150g Salt or Fresh?

Mergo · 02/25/2012, 10:55 AM

I can't decide what to do. I at first wanted salt and was for sure going to, but my dad has been trying to get me to make my new 150g tank freshwater, mainly because we don't have a spot to add a sump and everything with it. I'm debating it only because I've always wanted a sturgeon. Is 150g big enough for one? It's 4ft long and 2 1/2ft tall. I've seen young ones in this size and I feel like he'd only get as big as the tank would let him... Would it work? Should I do the freshwater or stay with salt and do a lion fish?

TucanSam007 · 02/25/2012, 11:04 AM

I think the max size is 40in in captivity. Thats if the S caphirhynchus platorynchus also known as shovelnosed sturgeon. I've seen these in my LFS and they are really cool. I think the white sturgeon gets up to 20ft, thats crazy! I like the best of both worlds and set up a nice freshwater planted tank and a reef, like the contrast of them side by side

. In your situation if you were debating between Fish only salt or a sturgeon, id go fish only salt with some live rock and the such. Also is your tank pre drilled and do you have a budget? That's something to consider.

JMurphy97 · 02/25/2012, 11:06 AM

This is reef central my dude! Salt water all the way!

Mergo · 02/25/2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TucanSam007

I think the max size is 40in in captivity. Thats if the S caphirhynchus platorynchus also known as shovelnosed sturgeon. I've seen these in my LFS and they are really cool. I think the white sturgeon gets up to 20ft, thats crazy! I like the best of both worlds and set up a nice freshwater planted tank and a reef, like the contrast of them side by side

. In your situation if you were debating between Fish only salt or a sturgeon, id go fish only salt with some live rock and the such. Also is your tank pre drilled and do you have a budget? That's something to consider.

On a budget. I'm 17 and a delivery boy at $8/hr. plus tips. I forgot to mention $$$ is an issue and that was another reason I'm debating this. My main question though IS the sturgeon able to live in a 150 gallon tank, happily? If yes, I'll probably set this up freshwater and do saltwater when I move back to Florida in 18 months.

Sun357 · 02/25/2012, 12:04 PM

No idea on the sturgeon but coming from somebody who had freshwater most of his life and now is doing salt....will never do freshwater again.

~Fred

mjhall85 · 02/25/2012, 12:08 PM

setup a salt tank you won't regret it. you don't have to have a sump if you don't want to it's just most of ours prefer method I have seen quite a few tanks that don't run a sump and look great

xavi_west · 02/25/2012, 12:40 PM

freshwater is cheaper, a lot cheaper just for u to consider that

TX..r33f · 02/25/2012, 12:49 PM

its all about $$ if you got alot then saltwater tank, if not freshwater

Saltydrip · 02/25/2012, 03:18 PM

It's not truly about the money. It's about what interests you. I'm at around $1500 in my 55g and I had built a FW pond with a viewing window in the side for $8000. (not my $!!)

If your planning on moving then maybe a sturgeon tank would keep you interested in the meantime. I don't think you would be able to keep the sturgeon much longer than 18 month anyway. 150g would only truly be good for a 30-36" fish IMO.

Take some more measurements of that tank for us. Shouldn't a 150g be more like 6ft? Or is it 4x4x2.5??

fishgate · 02/25/2012, 03:59 PM

FW is boring and will get more boring as time goes on. Since getting my SW tank, I am starting to loath the FW tanks. I have 5 FW the largest being 120g. I am working on converting the 120g to salt. I am not sure I will ever keep FW again. But it is cheaper.

sponger0 · 02/25/2012, 04:13 PM

This is kinda the wrong question to ask on Reef Central lol. I dont know what your budget is but I was working delivery driving working only 3 days a week and may 3-4 hrs a shift and was banking 600+ a month. You can do a saltwater, just save your money to get all the equipment you need before you start it up. Thats my best advice

oflaherty21 · 02/25/2012, 04:27 PM

I'd piece together the equip for a salt water tank.

harleychic · 02/26/2012, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

this is kinda the wrong question to ask on reef central lol. I dont know what your budget is but i was working delivery driving working only 3 days a week and may 3-4 hrs a shift and was banking 600+ a month. You can do a saltwater, just save your money to get all the equipment you need before you start it up. Thats my best advice

+1

Drichards36 · 02/26/2012, 01:46 AM

If you can't afford the 150 you could always sell it and buy a smaller tank.

Hamsternuts · 02/26/2012, 02:40 AM

You'll always wish you did saltwater if you pick freshwater instead.

Just search Craigslist everyday and piece together what you can afford.

TX..r33f · 02/26/2012, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltydrip

It's not truly about the money. It's about what interests you. I'm at around $1500 in my 55g and I had built a FW pond with a viewing window in the side for $8000. (not my $!!)

If your planning on moving then maybe a sturgeon tank would keep you interested in the meantime. I don't think you would be able to keep the sturgeon much longer than 18 month anyway. 150g would only truly be good for a 30-36" fish IMO.

Take some more measurements of that tank for us. Shouldn't a 150g be more like 6ft? Or is it 4x4x2.5??

1500 is alot of money if you dont have it

ken1977 · 02/26/2012, 03:17 AM

Craigslist if your on a budget. For example I have only been in the hobby since October 2011. When I started I bought two evolution pumps and a Hydor smart wave maker brand new. I spent about $200 four months ago. I'm selling all of it for $75.00 four months later. Btw only selling because I turned into a reef fanatic and bought an MP40W.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

50gallon cube, vortech MP40W, reef octopus 4, cadlights uv led pendant, ehiem pump.

ken1977 · 02/26/2012, 03:20 AM

Craigslist if your on a budget. For example I have only been in the hobby since October 2011. When I started I bought two evolution pumps and a Hydor smart wave maker brand new. I spent about $200 four months ago. I'm selling all of it for $75.00 four months later. Btw only selling because I turned into a reef fanatic and bought an MP40W.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

50gallon cube, vortech MP40W, reef octopus 4, cadlights uv led pendant, ehiem pump.

Denbf58 · 02/26/2012, 06:21 AM

right now i have 3 tanks running a 75g reef 29 g nano and 55g freshwater and planning a 180 reef at your age and i would stay with freshwater you can check out www.wetwebmedia.com they have a lot of good info there and iam sure you can find out about the sturgeon then you can start the learning all you need to know about starting a salt water tank good luck and have fun

ken55 · 02/26/2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX..r33f

1500 is alot of money if you dont have it

I'm 40+ and 1500 is a LOT of money to me. Of course I have a mortgage, a car loan, 3 kids etc.

IMO, if you are moving in little more than a year, entertain yourself with a small fresh and build up the pieces/parts you will need for a nice saltwater tank for when you arrive in Florida. I'm learning that nothing happens fast in this hobby. About the time you get the saltwater set up and really skipping along, it will be time to move.

Of course that is only my opinion, you can certainly do whatever you choose.

ken55 · 02/26/2012, 05:30 PM

If decide to take my advice (of course, you don't have to) be sure to take your small freshwater tank with you. Clean it up a little and PRESTO you have everything you'll need for a Quarantine/Hospital tank whe you need it. And, yes, you WILL need it.

Another thing to consider is your own level of patience. If you can be happy to (literally) stare at a pile of wet rocks for up to two months you can make it in this hobby. If you believe yourself to be more of an immediate gratification type of person, then perhaps you would be happier on the freshwater side of Aquaria.

Either way I wish you the best of luck!

heckfire · 02/26/2012, 06:33 PM

go with freshwater, for years when i had one i would add water right from the tap to top off , its so much easier and cheaper than salt, if your new to the aquarium hobby id say go with freshwater

wrxreefer823 · 02/26/2012, 06:50 PM

Used equipment is the way to go on a budget. You could build a pretty nice tank for a pretty nice price!

BigCountry74 · 02/26/2012, 07:49 PM

money only comes into play when you want to grow coral.

Fish/fresh fish only it's about the same price to be honest.

I would go salt. Fish only maybe some kick *** grouper or eels. That leaves you with more avenues in the future if and when you get bored (live rock, reef maybe etc).

ken55 · 02/26/2012, 10:59 PM

I, personally as a beginner myself, would be leery of used equipment. It could be difficult for a beginner to tell the difference between a used piece of equipment and a worn out piece of equipment. That's why I don't buy anything from EBay. Craigslist at least gives the advantage of looking at it first but you still have to know what you are looking at.

Would anybody like a used Niger Trigger?

02/25/2012, 10:55 AM	#1
Mergo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 147	150g Salt or Fresh? I can't decide what to do. I at first wanted salt and was for sure going to, but my dad has been trying to get me to make my new 150g tank freshwater, mainly because we don't have a spot to add a sump and everything with it. I'm debating it only because I've always wanted a sturgeon. Is 150g big enough for one? It's 4ft long and 2 1/2ft tall. I've seen young ones in this size and I feel like he'd only get as big as the tank would let him... Would it work? Should I do the freshwater or stay with salt and do a lion fish?

02/25/2012, 11:04 AM	#2
TucanSam007 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Suffolk, Long Island Posts: 652	I think the max size is 40in in captivity. Thats if the S caphirhynchus platorynchus also known as shovelnosed sturgeon. I've seen these in my LFS and they are really cool. I think the white sturgeon gets up to 20ft, thats crazy! I like the best of both worlds and set up a nice freshwater planted tank and a reef, like the contrast of them side by side . In your situation if you were debating between Fish only salt or a sturgeon, id go fish only salt with some live rock and the such. Also is your tank pre drilled and do you have a budget? That's something to consider. __________________ 65g sps tank, 20L sump, Apex, ATI Sunpower 6x39/Reef brite, SSA CS1, 2xMP10wes & 1 MP40wes, Eheim 1260, Tunze Osmolator, Two-part, GFO/Gac

02/25/2012, 03:18 PM	#9
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	It's not truly about the money. It's about what interests you. I'm at around $1500 in my 55g and I had built a FW pond with a viewing window in the side for $8000. (not my $!!) If your planning on moving then maybe a sturgeon tank would keep you interested in the meantime. I don't think you would be able to keep the sturgeon much longer than 18 month anyway. 150g would only truly be good for a 30-36" fish IMO. Take some more measurements of that tank for us. Shouldn't a 150g be more like 6ft? Or is it 4x4x2.5?? __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

02/25/2012, 03:59 PM	#10
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	FW is boring and will get more boring as time goes on. Since getting my SW tank, I am starting to loath the FW tanks. I have 5 FW the largest being 120g. I am working on converting the 120g to salt. I am not sure I will ever keep FW again. But it is cheaper. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

02/26/2012, 06:21 AM	#19
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	right now i have 3 tanks running a 75g reef 29 g nano and 55g freshwater and planning a 180 reef at your age and i would stay with freshwater you can check out www.wetwebmedia.com they have a lot of good info there and iam sure you can find out about the sturgeon then you can start the learning all you need to know about starting a salt water tank good luck and have fun __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

02/25/2012, 11:06 AM	#3
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	This is reef central my dude! Salt water all the way!

02/25/2012, 12:04 PM	#5
Sun357 Geek Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 137	No idea on the sturgeon but coming from somebody who had freshwater most of his life and now is doing salt....will never do freshwater again. ~Fred

02/25/2012, 12:08 PM	#6
mjhall85 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 535	setup a salt tank you won't regret it. you don't have to have a sump if you don't want to it's just most of ours prefer method I have seen quite a few tanks that don't run a sump and look great

02/25/2012, 12:40 PM	#7
xavi_west Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 140	freshwater is cheaper, a lot cheaper just for u to consider that

02/25/2012, 12:49 PM	#8
TX..r33f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston Tx :) Posts: 611	its all about $$ if you got alot then saltwater tank, if not freshwater

02/25/2012, 04:13 PM	#11
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	This is kinda the wrong question to ask on Reef Central lol. I dont know what your budget is but I was working delivery driving working only 3 days a week and may 3-4 hrs a shift and was banking 600+ a month. You can do a saltwater, just save your money to get all the equipment you need before you start it up. Thats my best advice

02/25/2012, 04:27 PM	#12
oflaherty21 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bettendorf Ia Posts: 61	I'd piece together the equip for a salt water tank.

02/26/2012, 01:46 AM	#14
Drichards36 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 55	If you can't afford the 150 you could always sell it and buy a smaller tank.

02/26/2012, 02:40 AM	#15
Hamsternuts Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 137	You'll always wish you did saltwater if you pick freshwater instead. Just search Craigslist everyday and piece together what you can afford.

02/26/2012, 03:17 AM	#17
ken1977 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 706	Craigslist if your on a budget. For example I have only been in the hobby since October 2011. When I started I bought two evolution pumps and a Hydor smart wave maker brand new. I spent about $200 four months ago. I'm selling all of it for $75.00 four months later. Btw only selling because I turned into a reef fanatic and bought an MP40W. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 50gallon cube, vortech MP40W, reef octopus 4, cadlights uv led pendant, ehiem pump.

02/26/2012, 03:20 AM	#18
ken1977 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 706	Craigslist if your on a budget. For example I have only been in the hobby since October 2011. When I started I bought two evolution pumps and a Hydor smart wave maker brand new. I spent about $200 four months ago. I'm selling all of it for $75.00 four months later. Btw only selling because I turned into a reef fanatic and bought an MP40W. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 50gallon cube, vortech MP40W, reef octopus 4, cadlights uv led pendant, ehiem pump.

02/26/2012, 05:30 PM	#21
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	If decide to take my advice (of course, you don't have to) be sure to take your small freshwater tank with you. Clean it up a little and PRESTO you have everything you'll need for a Quarantine/Hospital tank whe you need it. And, yes, you WILL need it. Another thing to consider is your own level of patience. If you can be happy to (literally) stare at a pile of wet rocks for up to two months you can make it in this hobby. If you believe yourself to be more of an immediate gratification type of person, then perhaps you would be happier on the freshwater side of Aquaria. Either way I wish you the best of luck! Last edited by ken55; 02/26/2012 at 06:27 PM. Reason: had more to say

02/26/2012, 06:33 PM	#22
heckfire Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 331	go with freshwater, for years when i had one i would add water right from the tap to top off , its so much easier and cheaper than salt, if your new to the aquarium hobby id say go with freshwater

02/26/2012, 06:50 PM	#23
wrxreefer823 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 601	Used equipment is the way to go on a budget. You could build a pretty nice tank for a pretty nice price! __________________ "Before you swim you've gotta be okay to sink..." Current Tank Info: Currently setting up a Red Sea 625 XXL

02/26/2012, 07:49 PM	#24
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	money only comes into play when you want to grow coral. Fish/fresh fish only it's about the same price to be honest. I would go salt. Fish only maybe some kick *** grouper or eels. That leaves you with more avenues in the future if and when you get bored (live rock, reef maybe etc). __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

02/26/2012, 10:59 PM	#25
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	I, personally as a beginner myself, would be leery of used equipment. It could be difficult for a beginner to tell the difference between a used piece of equipment and a worn out piece of equipment. That's why I don't buy anything from EBay. Craigslist at least gives the advantage of looking at it first but you still have to know what you are looking at. Would anybody like a used Niger Trigger?