Starting the Conversion to Brackish

[tlkng1]

Hi All

I am setting up a molly species tank intending to go brackish. Currently, the tank is 40 gallons, set-up with 50 pounds of Aragonite sand (dry, not live sand), some lava rock and a few silk plants, and water obviously

I pre-seeded the tank with some sponges I had "percolating" in another freshwater tank the past three weeks. Tonight, I added two, small, black mollies to help with the final cycling.

I added some salt (Instant Ocean), not a lot, (premixed with distilled water before adding to the tank)

at about 2 full teaspoons for the 40 gallons. I know this won't be nearly enough salt but since I am not done stocking, I don't want to go all the way to brackish just yet. Once I get done stocking, I'll do a full on, over a period of time, conversion.

My question, however, is stocking amounts. Freshwater goes with 1 inch of adult fish per gallon, saltwater is one inch per 3 gallons. Does anyone know the stocking rate for brackish? I'd like to add at least 6 more normal sized mollies of different colors (a pair of each color or lyretail), and possibly one or two pairs of sailfins.

Then again, I saw a bumble bee goby today.......hmmmmmm

The other question is which test kit to use on brackish...fresh or salt?

T

 

[mfdrookie516]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/starting-tank-again-advice-please-pics-119907.html

Maybe this will help provide some insight to your questions... I know a good rule of thumb is to disregard the 1" per gallon rule because its just a simple thing for lfs employees to use. Its not accurate by any means. Something you will want to get is a hydrometer to test the salinity of the water. I am almost certain you will need a sw kit...

 

[MrRipfrog]

I am almost certain you will need a sw kit...

Actually, believe it or not, you can test a Brackish tank with a Freshwater kit. Although it would really be interesting to see the different results from both tests.

This weekend I am going to have my LFS test my water with both FW & SW testers to compare the differences.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Actually, believe it or not, you can test a Brackish tank with a Freshwater kit. Although it would really be interesting to see the different results from both tests.

This weekend I am going to have my LFS test my water with both FW & SW testers to compare the differences.

hope you dont mind that i posted the link to your thread in here

 

[MrRipfrog]

hope you dont mind that i posted the link to your thread in here

Of course not!!! I hope that people can streamline their process through my experience.

 

[Aquarium1]

Something you will want to get is a hydrometer to test the salinity of the water.

If you can afford it a refractometer would be even better

 

[MrRipfrog]

If you can afford it a refractometer would be even better

+1