Help Converting 150g Freshwater to Saltwater

[cardinal]

Hello,

I looked thru many threads but still have specific questions on doing the conversion.

I have a long standing 150g tank, looking to convert. I have been in the hobby for many years, many types of freshwater fish, but no saltwater. I currently have a tank of 10 discus, so I do have a good understanding of keeping fish, water quality, feeding, etc, etc.

1)Once all my fish are out, do I need to replace all the water in the tank or can I do a partial water change and add salt?

2) Filters; I have 2 Emp 400's and 2 Magnum 220's, are these filters OK to use?

3) My substrate is about 3" of medium pebbles about 15 years old, so they are very smooth. I have also had stingrays with this gravel and they showed no ill effects. Will I have to change all of it?

4) I have some nice driftwood, can keep that in my saltwater set up?

5) My plan is to start with a fish only tank, no coral but some live rock. Is there a minnimum amt of rock I can put in or will I need about 150lbs of it?

6) Water changes; I live in the Detroit area, say what you will about the city, but we do have some of the best tap water in the country. I have never had any ill effects with the tap water for freshwater fish, I just use a little prime when doing water changes. If I add fish slowly what is a good schedule and amount for water changes?

6) Once it is going, what are good fish to have for a community setting that will get me a lot of color, activity and a good amount of fish in the tank? I am thinking more about quantity of fish instead of overall size of each. No MONSTERS!!

Thanks for your help and advice

 

[mr.reef24]

Hello,

I looked thru many threads but still have specific questions on doing the conversion.

I have a long standing 150g tank, looking to convert. I have been in the hobby for many years, many types of freshwater fish, but no saltwater. I currently have a tank of 10 discus, so I do have a good understanding of keeping fish, water quality, feeding, etc, etc.

1)Once all my fish are out, do I need to replace all the water in the tank or can I do a partial water change and add salt? get rid of water clean tank thoroughly.

2) Filters; I have 2 Emp 400's and 2 Magnum 220's, are these filters OK to use? yes but you may or may not need to upgrade them depending on the style of saltwater tank you get plus you'll need a protein skimmer for the tank.

3) My substrate is about 3" of medium pebbles about 15 years old, so they are very smooth. I have also had stingrays with this gravel and they showed no ill effects. Will I have to change all of it? Yes you'll want a sand substrate aragonite sand is best from caribsea you'll have to pick grain size depending on if your doing a reef tank or FOWLR.

4) I have some nice driftwood, can keep that in my saltwater set up? No

5) My plan is to start with a fish only tank, no coral but some live rock. Is there a minnimum amt of rock I can put in or will I need about 150lbs of it?
I would do at least 100lbs live rock at minimal
6) Water changes; I live in the Detroit area, say what you will about the city, but we do have some of the best tap water in the country. I have never had any ill effects with the tap water for freshwater fish, I just use a little prime when doing water changes. If I add fish slowly what is a good schedule and amount for water changes? I would consider investing in RO/DI unit for making water until you do treat your water with prime and check it for copper with test kit and phosphates or buy distilled water from store. I would do a bi-weekly 15% water change.

6) Once it is going, what are good fish to have for a community setting that will get me a lot of color, activity and a good amount of fish in the tank? I am thinking more about quantity of fish instead of overall size of each. No MONSTERS!! Most of the fish you find on www.liveaquaria.com or www.bluezooaquatics.com under the reef safe fish all do well together but do your research on the fish you like and Private message me anytime with questions as well.

Thanks for your help and advice

mr.reef24

 

[Chaz88]

2) Filters; I have 2 Emp 400's and 2 Magnum 220's, are these filters OK to use? yes but you may or may not need to upgrade them depending on the style of saltwater tank you get plus you'll need a protein skimmer for the tank.

I am considering the same kind of change over. I only use canisters on my fresh tanks and was wandering if you could explain the requirements for using canisters and a protein skimmer without a sump on a saltwater tank.

I plan to have live sand and rock. No inverts, at least not at first. Mostly interested in the fish.

Can you leave the canisters set up with the normal mechanical, biological and carbon filtration? Would adding a UV be beneficial?

I understand that RO/DI is, apparently, the best option. My understanding is if used with fresh water you need to add back minerals. Is the same needed with salt? Also dose anyone have long term success without it and just use treated tap water?

Sorry, I just keep thinking of more things to ask. I have read claims that if you start with the bags of live sand it = "instant cycle". Sounds like hype to me. Is that claim true?

I have had fresh water tanks for many years. But for some reason a lot the saltwater information I am finding is contradictory and not very decisive. Many of the articles I have read, other places on the net, give a lot of information but don't seam to end with any kind of conclusion.

Thanks for the help.

 

[RyanP]

i use tap, fight algae ever so often.

 

[TheCanuck]

You want to change the gravel out because you want live sand to help the cycle and buffer your ph to help keep it stable. This will in time pay for itself.

The canisters or other filters are the same as freshwater. You just need a HOB skimmer if your not going to have a sump.

The instant cycle you talk of is if you add 150lbs of live rock and 100-150lbs of live sand to give you a perfect ratio. It could be more could be less. Only time and tests will tell and its not worth it unless your going predator.

You actually dont need any live rock in the tank at all. I never did with my 125. Its all up to you, mr.reef24 will tell you the BEST possible way to set up a tank. I can tell you how i set up my tank and got by with certain things i skipped and how i got around them. I did it with budget and few other things in mind.