Converting this week!

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Agliata45

Chinchilla
MFK Member
Mar 13, 2011
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Hamilton, NJ
This week I'm Converting my freshwater tank to a saltwater tank. I have a 90g tank and i have an aqueon proflex model 3 sump with a 750gph return. I work at a pet store so i plan on getting a protein skimmer tomorrow. I have a few questions.

1. How long do i cycle the tank, is the cycle the same as a freshwater tank? (ammonia,nitrite,nitrate?)
2. My tap water tests with no nitrites, phosphate, or any other harmful toxins, so do i need to use RO water still?
3. Is live rock essential in a saltwater tank? or will my sump be enough filtration?
4. Since I'm not too educated on saltwater fish/inverts/ect. yet what would you guys stock this tank with?
 
1. Depends on how you do it. 2-3 weeks is usually your best bet.
2. Some people swear no matter what that you need RO/DI, but people have had successful salt water tanks with tap water for years its your own personal opinion unless you have horried tap water.
3. Live rock helps cycle your tank faster, don't bother with live sand. Also, live rock helps algae and other nutrients grow faster. As well as you need it for coral and such .
4. 1 snail/hermit crab per couple gallons fish depend on if you want reef safe, or aggressive, or amazing, also depends on price range.
 
Thanks. and as for the stock, the price range doesn't matter as long as it's going to look good. but for my first fish I'm getting something cheap before i find out somethings wrong and an expensive fish dies. and i would like reef safe and amazing. I don't want any aggression, i just don't feel like dealing with it. i'd like more of a really colorful community, something people will look at and be amazed! Any ideas on a stock list? Just tell me what you would stock it with and i'll edit it from there if there's something i don't like. Also i'm capable of getting mostly any fish because i work at my lfs, so they'll just order it for me.
 
I'm also interested in making a switch to the darkside but have been having issues finding help with some of the common knowledge. I've been keeping fresh for years and have my system down, but saltwater is a completely different game. For starters do you still need to do weekly 50% water changes with a SW/reef tank or will that do more harm than good. I know that the chemicals are greatly different and that nitrate has a much different effect but don't know if WC's are necessary to remove it like they are in FW. Another beginner question is what makes a good starting clean up crew? If you go to different online stores they sell different packages for algae control, detritus removal, and other basic tank maintenance. Is there much difference between these and the different snails and crabs that they provide or is it a minor difference to the beginner reefer? Any other advice that could be given would also be greatly helpful. Thanks.
 
yeah i'd like to hear the answers to those questions too. I read online (so i'm not saying this is true) that with saltwater you only need to do monthly water changes. Also, as for nitrates, a protein skimmer helps catch all the extra debris that would cause nitrate to form on the bottom of the tank, so you just empty the skimmer once it fills and it should keep nitrate levels at a good 0ppm, once your tank is cycled that is.
 
^ thats the exact same thing that I've heard, but I'm not willing to take any chances with hearsay and would like to hear some opinions from some experienced SW keepers on the correct way to do things.
 
Eh depends theres tanks that basically clean themselves after they've been up and running for a long time. I do a 10-20% water change on mine every like 10 days or so. Def don't need massive water changes. Just for the first year. A full nitrogen cycle takes about a year. You only really need a skimmer if you're reef if you're fish only not really neccessary imo. In my experience Mexican turbo snails do more good than any other clean up crew i had 1 that completely kept a 90 gallon clear of algae alone I added 10 more, and haven't had to scrape my glass since. Also hermit crabs ar enice, but they do get eaten a lot. Also a nice star fish helps a lot my chocolate chip keeps my sand beautifully clean. also copepods eat pretty much everything even fish waste. For stocking prettiest fish IMO are mandarins angels dwarf angels butterflies and foxface. definitely check out lhttp://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15 and see if you see something you like.
 
So once you get the tank up and running with a good solid clean up crew you're saying that cleaning the tank will be basically self sufficient except for small water changes every so often? and also that a protein skimmer isn't necessary? i have a good sump and a good return pump, so all i would need are fish, live rock, cleaners, and sand?
 
Copperbanded, and raccoon butterflies are way beautiful, dragon wrasses have tons of character and are pretty unique looking, flame angels are pretty. Porcupine puffers are the most docile and characteristic fish I've ever seen in my life. Fumanchu are also amazing looking. Nothing is better than watching a mandarin hunt copepods. Marine bettas are really pretty pictures don't do them justice. harelquin tusks are pretty, and they can hold their own. male bluejaw triggers are very very very docile and get along with everything and are very beautiful
 
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