PinktailTrigger
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hi, all! 
I'm new around here and hoping to get some help deciding where to go with my next tank. I have none at present. I have been in & out of the hobby over the last ~25 years. Started with a 20-gal tropical tank with stock like black mollies and red wags waaaay back in the day (when I knew nothing but what LFS people told me) and culminating in a 180-gal saltwater tank several years ago, which I had to dismantle due to a move overseas. There have been lots of other tanks in between, from goldfish to oscars to another marine setup while I lived abroad.
Life is stable now. My kid is old enough that I have more personal time. I have the means and the space for another tank. But I am REALLY struggling with where I want to go with it. There are so many great options.
Probably the biggest driver is that I don't want to get too complicated. For example, when I had my 180, I had a basement sump system... I don't know that I have all that in me this time around. (Although it does make life cleaner and easier in the long run).
For the same reason (lower complexity), I am leaning toward freshwater... though not totally committed there... I do keep thinking about a pair of clowns with an anemone... and I always wanted a clam, too... although both anemones and clams require pretty pristine water and I'm not sure I want to be quite that OCD. Or a seahorse tank would be neat; my daughter would love that.
On the freshwater side, harkening way back to my youth, I have always wanted a cichlid tank. Maybe this is the time. But then, there are so many neat inverts I couldn't keep.
Or cold water... That might be the easiest option. I haven't really done that, except for goldfish briefly, and paradise fish are beautiful.
One other thing I've never done is a planted tank. I love how they look, but I am not sure that would be a good idea for me - I do NOT have a green thumb. But then again, at least aquatic plants don't need to be watered?
Like I said, I'm all over the place! What I do know is the following:
1) I have the perfect spot for a 48" tank, so can do up to ~120 gal.
2) I don't want to commit to anything too demanding. Hardy, lower maintenance livestock are preferred over anything too finicky. I have a busy life, plus I like to travel.
3) I get stressed by tanks that look messy... (Say, a plant that is dropping leaves, yellowing... or dirty sand, etc). I know that is largely within my control in terms of maintenance, but I also know certain kinds of tanks are easier to keep clean than others.
4) I want colorful and/or interesting and/or active fish; so even if I were to dare go planted (doubtful), the fish should still be the stars.
I know it is all a matter of personal preference, but seriously, suggestions are MORE than welcome. Decisions, decisions!
I'm new around here and hoping to get some help deciding where to go with my next tank. I have none at present. I have been in & out of the hobby over the last ~25 years. Started with a 20-gal tropical tank with stock like black mollies and red wags waaaay back in the day (when I knew nothing but what LFS people told me) and culminating in a 180-gal saltwater tank several years ago, which I had to dismantle due to a move overseas. There have been lots of other tanks in between, from goldfish to oscars to another marine setup while I lived abroad.
Life is stable now. My kid is old enough that I have more personal time. I have the means and the space for another tank. But I am REALLY struggling with where I want to go with it. There are so many great options.
Probably the biggest driver is that I don't want to get too complicated. For example, when I had my 180, I had a basement sump system... I don't know that I have all that in me this time around. (Although it does make life cleaner and easier in the long run).
For the same reason (lower complexity), I am leaning toward freshwater... though not totally committed there... I do keep thinking about a pair of clowns with an anemone... and I always wanted a clam, too... although both anemones and clams require pretty pristine water and I'm not sure I want to be quite that OCD. Or a seahorse tank would be neat; my daughter would love that.
On the freshwater side, harkening way back to my youth, I have always wanted a cichlid tank. Maybe this is the time. But then, there are so many neat inverts I couldn't keep.
Or cold water... That might be the easiest option. I haven't really done that, except for goldfish briefly, and paradise fish are beautiful.
One other thing I've never done is a planted tank. I love how they look, but I am not sure that would be a good idea for me - I do NOT have a green thumb. But then again, at least aquatic plants don't need to be watered?
Like I said, I'm all over the place! What I do know is the following:
1) I have the perfect spot for a 48" tank, so can do up to ~120 gal.
2) I don't want to commit to anything too demanding. Hardy, lower maintenance livestock are preferred over anything too finicky. I have a busy life, plus I like to travel.
3) I get stressed by tanks that look messy... (Say, a plant that is dropping leaves, yellowing... or dirty sand, etc). I know that is largely within my control in terms of maintenance, but I also know certain kinds of tanks are easier to keep clean than others.
4) I want colorful and/or interesting and/or active fish; so even if I were to dare go planted (doubtful), the fish should still be the stars.
I know it is all a matter of personal preference, but seriously, suggestions are MORE than welcome. Decisions, decisions!
