A Fork In The Road

[Ron]

I say do all 3 then you won't have any regrets

If not for money, space, and time. 

Thanks for all the great suggestions - going to spend some time giving them all some thought.

The freshwater planted tanks aren't for me unfortunately. I've tried them a few times and found I'm best at growing various algae mainly.

I've looked into discus a few times. I've got hard well water and found tank raised discus would live in it, but they wouldn't be happy enough to breed.

I don't have big tanks already - would be looking for something on the verge of, if not, custom built for the sizes I'm thinking. Biggest I've own currently is a 180, but I haven't filled it up yet. 150 is the next in line. For being in the hobby for so long and having a respectable volume of tanks, I've just never made the jump to getting anything that needs more than 2 people to carry it.

@Rob - I thought about what you've shared in the past as I was making the initial post and was hoping you weigh in with an update. Good to hear you're still loving the huge tank.

@Dan - Definitely a nice reef setup there - thanks for sharing pics. 

@Blair - I was almost going to thwart the big CA suggestion right off the bat knowing you'd post it. 

[jkeeler]

Since you are considering some large tanks and you have hard water.  What about Petros?  Mix in some Trophs and other Tanganyika.

[Ogre44]

If you don't want to do a planted tank, what about a coldwater native tank with lots of driftwood, bluegill or sunfish, smallmouth bass, etc. ?

[four_by_ken]

If you don't want to do a planted tank, what about a coldwater native tank with lots of driftwood, bluegill or sunfish, smallmouth bass, etc. ?

something I have wanted to do for a long time.

[Ogre44]

It could be dark and atmospheric with a big tangle of driftwood filling one corner, and a large sandy area with either a smaller mass of wood or some rocks.
Lots of moss on the wood, maybe a couple of lilies wit leaves up to the surface.

[Super Turtleman]

Interested in seeing which way you go.

[Ron]

Since you are considering some large tanks and you have hard water.  What about Petros?  Mix in some Trophs and other Tanganyika.

I've done trophs for a bit. The petros just don't strike my fancy. I do appreciate the suggestions.

If you don't want to do a planted tank, what about a coldwater native tank with lots of driftwood, bluegill or sunfish, smallmouth bass, etc. ?

I've actually already done that a couple times in the past. The larger native species grow fast, eat a lot, and it's interesting how personable they can become. A tank volume in the triple digits is necessary for them IME.