help planning a new and existing tank.

[dazed1]

I have two tank's. Tank 1 - 20 Long setup for about 5 month's now. The only fish in this tank is a Valentini puffer. Now, since I do have the puffer I cannot have any sort of coral's. I plan to move him to a 20H. Yes, i know he will grow, but not for a while. He is about 2" right now.
Now, i have a 20H which contain's 3 African cichild's. I plan to convert that into a SW so that I can move the puffer in it and maybe keep one more fish that is not reef safe.
1) How do I go about converting my cichlid tank into a SW ? I will be doing a water change this week and that's when i plan to convert the tank. That way i can put 20% of my existing water to the tank.
2) I have small pebble's and stones (can't remember the word :S ), as substrate. Should I take it off and add LS or would it be ok for the puffer not to have LS ?
3) I have rock's in the tank. Not LR, but 2 big pieces of moon rock ( i think. they are porus) and few other piece's of rock. (Not sure of the name). Should i remove them and add LR or just leave it ?
4) Does a FO tank require good lighting ? I plan on using the regular NO with a 50/50 tube.
5) I am currently using a "Lee's counter current skimmer" in the 20 L . I want to / plan to either put in an external skimmer or get a fuge, but do not want to spend alot of $$. What would you guy's suggest ? ( don't want to spend more than 50-100$).
I saw an ad in a magazine for an external Hang on from "99 fish and pets inc" for 39.99$ (approx).
6) I will also be leaving the mechanical filter in the tank.
Please let me know if what i have planned is good or no.
Thank's

 

[rickycobra]

I dont know about using "moon Rock" In a sw tank. You dont know what type ofl gasses or chemicals could be in the rock. If you want to go cheap buy some base rock from a lfs, or you could always put in some lr. just my 2 cents

 

[dazed1]

Originally posted by rickycobra
I dont know about using "moon Rock" In a sw tank. You dont know what type ofl gasses or chemicals could be in the rock. If you want to go cheap buy some base rock from a lfs, or you could always put in some lr. just my 2 cents
Well,i'm not too sure either . But i did plan on adding 1 piece from my current tank, and a little sand from it as well (that's if i go with LS). just too confused ???

 

[birdy]

I am clear about which tank the substrate and rock are from. I would recommend anything that was in a fresh water tank not be used in your saltwater tank. I would go with LS and LR and a skimmer. If you are trying to save money you can use playsand and baserock and seed with LS and LR.

 

[dazed1]

Thank's
Well, difference between the 20L and the 20H, with the lights that I have, they will penetrate better with the 20L and it look's better.
Now, I will take off everything in the tank. Scrub it. With vinegar and water. Then add the 20% water that I do a water change with. And RO water (alway's used in my existing 20L). WIll also get playsand from Home Depot. Will get a little base rock from LFS. Also will add one piece from my existing tank.
As for skimmer, i will look into it later
Any other suggestions or correction's to this would be great.