Lost all fish in power outtage, now converting freshwater tank to saltwater

jesscolavt

jesscolavt

New Member
Hello and thanks for looking!
In the recent "Snowstorm Sandy", we lost power for 4 days, in which time, my entire tank of FW fish froze to death. I have been thinking about converting my tank to SW, and I guess this just sped up the process...
What I have is a corner, 49 gallon tank. I have never seen another tank like it, and it is a little hard to describe. The tank is not a bowfront. It has two longer sides which run the length of the wall, and three equi-length angled sections that make up the front angles. I don't know if that is relevant or not. The tank has a hood, with what I am imagining are very specific sized bulbs that fit in.
Tomorrow I plan to drain and completely empty the tank out. I would like to have a FOWLR tank, and would love suggestions of easy inhabitants to get me started. What do I need in terms of lighting, filtration, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!
 
mjtech12

mjtech12

Member
welcome to the obsession,
pictures of the tank would help, Be very careful as to cleaning your tank is it glass or acrylic, if its glass go get some kosher salt and scrub the tank with a very clean sponge, if its acrylic don't scrub it with kosher salt you will scratch it just use warm water and a sponge made for acrylic tanks, FOWLR tanks are great I have one becareful as to placing the rock you buy in the tank you can scratch it, place your rock first then add live sand the sand will hold the rock in place as far as lighting you can get away with what came with your tank for now but I recommend and what I have is SOLARMAX 30 lighting it has 2 different bulbs plus led's for moon lighting I have 2 of them (125 Gallon Tank) but they come in many sizes, What filters are you using if its a canister its rated for your tank throw it away your going to need a bigger one I use a ( FLUVAL FX5) but a Sump would be better as far as Habitants go real slow ( Its Worth The Wait) get about 5 or 6 Damsels they come in assorted sizes and colors ( their used to cycle the tank) Cycling takes about 4-6 weeks even if you add bacteria to the tank ( Don't be afraid its just about as much time to take care of as freshwater) just a few more steps, as far as salt and mixing it comes down to preference just ask your local fish store they can set you up with that ( I personally buy my water for water changes at the store its easier about $12.00 per 5 gallons) good luck and any other questions just ask and read up alot
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Hi, and welcome to the site,
Saltwater has less oxygen then freshwater, we do not cover the top of a saltwater tank with a lid....it needs to be open. The light/hood combo you had with your freshwater tank will need to be replaced. A pendent or hanging T5HO or LED system would be best.
You will also need at least 2 power heads to create a wave in the tank. with the weird shape you will have a hard time making sure all areas have flow, bow-fronts are difficult as well.
Live rock added FIRST on the bottom of the tank, and then put live sand (2 inches deep is plenty) around the rock. You can't use an under gravel filter, you will need a HOB, canister or sump system.
Use lab type test kits and whatever you do...do not hurry the first cycle, patience is the key to success. Use a chunk of raw shrimp or pure ammonia to kick start the cycle, not a live fish....it's faster, and it won't hurt any fish to do it that way.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I am a biologist who holds all life precious...so please do not use a group of damsels to cycle your tank. It is needlessly cruel to the animals, who have to suffer gill burns from high ammonia levels during the cycle, and Tim the aquaria st, who has to suffer from damsels afterward. There are stickeys at the top of this forum that will guide you through a much easier cycling process. And welcome to the forum. End of soapbox!
 
mjtech12

mjtech12

Member
ok there's a lot of debate as to using damsels to cycle a tank I personally have never lost any damsels cycling a tank ( and I still have the ones when I did mine and their just fine) they are one of the hardiest fish and abundant fish in the sea its just the tree hugging environmentalists that they think they can save every living organism, they have been used for many years in the hobby to do a cycle and yes there is an alternative but what I don't like is when someone projects their opinions and expects people to play along like cattle and if opposed they lash out with distain, it all comes down to preference.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
A raw chunk of shrimp and no fish suffer..............Damels not dying is the problem, you are stuck with a demon fish. When it comes to SW fish, what you add, dictates what fish you can add later. Unless you stay with real aggressive mean fish, a damsel will kill everything you try to add later.
Not to mention that you have to/SHOULD soft cycle if you cycle with a live fish You must/SHOULD do a water change if the ammonia or nitrites spike. With a chunk of raw shrimp...Who cares if it spikes ammonia or nitrites...let it ride until that number drops to 0, and the cycle is complete...nothing dies or has a chance to die, and you are not left with a fish you didn't want in the first place.
So the only one getting their underwear in a bunch is you. We are not tree huggers, we are just using common sense. Personally, I would rather pee in a tank to get the needed ammonia kick, then put a nasty little demon fish to be stuck with in there.
 
mjtech12

mjtech12

Member
flower im not getting my panties into a bunch im telling it like it is sometimes common sense can be thrown out of the window I have never had problems with damsels being aggressive or even killing any of my fish all my other fish besides the 4 damsels are peaceful or even semi and they get along just fine like I said it comes to preference but no one should be telling people how to cycle and what to use to a point where they think its bad because its not 9-10 times the LFS will take the fish back after the cycle so being stuck is not a problem
I can tell you for a fact I have a friend who has had a 110 gallon tall saltwater tank for years and he doesn't even acclimate his fish he just throws them in right from the fish store and he has maybe lost 1 or 2 within a 20 year period so throw away what you think is acceptable not everything you do or buy or additives or whatever helps in this hobby its hit or miss.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJTech12 http:///t/394883/lost-all-fish-in-power-outtage-now-converting-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3515010
flower im not getting my panties into a bunch im telling it like it is sometimes common sense can be thrown out of the window I have never had problems with damsels being aggressive or even killing any of my fish all my other fish besides the 4 damsels are peaceful or even semi and they get along just fine like I said it comes to preference but no one should be telling people how to cycle and what to use to a point where they think its bad because its not 9-10 times the LFS will take the fish back after the cycle so being stuck is not a problem
I can tell you for a fact I have a friend who has had a 110 gallon tall saltwater tank for years and he doesn't even acclimate his fish he just throws them in right from the fish store and he has maybe lost 1 or 2 within a 20 year period so throw away what you think is acceptable not everything you do or buy or additives or whatever helps in this hobby its hit or miss.
Panties in a bunch was my silly way of explaining your statement of how you personally never lost a fish to cycling a tank. You came off like using a chunk of shrimp was your pet peeve, so I made light of it. ...I have rewritten this post 4 times, I don't want to sound mean. I 100% disagree with you for the following reasons...please don't get all mad at me.
Folks do lots of stupid stuff. Just because your buddy didn't kill everything in his tank with Ich or osmotic shock, does not mean he did things with a shred of intelligence. I certainly would not tell somebody to do that.
I know lots of folks who got damsels, they are very pretty and cheap...99% of them very much regretted it, When they put their hands in the tank, they drew blood after they matured,....besides killing the other fish. Folks on this site have posted pictures of their bloody hands. There are a few who are indeed fans of damsels, and I totally agree they are beautiful fish...they also decided to keep companion fish that can hold up to their aggression. It all depends on what kind of fish you want to keep...that first fish dictates what can be added later, so I would never recommend to a beginner that a damsel should be that first fish.
Now, I really don't understand why would anyone tell another person, who likes fish, and wants them for pets... to go ahead and burn it's gills...and get a hardy little demon fish to do it with because it can probably live through it? That somehow in your opinion, that is better than a chunk of raw shrimp. Then you even made that comment to GeriDoc call us tree huggers because we don't want to hurt a fish....you know...our choice of pets.
Just throw out my 30+ years experience because you know a guy who doesn't even acclimate his fish.....really???? Seriously...Do you really think that was a good example of how stupidity is better than common sense?
Sorry, but I'm a real big fan of common sense. I do not believe common sense should ever be tossed out the window. I am fully aware that sometimes...SOMETIMES, idiots without an ounce of common sense, manage to make it, in spite of their stupidity...call me crazy, but I just don't think others should try it.
Okay...fingers crossed that you are not mad at me after this.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'll bite on this one since I'm up late cleaning up and doing laundry

Personally I've never done the raw shrimp or ghost feed in the past....I've always "cycled" with damsels......I do call them my "test" fish, and when I'm finished cycling they do go back to my LFS....That's just me and that's how I do it and as stated earlier "we all have our own way".....That said I also don't follow that "drip acclimation" process that is "highly touted"......There's an excellent article over on RC, that IMO is the correct way to acclimate.....If the fish has been in transport if ordering online as most of us do.....Then the so called "drip method" is doing more harm than good......
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/394883/lost-all-fish-in-power-outtage-now-converting-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3515049
I'll bite on this one since I'm up late cleaning up and doing laundry

Personally I've never done the raw shrimp or ghost feed in the past....I've always "cycled" with damsels......I do call them my "test" fish, and when I'm finished cycling they do go back to my LFS....That's just me and that's how I do it and as stated earlier "we all have our own way".....That said I also don't follow that "drip acclimation" process that is "highly touted"......There's an excellent article over on RC, that IMO is the correct way to acclimate.....If the fish has been in transport if ordering on-line as most of us do.....Then the so called "drip method" is doing more harm than good......
I never heard of the shrimp to cycle method before I found this site, before then, a fish was the only way anyone knew, and that is what books recommend. I like not doing water changes to soft cycle. The raw shrimp is much easier IMO than using a live fish...there is just no reason for it anymore. Back in the old days a limb was amputated without any pain killers...I think the new way of being asleep through the entire ordeal is much better...both methods worked just fine, one was just more barbaric and painful.
On the drip acclimate thing...A fish that has been in concentrated air filled bag for transport 24 hours, should be floated so the temps match....our buddy said he brought the fish home from the local store (not an on-line store), opened the bag, and tossed the fish in....no float time...just didn't give a rats behind one way or the other if the fish lived or died. He only lost a couple doing that...no QT just toss it in and see if the makes it, no care about all the established fish he could contaminate if the new fish is sick...too bad, so sad. I certainly don't think that should be the advice we give somebody who is asking for our help.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/394883/lost-all-fish-in-power-outtage-now-converting-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3515063
I never heard of the shrimp to cycle method before I found this site, before then, a fish was the only way anyone knew, and that is what books recommend.
I have been keeping marine fish for about 39 years, and until I found this site I had never heard of the raw shrimp thing either. For all of those years until fairly recently I used Moe's book, which had a recipe for ammonium chloride addition to start the cycle. Since I have a research lab I have always had access to the chemical and measuring equipment, so it was very easy for me. However, raw shrimp are an even easier way to go. Among the problems with damsel cycling is the final line "I return the damsels to the lfs after the cycle is finished", which I believe to be a hope rather than a reality for most of us, since catching damsels in a large system is difficult, if not impossible. Raw, dead shrimp are much easier to recapture
.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Never had issues catching fish and usually I don't have small tanks......Also don't particularly want rotting shrimp floating in my tank.......
I will stick with what has worked and cruel or not damsel to cycle.....We all have our own ways of doing things.....
 
tvukan

tvukan

Member
My DAMNsils went right back to the pet store!!! They were eating my Coral Beauty Angels tail and tormenting all my other fish. I can't stand those damn things!! But again it's preference.
 
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