Switching From Freshwater To Saltwater - Help

Brinksta · 11-27-2011, 05:31 PM

I have a 47 gallon tank I have, but I have decided to switch to saltwater. I have given all my fish to my friends 150 gallon community tank.

I am brand new to saltwater and have no idea about any of it. Here is the equipment I have.

Emperor Biowheel Filter
Heater
Tank and Stand
Light - may need a different kind for saltwater?
Air Pump system

What equipment will I need on top of this?

Is the cycle any different from a freshwater aquarium?

What rocks, coral, and other things will I need?

I plan on starting with two clownfish. Do they like to be in twos, or can I get more in the future? 2 females?

Do I just add salt to the water and then test it with a hydrometer?

AquaOverflow · 11-29-2011, 12:21 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum.
You will need a protein skimmer. The air pump is not needed as bubbles cause salt creep which is very messy. You should try for a 2”+ sand bed and at least 50 lbs of rock. Once your salinity is at 1.025 (test with a refractometer) you will have to wait until the tank cycles. This will take several weeks. During this time you should research as much as possible. Saltwater aquariums require a lot of attention and knowledge about water chemistry, ecosystem and equipment. With plenty of research and a lot of patience, your new hobby will be rewarding. If you rush things, lives will be lost.

beaslbob · 11-29-2011, 02:34 PM

I would start the tank with macro algaes usually in a refugium.

but that's just me and my

.02

Reefing Madness · 11-29-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brinksta

I have a 47 gallon tank I have, but I have decided to switch to saltwater. I have given all my fish to my friends 150 gallon community tank.

I am brand new to saltwater and have no idea about any of it. Here is the equipment I have.

Emperor Biowheel Filter
Ditch the filter, not needed.
Heater

Tank and Stand
Light - may need a different kind for saltwater?
Depends, if you just plan on having fish, then a normal flourescent light will work. If you plan on having corals then you'll need a more powerful light.
Air Pump system
Not needed.

What equipment will I need on top of this?
Powerheads to move water in the tank. @ 47g tank you'll need minimum of 470gph. A Skimmer to remove waste from the water column, one rated at 2 times your water volume. Reef Test kit. And a Refractometer to test salinity, which in a Fish only tank can be as low as 1.017, and in a Reef tank between 1.025-1.026. You could go with a bare bottom system, or a 2-3" Sand Bed, or go with a Deep Sand Bed, which is more towards the Advanced side, that one can get dangerous..

Is the cycle any different from a freshwater aquarium?
Kinda. If you use Fully Cured Live Rock, your tank will likely not have a cycle at all. If you use Dry dead rock, its right around 4-6 weeks for a cycle.

What rocks, coral, and other things will I need?
At least 50lbs Rock, wether its Live Rock or a mix of dead and Live rock, or just all dry rock. Macro Rock.

I plan on starting with two clownfish. Do they like to be in twos, or can I get more in the future? 2 females?
You can put in quite a few Clowns ( the Ocellaris Clowns, doesn't matter what color.) as long as they are from the same family. Clarki, are bad even in pairs unless you get a mated pair, sam with Skunk, and Tomato clowns.

Do I just add salt to the water and then test it with a hydrometer?

Use a Refractometer, much more acurate and dependable. You mix the water up in a tub, or barrel of some sort, let stand 24hrs, using a powerhead to mix. Then add to tank. Same thing doing water changes. Now, I would recommend using RO/DI water so you don't have issues with algae, but most want to go with tap water to start just to see what happens. Just an FYI.

Good luck, let us know if you need anyting else.

11-27-2011, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brinksta Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 37 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Switching From Freshwater To Saltwater - Help I have a 47 gallon tank I have, but I have decided to switch to saltwater. I have given all my fish to my friends 150 gallon community tank. I am brand new to saltwater and have no idea about any of it. Here is the equipment I have. Emperor Biowheel Filter Heater Tank and Stand Light - may need a different kind for saltwater? Air Pump system What equipment will I need on top of this? Is the cycle any different from a freshwater aquarium? What rocks, coral, and other things will I need? I plan on starting with two clownfish. Do they like to be in twos, or can I get more in the future? 2 females? Do I just add salt to the water and then test it with a hydrometer?

11-29-2011, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
AquaOverflow Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 519 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 519 Times Said "Thanks" 9 Times Was Thanked 99 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Switching From Freshwater To Saltwater - Help Hi and welcome to the forum. You will need a protein skimmer. The air pump is not needed as bubbles cause salt creep which is very messy. You should try for a 2”+ sand bed and at least 50 lbs of rock. Once your salinity is at 1.025 (test with a refractometer) you will have to wait until the tank cycles. This will take several weeks. During this time you should research as much as possible. Saltwater aquariums require a lot of attention and knowledge about water chemistry, ecosystem and equipment. With plenty of research and a lot of patience, your new hobby will be rewarding. If you rush things, lives will be lost. __________________ Custom Overflow Boxes, Standpipes, and Macro Algae… http://www.aquariumoverflow.com

11-29-2011, 02:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
beaslbob beaslbob's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,325 My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 339 Times Said "Thanks" 32 Times Was Thanked 835 Times in 761 Posts	Re: Switching From Freshwater To Saltwater - Help I would start the tank with macro algaes usually in a refugium. but that's just me and my .02 __________________ fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

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