Open to ideas to fill my tank!

Hi all! This is my first ever post. I just purchased a 180 gal pre-owned tank. It has a wet/dry designed to work up to 300 gal (overkill) and a 8-ish gal refugium. It was previously saltwater. It has a handmade primarily oak stand. My previously largest tank was a 29 gal, and they were always freshwater. I am now in Florida, so I see more access to saltwater materials and help than where I grew up. I would like to do a salt tank and have the time and initiative, but do not have capital to invest beyond 2 or 3 hundred dollars. I do have a fondness for octopuses (and cephalopods in general really) and have thought about getting one for years. I have a way to get crab for cheap on a regular basis. I considered discus to breed in the past also. I am looking for ideas of how/what to stock the tank with from people who can tell me intimate details about the animals they recommend, basically a mentor. Thank you so much for your time! (oh, and don't recommend a tank full of clown fish or chiclids. I don't like either of those types of fish.)

nice!
but....if you want to go salt either reef or Fish only ints gonna cost you way more than 2-300$
1st of all you need lights,Live sand,Live Rock (NOT CHEAP) you have the filter already...did it come with a skimmer?
if you already have the lights and filtration all youll need is sand and LR i bet that if you look hard enuff youll find the right amount for a great price! just keep searching! it might take a while but its worth it if you find some:)

youll need about 200lbs of sand and bout 220lbs of live rock...........

going fresh would be way easier and way cheaper

Welcome!, you are one of the few that dont like cichlids! maybe cuz their personality, but its ok!, i think you can start with freshwater (CHEAPER), good idea on going with discus, maybe some wild caught fish like arowana's (sorry for my spelling), catfish, snakeheads, etc. You have a big tank so my tough is having fish that grows big in there, not plattys... Oh you can also try parrot fish they grow pretty big...

with alkomist!!

how about a spider or lizard lol.

Have you thought of a planted tank with something like rainbows or large schools of smaller fish? Tetras, danios, etc........

Holey Rock of Texas wrote:

how about a spider or lizard lol.

I would recommend a tank of either Clown Fish or Cichlids.

You could make an awesome reef setup in a tank that size but be prepared to spend a lot more than what you are allowing yourself.

Freshwater rays are pretty cool, not liking cichlids and clowns I'm a tad lost LOL But a planted jungle type tank with various rainbows and some of the bigger tetras would look awesome!

oh and Welcome!!! I'm sure someone will come up with a great idea/suggestion

A Snake!!!