converting a tank to salt

[The Ippster]

hey guys, i have very little experience with sw aquariums and i wan to convert my 15g fw tank to a nano reef

i have it already cycled for fresh water, when i make the water full salt will i have to cycle it again

i also was wondering what additional equipment i will need, i have good filter, heater and a cover w/ light.

id appreciate some help from experienced people

 

[The Ippster]

its a barebottom tank right no so i dont have to remove any substrate for live sand/rock

 

[skiptomyzoo]

Hi,
I'm a noob at this SW stuff too and asked many the same type of questions.
Heres the thread on it and the answers I recieved.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163575
Hope it helps.

 

[The Ippster]

thanks for the link, it was really helpful

 

[Reefscape]

hey guys, i have very little experience with sw aquariums and i wan to convert my 15g fw tank to a nano reef

i have it already cycled for fresh water, when i make the water full salt will i have to cycle it again

i also was wondering what additional equipment i will need, i have good filter, heater and a cover w/ light.

id appreciate some help from experienced people

To be honest, if it was me...i would drain and start again..Yes, it will have to be cycled again...Replace all media in the filter for new media. Use RO water if possible, as its "common" for tap water to have elevated nitrates and phosphates in it....If them two trace elements are prelevant, it could lead to plague alage issues..

Yout lighting, well, all depends on what it is as to what you could keep in there, so more info on the specific type of lighting, bulbs in there and their wattage / light color..

Other equiptment, well, powerheads for water circulation, a hydrometer / refreactometer, test kits for Ammonia, pH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Calc, Alk and Mag are the minimum i suggest you need...

 

[likestofish]

I switched my tengallon from fresh to salt with the old tank water and because of it already had ammonia and nitites and nitrates(water was good when fresh but when i removed substrate it became messy) and i think it helped get it to cycle faster.

 

[CrazyBoutFish]

I don't think it's anything with the water. it's just the rocks that needs to cycle