Hi this is my very first post here, ive been doing a lot of research online and this site seems to have the most complete information ive found so far. Ive read the articles and they seem sound.
Ive had freshwater tanks since i was like 8 so i think im finally ready to take the plunge into saltwater aquaria. well i WAS going to buy a whole new setup for saltwater but got to shopping and then i realized... i don't have room for another tank anyway so why not convert my 55 gallon for my beginner saltwater tank? No its not predrilled which i realize is not optimal but its a cheaper way to start.
Anyway i plan on doing Liver rock and fish only and am going to use a canister filter to start. I was told that i couldn't use pool filter sand (like i used for my freshwater tanks) that i had to buy LIVE sand for the ph??? So right now i just have cleaned out the tank and put the water and salt in it and i have the filter and heater running and thats it. NO SUBSTRATE. So is livesand the best substrate to keep the ph buffered? and does the ph have to be 8.3? Also how deep should the substrate be????
im going to start with just a little bit of live rock and maybe ONE fish once i get the tank cycled.
What other advice can you give for a newbie? good beginner fish and tips?
thanks a lot
Ive had freshwater tanks since i was like 8 so i think im finally ready to take the plunge into saltwater aquaria. well i WAS going to buy a whole new setup for saltwater but got to shopping and then i realized... i don't have room for another tank anyway so why not convert my 55 gallon for my beginner saltwater tank? No its not predrilled which i realize is not optimal but its a cheaper way to start.
Anyway i plan on doing Liver rock and fish only and am going to use a canister filter to start. I was told that i couldn't use pool filter sand (like i used for my freshwater tanks) that i had to buy LIVE sand for the ph??? So right now i just have cleaned out the tank and put the water and salt in it and i have the filter and heater running and thats it. NO SUBSTRATE. So is livesand the best substrate to keep the ph buffered? and does the ph have to be 8.3? Also how deep should the substrate be????
im going to start with just a little bit of live rock and maybe ONE fish once i get the tank cycled.
What other advice can you give for a newbie? good beginner fish and tips?
thanks a lot