NicoleIsStoked
Aquarium Advice Freak
Ok so I've been keeping freshwater fish for around 12 years at this point. I've had every thing from goldfish, to bettas, to cichilds, etc. but ever since I can remember, I've always truly wanted a saltwater tank. The problem is I've never felt adequately educated to set one up.
Fast forward to today. I'm currently running a 20g african cichlid setup. My fish are all very small right now, but knowing that they are growing steadily and that 20g is far too small for them, I began scouring craigslist looking for a large tank to move them to. Something at least 40g to set up beautifully in my living room.
Tomorrow I will be picking up my new (well, new to me) 60g tank. I managed to get a hell of a deal on it and it comes with the stand, light fixture, heater, python, and an aquaclear HOB filter (not sure if its the 70 or 110). All for $75!!! Anyways, while imagining all the beautiful fish I can now to my big tank, and thinking about aquascaping, my brain cant help but ponder finally attempting saltwater instead. I've been reading as much as I can online but still have tons of questions as I want to do this right. I plan on doing a FOWLR setup.
1) I like to use pool filter sand as a substrate in my tanks. Is this okay for salt water? I realize that aragonite is better but if I can safely save money, then I'd like to. Plus i love the way PFS looks.
2) Assuming I have enough surface agitation, is a hang on back filter sufficient? I could even use 2 if need be, but a sump/wet dry is not possible for me right now.
3) The fish that I am mostly interested in are all fairly common. I really like clownfish, and tangs. How many of each could I safely house in a 60g?
4) I recall seeing this adorable little fish in a store. It's neon pink and yellow. About the size of a common freshwater platy. What is it called? Can it be housed with the fish mentioned above?
5) I've read that tap water is bad for reef tanks but is it sufficient for FOWLR? Distilled/RO is not in the budget.
6) Can someone please give me info on live rock. I'm very confused by the whole thing, having experience with river rock only, which is clearly very different. Live rock is the skeleton from dead coral, right? And if I understand correctly, it helps to buffer the pH and acts as a biological filter? But does it leach ammonia until its cured? Approx how much would I need for a 60g and what should I expect to pay for it?
7) How much salt would I have to add to 60g of water to get the right salinity/actual gravity reading? would the box give an approx measurement? how long should a box of salt last?
8) I will most likely transfer my cichlids into the new tank for now and slowly accumulate the info and supplies I'll need for saltwater, and then eventually trade in my africans. I am knowledgeable about freshwater cycling but my question is if I do it this way, can I simply remove the cichlids, add the salt, and add the marine fish? or would I have to empty the tank, premix the salt, and re-cycle it?
any info is greatly appreciated. thanks.
Fast forward to today. I'm currently running a 20g african cichlid setup. My fish are all very small right now, but knowing that they are growing steadily and that 20g is far too small for them, I began scouring craigslist looking for a large tank to move them to. Something at least 40g to set up beautifully in my living room.
Tomorrow I will be picking up my new (well, new to me) 60g tank. I managed to get a hell of a deal on it and it comes with the stand, light fixture, heater, python, and an aquaclear HOB filter (not sure if its the 70 or 110). All for $75!!! Anyways, while imagining all the beautiful fish I can now to my big tank, and thinking about aquascaping, my brain cant help but ponder finally attempting saltwater instead. I've been reading as much as I can online but still have tons of questions as I want to do this right. I plan on doing a FOWLR setup.
1) I like to use pool filter sand as a substrate in my tanks. Is this okay for salt water? I realize that aragonite is better but if I can safely save money, then I'd like to. Plus i love the way PFS looks.
2) Assuming I have enough surface agitation, is a hang on back filter sufficient? I could even use 2 if need be, but a sump/wet dry is not possible for me right now.
3) The fish that I am mostly interested in are all fairly common. I really like clownfish, and tangs. How many of each could I safely house in a 60g?
4) I recall seeing this adorable little fish in a store. It's neon pink and yellow. About the size of a common freshwater platy. What is it called? Can it be housed with the fish mentioned above?
5) I've read that tap water is bad for reef tanks but is it sufficient for FOWLR? Distilled/RO is not in the budget.
6) Can someone please give me info on live rock. I'm very confused by the whole thing, having experience with river rock only, which is clearly very different. Live rock is the skeleton from dead coral, right? And if I understand correctly, it helps to buffer the pH and acts as a biological filter? But does it leach ammonia until its cured? Approx how much would I need for a 60g and what should I expect to pay for it?
7) How much salt would I have to add to 60g of water to get the right salinity/actual gravity reading? would the box give an approx measurement? how long should a box of salt last?
8) I will most likely transfer my cichlids into the new tank for now and slowly accumulate the info and supplies I'll need for saltwater, and then eventually trade in my africans. I am knowledgeable about freshwater cycling but my question is if I do it this way, can I simply remove the cichlids, add the salt, and add the marine fish? or would I have to empty the tank, premix the salt, and re-cycle it?
any info is greatly appreciated. thanks.
