Freshwater to Saltwater - Aquarium Advice

Patti · 10-28-2003, 10:23 PM

What a great site!!! I spent the last couple of hours in the General Discussion area to see if I could find answers to my questions when I decided it was better for me to register and ask my questions.

I have freshwater tanks and am contemplating switching a 29 gallon over to a fish only saltwater tank. I have an Aquaclear 300 filter. Can I use this for the saltwater? I have a heater. What other equipment should I purchase to get this started? I don't mind doing water changes so is a skimmer necessary? I was told by the local [acronym:60f2b67983="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:60f2b67983] that a Filstar XP1 canister filter would be a good idea, or if I didn't want to go that way, to purchase a Fluval 4 Plus filter to use with the Aquaclear. Is crush coral only okay to use as substrate and if so, how much should I get? Any help/advice you can give me would be truly appreciated. Thanks.

Patti

10-29-2003, 03:58 AM

Me personally I would think that the equiptment you have should sufice for a [acronym:a270966580="Fish only"]FO[/acronym:a270966580] tank.. I would however rethink the Crush Coral Idea and think about some sort of sand Whether it be Southdown Tropical Playsand Or Caribsea Reef Sand... and I would say that 30lbs should be enough... For the most part Its the same as [acronym:a270966580="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:a270966580] but more involvement such as constant water testing with stable results as well as water changes... For lighting all you would need is something for your own eyes to like... If you plan on doing anything more than just [acronym:a270966580="Fish only"]FO[/acronym:a270966580] the setup gets a bit more complicated... [acronym:a270966580="For what its worth"]FWIW[/acronym:a270966580] I have about the same setup on my 29gal in my bedroom.. [acronym:a270966580="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:a270966580] with a 29gal you aren't really going to be able to have a whole lot of fish in the tank due to its size... just a forwarning..

[acronym:a270966580="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:a270966580],
James

MT79 · 10-29-2003, 04:33 AM

I would recomend [acronym:5bc0117038="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:5bc0117038]. and inverts w/ fish to look at.

10-29-2003, 04:42 AM

Quote:

I would recomend [acronym:710ac474cb="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:710ac474cb]. and inverts w/ fish to look at.

I would agree with this as well however If you just want the fish then you would not need the [acronym:710ac474cb="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:710ac474cb] or the Inverts.. The inverts are just as fun to watch as the fish [acronym:710ac474cb="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:710ac474cb]... The [acronym:710ac474cb="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:710ac474cb] well I like it because I got it from Liverocks.com and came with plenty of hitchhikers.. makes it fun because of all the new creatures I find and try to identify.. However for [acronym:710ac474cb="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:710ac474cb] and Inverts I would suggest a bit more than the average Aquarium lights..

Hth,
James

Patti · 10-29-2003, 08:40 AM

Thank you all for your responses. I can't wait to set it up. I will also go with the sand rather than the [acronym:8fcce3e1dc="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Corvuscorax (if referring to person) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]CC[/acronym:8fcce3e1dc]. I am going to see how well I do with my first SS tank and then go from there. I really do appreciate all of you for taking the time to respond. Again, what a great, informative site. I sure have a lot of reading/threads to go through.

captivereefs · 10-29-2003, 10:12 AM

If you have ever used medication of any kind i would replace the tank if you want inverts such as shrimp or crabs. Even the slightest traces of some meds can kill these animals as well as liverock. If I were you i would ad a SCWD with a mag 12 on a closed loop and use a good hang on skimmer such as an Aquamedic turboflotor 1000 or aqua-c remora. This combined with good liverock and sand should provide all the nessecary filtration you need for a reef or a fish only with liverock ([acronym:3e5eba4f0b="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:3e5eba4f0b]). Keep it as close to nature as possible is my motto!

Darin

www.captivereefs.com

tkos · 10-29-2003, 10:43 AM

If you use the [acronym:7e14182f4d="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:7e14182f4d] filter then take the media out and use it to create current. A powerhead will also be a good idea. [acronym:7e14182f4d="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] tanks tend to need more current than a [acronym:7e14182f4d="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] one. The [acronym:7e14182f4d="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:7e14182f4d] is the best idea, though the jury is still out on skimmers in smaller tanks. They can tend to strip out too much stuff and can lead to instability. Some people swear by them though in smaller setups. If going with a sandbed then some inverts are a really good idea. Hermit crabs and snails will keep the bottom really clean and makes foir less work for you.

Be really careful with fish choice. Find some you like and ask on this board if your choices are the right ones for your tank size. Most fish come really small but can get big, or else need lots of space due to their diet and aggressivness. Clown fish may look cute but can be really nasty to other fish in a smaller tank. There are some great ideas and articles on www.nano-reef.com to get you started. And read the cycling article on this site for [acronym:7e14182f4d="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] tanks.

captivereefs · 10-29-2003, 11:12 AM

In my opinion all the Hang on skimmers on
the market today cannot overskim a tank no matter how small. Now a very large downdraft is another story! Bottom line is that they are a nice safety device for a small tank to have. Helps if something dies unseen. Things can get ugly in a small unskimmed tank fast if something dies or it is overfed!

Darin

www.captivereefs.com

ddcboys · 10-29-2003, 01:42 PM

I agree with MT79. More eye candy [acronym:f52d0f09f6="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:f52d0f09f6]

Patti · 10-29-2003, 06:28 PM

Thank you to everyone. I have a lot to think about and other questions to ask as I get into this new adventure. Patti

10-28-2003, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Patti Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 12	Freshwater to Saltwater What a great site!!! I spent the last couple of hours in the General Discussion area to see if I could find answers to my questions when I decided it was better for me to register and ask my questions. I have freshwater tanks and am contemplating switching a 29 gallon over to a fish only saltwater tank. I have an Aquaclear 300 filter. Can I use this for the saltwater? I have a heater. What other equipment should I purchase to get this started? I don't mind doing water changes so is a skimmer necessary? I was told by the local [acronym:60f2b67983="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:60f2b67983] that a Filstar XP1 canister filter would be a good idea, or if I didn't want to go that way, to purchase a Fluval 4 Plus filter to use with the Aquaclear. Is crush coral only okay to use as substrate and if so, how much should I get? Any help/advice you can give me would be truly appreciated. Thanks. Patti

10-29-2003, 04:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
MT79 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: philadelphia. PA. Posts: 2,655 Images: 23	I would recomend [acronym:5bc0117038="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:5bc0117038]. and inverts w/ fish to look at. __________________ Mike

10-29-2003, 01:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
ddcboys Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Perry, Georgia Posts: 113	I agree with MT79. More eye candy [acronym:f52d0f09f6="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:f52d0f09f6] __________________ LIVE LOUD AND PLAY HARD CAUSE THERE IS NO FINISH LINE.

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10-29-2003, 03:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
cj10488 Guest Posts: n/a	Me personally I would think that the equiptment you have should sufice for a [acronym:a270966580="Fish only"]FO[/acronym:a270966580] tank.. I would however rethink the Crush Coral Idea and think about some sort of sand Whether it be Southdown Tropical Playsand Or Caribsea Reef Sand... and I would say that 30lbs should be enough... For the most part Its the same as [acronym:a270966580="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:a270966580] but more involvement such as constant water testing with stable results as well as water changes... For lighting all you would need is something for your own eyes to like... If you plan on doing anything more than just [acronym:a270966580="Fish only"]FO[/acronym:a270966580] the setup gets a bit more complicated... [acronym:a270966580="For what its worth"]FWIW[/acronym:a270966580] I have about the same setup on my 29gal in my bedroom.. [acronym:a270966580="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:a270966580] with a 29gal you aren't really going to be able to have a whole lot of fish in the tank due to its size... just a forwarning.. [acronym:a270966580="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:a270966580], James

10-29-2003, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Patti Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 12	Thank you all for your responses. I can't wait to set it up. I will also go with the sand rather than the [acronym:8fcce3e1dc="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Corvuscorax (if referring to person) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]CC[/acronym:8fcce3e1dc]. I am going to see how well I do with my first SS tank and then go from there. I really do appreciate all of you for taking the time to respond. Again, what a great, informative site. I sure have a lot of reading/threads to go through.

10-29-2003, 10:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
captivereefs Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WI Posts: 1,892	If you have ever used medication of any kind i would replace the tank if you want inverts such as shrimp or crabs. Even the slightest traces of some meds can kill these animals as well as liverock. If I were you i would ad a SCWD with a mag 12 on a closed loop and use a good hang on skimmer such as an Aquamedic turboflotor 1000 or aqua-c remora. This combined with good liverock and sand should provide all the nessecary filtration you need for a reef or a fish only with liverock ([acronym:3e5eba4f0b="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:3e5eba4f0b]). Keep it as close to nature as possible is my motto! Darin www.captivereefs.com

10-29-2003, 10:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
tkos Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1,422	If you use the [acronym:7e14182f4d="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:7e14182f4d] filter then take the media out and use it to create current. A powerhead will also be a good idea. [acronym:7e14182f4d="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] tanks tend to need more current than a [acronym:7e14182f4d="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] one. The [acronym:7e14182f4d="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:7e14182f4d] is the best idea, though the jury is still out on skimmers in smaller tanks. They can tend to strip out too much stuff and can lead to instability. Some people swear by them though in smaller setups. If going with a sandbed then some inverts are a really good idea. Hermit crabs and snails will keep the bottom really clean and makes foir less work for you. Be really careful with fish choice. Find some you like and ask on this board if your choices are the right ones for your tank size. Most fish come really small but can get big, or else need lots of space due to their diet and aggressivness. Clown fish may look cute but can be really nasty to other fish in a smaller tank. There are some great ideas and articles on www.nano-reef.com to get you started. And read the cycling article on this site for [acronym:7e14182f4d="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:7e14182f4d] tanks.

10-29-2003, 11:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
captivereefs Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WI Posts: 1,892	In my opinion all the Hang on skimmers on the market today cannot overskim a tank no matter how small. Now a very large downdraft is another story! Bottom line is that they are a nice safety device for a small tank to have. Helps if something dies unseen. Things can get ugly in a small unskimmed tank fast if something dies or it is overfed! Darin www.captivereefs.com

10-29-2003, 06:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Patti Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 12	Thank you to everyone. I have a lot to think about and other questions to ask as I get into this new adventure. Patti