Purchased 7th Tank. 135 Gallon

TheChill

Registered Member
Aug 10, 2006
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McKinney, TX
Was looking for another tank for the den and came across a great deal on a used Oceanic 135 Gallon tank. It was previously set up as SW. Came with tank, stand, canopy, glass tops, lights (standard), power head, wet/dry and some other stuff, but since we are going to use as FW not needed. After a week of cleaning it is looking great. Now deciding what to stock. Many discussions between the girlfriend and I. Decided on what she wanted since all the other tanks have been my decisions. She wants the center piece fish as a Oscar. I was thinking of tank mates of JD's and GT's. Not exactly sure of how many though. I know only one Oscar, but could I add 2 JD's and 2 GT's? 5 large fish in a 135? Is that to much? If not what would you stock with a Oscar. It is going to be a sand substrate (what a pain in the a$$ cleaning sand). I have also ordered a Rena XP3 cannister for extra filtration on top of the wet/dry. I will seed cycle the tank from media from my 90 gallon tank. Should I add all the fish at one time? They will all be Juveniles. Last question. I rescued a 8 inch common pleco currently residing in my 90 gallon, but he hates my angels. Not sure if this is common in a pleco or if it was from years of abuse in his old nasty 55 gallon tank he was kept in. Could he go in with Cichlids?
 
Your multiple tank syndrome has reached an advanced stage...

I'm not a cichlid keeper, but five big aggressive fish does seem a bit much.
 
my personal thought is that the JD'd would pick on the oscar but that could just be me, the stocklist sounds ok and as far as those fish in a 135, it would work witht he filtration you have, oscars are dirty dirty fish. you could also try some Nicaraguensis' or keyholes as your other fish. they are a bit nicer than both gts and jds. but either your tank would be fine as is, just watch good luck

my personal opinion would be sevs, and firemouths but thats cuz i loves them. oh you could do an oscar with them to, he'd the king of the tank no doubt
 
I once had a JD with my 2 oscars and I had to give him away because he picked on them so much. However, with all cichlids, the individual personality of the fish comes into play big time. You may get lucky and have them all get along. And since you're getting them all as juvies, it might work. Also, I don't see any problem with the common placo going in there.
 
Congrats on the big tank!! Nothing like having more space for your fish.
IMHO, the fewer in a big tank the better when going with cichlilds. It's amazing how soon it looks crowded--of course, that gives you an excuse to get another (big) tank! To find good big fish advice, go to www.monsterfishkeepers.com, our sister site, where folks have BIG fish, great experience, and are always welcome to help out fellow big fish enthusiasts.
I love my big fish, and if I weren't limited by a mobile home, would have more AND bigger tanks. 125g is my tops. :confused:
Have fun!!!!
 
I kept a jd in with 2 o's, a sev and 2 morreys. they were all purchased/inherited as juvies, and grew up together in a 280. there also was at one time a common pleco, but i gave him away because his poo was everywhere!!! and i thought oscars were bad, those plecos sure can poop when they are grown! this tank was a bit more water than yours will be, however at full size the morreys were over 36" long and about 6" vertically. so the fish you are considering probly wont reach that mass, and the rena xp3 is amazing, i currently use one and swear by it. i did have a bad experience with a fluval, the impeller motor was warped and cost to repair it was rediculous. but that was only one experience, after repair it was just fine. Congrats on a great find, and i agree, you are a member of the complete addicts club!!!!
Ps.... your wife is very lucky!!! I usually ask my hubbys and he says what ever, not that he isnt into fish, but i think he realizes by now that i will eventually take back any creative control i offer, just out of enthusiasm(and begging)tho!
 
The pleco should be fine with the oscar. also should pictus cats and four-line pims(white-line).If they try anything to them it would only be once sinse those barbs are so sharp and painful.I do like the sevs and firemouths they have great colors to them.Another option if its legal in your state are FW rays,although they are pricey. Common rays run @ 50 dollars here in Wi.But i would stay away from cats and plecos with rays since both will try to suck on the rays and stress them out. My roomate had 2 rays in his 150 tall and they have alot of character. He'd still have them too if he'd have listened to me and not kept feeder goldfish in the tank for his oscar.They got sick.:cry:.Congrats on your new tank.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I do like the looks for the H. Nicaraguensis, Firemouths and Keyholes (in that order). So take out the JD's and GT's. Should I just pick one of these species and get a pair? Would a pair of Nicaraguensis and a pair of Firemouths be to much?

Thought about 2 oscars, but heard aggression would be to high when they were fully grown.


and MTS is bad!!!! 8th tank is already in the works. 29 gallon Biocube. SW Reef only tank. It was suppose to be our 7th, but ran into this 135 and couldn't pass it up. This all started as getting one 10 gallon tank for a 2nd grader as a reward for doing great in school. 2 mollies and 2 black skirts. It soon turned into 18 mollies. a 2nd 10 gallon for fry. then I was hooked after raising the fry and not losing a single one. found a 90g tall on ebay. friend moved and gave me her 47g tall. old room mate left and gave me his 55 and 20. thank god I got a house last year because all of these wouldn't have fit in the apartment. Easily have room for another 7 tanks (55 plus), but don't think I will get there any time soon.
 
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