Just got the call from the lfs that my new tank has arrived and is ready to pick up. It is 112g, 60lx18wx24h. My plans for it are to put the three 6"oscars than are in my 40 gallon growout tank in, along with three female JDs, that are currently living in my 80g with an oscar and some convicts.
I don't plan on buying any new fish, just redistributing what I have got to cut down and crowding and make more compatible tank mates.
I bought decor sand from Home Depot, it looks great in the bag, hope it works in the tank. It is very white and uniform in size. I also purchased a Fluval Fx5 to filter, it should do a good job I hope.
I may throw in a pictus catfish to help clean up after the Oscars meals.

Nice....that sand is awesome I have it in my 29g and used to use it in my 55g. Good to hear your plans your fish will enjoy all the new space. An fx5 will be good to start....I would add a couple HOB's down the road though. As far as the pictus the Oscar will make lunch of it eventually...I would go with some synos, they would work out better.

Great! Betcha the fish will like more room!

WYite

Very nice!

Awesome! Can't wait to see some pics. It sounds like it will be a great setup.

lol, I suffer from FAC (find acronyms confusing). So, MC, when you say I may want some HOB's down the road, what is an HOB?

Its Saturday afternoon and I am just starting to set up my tank. I will take pics as I go along and post them. I'm excited, this is what the hobby is all about !!

Oh, I forgot the main reason I logged on. What do you suggest for fish for tank to get the water cycled? The lfs tried to sell me a dozen goldfish, but I was hesitant about that. What is hardy and cheap and how many do I need to cycle a 112g tank?

HOB == Hang On Back filters.

I know some people on here are fond of using pure ammonia to cycle tanks, I have always used something from one of my other tanks as a seed (potted plant, handful of gravel), and either feeder goldies or feeder guppies.

Comets, the common feeder goldfish down here, are pretty sturdy so long as you get them healthy. I use 4 to 6 3 inchers for a 75 and it works just fine. It's been a while since I've had to cycle a tank, but I want to say it cycled pretty fast that way.

Goldfish are actually pretty good cyclers if you think about it. As long as the goldfish is healthy, it can withstand most everything nature throws at it, well except for a fish bigger than him that is aggressive/ hungry. Goldfish produce alot of waste that helps with bacteria. They can tolerate quick changes in water. I've had a goldfish go from the pond, tempature was about 71, and go into a 29 that was 81 and I just dropped him in and the goldie acted like a goldie in the pond. Fish is still going strong outside. GL.

I've cycled a tank with fish and with just ammonia and by far the easiest way is with the ammonia. It is easier on the fish, since it doesn't require them to be exposed to rising ammonia and nitrite levels and there are no water changes necessary to keep levels in check. The tank can still be seeded with filter media, substrate, etc...from an established tank. The toughest part of cycling with ammonia is looking at your new tank filled with water but no fish in it . Whichever way you go good luck with it.

Seeding is by far the fastest way get a two or three guppies and some existing media (sponge, gravel, decor or all) put that in the tank with an ammonis source (fish) and your new filters the bacteria will multiply quick enough you likely wont see any ammonia nitrite etc at all. Unless I had to absolutley start over I would never cycle any other way than seeding a new tank.

And yes (thanks Saint) HOB=Hang on Back filter.

It didn't think if it until just now but since you mentioned Oscars and some other Cichlids would be going into the new tank, if you do go the feeder fish route to cycle it may be a good idea to remove them afterward.

Even with water changes tank cycling duty is kinda stressful on the fish in it, and they could get, or make worse something they may have. Most pet store feeders are kept in fairly poor conditions. Dead or alive, my feeders go to turtles, so there's not nearly the issue as with fish.