converting freshwater to saltwater

[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!

[WuTang]

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.

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]

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]

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?

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]

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

[Poseidon]

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]

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]

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.

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?