making the switch

I own a 150g fish tank and want to convert it to a sw tank. My real question is how long sw fish will live if placed in fresh water. I dont mind if they die periodically and think it would be much cheaper to just resupply my livestock as they die rather than converting to sw and using all the chemicals. I have always loved the look of saltwater fish over freshwater fish, which is why I am thinking about finally making the switch. I am a self proclaimed couch potato and really dont want to put much effort into this, but I would like to experience the saltwater views as I have seen on this site.

Also, I wondered if there was a way to mix plant life from saltwater and from fresh water. I still have some freshwater plants in the tank from when it was a freshwater tank and really dont want to get rid of them. I would like to place some live coral in there though. I figured out a great way to quickly fill up the tank as well, outside my apartment there is a hose and whenever the water goes low I can just pull it up to the second floor window and fill up the water as needed.

I have seen pictures of Clams and they look amazing...thinking about adding one of those. Do you think the clams would hurt my goldfish though? I noticed a lot of people have specialized lights, but that seems a bit too costly to me. Instead I have placed my tank directly in front of the window so that the plants and animals will get the same light as everything in nature gets.

I have seen lots of movies with salt water tanks in them and my dentist has one, so I cant imagine they are two hard to upkeep. These things look like they would be easier to take care of than any other potential pet. Am I wrong in thinking this. Lion fish seem to be in every tank I have seen, does that mean that they are the easiest to take care of? How many lionfish do you think I could stuff into a 150g? Do you think 50 or so would fit...maybe more?

Ok, so those first couple of paragraphs were just for fun...I wonder to myself how many of you were about to throw yourself out the window when you read my post. I have been on this forum for about two years as a random leech and decided to finally register and post. I dont have an aquarium yet, but I am thinking about getting one in the next while. Im just doing lots of research and saving as much as I can...no impulse buying for me.

 

well im no pro but you had me going for a while, im wondering who will read half of your post and get a head ache,, haha it was a great read..... welcome

 

Phew. glad you posted. i read the first paragraph and was in the middle of my response when i hit refresh just to see if anyone else posted yet.. lol

Welcome!

 

was just going to say the same thing.. This is one of those times in life where you need to make sure you have the full story before you respond. Us Reefers tend to get up on our soap box a little early!!! I really liked -- "I have seen pictures of Clams and they look amazing...thinking about adding one of those. Do you think the clams would hurt my goldfish though? " cracks me up!

 

brovo Krodista this will be one of the best threads yet......i liked how you said you would just replace the fish as they die,,,,,,simply great!!!!!!!!

 

I don't know if any of you are old enough to remember this stuff but here is the answer to the can fresh water and saltwater fish live together.
One of the members in the reef club I belong posted this months ago and reading this post brought it to my mind.

The Story About "Wonder Water" Fresh And Saltwater Fish Living Together

 

wow thanks for the info i would have bet against any thing like that,really cool thanks again gazog....

 

I am glad you guys enjoyed the post. I was laughing just thinking about the look on your faces as you thought about someone treating these animals that way. Ill be around. Reading and reading!

 

I just about had a heart attack!!!! I was sooooo glad to read the last paragraph;D. I was already formulating my post. It was not going to be pretty!!!!

 

hahahaha....you had me going there for a while. Welcome!!