55 Gal

[Forum221]

I'm about to get a new 55 gal off a friend and he has a 12" Oscar in it and a 9" Jack Dempsy. I was wondering if i bought it how long would i have to cycle it and if i had to cycle it, what you i do with the 2 fish. I has a 350 magnum to go with it.

[quick061]

as long as you use the old gravel/filter media without letting them dry out for an extended period of time then it should not cycle. it may 'mini-cycle' but i doubt it will be a problem.

what to do with the fish though, that is the question.

[Hootchieman]

When I bought my 72 gallon tank, I kept all of the unwashed gravel, and about half of the water when it was moved. Both the fish and the plants survived quite nicely without too much stress. I would think that the oscar and dempsy would be hardy enough if you kept the tank contents as 'original' as possible.

[JohnMemorialHS]

The Oscar will get too big for a 55 gallon, so I would probably seek a new home for him/her.

[Rocketman]

If the Oscar really is 12" long, how does it turn around? I know what you're thinking, and I also hate the people that try to breainwash you into getting rid of all to your fish, but a 12" Oscar in a 55 Gallon (ussually are 12 inches deep, no?) seems a little cruel. Sorry.

[Forum221]

You make a good point about the oscar being way too big for the tank. I haven't actually seen the fish so I'm not exactly sure how big he is, but if he is too big for the tank, I won't make him suffer in it. I will find him a bigger tank (possibly new owner)