I might be getting a 500 gallon tank for free! Stocking for a 500g?

[Brickosaurus]

This is legit crazy! My brother in laws said that his brother has a 500g aquarium that he wants to get rid of for free apparently. From what he described it sounded like the tank is around 8 feet long! Obviously I can't say exactly without seeing the tank first. But according to him it's 6ft × 6ft. I'm assuming it's most likely a 275g which is insane either way!

I'm still relatively a beginner, so would I even be able to handle something like that? And idk where to begin with the stocking. Of course I could just put my goldfish in It, and add a few more.

I've always wanted freshwater stingrays. But idk how hard they are to keep. Or should I get the fish tank and wait until I'm more experienced to stock it?

 

[FJB]

Part of me says (if it were myself in the situation) - if it is real, and it is is indeed free, then get it. I can always decide what to do with it. Opportunities like that don’t happen often.
The other part of me thinks, how much the wife will hate the idea, what repairs and extra equipment/expenses are needed, where to put it, and other lame items like that.

 

[Brickosaurus]

Part of me says (if it were myself in the situation) - if it is real, and it is is indeed free, then get it. I can always decide what to do with it. Opportunities like that don’t happen often.
The other part of me thinks, how much the wife will hate the idea, what repairs and extra equipment/expenses are needed, where to put it, and other lame items like that.

I don't have a wife lol. But I do live with my family and they fully support my fishkeeping hobby. And they seemed excited when I told them about the tank. I hope he still has at least most of the supplies. I definitely trust him and I don't think he is lying to me.

 

[ken31cay]

I'd want to know the exact dimensions so to figure out where I would situate the setup. Then I'd need to know what it comes with: stand, hood, lights, filter(s), etc. Whatever it doesn't come with I'd start researching what I will need to be purchasing in order to complete the setup.

After I'm sure the setup is complete and I know where I'm going to place it, then I would start thinking about what I want to put in it. Of course I'd need to do a fishless cycle to get the bio-filter going, and this would give me ample time to research which fish I want to get and also to order them.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

 

[Brickosaurus]

I'd want to know the exact dimensions so to figure out where I would situate the setup. Then I'd need to know what it comes with: stand, hood, lights, filter(s), etc. Whatever it doesn't come with I'd start researching what I will need to be purchasing in order to complete the setup.

After I'm sure the setup is complete and I know where I'm going to place it, then I would start thinking about what I want to put in it. Of course I'd need to do a fishless cycle to get the bio-filter going, and this would give me ample time to research which fish I want to get and also to order them.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

Thanks! This has been a dream tank of mine for quite some time! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much though (just in case)

 

[tlindsey]

I've always wanted freshwater stingrays. But idk how hard they are to keep

If aquarium has proper dimensions and research the freshwater stingray threads here
you could do it. Also experienced stingray keepers here on the forum.

 

[ken31cay]

I have a 450gal which I keep Frontosa cichlids in. The tank is 8ft x 3ft x 2.5ft (length x width x height). I thought long and hard before placing this setup to make sure it's in a good place in my home where it could stay. It's no fun moving a tank this large. Good luck.

 

[tlindsey]

make sure it's in a good place in my home where it could stay.

Excellent advice.