Oscars with sand and Plants??

[archer772]

I have a friend that just picked up a 150 gallon tank for his 2 Oscars and Common Pleco and he is trying to decide on how to set it up so help me to help him out please. He is thinking about 2-3 inches of sand 2-3 larger pieces of drift wood and maybe some plants. He will be running T-5 lighting and some moon lights, he has 2 AC 110's for now but trying to talk him into a cannister filter also, so my question is will the sand bo ok and what types of plants if any.
Thanks

[Nolapete]

Plastic plants or potted ones like anubias.

[archer772]

Sorry live plants

[PikeCichlid]

No,No,No live plants with an Oscar,or sand.Unless your friend has a sump then the impellers on ANY filter,AC,or otherwise will eventually grind up with sand and theyll be the loudest filters in the world.Unless this is a new type of Oscar,bred to NOT root up the substrate and lunge around like a psycho!!!!!!! Pleco yes,live plants and sand,NO!

[Sploke]

Sand can work as long as you rinse it well, and keep the intake for the filter higher up in the tank. Putting a sponge over the intake will help as well. Plants on the other hand, most oscars won't stand for. As nolapete said, plastic ones, or get some in pots and weight them down with rocks so they don't get thrashed all over the tank.

[Digital]

Live plants with oscars, no go. I've had Oscar's for years now and it's just not gonna be good.

[FreakIndeed]

I don't see why you couldn't give some Java Fern or Anubias a shot. Adhere them to some driftwood or rocks. Most Oscars will rip up rooted plants, but you could try something like an Amazon Sword and put large rocks around the base of the plant. Worst thing that will happen is the fish will tear the plant to pieces and you are out a few bucks and have to clean the tank.

[lazyNode]

how about a floating ball of java moss and he can watch the oscars play soccer.