I'm NEW and needs lots of advice!!!!

[shari2shop]

Hi,
I have a freshwater set up in my 55 gal aquarium. I am interested in converting it over to a saltwater tank (a fish only, I think!).
I have been reading articles and searching the web. However, I am still so clueless. It seems that most of the articles have conflicting info. Can anybody suggest any articles that are actually helpful???
Also, can someone give me a basic list of eqiupment that I need for the tank. I want to use the list to do some research and figure out exactly what the equipment does and what types/brands I need for my tank.
Thanks so much for the info!
Shari

 

[stumpdog]

Shari-
Welcome to the board! This place has a vast amount of knowledge about SW fish. If you were going to do a fish only (FO) tank you wont need much. All you really need is a filter of some type which I assume you have and some lights. Nothing super expensive about a fish only tank except the fish. A substrate and some type of rockwork (depending on the fish) may be desireable (SP). As far as articles just do a search for different things and you should find several things to read. Or just post any other questions you may have. Do you know what type of fish you are wanting to keep? I guess I should have asked this sooner. (Hope this helps)HTH.
Jeremy

 

[beaslbob]

if your freshwater is up and running and depending upon your setup, you could change over by simply adding a little salt at a time. For instance if you have a sand substrait now that is fine for salt. If you have the pretty colored rocks then you should replace that. also remove any plastic decorations.
After all the freshwater livestock has been removed you could add a molly and then start adding a little salt each week. the molly will survive and help extablish you biological filtration. When sp reaches 1.02 or so I recommend you add macro algaes/marine plants. the macros are the salt equilivant functionally to fw plants. At that time you could also add the salt rocks/decoration you desire.
Or you could just empty out the tank and start from scratch.

 

[stumpdog]

Shari-
Another thing, read. Grab every post that looks interesting and read. If you can get a book or several and read up. One of the sharks and many others can give you more titles than I. I recently ordered The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Fenner. Not sure on my spelling but it is sold on this site under Dry Goods. HTH.
Jeremy

 

[shari2shop]

Actually my tank is empty and clean. I had Central American Cichlids. My last one was over 8 years old and finally died (of old age) about 2 months ago. So, I have decided I can finally start on the SW tank I have be longing for!
I am still in the process of rying to figure out what I need to be reading. It seems that the more I read the less I know!!! I guess that there is just so much to learn.
As for what fish I want... Well, I actually like all of them. I don't have my heart set on anything in particular. I figure once I get my tank set up I can research the fish. Or do I need to know the fish before I set the tank up????
Well, I'm off the reach some more!!! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions real soon!!!

Shari

 

[ktoledo]

I JUST CONVERTED MY FRESHWATER TO A SALTWATER AND I TOTALLY EMPTIED MY TANK AND CLEANED IT OUT. I BOUGHT NEW FILTERS(JUST THE REFILLS NOT THE WHOLE SYSTEM) TOOK OUT OLD ROCK AND REPLACED WITH CRUSHED CORAL THEN FILLED IT WITH WATER, ADDED 1 BOX OF SALT(GOOD FOR MY 30 GALLON) AND WAITED. NOW THAT I HAVE A SALTWATER TANK, MY OTHER 30 GALLON FRESHWATER DOESNT EVEN COMPARE! I WILL PROBABLY CONVERT THAT ALSO! GOOD LUCK!

 

[ktoledo]

ALSO YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF FISH YOU WANT BEFORE SETTING UP. ONCE YOU ARE READY FOR FISH YOU WILL JUST NEED TO DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT AGGRESSIVE TANK OR COMMUNITY. (SAME AS FRESHWATER) IF YOU WANT CORALS AND ANENOMES YOU WILL WANT TO GO COMMUNITY.

 

[birdy]

I would recommend getting the book,
The New Marine Aquarium, by Michael S. Paletta
Instead of a FO I would look into doing a FOWLR, the LR and live sandbed will be your main biological filtration then you will just need a skimmer other filtration. They also look better and create a better home for your fish.
Welcome and keep reading and asking questions.

 

[cb]

WELCOME

 

[the josey wales]

Hello.
I, too, am new and have spent the last 4 days here.
The persons on this board are fast, I agree! I'm amazed!
I have taken in so much info, the last 4 days, that my brain is smoking... My desk is littered with post-its to help me retain all the knowladge
If you read deep into the posts here, you will be rewarded with links, schools of thought, and all sorts of valueble info.
good luck!

 

[sammystingray]

Keep reading and learning.....have you ever treated the tank with copper or other medications? It may be in the silicone seals and may cause some initial problems. Welcome to our board.....we are always happy to see new faces.......errr....I mean typing?!?!

 

[dragonladylea]

The best advice I got when I started my tank was to have patience! As soon as you switch you can't wait to make it beautiful (Trust me, you'll eventually wind up with a reef) its a slow but worthwhile process. Good luck and enjoy!!!

 

[michaeltx]

if your freshwater is up and running and depending upon your setup, you could change over by simply adding a little salt at a time. For instance if you have a sand substrait now that is fine for salt
I have to disagree again there are to many things in FW that will hurt SW fish that might with a slow increase of salt could survive.
MY advice is to drain and clean the tank and start anew new substrate, new filter pads atleast you will be sinking a lot of money into your tank and if you do it half way you will run into problems later down the road.
ok back to the other just had to add that.
I agree do a FOWLR Fish Only With Live Rock
it will give you a pmore natural look and you will be more hapy with it. I tried the fake plants and all that and it never looked right. if the back of the tank ( outside) is clear I would take this time to paint it black or blue it will make everything stand out more when you start adding things to the tank. and it wil need a few days drying to make sure is wont contaminating the water
i would start researching the fish that you want it may take some time. there are a lot of fish that wont go into that size of tank and size restrants etcc.. there are a lot of things to consider when looking at fish. if you post a fish wish list people can say if its a good choice or what they would change and why. its better that way LOL
but the best thing is to read read and ask a lot of questions the only stupid question is the one that wasnt asked. O and the books are a very good investment they will come in handy time and time again/
<Mike

 

[lesa]

Welcome and remember patience is the KEY to this hobby

 

[cb]

I have to agree with MichealTX there are many things in fw tank that might mess up the saltwater tank when I converted my 40g freshwater I took everything out and rinsed the tank very good before starting the saltwater and I have not had any problems,the other thing is to make sure that you have never used copper in the fw tank this could have an effect on any livestock that you add later on even though you rinsed it thoroughly. HTH

 

[fishy88]

i would get a fowlr. as for equipment: protein skimmer(imho the most important),wet/dry if you have room for a sump then that is the best but you can use hob wet/dry, regular lighting, heater, and a power head.