. 8 foot fish tankThe last thing you want to do is introduce a new fish into your tank only to have your Oscar bully it around (or worse, eat it). 55 gallon fish tank bubblerGiven the requirements listed above, some of the best species for Oscar tank mates include catfish, Silver Dollar fish, Firemouth cichlids, Convict cichlids and blue acara. can you buy georgia aquarium tickets doorAvoid larger cichlids like Texas cichlid and terrors because these fish are likely to cause aggression problems in the tank.fish in aquarium drawing

While many cichlid species can be considered “messy,” the Oscar is particularly known for this trait. fish tank filter aidDue to their size, Oscars produce a significant amount of waste which can contribute to high levels of ammonia and nitrate in the tank if you are not careful. custom fish tank edmontonFor this reason, it is essential that you equip your tank with a high-quality filtration system and that you perform regular water changes to maintain high water quality. While mechanical filtration is important for removing solid wastes from the tank water, chemical filtration is essential for removing toxins like ammonia and nitrite. Many Oscar enthusiasts recommend canister filters for Oscar tanks because they are easy to use and they provide very efficient filtration -- you can also customize them by choosing your own filter media depending on the needs of your tank.

In addition to filtration, heating is also very important in an Oscar tank. Because these fish come from a tropical habitat, they require warm water, generally within the 77° to 80°F range. To achieve this, you will need to equip your tank with a quality aquarium heater. Ideally, you should place a submersible heater near the return valve of your filter or use an in-line heater that can be connected to your canister filter so the water is heated as soon as it is returned to the tank. If you use a submersible or hang-on heater, be sure to purchase one that is shatterproof because Oscars can be destructive in the home aquarium. In terms of aquarium lighting, Oscars do not have any specific requirements but, if you plan to keep live plants in the tank, you will need some kind of lighting. The natural environment of wild Oscars, however, tends to be dim and murky so your Oscars may also enjoy this type of environment. Other Tips and Info Oscars are a carnivorous species by nature so they should be fed commercial foods that are primarily meat-based. 

Live foods such as insects, worms, crayfish, feeder fish and aquatic invertebrates are a good food source for this species though, in the wild, they feed primarily on small fish and insects. Some Oscars will also accept frozen foods as long as they have been thawed first. When feeding your Oscar feeder fish like goldfish, it is best to raise the feeder fish yourself so you can ensure that they are healthy – if you feed your Oscar feeder fish that have been exposed to disease, they could pass it on to your Oscar. AQUARIUM NEWS: FIVE NEW SPECIES OF DWARFGOBIES DISCOVEREDChoosing the right filter is one of the most important steps in setting up an aquarium, but with all the factors that you should keep in mind and the many different filter types and brands available, things can get slightly confusing. To hopefully clarify things a little, keep reading for a list of the most common filter types and their pros and cons! Probably the most common filter type is the internal filter.

These come in most aquarium kits or you can buy them separately at pretty much any pet- or aquarium store and online. Internal filters are usually pretty cheap, but the quality unfortunately varies and they do take up a lot of precious space in the aquarium. Some of these filters can produce a rather loud whirring noise, which really isn’t ideal, especially if your aquarium is set up in a bedroom. Most internal filters also only contain sponge and miss the important biological filter media that contains most of the beneficial bacteria and helps keep your cycle stable. That all being said, internal filters should usually work fine, especially for smaller aquarium setups. If you get one that is high quality, they are a nice and cheap option. Just be sure you buy the right type for your aquarium size. Cut off part of the sponge and replace it with biological filter media such as bio balls and you are all set. You can also hide the filter, as pictured to the right. A popular internal filter is the Aqueon QuietFlow.

Though not very popular for nano aquarium setups, a canister filter is usually actually the best filter choice you can make. They can get a bit pricey and are sometimes a bit difficult to set up for beginners, but they have many advantages. They don’t take up space inside the aquarium, as they are actually meant to be placed underneath it. Canisters are also great because, unlike many other filter types, they have plenty of room to layer filter floss, sponge and biological filter media effectively. If you have a karger aquarium or keep fish that produce a lot of waste, looking into buying a canister filter is a good idea. My favorite is the  EHEIM Classic and although these filters are obviously a bit more expensive, they are very high quality, come with different options for filter media and intake/outflow and will last for years. Replacement parts of the more popular brands usually easy to find as well. Hang on back (usually abbreviated to HOB) filters do exacly what the name suggest: they are supposed to be hung on the back wall of your aquarium.

These filters can work quite well for smaller aquariums, especially due to the gentle “waterfall” flow, but they do have some disadvantages. HOBs aren’t ideal for larger or more heavily stocked aquariums, as their power and room for filter media is often limited. Biological filter media is not included in many cases. Another, more practical disadvantage is the fact that these filters sit on the back of your aquarium and therefore aren’t always easy to accomodate! You may need to remove part of your aquarium hood and it’s not possible to put your aquarium against a wall. Like internal filters, hang on back filters are not the absolute best choice. However, they work great for smaller or more lightly stocked aquariums. Just be sure to find one that has room for biological filter media and not just sponge, such as the AquaClear. This filter, like many others, does come with an activated carbon pad which you should ideally take out and replace with more biological filter media.

These pads are really only necessary for emergencies. Sponge filters are different from the other filters mentioned because they are not powered by an impeller. Instead, they are powered with air.  Because the water flow is usually quite weak and most sponge filters don’t contain biological filter material, they are not suitable for most setups. As mentioned in the intro of this article, sponge filters are ideal for temporary hospital tanks and small, lightly stocked aquariums around 5 gallons (18L) such as shrimp tanks and snail breeding tanks. Frail fins and tiny shrimplets can’t get sucked into the filter and the outflow will never be too strong. Sponge filters are hooked up to an air pump, which creates the water flow (and a pretty bubble effect). Most are nothing more than a piece of sponge and thus very cheap, although you do have to keep in mind the cost of a separate air pump and tubing. If you’re interested in using a sponge filter, keep in mind that all air pumps create noise and some are very loud. 

If you want to use more sponge filters at the same time, getting a stronger air pump such as this one with a multi-way valve is a good idea. If you’re looking for a filtration system for a big aquarium or even an indoor pond and don’t want to buy a very expensive large canister filter (or just want a super effective filter with loads of space for biological filter media), a pond filter or a trickle filter is probably the way to go. A trickle filter or wet/dry filter is a large filtration system that is placed underneath your aquarium. Water flows out of the tank into the trickle filter, where it trickles through biological (and sometimes mechanical) filter media into a sump (water holding space) and back into the aquarium using a pump. This “trickling” process exposes the water to lots of air, which is beneficial for the bacteria growing in the filter media. A trickle filter is a very effective filtration system that can be used for very big aquariums with messy fish, but also for “regular” aquariums under 100 gallons (380L).

Trickle filters are mostly used by more experienced aquarists because making a DIY one can be quite difficult and buying one (especially for bigger setups) can get a bit expensive. However, theres no reason you shouldn’t use them yourself, as they are very effective! An example of a trickle filter for smaller aquariums is the Eshopps wet/dry filter. If you can handle a bit of noise , a pond filter may be an option for you. There is a lot of of room for biological filter media (such as lava rock) and the filter is very powerful. It does create a very strong flow, so I wouldn’t recommend a pond filter for regular setups. Another thing to keep in mind is that some pond filters are supposed to be placed above water level, so you may need a way to raise yours. An example of a pond filter is the Pond Boss filter kit. If you have any more questions about choosing a filter or if you want to share some additional knowledge, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! Cover photo: Garnelenbecken: Station 3 by grafzahl