Converting from Gold fish to Reef setup

[Magick]

I currently have a goldfish set up in a 30 gal Oceanic Cube and would like to move the goldfish out & setup a small reef tank as inexpensively as possible. I'd like to use LS & LR. I currently am running a Whisper 40 filter. Anyone have any suggestions on equipment I must have before switching to saltwater? Going from fresh to salt, could I add Instant Ocean to the current water (after removing the goldfish of course)? I know these are basic and perhaps silly questions, but over a week of research and I'm still a bit confused about what is truly needed as opposed to what is the best & most expensive. All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanx!!

[the_colonel]

First, Welcome to TRT.

Second, No, you do not want to add IO to your existing water. You need to get RO/DI water, or you will regret it later. (Hair Algea, etc...) You should be able to ger RO/DI water at you LFS, or even grocery store, or buy a RO/DI unit.

Third, As for added equiptment you will need better lighting, and a HOB (Hang on Back) Skimmer, at the bare minnimum.

I am sure some other people will chime in also...

[Cosine]

Well first off
Welcome to TRT!

You've found a great spot.
Lots of good advice will come from experienced people.
I can probably get you started.
some good equipment to pick up is
-protein skimmer
-an RO unit if you don't have one (I don't think people would buy one for goldfish? is that a right assumption)

anyways moving on
depending on what corals you plan on keeping you'll have to decide one how much lighting you need.

and a last note
I would think not just adding salt to your current water.

Where it was fresh water your nitrates and other levels might be higher in the tank than you'd want for a reef.

You'll have to cycle your tank anyways once you get some rock so changing the water out shouldn't be a disadvantage

well I hope this helps somewhat
more advice will come
goodluck!

[the_colonel]

Cosine, Great minds think alike, I beat you by about 1 minute, with almost the same post.

[webdr]

i use the cpr bakpak2 as a hang on back skimmer and it does quite well for my 29 gallon. easy to set up, easy to clean, pulls all sorts of goodies from the water and as skimmers go, fairly in expensive (i got mine new on ebay with a surface skimmer and bubble reducer for 108.00

if your into saving money, I found my light hood which contains 2 55 watt power compact lights for 40 bucks right here on this site....put up an ad in the classifieds if you feel so inclined

[Magick]

Thanks for the replies... If I have this correct, then I should get a HOB skimmer, RO H2O (I might get a unit later) & upgraded lighting. Then what? Do I cycle the water only before I add the LR? So many questions, but I'm really ready to make the switch

BTW... This is a great site and everyone is really helpful... I appreciate that!!!

[the_colonel]

Magick,

You want to cycle the tank with the Live Rock. Just remember the #1 advice most reefers on this site will give you is: TAKE IT SLOW!!!!!!

You are already starting off on the right foot, by doing you research, and asking questions first.

Keep it up, and give it the time it needs, and you will be rewarded with a first class reef.

[webdr]

ok, im a rookie but my tank is up and running and seems to be doing pretty well so heres what i did; I mixed the salt water in the tank (29gallon)and let my powerheads churn it up for a day. Then I added aragonite (wash it first) and put a finer sand on top. 3 days later I added 16 lbs of live rock and then another 8 lbs 3 weeks after that. Let it cycle for atleast 3 weeks before you add any livestock. Buy a master test kit and check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph regularly. When nitrates start to rise to near 20ppm, do a 20% water change...mix the saltwater seperately and remove-a-gallon, add-a-gallon, ect do it about 6 to 10 times depending on your tank size.

heres what i did wrong; I didnt test for phosphates and a brown slimy algae developed rather quickly almost overnight. I added a ROWA PHOS phosphate reducing pouch to the skimmer and it took care of it.
I bought a maxi jet 900 and a 1200 but the 1200 was too much for my 29g and it blew sand everywhere, i downgraded to another 900.

well thats my tank so far, ive got a lawnmower blenny, coral banded, nibble spray crab, 5 hermits, 1 turbo snail , some tube worms, bristle worms,a molusk, a sponge, and a very small starfish. All are doing well so far, the live rock is developing color and my ammonia/nitrates are 0, nitrates about 10, phosphates way down, ph steady 8.2,salinity 24 ,and temp 78

im sure some of the seasoned vets might pick my methods apart but its working out so far...good luck!

[Magick]

As things stand now, these are the livestock I'm thinking about once the tank is up & running:

1 Colt Coral
1 Star/Daisy Polyps
1 Mushroom Leather Coral
1? Mushrooms
1 Clam (Tridacna croces)
10? Hermit Crabs
1 Emerald crab
20? Astraea snails
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 (or pair) True Percula Clown

I also like:
Spotted Mandarin Gobi
Royal Gramma
Blue Tuxedo Urchin
Dwarf Seahorses

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these

[Cosine]

Originally Posted by the_colonel

Cosine, Great minds think alike, I beat you by about 1 minute, with almost the same post.

Haha
yeah they were about identical

alright as far as your choices for livestock
remember I'm a newbie too, my tank isn;t a year old yet.

However, I can give you advice from what I've read but not necessarily experienced. So keep that in mind
1 Colt Coral - I bellieve this to be a good first coral
1 Star/Daisy Polyps - green star polyps? if so great pick mine grow like weeds, taking over the tank!
1 Mushroom Leather Coral - toadstool leather I assume, I also have one doing very well especially as of late. I found a spot it seems to really like
1? Mushrooms - can't get much hardier, although there are corals called rhodactis and ricordia which are require some more light/care
1 Clam (Tridacna croces) crocea clams require lots of intense light (I know very little about these guys) but I think the some of the other corals you mentioned wont appreciate the light the clam will need. Others may disagree
10? Hermit Crabs - hermits can be okay, some people don't like them
1 Emerald crab - right on
20? Astraea snails - you prob don't need 20, but they are good. ceriths and nassarius among others are helpful
1 Coral Banded Shrimp - they are okay as long as there's no other shrimp i hear
1 (or pair) True Percula Clown - good fish, but there's nothing wrong with oscellarus! (false percs)

I also like:
Spotted Mandarin Gobi - if you get one make sure it eats prepared foods. Read about this fish to find out about their eating habits. Basically they rely on a big pod population that a small tank can't support
Royal Gramma - one of my favs
Blue Tuxedo Urchin - cool
Dwarf Seahorses - I think better suited for a species tank. or with timid tankmates
Okay I really hope this helps
good luck!