converting freshwater to saltwater

teresad134 · 01-12-2005, 02:56 PM

Ok. I have found where I can buy a used 75 gallon aquarium, with stand and canopy. Does this change my needs alot. Can I still get by with a hang on filter or do I need to go to a sump. Been checking into live rock and find it is a little
expensive and even worse to get shipped. Can I get by with some live rock and some decorative rock or do I need to get all live rock? (Don't laugh) can you buy critters like the live rock has to get the tank started? If I don't use all live rock will I have to have a wet dry filter? What is the opinion on these filters.

Any info is appreciated, since I am new to this. Don't want to go out and buy stuff that I can't use. I am trying to be prepared, before buying equipment or a different tank.

Thanks!

WuTang · 01-12-2005, 04:00 PM

Personally, I'd ditch your hang-on filters and invest in a sump if you're not on an extreme budget. A sump offers easier maintenance, water stability, and a WAY more powerful fitration system. Invest in alot of liverock and livesand (this is your biological filtration) and don't waste your money on fake stuff. For cheap liverock from private sellers, you can check out ebay or craigslist.com. You can possibly post a want ad if none is listed on craigslist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teresad134

Ok. I have found where I can buy a used 75 gallon aquarium, with stand and canopy. Does this change my needs alot. Can I still get by with a hang on filter or do I need to go to a sump. Been checking into live rock and find it is a little
expensive and even worse to get shipped. Can I get by with some live rock and some decorative rock or do I need to get all live rock? (Don't laugh) can you buy critters like the live rock has to get the tank started? If I don't use all live rock will I have to have a wet dry filter? What is the opinion on these filters.

Any info is appreciated, since I am new to this. Don't want to go out and buy stuff that I can't use. I am trying to be prepared, before buying equipment or a different tank.

Thanks!

**Poseidon** · 01-12-2005, 11:31 PM

I used quite a bit of "lace rock" in my tank, it is about 1.69 lb at my LFS versus 8.50 lb for live rock. I think I have about $400 worth of live rock and the rest is 50-60 bucks worth of lace rock. CAn you tell me which is which by sight? Nope I can't either! Just get as much live rock as you can, fill in the rest with Lace!

teresad134 · 01-13-2005, 09:50 AM

Ok I'm stupid. What is lace rock? Also if a buy a wet dry filter that fits under your tank, ( I have found one online), can I remove the bio balls and replace that section with live rock?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I used quite a bit of "lace rock" in my tank, it is about 1.69 lb at my LFS versus 8.50 lb for live rock. I think I have about $400 worth of live rock and the rest is 50-60 bucks worth of lace rock. CAn you tell me which is which by sight? Nope I can't either! Just get as much live rock as you can, fill in the rest with Lace!

Samper · 01-13-2005, 10:03 AM

Lace rock is base rock. Some people do convert old trickle filters to sumps and yes I would remove the bio balls.

**Poseidon** · 01-13-2005, 03:50 PM

Lace Rock is "kinda" like base rock, except it is purchased DRY! THat is why it is so much cheaper. There is no life on it, but after 4-6 months it get covered with corraline algae and pretty much matches the color and texture of the common "live rock".

***Reefland*** · 01-13-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teresad134

Ok I'm stupid. What is lace rock? Also if a buy a wet dry filter that fits under your tank, ( I have found one online), can I remove the bio balls and replace that section with live rock?

Don't bother spending the money on an expensive wet/dry that your just going to convert to a sump anyhow. Save your money and just use a standard aquarium with some baffles glued in.

WuTang · 01-13-2005, 08:53 PM

If you're in Northern California, there's a few private sellers selling cured live rock (Fiji and Tongan) for $2 -$3 a pound which have been curing with a variety of color for about a year in their healthy fish/reef tanks. They sent me pics of their tanks which they are taking down for some cash. I found them on craigslist (Bay Area and Sacramento areas). I'm actually picking up about 60 pound on Sunday for my 60 gallon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teresad134

Ok I'm stupid. What is lace rock? Also if a buy a wet dry filter that fits under your tank, ( I have found one online), can I remove the bio balls and replace that section with live rock?

01-12-2005, 11:31 PM	#23
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,235	I used quite a bit of "lace rock" in my tank, it is about 1.69 lb at my LFS versus 8.50 lb for live rock. I think I have about $400 worth of live rock and the rest is 50-60 bucks worth of lace rock. CAn you tell me which is which by sight? Nope I can't either! Just get as much live rock as you can, fill in the rest with Lace! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

01-13-2005, 10:03 AM	#25
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,761	Lace rock is base rock. Some people do convert old trickle filters to sumps and yes I would remove the bio balls. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

01-13-2005, 03:50 PM	#26
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,235	Lace Rock is "kinda" like base rock, except it is purchased DRY! THat is why it is so much cheaper. There is no life on it, but after 4-6 months it get covered with corraline algae and pretty much matches the color and texture of the common "live rock". __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Methylene Blue	jbicb3	Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquariums	2	10-26-2004 02:29 PM
I need freshwater and saltwater tank pics, get rated at www.ratemytank.org	edkhosting	Anything But Reefkeeping	0	10-05-2004 09:48 PM
Converting Base	baconbits	Reef Aquariums	2	01-20-2004 08:47 PM
New to Saltwater, new FOWLR tank...	DawnS	Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquariums	2	09-17-2003 11:31 PM
going from freshwater to saltwater	jjgina	Reef Aquariums	3	12-22-2001 11:03 AM

01-12-2005, 02:56 PM	#21
teresad134 Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: missouri Posts: 13	Ok. I have found where I can buy a used 75 gallon aquarium, with stand and canopy. Does this change my needs alot. Can I still get by with a hang on filter or do I need to go to a sump. Been checking into live rock and find it is a little expensive and even worse to get shipped. Can I get by with some live rock and some decorative rock or do I need to get all live rock? (Don't laugh) can you buy critters like the live rock has to get the tank started? If I don't use all live rock will I have to have a wet dry filter? What is the opinion on these filters. Any info is appreciated, since I am new to this. Don't want to go out and buy stuff that I can't use. I am trying to be prepared, before buying equipment or a different tank. Thanks!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)