From 55 to 200

[KyAsh]

Hey guys,

We are looking at a 200 gallon tank that we found on Craigslist. We have some baby monsters and are looking to move them in the next couple of months to a bigger home. I am wondering if 200 gallon will be enough and how long until we need to go bigger. We actually plan on the 200 being the middle sized tank, but it needs to last us longer than a year...maybe two. Here is a list of what we have in the tank now and their sizes.

5 Bala sharks (2 inches)
5 Angels (1.5-2 inches)
3 Clown loaches (2.5 inches)
1 ID shark (3 inches)
1 Black Ghost Knife (2.5 inches)
and a rescued Columbian shark* (3.5ish inches...story in next post)

So about how long will the 200 gallon house these guys? I know they all get pretty big...some larger than others. If the 200 just won't work let us know why please! Thanks in advance for the advice!

-Kyle

 

[Egon]

Yeah I think it will work for two years. It will be getting very tight in there but if you keep up with water changes you will be fine.

 

[KyAsh]

*Columbian Shark story

Ok we were at a pet store closing and found this little guy scared out of his mind in a back corner of a draining tank. We picked him up after making sure he would at least get along in our tank (and he does really well!). The issue we have now is that we did more research after and found that he will need to be transfered slowly to salt water. So as much as I love him (he's full of personality!) he will most likely have to go to my LFS to be properly taken care of. Unless We can find a big enough and cheap enough set up to do the transfer slowly and properly. I stil have research to do on him to figure out the best path...I hope I get to keep him, but won't keep him in a potentially deadly tank.

 

[KyAsh]

Yeah I think it will work for two years. It will be getting very tight in there but if you keep up with water changes you will be fine.

Thanks Egon. I actually read through your 450 build thread from beggining to end. It is what made me want the 200 to be the middle tank...I can't wait to go bigger

 

[NCStateFisher]

without the ID shark id say ur good for life, also realize that colombian will need brackish water at some point

 

[KyAsh]

without the ID shark id say ur good for life, also realize that colombian will need brackish water at some point

Yeah, we found that out and are figuring out what we will do with him. I'm already in love with him and don't want to see him go! haha

 

[KyAsh]

Pulled the trigger on the 200...picking it tomorrow. Got some work to do! Gonna document all of it and post up how we are doing on it can't wait to see it progress!

 

[smitty03281964]

I would probably try and use the money that you are going to use for the 200 and try and raise some more funds and get the bigger tank now.

 

[KyAsh]

We already bought it haha. We planned on this being the middle sized tank because it is at my parents house. When we find a stable place (no more renting) then we will build the big final tank to put them in. So this tank just buys us time to find somewhere stable! Plus we got a good deal on it...so it all works out