So I am thinking of converting my 55 gallon tank to a saltwater tank. I have it completely set up for freshwater right now with undergravel with 2 powerheads, 2 hang on tank filters, and all the other minor stuff. What else would I need to get to have a functioning saltwater tank. I have always wanted an eel cause I love knife fish and eels. What would be a good eel for a novice saltwater tanker?
Going saltwater......... maybe.
- Thread starter graham
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you could through in a snowflake eel, maybe 7 small damsels, a lawnmower blenny and maybe a pygmy angelfish with that size tank. For filtration you would need to up you bio filtration. If i were you i would just about 60 lbs of live rock. you can get away without having a wet/dry. you would also need a med size protien skimmer. Don't get a puffer because they emit a toxin that would overload your protien skimmer. Salt mix, hydro meter, test kit and your good. To start, completly strip down and clean everything, and new substrate and water, then all the live rock. The rock has to cure so keep 12 hours of light then add 2 damsels about two weeks later. Add the rest of the damsel then the eel. And read about it because even with fish only with live rock tanks you just cant switch it on a dime.... Good luck!
So you're the one who took my name for a user name. JK, I always enjoy finding people that are named Graham, especially in the US. I'd go with a snowflake eel. For tank mates you could consider a sea goblin, harlequin bass (only if you have a large eel), christmas wrasse, longfin cardinal, Mandarin dragonet blenny, undulated trigerfish.
There's a ton of gorgeous marine fish out there.
There's a ton of gorgeous marine fish out there.
Just think that this is a small reef so think of fish that do not get bigger then 6"ish. All that live rock you'll need takes a fair amolunt of swimming space away.
Puffers do not emit any kind of toxin--ever. They are only poisonous if they are eaten & would not emit anything that would mess with your skimmer. Now if you're talking about a cowfish... nevermind your skimmer--everything in the tank would be dead if it was spooked or died.
graham;1356389; said:
I also wanted a marine tank but it costs you a lot more to run.
You also need a RO unit to purify your tapwater, UV sterilizer, protein skimmer, aquarium salt and some other stuff I can't think of now. Best thing to do would be to do some research on the fish you would like to keep. A lot of marine species are specialised feeders and have special requirements. Good luck to you! 
You should have probably posted this in the SW forums. Forget everything you know about filtering a FW tank. You could possible use your HOB filters for a mini-fuge. Live rock & a protein skimmer are your 1st & formost forms of filtration in a SW tank. UV sterilizer is definately not necessary & best not used on a reef tank. You don't have to have an RO uunit but it is definately a PITA to have to purchase & lug RO water home from your LFS every week. I did that for about a year...
I did look into getting a snowflake eel, but wouldnt they get to big for the tank? Do eels have the tendency to jump like arowana's? If I got an eel I would get a U-shaped piece of pvc and cover it in rocks for its home, would that be good for it?
A 55g would be fine for an adult snowflake. I have been keeping my water line 2" below the edge & so far, it hasn't escaped. Lost 2 that way though.