Getting started

[kdblove_99]

My girlfirends dad has a 100 Gallon tank and stand of course but thats it. What will he need it is going to be a freshwater tank.

I know gravel and all that 1 or 2 Ebo Jager heaters 250W?

What kind of filtration?
a canister and biowheel? just a couple biowheels etc?

[OrionGirl]

2 heaters would be better, and I would go with 300 watters, just to be on the safe side. You don't want the heater to be running all the time.

For filtration--what does he want to stock the tank with? Planted? Makes a big difference. For an unplanted community tank, I would run RUGF with 2 AC500's. Planted community, I would drop the RUGF. A bunch of small fish vrs a couple lunkers requires very differetn filtration needs.

[kdblove_99]

Whats RUGF?


I think it will be with your typical plasitc plants and the fish i'm not totally sure on but i think Oscars

[ChilDawg]

RUGF: Reverse-flow Undergravel Filter

For more acronyms, check out the "www" button at the bottom of any of my posts.

[kdblove_99]

Thank you!


So what kind of filtration should he go with?

So it will just have your normal plastic plants and Gravel.

like i said i would think the fish would be Oscars.

[ChilDawg]

I would not go with any sort of Undergravel filtration, b/c Oscars are big-time diggers...I think that most people are going to recommend canisters, but I'll leave them to do that as I am not the filtration expert here.

[OrionGirl]

Well, a 100 would be okay for 2 adult oscars, and will need lots of filtration. As Chil indicated, any kind of UGF will be out, since oscars will redecorate to their tastes, and this will include digging.

I would go with either an eheim canister, rated for 1000 gallons/hour and at least one AC500, or the 2 AC500. The filters will require regular maintenance, and the AC's are probably the easiest filters for this. A wet dry would work, but requires more maintenance than either other option.

He will also likely need to get some heater guards, since Oscars have been known to attack heaters and break them. Not a pleasant discovery.

[Slappy*McFish]

Oscars will do just fine in temperatures in the 70's F. As long as the room that is housing the aquarium is warm enough, you wont need a heater. I keep my house between 70-80 year round, with daily variances in temp. Usually the day temp is around 75-80 max, and as low as 70F at night, with an avg temp of around 75-76F. I never use heaters on my tanks. This wouldn't be advisible for Discus fish, however....but oscars would do fine.

[kdblove_99]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
Well, a 100 would be okay for 2 adult oscars, and will need lots of filtration. As Chil indicated, any kind of UGF will be out, since oscars will redecorate to their tastes, and this will include digging.

I would go with either an eheim canister, rated for 1000 gallons/hour and at least one AC500, or the 2 AC500. The filters will require regular maintenance, and the AC's are probably the easiest filters for this. A wet dry would work, but requires more maintenance than either other option.

He will also likely need to get some heater guards, since Oscars have been known to attack heaters and break them. Not a pleasant discovery.


Would this one be ok?Fluval Canister Filters from Hagen, Model 404
with the ac500 also?
or this one and a ac500 Magnum Canister Filter 350 Deluxe System by Marineland

I just would rather get a canister filter at local fish store and i dont see eheim just fluval and magnum which is better

[OrionGirl]

I am not the best when it comes to canister filters--but I think the fluval is a good choice. Make sure it provides a good turnover at the appropriate head, and you should be okay.

[ROLLIN]

I would go for 2 emperor 400s and 1 aquaclear 500, some combination like that. I dont see why anyone would want to spend alot of money for cannisters when you can buy filters with bio-wheels so much cheaper (although aquaclears dont have bio-wheels).