Unexpected 70g

[Morgie]

I won a 70 gallon tank/stand/canopy in a raffle yesterday and I wasn't expecting that, to say the least.
Usually when I start up a tank I have a plan months in advance as far as stocking goes, but not this one!
So, I'm not really sure what to do with it. Suggestions are welcome, though I think I'd probably like to make it a biotope tank. I used to have one and it was loads of fun, if a ton of work to say the least. Check my profile for the fish I have, it might help.
Dims are 36x18x25

 

[HUKIT]

I don't see any cichlids in your profile, why not start there?

 

[Jcala]

Ill gladly buy if off of you for how ever much you put in! Haha god I wish I could have a tank that big

 

[bettagirl03]

+1 on cichlids! On a tank, that big, you can't just have your run of the mill community tank.

 

[Fishperson]

What is your tap ph and hardness? You could do an african cichlid rift lake biotype.

 

[Morgie]

I guess I hadn't considered Africans since I felt the length of the tank was a little limiting? But I am liking the idea quite a lot! I think I'll either go with some sort of African tank or an Indian/Burmese biotope with a spiny eel, etc. I'm picking up the tank on Friday so I think once we get it in the room I'll have a better idea of what will look the best and be the most enjoyable to keep. It's most likely going to be in the room with my reef, and I'm not sure if having two primarily "rocky" tanks will look best or if I'd rather have something nice and planted.
Any specific fish ideas you guys could throw at me? I work at an LFS so I wouldn't have much trouble getting rarer fish.

And my tap runs at about 7.0-7 .5 with a pretty high dKH. I haven't tested it straight out of the tap in a while though, I just remember it was on the upper end of the spectrum.

 

[Taiken5968]

How about native freshwater fish. If you like to fish you can catch your own stock. Keep small ones and watch them grow.

 

[Morgie]

I've kept native tanks before (both fresh and saltwater!), and I'd love to do it again! But I'd want to do it in at least a six foot tank so I could keep a nice school of sunfish, or pinfish in sw.
I'm addicted to big tanks though, what can I say.

 

[Morgie]

I've decided to do a Tanganyikan tank, and I'm already pumpedddd
We got the tank in the house this morning, so here's a few pictures of it:

 

[Morgie]

And this is my tentative stock list. Please let me know if it's too much or if there are any other fish you would suggest.
2x calvus
3x leleupi
3x julidochromis
6-12x leptosoma
2x synodontis petricola

This week I'll be buying the essentials (filters, heaters, substrate, etc.), start my cycle, and get an aquascape plan down.

 

[Jev12]

Holy fishsticks I'm super jealous

 

[FishCr8zy]

I've decided to do a Tanganyikan tank, and I'm already pumpedddd
We got the tank in the house this morning, so here's a few pictures of it:

Holy cow. That is a nice 70 gal. Looks in great condition and the stand too.

 

[Rodeo one]

What the heck is the critter in your avatar?

 

[FishCr8zy]

What the heck is the critter in your avatar?

Who? Me or him?

 

[FishCr8zy]

If u talking about him, I think it's a type of lizard.

 

[Rodeo one]

Morgie's avatar . You re an Apple snail, yes?

 

[FishCr8zy]

Morgie's avatar . You re an Apple snail, yes?

Ya. Giant apple snail. Nice guess. Morgie's is some type of reptile. Not sure what.

 

[Rodeo one]

Well, I read your thread earlier about breeding them . Still would like to know what that is... gecko? Lizard ? Mexican ferret?

 

[FishCr8zy]

Well, I read your thread earlier about breeding them . Still would like to know what that is... gecko? Lizard ? Mexican ferret?

Oh. Lol. Should have know u read that. It's prob some kind of lizard of dragon.

 

[Rodeo one]

Definately a baby dragon