How long can my tiger oscar live without a tank filter?

Question

We woke up this morning and the filter wasn't working. It's too early to go out and buy one right now. What should we do?

Answer 1

They can probably last 24-48 hours before you really start to see problems depending on tank size/surface area/stocking/tank temperature.

Do a partial water change of about 30%, keep the old filter in the tank and wet and go get yourself a new filter asap, put the old media in the new filter, hook it up and you should be alright.

Answer 2

just make sure the water is clean, without a filter you just have to clean the water out more often.  Try to get one soon though.

Answer 3

Do you have an air pump? If so, hook one up. You need to keep the water oxygenated. But you will need to get a new filter ASAP. And make sure to transfer most of the filter media to the new filter (sponges can be made to fit in other filters). All your good bacteria is in that broken filter. A few hours not working won't kill it, and if you don't transfer the media, your tank will cycle again.

If you cannot get a filter today (and there is no reason why not, as soon as stores open), make sure to do daily partial water changes until you can.