Oscars And Substrate.

[guppy_man]

I was just wondering, do oscars like or even need substrate?
im asking this because they are one or even the most messiest fish you can own, and it would make cleaning alot easier.

 

[steve_m]

I use a syphon (spelling) gravel cleaner when i do weekly water changes. It works a treat

 

[GrantyBoy]

I keep a 2" layer of gravel in mine for them to dig in as this is part of their natural behaviour. I also use a gravel vac to keep the gravel clean once a week.

If I was to setup my Oscar tank again I would look into using an undergravel filter system but set it up to run in reverse so water is being blown up through the gravel therefore all waste is suspended in the water allowing the external filters to catch it.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

they like to re-arrange the substrate for you, i keep mine on sand and he likes playing in it

 

[guppy_man]

maybe ill go for sand then, i think he will like it and it will look great

 

[ox5477]

I agree with grantyboy that it is their natural behavior to dig around in the substrate so somethign would be good whether gravel or sand, im sure they would love either