New 150g Set Up Need Help Please

Hello, my name is Chris im 27yrs old from the chicagoland area, im new to this aquarium stuff...i built a nice wood stand for my 150gallon tank that was given to me from my dad he wanted a bigger salt water tank so he bought a way bigger tank, he gave me the 150g tank and (2) Marineland Magnum 350 pumps and a Aqueon 300w Aquarium heater, and the lighting that came with the 150g tank when he bought it. he sold all the rest of his stuff i was wondering what else i need to get the tank up and running i can't afford to do a salt water tank so i was wondering should i do fresh water or do brackish....not sure what i will need as i am new so i would like to do things right im looking for exotic fish dont know what i can get from a fresh water tank like that would be interesting maybe some aggressive fish etc. however i dont want them to fight and kill each other just looking for something that will be kewl/enjoyable....i was told brackish do tend to have a better selection of fish then normal fresh water, i would love any and all help so that i can possibly get my tank up and running if you have anymore questions feel free to ask and ill do my best to describe

*type of fish i was hoping to get out of a fresh water or brackish depending on how much more it would cost to have brackish water set up.

Fresh water: cichlids and or waterever other fish can be kept in the same tank without them going crazy on eachother.
Brackish water: sharks/rays/trigger fish etc.....

 

In an 150g setup, you could make a nice Oscar pair tank.

 

I would go cichlids you can keep a nice selection of them they dig and build nests so to speak. Mine actually spawned. Most don't get very large although the frontosas can. You'll just need filters, gravel is good for them, doesn't matter about light.

 

equipment wise do i need anything other than what i have (2) marineland 350 magnums and a 300w aqueon aquarium heater?

what kind of filters would you suggest for my size tank?

 

Check around on marine depot or drsfosterandsmith. Find one is that oversized, most descriptions have tank size recommendations I haven't been into freshwater in awhile so I don't know for sure what to recommend without researching.

 

^alright thanks much for your help ill be sure to do my homework....any type of cichlids you prefer?

 

Peacock they are very colorful

 

^would you prefer a sand type substrate or stone for cichlids reason i ask is because i think the sand would like a lot nicer/cool i also do have an air pump since i wont be putting live plants, or if it would be a better for the fish i would put live plants, i have much reading to do but i am going to cycle the tank before any fish go in, i cleaned out all the filters going to put in new filter sleeves and charcoal.....


http://www.petstore.com/Caribsea_Af...ater_Aquariums-CaribSea-CS0222-AQFRSU-vi.html

 

I always used a gravel type cause the dig a lot. Nothing to fine cause it will go every where and cause sand storms. That stuff doesn't seem that bad hard to tell in pic what size the grain is. If you go rock nothing to large cause they move them around w their mouths.

 

Thanks so much you've been tons of help i appreciate the quick responses...