potential new hobbyist needs advice

pcircle85

pcircle85

Member
I have a 75 gallon tank set up for african cichlids right now. Deep, sandy bottom, large pile of granite rocks, AC110 filter, two ViaAqua powerheads for water movement and two stealth heaters.
I'm pondering switching to saltwater and I have a few questions.
Do I need a huge pile of live rock? Or can I put live rock on the already existing pile of granite? So it LOOKS like a big pile of live rock.
Do I need to take out the pool filter sand and put in live sand?
Do I need a different filter? Is FW bacteria different than SW?
I want FOWLR and I'd like to keep aggressives, any suggestions beyond what I've asked would be helpful.
Thanks!
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Originally Posted by pcircle85
http:///forum/post/3245215
I have a 75 gallon tank set up for african cichlids right now. Deep, sandy bottom, large pile of granite rocks, AC110 filter, two ViaAqua powerheads for water movement and two stealth heaters.
I'm pondering switching to saltwater and I have a few questions.
Do I need a huge pile of live rock? Or can I put live rock on the already existing pile of granite? So it LOOKS like a big pile of live rock.
Do I need to take out the pool filter sand and put in live sand?
Do I need a different filter? Is FW bacteria different than SW?
I want FOWLR and I'd like to keep aggressives, any suggestions beyond what I've asked would be helpful.
Thanks!
Most granite has veins of different minerals that can contaminate a salt-water tank. Fish will handle this contaminate, but invertebrates like snails will not. So I would change the rock to a calcium carbonate coral rubble (live rock).
The sand needs to be a calcium carbonate, aragonite based product to keep nuisance algae down and to buffer the water as it dissolves over the years.
Is FW bacteria different than SW? This is a good question that I don’t know. They may be or just adapted to the different salinity. There are many different bacteria that do the filtering so don’t get hung up on it. Any way you will need to cycle the tank.
I suggest getting a sump and skimmer…
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
What you NEED to do and what will work are often two different things. The 1st thing I'd do is get a good, basic SW book and read it cover to cover. I'd recommend Bob Fenner's "The Conscience marine Aquarist'. He has a new addition out now and if this book is too pricey, you can find a copy of the 1st addition at Amazon at a good price.
A FOWLR tank is a simpler 1st step into SW than a reef tank; but there is still a lot to learn. Knowledge of the nitrogen cycle is vital, as you'll be dealing with nitrate for the 1st time. Most granite is safe in SW, but often hides minerals, that can be deadly. It also is useless as a home for bacteria and I don't know if your present filter set-up is adequate for SW. It certainly won't handle nitrate; but good water changing habits can keep it safe for fish-only. You can use limestone or base rock and go from there.
This is hardly a complete answer for you and , again, I strongly suggest some serious reading, followed by research. Then get another

[hr]
on your house; SW is addicting and expensive--but incredible.
(SW bacteria is different than FW)
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
What you NEED to do and what will work are often two different things. The 1st thing I'd do is get a good, basic SW book and read it cover to cover. I'd recommend Bob Fenner's "The Conscience marine Aquarist'. He has a new addition out now and if this book is too pricey, you can find a copy of the 1st addition at Amazon at a good price.
WHAT read a book on the hobby, what kind of radical are you
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Originally Posted by pcircle85
http:///forum/post/3245326
So basically you're saying everything I have running presently is worthless for SW? :p
No thats not what they are saying, the powerheads, heaters, maybe even the filter can be used. However, what they are trying to explain is that once you get into saltwater fish and especially corals and inverts. they are very sensitive to even the slightest contaminant.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by pcircle85
http:///forum/post/3245326
So basically you're saying everything I have running presently is worthless for SW? :p
No, most of your equipment (tank, PHs, filter, heater, maybe the lights, etc) is usable. (Maybe the sand, I'd say no to the granite) But, how (and why) to set up your filtration, circulation, etc., requires a lot more space than a paragraph on this forum.
 
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