Switching from planted tank to saltwater - Aquarium Advice

heartsx2 · 02-25-2006, 05:53 PM

I have a 29 gallon low-light planted tank that I want to switch over to saltwater (I will start from scratch). I have several Marine books I am reading but I'm getting confused on the lighting and filtration needs. I plan to make this a fish and invertebrates tank.

I currently have a Magnum 350 on the tank that I may or may not keep using? I also have a coralife 6700k & colormax light (2 strips 18 W each). Which BTW seems to warm up my water too much. I am going to use live rock and maybe live sand. What filter(s) or lighting should I add?

Thank you!

**lando** · 02-25-2006, 07:10 PM

If you do not plan on having any light-dependant inverts then what yo have is just fine. For filtration I would look into LR and a skimmer. That is really all you need.

heartsx2 · 02-25-2006, 08:00 PM

I may go with inverts that require more lighting. I also thought LR needs higher lighting than what I have?

morgan24 · 02-26-2006, 01:19 PM

The lr will do fine under that lighting as for corals you would need to get something different. If i'm correct on the 29 gal that takes a 30 inch light which coralife makes a 30 in 130wt lunar aqualight for 179.00 at www.liveaquaria.com That would be perfect for alot of the soft corals and maybe some other kinds but i'm not to familier with them. With that light and about 50lbs of lr and a good skimmer you would be set for when your tank is ready for those corals.

heartsx2 · 02-26-2006, 03:23 PM

I've decided to skip the corals for now and just do live rock, inverts, and a few fish. I have the Magnum 350 canister filter and I'm going to add a protein skimmer and powerhead. Should I add a hang on back filter like an Emporer or AquaClear or am I good with just the canister, skimmer, and powerhead? Also, is carbon 'ever' needed in this type of setup or can I go without? Thanks...

Joester2k3 · 02-26-2006, 03:26 PM

I just use the Magnum 350 conister with a coralife skimer and 2 maxijet-1200 PH. Everything is crystal clear

I dont think u need to get another HOB filter IMO

HTH

02-25-2006, 05:53 PM	#1
heartsx2 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 52	Switching from planted tank to saltwater I have a 29 gallon low-light planted tank that I want to switch over to saltwater (I will start from scratch). I have several Marine books I am reading but I'm getting confused on the lighting and filtration needs. I plan to make this a fish and invertebrates tank. I currently have a Magnum 350 on the tank that I may or may not keep using? I also have a coralife 6700k & colormax light (2 strips 18 W each). Which BTW seems to warm up my water too much. I am going to use live rock and maybe live sand. What filter(s) or lighting should I add? Thank you!

02-25-2006, 07:10 PM	#2
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,669 Images: 46	If you do not plan on having any light-dependant inverts then what yo have is just fine. For filtration I would look into LR and a skimmer. That is really all you need. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

02-26-2006, 01:19 PM	#4
morgan24 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: michigan,upper Posts: 286 Images: 7	The lr will do fine under that lighting as for corals you would need to get something different. If i'm correct on the 29 gal that takes a 30 inch light which coralife makes a 30 in 130wt lunar aqualight for 179.00 at www.liveaquaria.com That would be perfect for alot of the soft corals and maybe some other kinds but i'm not to familier with them. With that light and about 50lbs of lr and a good skimmer you would be set for when your tank is ready for those corals. __________________ never count on nothing, that way you'll never be disapointed!

02-26-2006, 03:26 PM	#6
Joester2k3 Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: PA Posts: 196 Images: 3	I just use the Magnum 350 conister with a coralife skimer and 2 maxijet-1200 PH. Everything is crystal clear I dont think u need to get another HOB filter IMO HTH __________________ 65Gal (Yellow Tang, 2Percs, Purple Pseudochromis, Algae Blenny, 2 turbos, 50 snails, Yellow Button Polyps, Red Xenia) 111lbs of dry sand 55lbs Fugi/Caribbean LR Marineland Magnum 350 pro 2 maxi-jet power heads 125gal coralife Needle Skimmer

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02-25-2006, 08:00 PM	#3
heartsx2 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 52	I may go with inverts that require more lighting. I also thought LR needs higher lighting than what I have?

02-26-2006, 03:23 PM	#5
heartsx2 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 52	I've decided to skip the corals for now and just do live rock, inverts, and a few fish. I have the Magnum 350 canister filter and I'm going to add a protein skimmer and powerhead. Should I add a hang on back filter like an Emporer or AquaClear or am I good with just the canister, skimmer, and powerhead? Also, is carbon 'ever' needed in this type of setup or can I go without? Thanks...

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