freshwater to salt

[b-baby80]

O.K. I know this is another stupid newby question you've probably heard a million time.I'm gonna ask anyway and expect

This 10 gallon tank has been set up for 4 years.It is completely on it's own no filter etc...It only has 2 goldfish and a guppy in it.I could transfer them into a bowl.I was thinking since this has a top and light.I could use it for a QT?How do i go about making it salt.I mean the water is so clear and i never do anything to it but feed the fish every day or two.Would i just add the salt?Will it have to cycle to?I was thinking i could put one of the big hermies in their and that would put only one big and one small in my big tank.Then my fish would be less at risk.At least thats what i was thinking

 

[kclester]

from my experience FW tanks always have high amounts of nitrates both of my FW does way to high for SW if i were you i would take 5-6 bucks to wal-mart and get 10 gals of RO water then add the salt 1/2 cup for every gallon let stip for a few days with a PH aka powerhead and then add your live sand and live rock im assumeing you know what that is and if not you will learn everything you need to know on the forum its great

 

[kclester]

you already have a DT dont you......wow i feel like a complete idiot lol....sorry but yea i wouldnt use the water thats in there now i think FW tanks have really high trates

 

[rcoultas]

You should get rid of the old water and start with 1/2 half new and the other half from your established tank (do a water change). You will need to cycle the tank. If it is to be a QT then you don't want any substrate in it but everything else is pretty much the same routine.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by kclester
you already have a DT dont you......wow i feel like a complete idiot lol....sorry but yea i wouldnt use the water thats in there now i think FW tanks have really high trates
Whats a DT?

 

[1journeyman]

Display Tank.
You cannot simply add salt. The whole biological filtration (bacteria) is different in a SW tank versus a FW tank.
Also, many FW tanks and medications have copper in them. Copper is lethal to inverts in SW tanks.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Display Tank.
You cannot simply add salt. The whole biological filtration (bacteria) is different in a SW tank versus a FW tank.
Also, many FW tanks and medications have copper in them. Copper is lethal to inverts in SW tanks.
Thanks that is what i needed to know.I had almost concluded they were totally different.I'll get a bowl for the goldfish and guppy.Then i'll break it down and clean it.Hey could i use the cycling water from my other 10gal with the crabs in it?I wouldn't have to recycle then right?It would be great to transfer them into a tank with a lid etc...Then i could just focus on setting up the bigger tank.then when it's all cycled and done i'll just tranfer 2 grabs and leave one in the QT tank.Make sense?

 

[1journeyman]

The new tank will still cycle...
Hehe, re-read what I keep posting. The bacteria grows on your filter pads, rock, glass, etc. Very little is in the water. Using old water in a new tank will not prevent a cycle.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
The new tank will still cycle...
Hehe, re-read what I keep posting. The bacteria grows on your filter pads, rock, glass, etc. Very little is in the water. Using old water in a new tank will not prevent a cycle.
Yes yes i have mommy brain LOL!O.K. but if i transfer the 2 filter cartridges into their that have good bacteria that will help speed up the process right?
O.K. here is what i will do.QT need the bare minimum of stuff right?So i will clean that tank and add a little gravel from my current tank(would this be concidered live now?)Plus the filter cartridges i have with good bacteria..Then i will just feed my bacteria like i was told.When that tank cycles and is o.k. i'll transfer all my crabs to their and break down the one on my kitchen counter.Thats when i will focus on my bigger tank.I won't get in a hurry

At this point i'm in it keep our crabs healthy and hoping to go bigger and add fish

Not like i'm racing.Finances wouldn't allow that

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
Yes yes i have mommy brain LOL!O.K. but if i transfer the 2 filter cartridges into their that have good bacteria that will help speed up the process right?...
Correct.
Plan sounds good to me.