converting a fish only tank to reef tank

[samson yong]

Can anyone tell me how can I convert a only fish marine tank to a reef tank? Should I clean the whole tank and setup again? Or just remove all fishes ? Any special water condition that I need to take note for reef tank? Pls help?

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!!



depending on how the tank is setup now, you may only have to add coral. we need a little more info about the system now to give you any better advice. we also need a list of the fish in there now. there are several definitions of "reef safe" Moral eels are reef safe, if all you want to keep is it and some corals.

G~

[btang]

If you ever used copper in your tank, I dont know if you will be able to put coral into it.

As Geoff states, tell us all the details on your tank.

Welcome to TRT.

[Doug1]

As stated if the tank has ever been medicated, esp with copper you shouldn't use it for reef iinverts. If the copper is not an issue then you could start adding live rock, but typically FO tanks use a different approach to filtration, ie undergravel filters, hangon filters, wet dry trickle filters, etc. Chances are you have fish waste build up already so chances are good that you would have major algae issues over time.
Personally I would recommend starting a reef from scratch, after researching and planning out the systems lighting,circulation, etc based on the animals you want to keep

[burkleman]

If and when you do decide that this tank of a new tank is ready to be a reeftank just make sure that after the live rock goes in just leave it sit for a few months or longer with no corals to make sure everything stabalises and all the parameters are correct. And most important of all do your research and don't be afraid to ask even the stupidest question.

[samson yong]

I had a small tank of only 2 feet.This tank had been setup for 2 years..There are 4 common clown fishes, a tube worm and many live rocks in it. But when ever I put any coral in... it will die off within a week time. I'm replacing 20% of the saltwater monthly. Should I replace the tank water more frequently? Is it hard to maintain a mix tank with fish and coral? What type of corals are more hardy for beginner like me?

[burkleman]

It is more difficult to maintain a reef tank than just a fish only, but isn't too much harder. What are your water parameters, ie: ph, amonia, nitrtite, nitrate; you want the ph to be about 8.2 to 8.4, amonia nitrite and trate all need to be 0, preferibly. What types of corals have you tried in the past, I have heard from many ppl that leather corals are the easiest and hardiest corals, such as finger leather. Oh almost forgot, what type of lighting do you have on the tank, bc if corals don't have enough light they will die on you everytime.

[wanareef]

I was thinking lights and burkleman beat me to it. But usually if you have a FOWLR you might not have enough light for corals. As mentioned we need more info - size of tank , the lights, current filtration ect ect.

Wet/dry filters are not used on a reef tank neither are bio filters or any type of filter that uses a sponge, floss.

good luck

[samson yong]

I'm having a 2 X 1 X 11/2 feet tank that using a twin tubing fluroscent lights @ 55watts. There's a 3 layer overhead filtering system with sponges, coral stones and bio balls at lowest level.There's 3 inches of coral sand for substrate. What are those most critical parameters that I need to take note on the saltwater condition checklist? I often check on amonia, nitrite & nitrate ensuring not exceeding the desired limit.Is Ph level important for reef tank cos I still haven't get that tester yet.Why dry/wet, bio, sponge & floss filters are not use in a reef tank? So may I know what type of filter system is more suitable for reef aquarium? How long should I switch on my aquarium light in order to have sufficient light for coral? Any good recommendation on where to get cheapest coral and marine fish in Singapore and how to get there if not driving.