Boyfriend setting up a new tank!

[monicabg]

Ok, here's the deal. I've had a 29 gallon fresh water tank for the last 6 years and have been very happy with it. My boyfriend gets a 20 gallon tank and wants to set it up as a salt water tank. He has done it before, but I just want to make sure he's doing it right.
I don't know if we have the right equipment. The tank is used, and was prevously used for freshwater so all of the equipment is for fresh water. We have 2 back filters, Second Nature Whisper, a Penn Plax 150 watt heater, and a canopy with a basic light.
What do we need? Such as undergravel filter, powerheads, lighting, canister filter, and so on.
I really don't want any part of this tank, but it makes him really happy. I just want it done right, he wants it done now.

 

[swazo]

The only thing you really need is an under gravel filter you will have to hook up two power heads to the filter but other than that you should be fine if you want to do corals you will have to get new lighting but just to keep fish you will be fine.
Swazo

 

[monicabg]

Thanks for replying. The back filter is the same one that I use on my fresh water tank, is that ok for salt?

 

[thewolfman777]

i have and ugf in my newly set up 33g running on 2 aqua clear 304 ph's w/ a fluval 301 cannister filter. before you go and buy and ugf i would bring the question to the boards and read some of the responses first. UGF in a swf tank is a touchy subject and people are very opininated on this topic. most will say leave it out because it will save you problems in the long run. I would get some power heads for water movement though. I started the same way your bf will be starting. It was a fw tank for 10 years. I just thouroughly cleaned the tank, removed all the filter media, cleaned the filter really good, and added new media. I kept my existing heater and lighting. I did go buy powerheads, crushed coral, decorations, etc. It is a very expensive hobby, i must say. Also, a lot of people will debate the crushed coral to sand topic. Most people seem to prefer sand over crushed coral. I would just bring these questions to the boards first. these are just my opinions and you will probably get a different opinion from each person. Unfortunetley, having an extensive back ground in fresh water doesn't do jack for you in salt water, this i have learned. if i would have known better when i started i would have kept the ugf out and used sand instead. it is just good that your boyfreind has a back ground in swf. hope all goes well with your tank...

 

[thewolfman777]

actually forgot to mention, i posted this debate a few days ago under i believe it was, "reef tanks: I've been a bad, bad, boy". this will give you some insight on the ugf discussion