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Author Topic:   i have a question to t_chelle16
rebel
Member

Posts: 44
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 02-15-2004 10:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rebel     Edit/Delete Message
hay dude i have a question about hausing oscar. is powerheads a good thing or is a back flow filter better for oscar because i have two albino oscars just babys 31/2 long and they are in a 55 gallon tank can you shine some light on this filtraction prombly talk to you later.

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t_chelle16
Member

Posts: 501
From:Missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-16-2004 07:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for t_chelle16     Edit/Delete Message
First of all, you are probably going to find that a 55 gallon tank is too small for 2 oscars. When they get bigger, they will probably get territorial and try to kill eachother. And even if they do get along, there simply isn't enough water volume to handle the bioload of 2 oscars. You will most likely be needing to do large water changes at least twice a week to keep the nitrAtes at a safe level. And long term exposure to high nitrAtes is one of the main causes of hole in the head disease. And once they have HITH, it will be nearly impossible to treat if the nitrAtes are high. That's why everyone keeps recommending at least 75 gallons for 2 oscars (and that will only work if they like eachother).

Now onto filters.

My personal prefernce is a canister filter. I have Cascade filters, but I've heard most people recommend Filstar and Eheim. That being said, hang on back filters will also work. The main thing you want to avoid are undergravel filters because oscars like to dig and if you hav a UG filter, it will be rendered useless.

When determining the size of filter you need to look at the flow rate (gallons per hour). For HOB filters, you need at least a 10x turnover rate. That is, the flow rate needs to be 10x the volume of the tank. So if you have a 75 gallon tank (hint hint )you will need a total of 750 gallons per hour.

Canister filters are a bit more efficient so you will only need about 4x or 5x turnover. Again, a 75 gallon tank would need 3 - 375 gallons per hour.

-Chelle

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