An Aulonocara tank would look great in a 55, just stay away from jakes, dragonblood and some of the larger more aggressive types
What should I do with an empty 55gal?
- Thread starter rvadog
- Start date
I had a spare cylindrical 20gal lying around that I didn't know what to do with, so I added in some rocks, macro algae (gracelaria) and a basic LED light and left it with minimal interference. (this was for my marine system).
It was quite fascinating to see how the algae grew and bushed out, took over the rocks and the sheer amount of small organisms that "appeared". It became really interesting to watch, and had the added benefit of keeping my main tank super clean, and allowing for heavier stocking.
So to answer your question, I would make your into some kind of a "display" filter.
Get a decent light, put some plants in it and see how it grows. There are some pretty freshwater plants that you can experiment with without this being a "main tank". Who knows, maybe you find out you really like it.
Attach this to your 180, so you can up the stocking density in your main tank (maybe some larger SD species or Geos...etc what ever really). You get a fuller, more active tank.
It was quite fascinating to see how the algae grew and bushed out, took over the rocks and the sheer amount of small organisms that "appeared". It became really interesting to watch, and had the added benefit of keeping my main tank super clean, and allowing for heavier stocking.
So to answer your question, I would make your into some kind of a "display" filter.
Get a decent light, put some plants in it and see how it grows. There are some pretty freshwater plants that you can experiment with without this being a "main tank". Who knows, maybe you find out you really like it.
Attach this to your 180, so you can up the stocking density in your main tank (maybe some larger SD species or Geos...etc what ever really). You get a fuller, more active tank.
Or you could try a brackish setup.
I had another spare tank a while back I also didn't know what to do with. This was when I decided to try my first saltwater (I was always under the impression it was more difficult and expensive. Which turns out it isn't). Just a simple saltwater. One of the best decision's I ever made. Only a few fish, rocks, sand and that was it.
If you don't have a plan, and you have a spare tank, why not try something different? Its not like you will be missing out on anything
and you dont just want to set up another tank just for the sake of it either.
I had another spare tank a while back I also didn't know what to do with. This was when I decided to try my first saltwater (I was always under the impression it was more difficult and expensive. Which turns out it isn't). Just a simple saltwater. One of the best decision's I ever made. Only a few fish, rocks, sand and that was it.
If you don't have a plan, and you have a spare tank, why not try something different? Its not like you will be missing out on anything
and you dont just want to set up another tank just for the sake of it either.
I'd run it as a sump for the 180, or....if the 180 already has a sump, I'd run it in line with the 180 as a hospital/Qt tank, as kno4te suggested.
If it was put in line with the 180, I'd put a on/off valve soit could be sequestered in case Qt was needed.
In that way, connecting it in line would establish it immediately as being cycled.
If it was put in line with the 180, I'd put a on/off valve soit could be sequestered in case Qt was needed.
In that way, connecting it in line would establish it immediately as being cycled.
But that's sooo boring! Really though a quarantine tank won't get much use. I don't often add new fish.
