For a 10gallon tank, I always use a power 20 filter. Power filters usually have cartridges which get replaced when dirty. For a 75gallon or bigger tank, I'd suggest going with a canister filter, especially if you have dirty fish like oscars. :-)


I've seen people do oscars with tinfoil barbs and bala sharks. The oscars where either A) given enough turf to not bother the other fish, B) the same size or smaller than the other fish, or C) there were enough bala sharks to keep the oscar in check. I believe balas are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 2 or 3+ anyway.

I've seen people put fish together that "shouldn't" be together in the same aquarium and everything work fine. I'm sure there were several factors which accompanied the lack of aggression toward tankmates like age, tank size, hiding places, etc.

x2 on this vv

artgecko said: "Some filter cartridges (I believe marineland and others) have a plastic cartridge with blue mesh batting on one side. Usually these have carbon inside them (you can hear it if you shake)."


Aqueon and Whisper are other brands to look for. I think Aqueon was once All Glass Aquariums(AGA)

Not sure if Aquaclear has changed or not over the years but they apparently have the best GPH on the market but if I remember right, there units use 3 cartridges or something.