From Fresh to Salt?

ok, I'm sure this may be a little redundant of a question to ask on here since I'm sure it gets asked 10 times a day.. but I don't really have the resources to look at it, since I'm on my blackberry right now. however, I'm going from fresh to salt.

I currently have a 55gallon with a wet/dry system with bio balls. The return pump does about 1100gph at the head, so I assume it's roughly 700 when it reaches the tank. This tank was used for cichlids and has been up and running for roughly 9 months. I'm bored with it, all my cichlids are full grown now and they're having babies like crazy.

I have roughly 80-100 lbs of lace rock. Can I use this rock for corals?

What kind of light would I need to grow soft corals? (links would be especially nice here)

what fish do I stay away from if I go with corals?

can I use the existing sand in the tank to continue with salt?

How do I go about cleaning the tank and all the rockwork for the saltwater fish?

what is the normal routine for maintenance? is it true if I have clean up crabs and such.. I don't have to clean the bottom?

will a 20 gallon long work for a sump? or will I need more?

I also have an auto top off system for evaporation. Right now it's a 5 gallon bucket, I expect to expand that to about 15 gallons of RO water when its time for the switch over.

oh, and recomendations on a protein skimmer? (do I need one, if so.. links?)

.. I think that's the end of my questions

Thanks,

Will

 

first and foremost, did you ever use medications or copper in the tank?

 

lots of questions there. but to save time.. Do keyword searches on these forums and you will find all the answers your heart desire.


I have roughly 80-100 lbs of lace rock. Can I use this rock for corals?
I would soak them in water and a few caps of bleach. drain. rinse them good. fill sink with new water and water conditioner (alot) and soak over nite. rinse again. air dry. smell nothing=your good. smell bleach=soak again in clean water. buy some a few live rock pieces and put them around your dead rock. few months later dead rock=live rock (bacteria anyways)

 

Copper no. Medications once at the very beginning of the tank. About nine months ago. It was one dose and it wasn't even a full dose. This was prior to having a sump and when I was running sponge filters.

 

a LFS told me theres some kind of chemical I can add to make the rock live, I forgot what it was called.. something blue? is this true or is it just a scam?

 

could be a scam... not worth it either way, a cup of live sand will kick start the live rock.

I would HIGHLY suggest you get a book or two.

I have The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner, and Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock. Both have been very useful in setting up.

You're right in thinking your questions have been asked. If you cannot use the search feature on your phone wait until you're at a PC that can. If your only access to the Internet is through your phone then I would doubly suggest some good books.

will try to answer some questions...

 

My response in bold


I have roughly 80-100 lbs of lace rock. Can I use this rock for corals?
yeah, make sure it's clean... There are pros and cons in the base rock and live rock debate. I think some live rock is great. Dead corals and other natural oceanic rocks are much more natural looking for one.

What kind of light would I need to grow soft corals? (links would be especially nice here)
Just about any good "reef" light would work. You get enough watts and softies will grow. Power Compact, VHO, T5, Hetal Halides... what's your budget?

what fish do I stay away from if I go with corals?
That's such a HUGE topic no one can answer it here. Read the forums, check out sites like liveaquaria.com and fishbase.org and read up on fish. I have a few good books on fish and invertebrates I always refer to when I am looking at new livestock. Really it will ultimately depend on the specimen. Some will eat corals, some wont. Books only offer a good idea of what to expect in general. When you get closer run a list by the forum people, they/we will help.

can I use the existing sand in the tank to continue with salt?

I'd say no on that. Get proper marine sand, doesn't have to be "live" but having made the mistake I would tell you steer clear of crushed coral. Get argonite sand.

How do I go about cleaning the tank and all the rockwork for the saltwater fish?
I would rinse eveything, scrape it all down, fill it with fresh wate and some bleach, let that sit, drain it, refill with water, drain it, let it sit for 24 hours, and it should be pretty sterile. Remove the rock and clean them in a bucket, and the bleach them and let dry for several days. You can use sodium thiosulfate to sped up the break down of the bleach, but it should be gone in a few days on it's own.

what is the normal routine for maintenance? is it true if I have clean up crabs and such.. I don't have to clean the bottom?
yes or no. If you have a deep sand bed it's best to leave it alone. I don't so I siphon the sand I can get to when I do water changes. crabs and stuff will only eat so much, and they still poop. Eventually you'll have to clean it up.

will a 20 gallon long work for a sump? or will I need more?
should work fine. No such thing as too big, but a 20gal long should be fine.

I also have an auto top off system for evaporation. Right now it's a 5 gallon bucket, I expect to expand that to about 15 gallons of RO water when its time for the switch over.
*shrug* ok.... if it works why mess with it?

oh, and recomendations on a protein skimmer? (do I need one, if so.. links?)
You don't absolutely have to have one, and for the first few weeks you won't want to use one anyways.... do some research and look around, you'll find what you need. I use a Seastorm 75.

.. I think that's the end of my questions
no, no it's not.

Thanks,

No prob.

 

Thank you! A very informative answer! Argonite sand... Hardware store? Andddd final question my budget on lighting I expected about $300.

Anddddd I'm making the top off bigger because I have to use water from walmart so its RO. Therefore I don't want to ever run low, hence 15 gallons.

and can you explain your reasoning about a deep sand base? why would I not clean a deep sand base vs a light sand base? and whats considered deep? 3"?

 

To me, deep is 3" or more. Stick with an inch or so.

Argonite sand is sold at aquarium/fish stores. If nothing else Petsmart or Petco.

There's a lot of options in the $300 range for lighting, just keep in mind you'll have to budget for replacement bulbs every 6-12 months depending on what you get. I would look at VHO or T5 lighting. Less heat than a MH system, and all you'd need for most soft corals and LPS corals.

check out the sponsors section, usually a sale going on, or at least a good regular deal. I got my lights at reefgeek and they were fine. Marinedepot and Dr Foster and Smith have good deals as well usually.

 

It's methylene blue. It isn't necessary to use it. It is an antibacterial med. This would kill bacteria not enhance it. This is more for the prevention and ailment of fungal and bacterial diseases. It does contain a percentage of copper in it. So therefore, I won't advise it. You can use "cycle" or "stress Zyme" to help build bacteria
Greysoul has pretty much answered all of your other questions accurately