Trying to convert to saltwater!

[joey02]

I have been wanting to turn my 92gal corner bowfront(Venezia 350) into a salt tank for a while now. the tank has never been treated with any meds.

For lighting, the tank came with HO T5 lighting. Two 39 watt lights and two 9 watt lights, for a total of 96 watts of HO T5 lights.(will switch one of the powerglo lights to actinic)

For heating, i have a 300watt fluval tronic heater. (was thinking of switching to a hydor inline)

For filtration, i have a fluval 405 canister.

heres what i will be adding: 2 Koralia power heads, live sand or crushed coral, 100 pounds of live rock and base rock or i might even go with petrified coral rock if i can get away with it. I dont plan on any corals right now. i really only want a few saltwater fish.

Here are my questions:

1) do i need absolutly need a protein skimmer? if so, why?

2) will the fluval 405 be good for filtration? what would i put in it? do i treat it/ stock it any different from freshwater? all thats in it now is bio-max.

any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

heres a pic of the tank as fresh water that i will be doing the above mentioned to.

 

[sweeTang21]

your tank now looks very nice and clean. just thought i would let ya know lol.

No skimmer needed and with the projected 100 lbs of rock you will have sufficient filtration without a filter even. I always use a skimmer but thats just me.

the fluval and hydor heaters are the same brand, i thought???

the hydor koralis are good powerheads. I have 3 #1's i believe in my 65 and they work nicely, moving my coral around and what not.

IMO i would forget the crushed coral and just use sand. you can by argonite sand for fairly cheap that is SW safe, and top that off with a few lbs of Live sand. the sand and rock will seed it quickly.

good luck and keep us posted on progress.