What To Do With My 40-high?

[eschaton]

As I posted the other day, within a few weeks I should have my new 55 gallon planted tank set up. This will give me a chance to do something new with the 40-gallon high the plants are in currently. The tank will likely sit bare for quite some time, as my focus is going to be on getting up my 55-gallon saltwater tank, but with an empty tank of that size, something is bound to go in it eventually.

The tank is going to be in the dining room, which my girlfriend is decorating as "Asian" themed. Considering I'm going to the expense of getting HO lights and a high-tech CO2 system for my 55-gallon upstairs, I don't think I want to bother downstairs - though I'm sure I'll want some live plants, I'll concentrate on things like Java Fern that don't need C02.

I have two ideas.

1. Have an unheated Asian-themed subtropical tank. Feature fish could include Gold Barbs, White Clouds, Paradise Fish, and Dojo Loaches

2. A hillstream tank. Also likely unheated, with various loaches on the bottom, and Giant Danios on the top. Probably also include a squadron of bamboo shrimp, as this is their natural environment.

I'm not wedded to either of these ideas. If anyone has additional fish, or a better idea, let me know.

 

[dthoffsett]

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents and say go for the second option. That would be a stunning tank.