I just bought a 200 gallon and a 300 gallon tank for just $100. Suggestions on stocking.

[Fishmanic]

Includes all equipment and stands too. Saw them for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I'll be renting a U-Haul tomorrow and picking them up with help from my three young great-nephews. Any suggestions on stocking these tanks.

 

[GaryE]

With tanks like that, it's time to explore. What we like and what you like can be very different.

That's a better score than my best one - I once got a 30, a 45 and a 65 for $50, but the 65 was a terrible, tall tank I couldn't do much with, even with my ape arms. They all went to local schools though.

 

[Fishmanic]

The seller mainly needed to have them sold asap as he's moving.

 

[GaryE]

We are all caring and sensitive souls, but show me a good "divorce tank" sale and I'm in there like a turkey vulture.

 

[Fishmanic]

Im thinking maybe a small school of bala sharks and a Geophagus for starters in the 300 gallon.

 

[Fishmanic]

Maybe a group of Discus for the 200.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Well now it’s only fair we have a competition to see who can have the cooler 200

 

[GaryE]

Im thinking maybe a small school of bala sharks and a Geophagus for starters in the 300 gallon.

I don't know. I'm a hardcore 'never get a bala shark' guy. That fish does several km at a shot runs upriver against the current in nature, and there's no way it can get a run like that in even in 300 gallons. They're one of those fish I pity in captivity, and that's no fun.

But Geophagus - yeah! Actually, if I had a 300 gallon, I would get my favourite large Cichlid, Satanoperca daemon. They get to 16-18 inches, and I have seen huge ones. But they aren't expensive and they can be easy to find. The catch is they are more sensitive than Discus, so super light stocking even in a 300.

You could have a big shoal of Hemiodus tetras in the 'small' tank, with 50 Corys and whatever else appeals, if you go South American. West African could be cool too. Or real (not Satanoperca) Geos, or Guianacara!

If I lived near the stores Juice is close to, the world would be possible. The Wet Spot has my ideal fish I can't get...I'd have a pair of Pelvicachromis sacrimontis black, whatever Benitochromis they get in, lots of African tetras, a la @Magnum Man ....

 

[MuddyWaters]

Im thinking maybe a small school of bala sharks and a Geophagus for starters in the 300 gallon.

yeah you could put a strong power head at one end and watch the bala sharks swim swim swim

 

[MaloK]

Well now it’s only fair we have a competition to see who can have the cooler 200

...
A gazillion of tiny tiny fishes.

 

[Fishmanic]

Maybe an Arowana

 

[anewbie]

I found in my 200 (72x24x24) only 8 discus worked well - though mine are wild caught and i keep the water with ec 21 and ph 4.9.

For 300 i would go with geo sp alto they are hearty and will easily breed in mixed water. I would keep it to sa fishes and pick a dwarf cichild you like - i personally like l. dorsigera blue/black form and a very large school of tetra - cardinals or rummy. Don't get more than 8 geo if the smaller type or 6 if the larger type like winemilleri - they take up a lot of space.

 

[connorlindeman]

Maybe an Arowana

Dream fish right there.

 

[Fishmanic]

April Fools!
I have enough trouble maintaining my 5 gallon and my 29 gallon tanks. No way would I get two huge tanks even if they were free.

We can continue this thread by having you post suggestions as to how YOU would stock these tanks IF you were lucky enough to find them for cheap.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

We are all caring and sensitive souls, but show me a good "divorce tank" sale and I'm in there like a turkey vulture.

That's how I picked up my first 55g!