What can I salvage when converting to salt

[bonbon]

• Hello all! I want to make the transition from freshwater to saltwater, I am currently doing tons of research right now, but request your help.
• I have a 55 gallon tank
• 2 x Aqua Clear 70's HOB filters w/ combined GPH of apx 600
• a stealth 200 watt heater
• and coral substrate (I have African Cichlids) apx 1/2 - 1 inch deep
• and egg crate under the substrate
• My question is can I use my current set up as is? Or what would I absolutely need to get started?

I am looking to house fish only w/ some live rock.
Thanks,
-Tina

By the way I am not a DIY type of girl

[Steven Pro]

The heater is ok as are the hang-on filters, but you are going to need a protein skimmer, additional circulation, and a new substrate. The existing sand/gravel is likely too loaded with nutrients to be helpful.

[bonbon]

thanks for the response Steven,
What should I use for additional circulation in your opinion?
You also suggest for me to change my crushed coral gravel? ( a good cleaning would not work)?
Any additional advice that you think may help me would be much appreciated.
However it comes to much surprise that my existing filters will do, since all the reading I have done is focused on UGF and wet dry! & for that alone I am very grateful!

[spankerbob]

You can clean it, but it will take a very very long time the best bet is to filter it. Place a pillow case tight, like a drum almost over a bucket and slowly pour the sand on to the filter, then rise it with clean fresh ro/di water. It will save you a few bucks, but it will take forever to get it clean.

If you are going to do fish only, your filters will be OK, they won't really hurt much, a wet/dry would be more effective for fish only, but not completely necessary.

The under gravel filter is hard to make work effectively, some have quite successfully, but the rest of us failed miserably.

For a fish only tank you will want at least 15 to 20 times the gph as is your tanks size, so for a 55g you will want somewhere near 800gph to 1100gph of flow in you tank.

The protein skimmer is very important, get a hang on back type like aqua c remora, many people like them , and they are priced right.

You will also need live rock, at least 80lbs, you can order it off the INTERNET for about $2.50lb, and cure it yourself, or get it at your local fish store for $6.00lb to start.

Good luck, it only gets more expensive from here, but we all love it.

[bonbon]

thank you Spanker bob,
with your advise I would be better if I added an Aqua Clear 110, to combine with one of my 70's to give me a GPH of about 800, In case you all haven't noticed by now, I'm very comfortable with my HOB type filtration.
would that in conjunction with a skimmer be sufficient enough circulation?
w/ apx 80 lbs live rock.

[Steven Pro]

I would not buy another Aquaclear hang-on filter unless you wanted to convert it into a refugium.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hagenrefugart.htm

For additional circulation, I would just add a couple of powerheads. Hange makes good ones for those as well.

Take a look at this review of protein skimmers I wrote to find one that fits your feeds and your budget.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm

But, before you buy too much equipment, I would invest in a good book. Mike Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium is excellent for beginners. It will help you learn some of the lingo associated with marine aquaria.

[bonbon]

Thanks for the reply Steven Pro
You indicated that I will need a couple of 'power heads', Does that mean I have to have them connected to an UGF? or can I just hook them to a regular air pump?
Also, about the LR , would it be a good idea to get a piece that is fresh and let it cycle with the tank? And, how many lbs to start out with?
Thanks,
-Tina

[Steven Pro]

No, I owuld not use an undergravel filter. The powerheads are just going to hang from the side of the tank and blow water around. I also would not attach the air hoses that come with most powerheads. While they do provide additional aeration, they also create a mess by encouraging salt spray all over the place.

As to rock, I would get about 50 pounds to start. That should be enough to seed your tank, provide plenty of biological filtration, provide hiding spots for fish, and provide a good base to attach and grow corals from if you go that way.

[bonbon]

Thank you very much Steven Pro
I have come up with my shopping list to start purchasing the equipment and supplies that I will need to get started, please look it over and let me know if I leave somthing out.
*Red Sea Prism Pro Deluxe Protien Skimmer
*2X Maxi Jett 1200
*Aquamedic Compact UV 9 watt???????????????????????
*Hydrometer
*Instant Ocean salt mix crystals or salt??????????????
*Calcium Supplements type please?????????????????
and
*50lbs of live rock to start out with but do I get 'cured' or 'fresh?
thank you,
-Tina

[Steven Pro]

Red Sea Prism Pro Deluxe Protien Skimmer

Not a good choice. There are far better units out there for the same or even less money. See the article I provided a link for previously.

Aquamedic Compact UV 9 watt

Unnecssary and over-rated. A quarantine tank is more effective and about the same money. See here http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-1...ture/index.htm

50lbs of live rock to start out with but do I get 'cured' or 'fresh?

I prefer fresh. It is cheaper (can be bought online at significant savings) and will likely come with a greater variety of organisms, but it is more work.

[bonbon]

o.k how's about an Aqua Clear Remora,
And 2 Maxi Jett 1200?
Does that sound efficient?

[Steven Pro]

Much better. I would get the Remora with the Maxi-Jet upgrade, but you don't need the prefilter box.

[bonbon]

o.k. I ordered my skimmer and jets.
I am breaking down my tank now,(* I miss my fishies already*)
I have 2 more questions (so far)
1-When I set up the tank, Do I take OUT the sponges in the AC's (power filter) and just run them with the carbon, biomax rings, and some floss only?
and
2-Should Iput a 1- 2 inch layer of sand?

[Steven Pro]

1.) I would replace all the cartridges and only run the carbon and perhaps the foam block for a while to trap debris, but long-term, the Aquaclears will probably just have activated carbon or other chemical filtration media such as Polyfilters or phosphate removing granuales.

2.) Most people go with either a very thin layer of sand (usually less than 1") or a so-called deep sand bed (DSB for short) that is 4-6" deep.

[bonbon]

O.K. my next plan of action is to buy some attractive LR and let it cure in my tank w/ the power filters and jets running (but not the skimmer yet)
bare bottom to be able to take the yuckies out easier.
After the water parameters check out O.K., I will then be putting in a layer of sand (less than 1")( w/ some CC to buffer)
Does that sound right?

[Steven Pro]

I would run the skimmer from day one. It will remove a surprising amount of nasty stuff.

And, there is no need for the crushed coral. Aragonite sand will buffer just as well and trap less debris.

[bonbon]

O.K. so run the skimmer to take the extra yuckies out, and just sand no coral.
But a question about the eggcrate, Do I leave it in my tank or take it out?
Thanks for all the guidance so far

[Steven Pro]

Take it out.