Thinking about converting from FW to SW.

silicon_dt · 06-20-2004, 03:52 PM

Hello all! I will be moving soon and bringing down my FW tank. I was thinking about converting over to SW and had a few questions.

1) Does anyone recommend a good book for beginners? Or maybe a website with a newbie guide?

--From my research so far it seems I will need a few extra things. It is a 29 gallon tank.

2) It seems I will need around 2 power heads for water movement(anyone reccomend a brand?) and a protien skimmer. As far as filtration, the protien skimmer will provide that? Or is that only if I have live rocks?

3) Can I use my old HOB filter for anything?

4) Just so I can have a feeling of what I am getting into, how does a SW tank compare to a planted FW tank in difficulty?

I guess that is it for now, I am sure I will come up with more later! Thanks for any help!!

--Silicon

motorslave · 06-20-2004, 05:04 PM

Welcome to TRT! Youre in the right place!
On the power heads I would say Maxi-jet, If you look through some old threads you will see that by others experianxce the Rios might not be the best choice.
On the skimmer, what it does is remove the disolved solids from the water, the biological filtration will come from your LR (live rock). Now as far as the HOB filter, with a good skimmer, LR and good regular care habits on your part, there probably wouldnt be much use for the filter except maybe to use with carbon on ocasion to polish the water. I would look into past threads on carbon usage. Filtration is one of those things that you will have to research and make a decision for yourself based on that research. You will find that amny people have many thoughts and preferances on filtration. For the most part you will find that skimmers and LR are the basics!
As far as the care, in order to have a succesfull SW tank proper setup and equipment is important along with knowledge. Good husbandry habits are also very important. Taking the time time to learn as much as possible and having the patience to do it the way that is best and not neccsarily quickest helps also. There are alot of things to consider in this hobby, what type of tank you want, what kind of animals and so on. Learning about water quality is important too.
Ive been researching and learning for about 4 months while I get all the stuff for my system and hevent got wet yet. Paitence, paitence snf psitence!
Now that Im done Im sure some of the old timers with the real experiance will be along to realy break it down for you. This place has a wealth of knowledge and experiance so hang around and ask alot of questions and read alot!
And again, WELCOME!

Robert

kslay · 06-20-2004, 08:08 PM

Conscientous Marine Aquarist by Fenner, and The New Marine Aquarium are the two books I read/reading. They're loaded with good stuff, and give a good basis, you'll be able to refer back to them for a long time.

btang · 06-20-2004, 09:18 PM

Two great books kslay, good choice.

I also would recommend Reef Secerts by Nilsen and Fossa and Reef Invertebrates by Calfo and Fenner

rtgordon · 06-21-2004, 01:01 AM

Just finished converting my community/planted FW to saltwater. I kept the fish that i liked in a smaller FW. Most of the questions that you ask depend GREATLY on what you are trying to do with your tank. If you are trying a reef, the difficulty increases significantly. If you are just doing a fish only (you will want to do more... why else would you be posting here on the reef tank) the difference won't be too much greater and can be a good starting point.

If you had success with your previous tank, you will probably have success in SW. For me, the biggest difference comes to treating problems. Oh, wait... the biggest difference

the money!!!

Here is a link to a very recent thread of someone building up a reef. Many of the questions you asked will be answered in this thread:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35892

This is an excellent site with very helpful people... you will enjoy salt water aquaria. I am addicted

gordon

tims · 06-21-2004, 07:02 AM

HI and welcome to TRT..

as far as Books a few other that are good to read or get . can also be found in the ref. area of this web site..
So far your on the right step.. you will find everyone helpful..
this info you have so far sounds about right to me..

silicon_dt · 06-21-2004, 04:56 PM

Ok how does this sound to start out?

I would buy 2 Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 1200 (295 gph), placed in both side of the tank. Does this seem like overkill for a 29 gallon?

I would also buy a protien skimmer. Most likely the AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer. Do I need 2 power heads if I use this thing? Since it does have water flow output.

I already have compact florecent lighting, so I would just need to buy a 50/50 light for it. Does this sound right? 10,000K Daylight, 50% Actinic 03 Blue.

If this equipment sounds OK I will start researching what subrate and rock I need to use. (Crosses fingers)

Cosine · 06-21-2004, 05:05 PM

Are you planning on keeping corals? And if so what types? This will greatly affect the necessary lighting. I'm not sure what you meant by compact florescent lighting.

You seem to be taking great steps to success though.
On a side note with you HOB filter if you change the media often it can stay (you just don't want it to buildup nitrates). You could also leave it with no media and use it just for flow.
If anybody disagrees don't hesitate to set me straight!
goodluck
and have fun

silicon_dt · 06-21-2004, 05:29 PM

Well at first I would only want live rock and fish. But one day I would like some sort of corals, preferebly the soft kind. Something that would flow and move with the current. By the compact florecent lights, I mean I have the AHSupply retrofit 55 watt compact florecent lighting system. I currently use a 6700K light in it for my FW plants. I could easily get a 50/50 light for it.

Cosine · 06-21-2004, 05:36 PM

Well if the 50/50 is around 55 watts my opinion would be that you'd be okay with star polyps and mushrooms. With two of those bulbs you'd have some more options. But you can get lots of colours of polyps!
and with a FOWLR setup the lights aren't important. You can always add lights later when you add corals!

tims · 06-21-2004, 05:42 PM

Since softies like or can handle lower lighting that will be cool for then IMO. and what you have so far is good to go..i am not sure about that type of skimmer, some like it some hate it.. but a good skimmer is a must.. do not go short on that one..

substrate you have sand, crushed coral , bare bottom. with sand you have the option of going shallow ( 1-2 inches) or DSB (3+ inches). If you run with CC i would not go more than 2 inches..

silicon_dt · 06-21-2004, 05:50 PM

If I go with sand, can I simply get home depot play sand? Then order maybe a pound of live sand online and seed the whole tank? This seems like it would save me a lot of money. By the way, can you actually see little things crawling around in the sand? How do I know the sand is alive? heh