New tank questions and converting to sw questions - Aquarium Advice

asraiangel · 08-18-2008, 11:21 PM

Hi everyone!

I am fixing to aquire a 56 gallong octagon aquarium from a neighbor. I have had many FW tanks in the past and have a good working knowledge of how they run and how to maintain them. BUT, my goal/hope is to convert this tank over to saltwater. I know little/nothing about saltwater so im going to do my research before i do anything. I need to know everything from filters to lighting. Im thinking about using a half live sand and half regular sand mixture as the substrate but i dont know how much to use because of the shape of the tank. i would like to have aninamae (probably just slaughtered that word) and fish in the aquarium.

Thanks a ton!
Beth

**Zagz** · 08-19-2008, 12:28 AM

Welcome to AA! Browse through our SW getting started forums. There is a wealth of good info there.

**roka64** · 08-19-2008, 11:21 AM

Welcome to the site! Skip the "live" sand, I have my doubts that it is truly live after shipping and storage. Hop on over to the SW section and we'll be more than happy to help you. Check my sig block for some article that will help explain how everything works.

MCluett · 08-19-2008, 11:24 AM

Welcome to the site, this is definatly the best place you could have come

asraiangel · 08-19-2008, 12:28 PM

this is probably a dumb question, but i live about 5 miles away from the pacific ocean, can i get real live sand from there?

MCluett · 08-19-2008, 12:34 PM

i would suggest buying since you have no way of knowing what chemicals and other pest could be in the sand. also it is technically illegal to take sand or rocks from the beach i believe. but i would say mainly there are to many unknowns with actaul beach sand. i am sure one of the more experienced members will jump in with a better explanation soon though

cmor1701d · 08-19-2008, 01:35 PM

Even if you went out 10 miles to get clean sand you don't know what pest organisms you mihgt introduce to yor tank. It's best to get plain dry sand and Live Rock (LR). The hitchikers on the LR will help the sand become live. Also, getting a cup or two of sand from an established reef tank is all that is needed. Read the articles that Roka pointed too as well as the others in the SW article section. Then post the questions that are bound to arise in the SW forums.

08-18-2008, 11:21 PM	#1
asraiangel Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	New tank questions and converting to sw questions Hi everyone! I am fixing to aquire a 56 gallong octagon aquarium from a neighbor. I have had many FW tanks in the past and have a good working knowledge of how they run and how to maintain them. BUT, my goal/hope is to convert this tank over to saltwater. I know little/nothing about saltwater so im going to do my research before i do anything. I need to know everything from filters to lighting. Im thinking about using a half live sand and half regular sand mixture as the substrate but i dont know how much to use because of the shape of the tank. i would like to have aninamae (probably just slaughtered that word) and fish in the aquarium. Thanks a ton! Beth

08-19-2008, 01:35 PM	#7
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,927 Images: 43	Even if you went out 10 miles to get clean sand you don't know what pest organisms you mihgt introduce to yor tank. It's best to get plain dry sand and Live Rock (LR). The hitchikers on the LR will help the sand become live. Also, getting a cup or two of sand from an established reef tank is all that is needed. Read the articles that Roka pointed too as well as the others in the SW article section. Then post the questions that are bound to arise in the SW forums. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

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08-19-2008, 11:24 AM	#4
MCluett Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 166	Welcome to the site, this is definatly the best place you could have come

08-19-2008, 12:28 PM	#5
asraiangel Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	this is probably a dumb question, but i live about 5 miles away from the pacific ocean, can i get real live sand from there?

08-19-2008, 12:34 PM	#6
MCluett Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 166	i would suggest buying since you have no way of knowing what chemicals and other pest could be in the sand. also it is technically illegal to take sand or rocks from the beach i believe. but i would say mainly there are to many unknowns with actaul beach sand. i am sure one of the more experienced members will jump in with a better explanation soon though