Never owned a saltwater tank?

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Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2009
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Cincinnati - The 513
First of all, sorry for making this thread. I know it will annoy you experts, but I just need some advice.

I have a 20 long with some freshwater fish in it, and they're just growing out. They're being moved to a different tank soon, and I decided I would try salt.

Now, I have a filter and heater, but I was wondering, do I need a different filter, or are freshwater filters fine for a sw tank?

It will be a FOWLR tank, so I know I need to buy live rock, and I'll get some sand too, instead of gravel. Is pool filter sand ok?

Besides live rock, hydrometer(That's what it's called, right? The thing that measures salinity), and marine salt to add to the water, what else do I need?

Do marine fish need special lights? Is a skimmer necesarry?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions!
 
20 would be good for some clowns, wrasses or chromis. You will need tank, filter, heater and very good lighting. I would highly recommend a skimmer, but at that small of a tank you should be able to get away without one.

Pool filter sand is no good for salt water, you can buy live sand at your LFS or crushed argonite online pretty cheap. Next you will next to cure the live rock for awhile, while your tank cycles. It should take about a month, then our ready for fish as long as you water test good.

For a 20, I would not be cheap and use RO water. If you have proper lighting you can add soft corals later.

Experts, I am no expect. So please correct if I am wrong.
 
i mostly agree with the above post,,, but if your only doing a fowlr tank your current lights will be fine although you may not get a lot of colrilne growth. you will find that the standard fresh water bulbs (65k)will make your tank water look a little yellow but you can replace the bulbs with 10k or 20k bulbs and possibly add some actinic bulbs


disclaimer.... iam no expert by any stretch of the imagination
 
I'm guessing I'll have to re-cycle as I transfer from fresh to salt?

and sorry, but what is RO water?
 
ok thanks mr. reef, I'll pick that book up later this week.

So do I buy marine salt and put it in the water, or buy ro water?
 
Don't bother with a hydrometer. Get a Refractometer. There more expensive but a LOT more accurate and reliable.

You don't need live sand. If you have live rock that will be enough to seed it and the sand will be "live" in a month or so.

The fish don't need good lights but I think it makes it look better. It gives you that "marine" look that you don't get with freshwater.

And yeah, do what reef said.
 
Clownfish, gobies, blennies... Damsels... Chromis'.... Cardinals should do fine...
 
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