Ok so I'm thinking of getting an aquarium....looking at a 150g freshwater tank.

My question is, as far as stocking it goes...I want a combo of vibrance/color and activity. Is a cichlid tank the way to go?

I kinda wanna do a variety but I didn't know how well cichlids would get along with other fish as I def. want some of those.
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if you do cichlids, primarily keep them chichlids. they can be very aggressive, you will still need some sort of bottom feeder. i currently do not have any myself, but the next tank i start up will be a cichlid only tank.
they have literally hundreds of varieties (i think). very wide range of color etc. look back on this thread, there's a lot of good info.

and good luck.
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Thanks and yeah I've been reading the thread...lots of awesome info.

The variety and look of cichlids has me leaning that way...seen some really awesome setups on YT and around the net.
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did you say you're starting with 150 gallon? i'm not an expert (only in my mind), but a tank that big might be a bit ambitious.
not trying to be a debbie downer, but it might be safer (easier) to start with a smaller tank.
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Yeah...going that route because I'm able to get the tank dirt cheap, coming from a friend of my dad's.

Also wanted something really big...thought I'd give it a go and see if I can get it to work.
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i was online late last night looking at tanks myself. its amazing how much some people with put into a tank and "have" to sell in such a short time later.
i'm just not ready to start up another tank right now, but i have 2 55s and i saw one that was 100g, and i was soooooooo tempted. but not right now......:-)
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Found a 75g saltwater one I really like but I'm kinda afraid to go the saltwater route...feel it might be too daunting for me as a n00b and I'd completely botch it lol.
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Saltwater isnt too bad once it is very well established. Getting it established is the tricky part. When you first stock it get some hardy fish that can take a little bit of temperature and environmental change. Do living plants if you can as well. Makes a huge difference.
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Yeah me! I walk down the street a few blocks and I have the biggest saltwater tank you can imagine. All the fish I need.
No upkeep too!

I've even got dolphins!
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Ok I think I'm going the saltwater route...

The tank I'm looking at is 75g and comes with a pump, heater, light, and 50 lbs. of rock/substrate. Also has a starfish and hawkfish in it.

What else will I need to get started?
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A ton of money. Simply stocking a tank that large with fish would cost you at least $300 just to get to the point that it isn't empty looking. That being said you are getting a pretty good start with that deal you described, especially with the rock.
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Honestly, a 150G is much easier to maintain than a 55G. If you have the opportunity to get a big tank at a great price, do it. Bigger tanks are more forgiving in every aspect. Just make sure you have sufficient circulation in the tank and most importantly do very regular water changes. I wouldn't tell someone to start with a smaller tank and work up. Just don't get something you're not committed to.

As far as what species, if you're new at it, just try a bunch of stuff and experiment. A 150, that gives them room to avoid each other. Cichlids have so much variety, you can make a really colorful tank. Just try things and see what happens. When you get a better feel for it, then buy more expensive fish if you want.

To be honest, I'm a huge fan of peacock cichlids now that I've tried a bunch of different cichlid types. Very colorful, and not overly aggressive.

For a 150G, you could get 15-40 cichlids of the same type, some bottom feeders like plecos/loaches/catfish, and some other species that get along with cichlids. You have a lot of flexibility with a tank that size.

Consistent water changes, and a big tank like that can look amazing with a huge number of fish of great variety.
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Yeah the asshole sold the saltwater tank out from under me so I'm back to my original 150g freshwater tank idea...and it's all good.

Thanks for the advice Fish!
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Don't overstock the 150 at first. Easy to do. Do a ton of research. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys out in your area.

https://www.kcfishclub.org/forum/index.html

I'll start you out with a couple of free fish that will get along with your cichlids if you want them. Synodontis catfish. Already 7 inches long.
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Here's a pic of my biocube.

2 clowns 1 damsel 1 royal gramma
Yellow polyps
Green star polyps
Purple tip anemone
Numerous emerald crabs
Pink xenias
Lots of ricordia shrooms
Neon green disc anemone
Hawaii feather duster
Sand sifting starfish
Duncan's
All kinds of cool snails
Brown button polyps
Coral banded shrimp
A baby frogspawn
Some zoas that are super rare that are brown n purple
Lots of hermit crabs of all sizes

There's a bunch of other stuff, but I can't remember the names of them.
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