Fresh to Salt...

Mrsjameyj · 03-23-2007, 01:35 PM

I converted my 36 gallon fresh water corner tank of 5 years to a saltwater tank. I know that it's a lot of work and am up to the challenge.

It has a fluval 204 with new filters and carbons. I also bought that live sand in a bag to help with the process. I also mixed my own salt water where the salinity level sits at 1.022-1.024.

I bought 3 damels to cycle the tank and hope to put more vibrant fish in BUT as I look at the tank I see that the sand is turning brown and so is the glass.

p.s. I had 3 damels but 1 went MIA.... could he be the problem??

markrxdi · 03-23-2007, 01:36 PM

that is part of the cycle, it is normal. I would get the damsels out and return them to the lfs before you put any live rock in. the brown will go away in about a few weeks just as fast as it came. how long has the tank been set up?

abigtroutt · 03-23-2007, 01:44 PM

Mrsjameyj first Welcome to TRT !!!!

First get rid of those damsels, you don't even need them to cycle. Using fish to cycle a tank only hurts the fish due to the ammonia burning their gills.

Is this going to be a fish only tank or are you going to make it a reef tank?

The other thing is I would get rid of that fluval unless you plan on running just carbon in it and change it often. The only equipment you will need is a good skimmer.

Also If you plan on a reef tank what type of lighting do you have and what types of corals do you plan to keep?

abigtroutt · 03-23-2007, 01:46 PM

I also forgot to ask...when you had that tank as a fresh water tank did you treat the tank with any copper treatments? If so that could be bad in the long run for a reef tank.

frankandmaura · 03-23-2007, 01:47 PM

Welcome!!! You are going to love TRT!!

...ditto on what they said...no need for fish to cycle (it is kind of unfair to the fish and you are not going to want them in there in the future).

Mrsjameyj · 03-23-2007, 01:47 PM

It's been set up for quite a while now. I had the tank cycling for at least 4 weeks before i put the damsels in and I would say it's been at least another 4 since then. is there anything I can do besides waiting. I am really eager and want to fill the tank with lionfish and puffers....

Mrsjameyj · 03-23-2007, 01:49 PM

wow... you guys are fast!

I plan to have an all fish tank because I want the agressive fish because they are more appealing to my eyes.

I never did a copper cycle and what is a skimmer and is it expensive?

frankandmaura · 03-23-2007, 01:50 PM

Is this going to be a Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR) tank? No corals? Puffers may eat your corals and most likely will eat inverts...

Can you test your water for Nitrates/Nitrites?? Sounds like it should have cycled long enough...still would get those Damsels out....you are not going to want them in the long run.

abigtroutt · 03-23-2007, 01:55 PM

A skimmer like this one....you may be able to find one used at a LFS or even e-bay

http://www.tfjpetcenter.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=184

markrxdi · 03-23-2007, 01:57 PM

oh, how rude of me....welcome to trt!!!

abigtroutt · 03-23-2007, 01:58 PM

Have you tested your water parms....and what are they? If you haven't take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it.

Mrsjameyj · 03-23-2007, 03:01 PM

Parms???

I just did a quick dip and here are the results.... Hopefully that's what you meant
Nitrates - 20
Nitrites - 0
PH - 7.8
Alkalinity - 120

Thank you for the link it is very helpful

Krista

luvmylo · 03-24-2007, 08:43 PM

ph is a little low. you should put some buffer in. I use success buff.

Jflip2002 · 03-24-2007, 08:50 PM

Also keep in mind that a 36g tank isnt really big enough for the plural of puffers and lions. You can keep one at best I think. I always felt bad having my puffer in a 29g tank, and he was only with a clown fish. I really dont know anything about lionfish though, or how much room they need. Puffers should be in at least a 75g long tank.

luvmylo · 03-24-2007, 09:00 PM

what kinda lion?? there are several species of lion fish. A dwarf you should be ok