Hi, new to hobby, 55g tank.

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steez

Aquarium Advice FINatic
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Messages
784
Location
North Idaho
Hello!

I own a 55g tank with the API Nexx canister filter system.

I just got the new filter, I like it because it's very easy to maintain and clean. Also if I decide to upgrade, all you have to do is buy the extension and add it on, increasing the power from 55g to 100g rated.

In my tank I have an Oscar named Steezy, a common pleco and a bichir eel. It's strange though, the oscar killed his tankmate oscar before they even got to 3 inches, but he leaves the eel alone. The eel can totally fit into his mouth, but they will both be eating at the same time and he completely gets along with him! The pleco on the other hand, stays hidden most of the time until night time so the oscar doesn't beat him up.


Anyways... I just got this new filter not too long ago, and the only problem I'm having is lack of oxygen in the water. the circulation underneath the surface is pretty good, but the surface itself is quite calm. I'm actually going to be picking up an air pump tonight, I can tell Steez is actually breathing a lot harder than normal, and going to the surface a bit. This only really started after getting the new filter, because it lets the new water back in under the surface, so it's not creating any water agitation. I think i'm just going to buy two separate 20-30g rated air pumps and place them on both sides, I think it would look cool!

I'm going to get some pictures posted.


Please give me and recommendations and/or advice that you would like!


Thanks!
 
Welcome to AA! Yes you definatly need surface agitation. And that sounds like a good idea. Definatly post some pics. I would really like to see your tank and eel and Oscar
 
steez said:
Here we go... eel and oscar.

<img src="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=50939"/>

<img src="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=50940"/>

Your eel looks like the ones they sale at Walmart they call dragon fish
 
It's a dinosaur eel, I got it at Walmart. *EDIT* Well that's what walmart calls them at least, I refer to it as a Bichir Eel.


I feel like a total loser buying a fish there ( no offense to anybody ) but I really love eels, and we have no good LFS where I live.

The best bets are Petco and Walmart for fish stuff, that's why I order mostly online.

I don't really know of many freshwater eels, all I know is that if I had a saltwater tank, i'd have a few eels. They are by far my favorite
 
steez said:
It's a dinosaur eel, I got it at Walmart. *EDIT* Well that's what walmart calls them at least, I refer to it as a Bichir Eel.

I feel like a total loser buying a fish there ( no offense to anybody ) but I really love eels, and we have no good LFS where I live.

The best bets are Petco and Walmart for fish stuff, that's why I order mostly online.

I don't really know of many freshwater eels, all I know is that if I had a saltwater tank, i'd have a few eels. They are by far my favorite

You can always get a peacock eel. They are pretty and neat. You would like it and its freshwater but I dont know of its compatibility with your Oscar. Look it up. I would like To get one myself
 
steez said:
It's a dinosaur eel, I got it at Walmart. *EDIT* Well that's what walmart calls them at least, I refer to it as a Bichir Eel.

I feel like a total loser buying a fish there ( no offense to anybody ) but I really love eels, and we have no good LFS where I live.

The best bets are Petco and Walmart for fish stuff, that's why I order mostly online.

I don't really know of many freshwater eels, all I know is that if I had a saltwater tank, i'd have a few eels. They are by far my favorite

And dont feel like a loser because IMO Walmart shouldn't carry fish. You saved that fishes life. The Walmart here has 10g aquariums with 15 green spotted puffers in it
 
I would love to have a peacock eel but I'm full on my tank.


Maybe I could get another eel now, and upgrade my tank to 75-100g within 6 months? They are all pretty small still, 4-5". It will be much harder to find a big eel to match with my oscar later on
 
steez said:
I would love to have a peacock eel but I'm full on my tank.

Maybe I could get another eel now, and upgrade my tank to 75-100g within 6 months? They are all pretty small still, 4-5". It will be much harder to find a big eel to match with my oscar later on

Just get another 55g and let your Oscar keep that tank and put your eels in another tank:) that's what I would do
 
@chagoi
I just got a Whisper 60 Air Pump.


@Jonathon: Dojo's are alright. I really like the Fire eel and peacock eels.


@all the welcomes: Thanks!




My problem isn't just the oscar, I think it would be much easier to maintain without the Pleco. I've heard that pleco's are massive waste makers, that's why I was thinking about getting a different tank-mate for the oscar. Something that will cleanup like the pleco does, yet not produce as much waste. But it has to be something that won't be killed. Hard choice.
 
My problem isn't just the oscar, I think it would be much easier to maintain without the Pleco. I've heard that pleco's are massive waste makers, that's why I was thinking about getting a different tank-mate for the oscar. Something that will cleanup like the pleco does, yet not produce as much waste. But it has to be something that won't be killed. Hard choice.[/QUOTE]

Yes that is a hard choice. Have you thought about..... well I'm clueless on this one. Lets think here a bit. How about a catfish, but they have just as much. I say just stay with the pleco since your Oscar doesn't have a problem with him
 
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