Hello from Western New York

[cherylanne]

Hello all
I am a new member from western New York, and have been reading this and a couple other forums for a couple months now. I am rejoining the aquarium hobby after a 35 year hiatus. My how much has changed in some aspects.... My current tank is a four-day old 20gal high which is still in set-up mode. I am learning about cycling and have a couple very knowledgeable fishkeepers to mentor me.
I got back into the lifestyle because I have been given a 150gal aquarium which will be arriving at my home in about one month. These largest tank I've ever had was a 29gal. These are older pet fish whose owner passed away and we want to keep them in the family, along with all their other much loved pets. Im the only one who has the room and time for a big tank. So I've prepped my house for the space and the weight that will bring.... more later. Have to feed critters..

 

[James0220]

Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to find Information! I hope you can find all that you need!

 

[Joshaeus]

Welcome to the hobby! I wish I could have a 150 gallon tank...that's twice the size of all my current tanks put together, and I wouldn't trust my bedroom floor to hold it (speaking of...make sure you put that tank somewhere - like on the foundation - that will support its 1500+ pounds of weight!)

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Welcome to Fishlore! Hope you love it here!

 

[cherylanne]

The tank will be in my living room, which is over a full basement. It will be placed directly over the junction of a main beam and perpendicular to the floor joists. There is one post already in place, and I have another one to be installed. I also have a wall from a small room that was built in the basement and that will also take some of the load. The tank will also be close to the end outside wall of my house. I am pretty nervous about the weight, but I really want this tank. It means lot for our family... I had a builder come in and he says I don't need a thing, but I'm putting in the other post for peice of mind...
I will have to rearrange all my furniture.....and give a couple pieces away....

 

[jpm995]

From what you described the weight won't be an issue, you really don't need extra posts. It's a lot of weight but its spread over 6' so you have a main beam and probably 4 floor joists. 150 is a great size, post some pics when running.

 

[Joshaeus]

From what you described the weight won't be an issue, you really don't need extra posts. It's a lot of weight but its spread over 6' so you have a main beam and probably 4 floor joists. 150 is a great size, post some pics when running.

I would keep Malawi, Victorian, or maybe even mouthbrooding Tanganyikan cichlids in that 150 in a heartbeat...none of my tanks are large enough to house such magnificent fish. Obviously if you go that route you are going to want to do some research; most mouthbrooding "tangs" are somewhat delicate and the malawi and victorian cichlids have a few screws loose.

 

[BenTheFishHobbyist]

Welcome!

 

[Fishadict512]

Welcome to FishLore! If you ever have any qestions, just ask!

 

[Fishfur]

Welcome to Fishlore & back to the hobby.

All the changes definitely can be a bit of a shock when you’ve been away a long time. Hope all goes well!

 

[Redshark1]

What a great opportunity. I hope the existing fish give you pleasure and I like the idea of keeping somebody else's fish going. I would like to know what fish you are getting with the tank, even though the big tank itself is more significant and the really great news.

P.S. The aquarium hobby hasn't changed a great deal for me as I have my same setup from 1975.

 

[cherylanne]

What a great opportunity. I hope the existing fish give you pleasure and I like the idea of keeping somebody else's fish going. I would like to know what fish you are getting with the tank, even though the big tank itself is more significant and the really great news.

P.S. The aquarium hobby hasn't changed a great deal for me as I have my same setup from 1975.

There are only four fish in the tank. The largest is a calico ryukin I'd say about 8"(+/-). Then there is a black moor just a bit smaller, and an orange one that I think is an oranda same size. There is also a pleco about 11" long. They're all so beautiful. If was starting out my own large tank from scratch it would be a giant heavily planted community tank (that's my ultimate dream after these fellas age out). But I know these big guys can live a 'few' more years, and I hope they do...
You've had the same tank setup since 1975? That is so cool..

 

[Redshark1]

Thanks for answering. I share your dream of a giant heavily planted community tank.

However, I always wanted Clown Loaches and finally got them in 1995. Nobody advising me knew they could live this long. But they are seriously good fish and the best I have kept as they are a social species that like to live together. They don't know what territorial means. They do have a pecking order and sometimes that is reinforced when necessary but since it has already been established it is usually just a little squabble with a few clicks like a telling off. They keep me amused with their character and sometimes daft behaviour such as playing dead.

I bought a 40 gallon cube to enjoy my planted tank needs as clown loaches have a tendency to eat plants.

I love those fish of yours which I think are very beautiful except the pleco which are wonderfully ugly but also fascinating and full of character.