What To Do With 150 Gallon Tank?

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Pazzoman

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2009
3,005
50
81
New York
Hey Everyone,

Ive had 150 gallon saltwater tank for about year or 2 now and decided its time roc all it quits. I just don't have the time to commit to it anymore and lossing my favorite fish that cost $200 finally drove me to my breaking point. So Im debating on ending it all together or go back to freshwater which is what this tank was originally suppose to before. Its a 48x24x30 (LxWxH) tank. With corner overflow as well as a sump. Sump would have to be changed to freshwater set up, but it is equipped with filter sock as well as k1 moving bed filter as well as high turnover rate. So most likely I would take out the skimmer and put some kind of filter pads before the water rushes thru the moving bed filter. So many options lol. So basically I just want some ideas on to what to stock this tank personally what drew me originally to get a big tank was to have a stingray but I dropped the ball in not purchasing a 180. I've been told that I can possibly stick out with a pair of hystrix rays for a while or a male hystrix or male marble ray for life. Not really entirely sure what to do, I feel that water changes would be a lot easier for me to keep up since I would just have to hook it up to the sink instead of with saltwater mixing and moving around a giant garbage pale of water.

LONG STORY SHORT! This tank is in my living room, want it too look nice but would like some exotic fish in it like a ray or something interesting. Thanks appreciate it, or any other ideas that would make the tank look nice.
 
Hello; my guess is you will get suggestions based on what others happen to like. In the end you will make a decision based on your preferences. A 150 is big enough for a small number of some larger fish or a large number of smaller fish. You are in New York (State or city?) so perhaps there are a variety of shops, offices and such with display tanks you could look at to get some ideas. Once a notion strikes, do some research on the species to check on requirements.

Now to my personal taste. Not many large display tanks in my area but most are loaded with the cichlids, some driftwood and or rocks. These tanks are interesting but not what I would want any more. I prefer live plants which is difficult with some of the larger cichlids. A tank with some fresh water angel fish, tall plants and a few small colorful companion species that do not nip the angels trailing fins.
Another large tank idea I did back in the 80's was planted and had a few hundred zebra danios as the main fish. Quite a display and one I would like to repeat some day perhaps with a different small schooling species. I was raising the zebras from fry at the time so was active in two areas of the hobby. Of the many display tanks I have done that one has been one of the ones that captured the attention of viewers. Quite a sight.

Good luck with a nice problem to have.
 
Quite simple really.. get a fahaka! Very personable, beautiful and if you get them young not overly aggressive. So you could add in some colourful African river cichlids like jewels or kribs. Just need plenty of big wood and plants to break up sight lines.
 
*If you have your saltwater tank running for 2 years then may I ask what species you try to keep in past 2 years? Your tank should be established, mature and don't required much maintenance.
*Start a new fresh water I'm pretty sure you will face almost same problem you having with your saltwater...Fish just keep dying. So, what did you do wrong? Find and correct the problem then you will be happy.
 
Do a brackish tank at 8 ppt. Stock a archerfish, volitan lionfish and some Columbian sharks or dragon fish
 
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