Hey guys so I have been in the freshwater fish game for about 5 years and I think its about time I give salt a try. I would like to start in my 29 gallon tank and move into my 125 in a year or later. I currently own a 125, 50 and a 30 gallon tank. They are all set up to be freshwater and I dont have anything for saltwater (lights, filters etc.) I was wondering how I can convert my 29 to be salt, what kind of lights, filters, etc will work? I wish to have some live coral and maybe 2 clowns a tang and some shrimp. Thanks for all of your input guys!
Please help me make the most with what I got. (first saltwater attempt!)
- Thread starter Salty Sailor
- Start date
You can do "fish only" salt in any of your tanks.
All ya need is the mix and a hydrometer.
Drain that 125, throw some sand in there, clean your filter media, fill tank with water, mix in the salt mix, cycle it for a few days empty, get the salt level right using the hyrdometer, then throw in some cheap damsels or chromis, clowns, maybe a trigger to get you going, etc.
Later on upgrade to reef as you go perhaps, 1-2 good powerheads, better lights (you need blue and white lights for live rock/reef), protein skimmer etc.
Your existing fresh water filters, lights, heaters, etc you can use for salt fish only no problem.
Not much changes for fish only salt. Esp since you have 5 years experience. You will be fine.
All ya need is the mix and a hydrometer.
Drain that 125, throw some sand in there, clean your filter media, fill tank with water, mix in the salt mix, cycle it for a few days empty, get the salt level right using the hyrdometer, then throw in some cheap damsels or chromis, clowns, maybe a trigger to get you going, etc.
Later on upgrade to reef as you go perhaps, 1-2 good powerheads, better lights (you need blue and white lights for live rock/reef), protein skimmer etc.
Your existing fresh water filters, lights, heaters, etc you can use for salt fish only no problem.
Not much changes for fish only salt. Esp since you have 5 years experience. You will be fine.
Hey thanks for the input! I have always used several HOB filters on my tanks. I have 2 powerheads in the 125 but they just plug into the wall and do not use a sump. Truth be told I have never used a sump/ protien skimmer (are they the same thing)? and have no idea how they work. (I was thinking about using the 55 as a sump below the 125 when I got to it) As for the 29 could you post a link to a light that would work (I intend to have soft corals for the clown fish enenimies or whatever they are called ha. Also will my HOB filter be sufficient for the 29?
Here goes...
Start by doing a lot a lot a lot of reading! Then keep reading! Research beforehand will save tons of money and headaches.
You can do what bigcountry said, but you need to slow down the time frame a lot. Remove everything from the tank and clean it. Then get some sand and put it on the bottom. I would highly recommend getting some rock. It looks natural and helps with filtration. You can get dry rock and it will become "live" to save some money compared to the high prices on "live" rock. Live Rock means that bacteria have grown on and in it. This bacteria help break down waste just like freshwater tanks(ammonia to nitrite to nitrate). Get a hydrometer, salt, and Prime declorinator. Mix up a batch of water and fill the tank. You can add the rock before or after. Once full turn on your filters. You NEED powerheads or other water movement. The salt takes up a lot of the holding capacity of water and the oxygen levels are lower, so you need the water to be moving as much as possible(particularly on the surface) to keep it oxygenated. Once everything is in place let everything run for a couple WEEKS. During this time you can test your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate to see how the cycle is going. Once you have no ammonia or nitrite and some nitrates you can add ONE fish. Go slow in stocking, overstocking quickly can cause a number of problems, including ammonia because the bacterial filtration can't keep up. After you keep that fish alive for a while(weeks to month(s)) and you have everything stable you can add another fish and so on.
You can NOT have a tang in anything smaller than a 75 or so(I feel even bigger and most tangs need more like a 210 long term). The clowns would be a good idea. Same with a shrimp, some hermit crabs, and snails. Little gobies or a damsel or chromis work as well.(the damsel or chromis should probably go fish, then the 2 clowns at the same time).
If you upgrade your lighting, in a few months you could start keeping some very hardy mushrooms or soft corals. Then after keeping them alive and growing you can move on to some LPS and SPS once you upgrade your filtration(skimmer, probably sump, etc.)
A sump is basically a container generally below your tank that you flow water into. It will hold your filtration like skimmer, heaters, etc. Water will flow through it and get "filtered" and then be pumped back to the tank.
A skimmer is a protein skimmer. It is an acrylic piece of equipment that needs a dedicated pump. The pump will water into the skimmer and add air in some way(venturi, injection, etc.) causing foam to be created. Wastes attach to this foam and the foam overflows into a cup where you would remove it. Skimmers are the best piece of filtration equipment you can buy. They help keep water clean and oxygenated. The only thing more inportant in my opinion is rock.
Keeping asking questions and reading. There is a lot to learn to be successful. Just don't go too fast!
Wow alot of good info there! So is my lighting going to be good enough for saltwater right now? my curent light is 120v 20watt with a full spectrum daylight hg bulb. As for the filters are normal freshwater HOB filters going to suffice in the 29 for the duration until I get the 125 set up? (this will be 1-2 years down the road)
Yes your lighting and filters are fine for fish only. I think 1-2 clowns in that 29g with your existing gear would be perfect to start.
I was looking perhaps at this live rock to put in the tank, what do you guys think? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/for/2790126895.html
Also I found this light, would it be suitable for hard and soft coral growth? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/for/2773737089.html
Do you guys think it would be a good deal to offer this guy for some money for just his wet dry filter? Im guessing his light is too big for my 29 gallon tank http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/for/2748522315.html
Would this be a good idea? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/for/2771766003.html or this one http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/for/2750906050.html
Thanks for all your help guys! I really appreciate it and am getting very excited about this project!
Also I found this light, would it be suitable for hard and soft coral growth? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/for/2773737089.html
Do you guys think it would be a good deal to offer this guy for some money for just his wet dry filter? Im guessing his light is too big for my 29 gallon tank http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/for/2748522315.html
Would this be a good idea? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/for/2771766003.html or this one http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/for/2750906050.html
Thanks for all your help guys! I really appreciate it and am getting very excited about this project!
Lighting is fine. Fish don't need light really. The color is more of a personal preference thing and what most people like is the blue look.
The filters are adequate(meaning they will work but aren't ideal, which is fine), but again I would add rock and at least a powerhead. Something like a Koralia 3 would help move the water some more.
You may want to consider getting some SeaChem Purigen for in your filter(s) if you're going to go skimmer-less on the 29 gallon; it will help make up for the lack of a skimmer plus it can be recharged after use.
I also agree with what everyone else has already posted.
I also agree with what everyone else has already posted.