Switching a tank to SW

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GOSKN5

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2011
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Danville, VA
I know this gets posted a lot, and I appologize but searching did not answer all my questions...

I am very experienced with FW tanks and have several going currently...

I am looking at breaking down my 15 gallon tank and going with a fish only salt set up.....

I need to go as cheap as possible on the set up to have money for the fish... so what substrate is required? Currently have PFS in the tank and I assume that wont work...

So my question is... what is the least costly way to switch over this tank.....

I would like maybe one or two fish and a few shrimp/crabs etc... simple set up....

thoughts suggestions would be great.. thanks
 
GOSKN5 said:
so what substrate is required?I recommend live sand because it is beneficial to the tank. It can produce micro organisms, which are good for feeding some types of fish.

So my question is... what is the least costly way to switch over this tank..... Don't mean to disappoint but there is no "cheap" way of starting a sw tank. Saltwater is more expensive and complicated than fw.

I would like maybe one or two fish and a few shrimp/crabs etc... simple set up....
thoughts suggestions would be great.. thanks
Click to expand...
Look here to get started: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm? obviously don't pick something that isn't too hard to keep. A nano goby would look good.c=15+2124
 
one thing I dont see on that step by step (unless I missed it) is the sand he added... what type? can you use PFS sand that I already have? i doubt it..... maybe??

If so, it seems to keep it simple I can just add the right salt water, let the cycle take place and then be ready to roll?? it cant be that easy.... i know better..

is "live sand" that is sold at Petsmart and other stores acceptable? I have limited resources where I live...
 
The sand I used was the bagged 'live sand' but I don't believe there was anything "live" about it. My brother is using PFS sand in his tank but just be aware that PFS is inert and will have no buffering capabilities. PFS is also commonly Silica sand which can leach silicates into your tank over time. Silicates won't hurt any fish or inverts but it is a source of nutrients for diatom algae (brown algae) and cyanobacteria (red slime algae).

I personally would buy a new substrate. A few 10lb bags of aragonite sand and or crushed coral won't run you too much cash. You can buy the 'live sand' at petsmart as well.
 
spend the extra 15-20 bucks and buy a 20lb bag of agronite based sand if your looking to go reef.

play/pool filter sand will not work for reef. fish only yes, but reef no.
 
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