NEW FISH GUY - Inherited 180 gal tank--need advice

[csmason1]

Hello - We recently moved into a residence where the owners sold us their beautiful 180 US gal tank and about 20 fish, 2 Fluval 404 filters, a 55-gal wheel filter, and 2 heaters. They also left behind lights, accessories, etc., and we paid them only $500. So not a huge investment, but my wife and I have ZERO knowledge when it comes to fish-keeping, except for what the owners told us about filter maintenance, feeding, etc. and the recent internet research. Here are the tank's occupants

5 Oscars of varying color (albino, red, etc.)
2 Iridescent Sharks
2 Pleco
2 Hoplo catfish
2 Blood Parrotfish
1 Red Devil (orange rather than red)
1 baby (?) Red Devil (although he's more yellow than red)
1 Bala Shark
1 Silver Dollar
1 Red-tailed Black Shark
1 Gold Severum (?) (he's tiger-striped and thin)

All these fish are full-sized or nearly so, w/ exceptions noted above. No fish in the tank is smaller than, oh, about 4 inches. The largest is probably one of the Oscars, maybe 9-10 inches head to toe.

1) I bought a "Love Parrotfish" from a pet store; he's purplish in color with purple round eyes. B/c his running buddy, a Fire Gourami, was eaten by an Oscar a few hours after they were put in the tank, I'm keeping him in a clean flower vase filled w/ about .75 gallons (regularly changed) for a couple of weeks until he grows big enough (3 inches?) to dissuade the Oscars from trying to eat him. Is this feasible?

2) Do I need the add'l 55-gallon wheel filter running (in addition to the 2 Fluval filters)--the previous owner has it running, but I'd like to save SOME electricity if possible and just run the 2 Fluval 404s.

3) Is it necessary to have real plants in my tank? If so, what kind are best w/ the number of fish I have? My fish seem to like to eat plants, from what the previous owner said.

4) Any other suggestions as to fish additions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[StingrayKid]

Holy Crap! First off, that's an amazing price for all of that. Second, the tank is very large I know, but, it seems a little crowded. Could you tell me the dimentions of the tank?(like length, width and height) Then that "Love Parrotfish" should probably fo back to the store. The Oscars will definately eat him/her. I don't think it can stay in there for a few weeks anyways. The Silver Dollar will eat the plants so, i'd advise not to get them. As for the filter, you can keep that 55 wheel filter in there, and it might be a good idea.

 

[csmason1]

Thanks for the advice, stingray...dimensions are simple:

72" length
24" height
24" width

It's basically a giant rectangle...

Regarding the add'l 55 gal filter, aren't the Fluval 404s good for 100 gallons of filtration? If so, would I be OK leaving out the 55 gallon.

As for the "love parrot", taking him back to the lfs is not an option. We consider ourselves his caretaker now after rescuing him from the evil Oscars (lol), so he'll just have to do w/ frequent water changes and the big flower vase. At some point, his size will save him from extinction. I guess I'm just wondering how many weeks it will take for him to get to 3 inches.

 

[StingrayKid]

That's the problem. It could take longer than weeks, and I'm not sure if he can survive in the vase. As for the filter, you should be fine. You could buy a small aquarium with a filter/heater to occupy him until he gets big enough. Good luck!

 

[Fish-Noobie]

the absolute minimum for a full grown oscar is 55g but it will not be as stressed in a 75g from 55g to 75g u add 25g for every oscar so it looks crouded

 

[Blazer]

ya that is a bit crowded!!lol, need to cut down on oscars!

~DAn

 

[my_fallen_angel]

um how are you heating the vase?

take him back he will not grow in a vase let alone live very well.

Sorry but it wont happen in the tank you have while the oscars are still there

 

[pacuman]

i think u should get ride of 2 oscars and on shark maybe even a pleco and then get a couple more sliver dollars they like to be in schools

 

[wuvmybetta]

A love parrot fish? I'm assuming (and almost certain!) that is a dyed parrotfish Don't buy anymore

They will more than likely never be receptive to new tankmates. They each have a territory and they're not going to make room for more. They'll probably kill everything you try to add. I must say,you guys started big.

I would be leary of taking off the 55 filter, it probably houses a substantial amount of needed bacteria. If you do remove it keep a close eye on your ammonia readings. They barely use any electricity at all, so don't worry about that.

I'd avoid real plants if I were you, the fish you have will destroy them. A rather pricey snack

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

Hello - We recently moved into a residence where the owners sold us their beautiful 180 US gal tank and about 20 fish, 2 Fluval 404 filters, a 55-gal wheel filter, and 2 heaters. They also left behind lights, accessories, etc., and we paid them only $500. So not a huge investment, but my wife and I have ZERO knowledge when it comes to fish-keeping, except for what the owners told us about filter maintenance, feeding, etc. and the recent internet research. Here are the tank's occupants

5 Oscars of varying color (albino, red, etc.)
2 Iridescent Sharks
2 Pleco
2 Hoplo catfish
2 Blood Parrotfish
1 Red Devil (orange rather than red)
1 baby (?) Red Devil (although he's more yellow than red)
1 Bala Shark
1 Silver Dollar
1 Red-tailed Black Shark
1 Gold Severum (?) (he's tiger-striped and thin)

All these fish are full-sized or nearly so, w/ exceptions noted above. No fish in the tank is smaller than, oh, about 4 inches. The largest is probably one of the Oscars, maybe 9-10 inches head to toe.

1) I bought a "Love Parrotfish" from a pet store; he's purplish in color with purple round eyes. B/c his running buddy, a Fire Gourami, was eaten by an Oscar a few hours after they were put in the tank, I'm keeping him in a clean flower vase filled w/ about .75 gallons (regularly changed) for a couple of weeks until he grows big enough (3 inches?) to dissuade the Oscars from trying to eat him. Is this feasible?

2) Do I need the add'l 55-gallon wheel filter running (in addition to the 2 Fluval filters)--the previous owner has it running, but I'd like to save SOME electricity if possible and just run the 2 Fluval 404s.

3) Is it necessary to have real plants in my tank? If so, what kind are best w/ the number of fish I have? My fish seem to like to eat plants, from what the previous owner said.

4) Any other suggestions as to fish additions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

If you want to keep the oscars until adulthood, you are going to have to get rid of a lot of fish. Oscars can grow over a foot long (without the tail) and are famous tank mate eaters.
For starters, you should take back the bala 'shark' and the silver dollar, as both are schooling fish, and you have no more room to add more fish. Also take back the Blood parrot and "love parrot rolleyes", as these fish have been artificially colored by being injected with dye, which will stunt their growth sufficiently for the oscar to eat them. Also, the red tailed black shark will never grow big enough to escape the oscars.
Almost all Local Fish Stores will accept fish back from you, and if they don't you should stop going to that store.
Good luck

 

[csmason1]

thanks for all the responses, guys. Here's what I'm gathering from all your ideas:

1) Oscars grow very big, as much as a foot long. As I said, there are 5 in the tank right now (I think--I'm not sure sure if 1 is an Oscar or not). They all look to be about 8-9 inches long; it's hard to tell as I'm not great w/ measurements. They are the longest fish in the tank, except for maybe the iridescent sharks.

2) THe purple parrotfish who is injected w/ dye should be taken back to the lfs. Does the dye pose a threat to the other fish? Or is it just for show? If I told you that we still want to keep him, is the best option to build a small tank for him w/ a little heater? Leading to #3...

3) The home owners also left behind what looks like a 10-15 gallon tank, empty in the shed. Should I use this tank as a "nursery" for the small fish I'm bound to encounter at the lfs? It's undisputed that a 1-2 inch fish is not safe from the Oscars. So, barring a purchase of 3-inch+ fish, it looks like I can never buy and introduce the standard 1-2 inch lfs fish, right?

4) What is the average life span on the Oscars? The previous owners had the tank for a little over a year, and I assume they had most (if not all) of the Oscars since the start. Can I expect them to last 3 more years? 5 years? More?

 

[K-Holed]

A life span of 10 years wouldn't be unreasonable.

 

[wuvmybetta]

thanks for all the responses, guys. Here's what I'm gathering from all your ideas:

1) Oscars grow very big, as much as a foot long. As I said, there are 5 in the tank right now (I think--I'm not sure sure if 1 is an Oscar or not). They all look to be about 8-9 inches long; it's hard to tell as I'm not great w/ measurements. They are the longest fish in the tank, except for maybe the iridescent sharks.

Oscars get huge and often mean. As do red devils, once they hit the 7" mark...they become extremely territorial.

2) THe purple parrotfish who is injected w/ dye should be taken back to the lfs. Does the dye pose a threat to the other fish? Or is it just for show? If I told you that we still want to keep him, is the best option to build a small tank for him w/ a little heater? Leading to #3...

Why not put the parrot fish in the 10 for now if you plan on keeping him?

3) The home owners also left behind what looks like a 10-15 gallon tank, empty in the shed. Should I use this tank as a "nursery" for the small fish I'm bound to encounter at the lfs? It's undisputed that a 1-2 inch fish is not safe from the Oscars. So, barring a purchase of 3-inch+ fish, it looks like I can never buy and introduce the standard 1-2 inch lfs fish, right?

Decide what you're doing with the parrot and work from there as far as suitable tank mates go. You can have an instant cycled tank by removing some (a cup or 2 or 3) of gravel from the pre-existing tank and putting it into the new set up.Use water and filter media too.

4) What is the average life span on the Oscars? The previous owners had the tank for a little over a year, and I assume they had most (if not all) of the Oscars since the start. Can I expect them to last 3 more years? 5 years? More?

Oscars live for a long time, it's not unusual for them to live up to and beyond 10 years. You can assume that yours are probably at least 6.

 

[csmason1]

OK, I put the parrot into a 10 gal w/ gravel from the 180 gal tank. Now here's where I might be going wrong: The previous owner had a Powerhead 301 dangling and running in the middle of the big tank. It had nothing attached to it, just the head taking in water and pumping it back out. Seemed kinda redundant to me, w/ the two Fluval 404s and the biowheel going. There was also a sponge filter (?--it looks like a Powerhead but it has a cylindrical sponge.

So anyway, I took the Powerhead and attached a cylindrical piece that I found under the big tank. I put some filter fiber in it (stuff that looks like cotton) and started it in the 10 gal tank. So for the past 10-12 days, the parrot has been in the 10 gal w/ a heater in one corner and the Powerhead in the other. I know the fiber is straining out some of the crap from the water, b.c the fiber is turning brownish up near the head itself.

My question is: Have I set up the Powerhead correctly? Should I put any additional filter media into the cylindrical piece? Would I be better off w/ the sponge filter (btw, it's a Maxi-Jet MP 1200--like I said, looks like a Powerhead) instead of the set-up I have?

Another concern: the parrot has developed what looks like a big pimple right on his forehead. It started out as two bumps; seems to have merged into one recently. I've read extensively about ich; just have a hard time telling if it is or isn't. The parrot isn't trashing around and has no other spots on his body. Any assistance or any or all of these questions is greatly appreciated. Thanks!