Converting from fresh to salt

[mapleredta]

So i was in the process of cycling my tank for freshwater and decided to go the salt water route. I have it full of water and about 55 pounds of gravel. Do I need to completly drain the tank? What do yall recommend?

 

[redneck3298]

yes you need to get rid of all the water and the gravel and change to live sand because gravel will buff the ph too low like to 6.0

 

[bertoni]

I'd start over. What kind of gravel is in the tank? Most often, gravel collects too much detritus for people to be happy with it, but many types can work well with enough maintenance.

 

[mapleredta]

its 50 or 55 pounds of black gravel. Thanks for the help so far, keep it coming.

 

[drummereef]

You definitely need to start over or you'll have major headaches down the road. I would use RO/DI water to start. Many more things to read up on here -

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

 

[bertoni]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

That thread might be useful, too.

 

[bigjackstud]

Change your mind back to freshwater before it's to late for you! Lots of money! I'm into a good 5 grand and still can't seem to make things right....sob....

 

[mapleredta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9528307#post9528307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigjackstud
Change your mind back to freshwater before it's to late for you! Lots of money! I'm into a good 5 grand and still can't seem to make things right....sob....

Wow there are some really negative people on here. Im looking for the challange. There so much more beautiful compared to freshwater tanks.

 

[Village Idiot]

Have you kept a successful freshwater aquarium before? Doing so should be a prerequisite for keeping a saltwater tank. Cut your teeth on FW, make all (well, most) of the mistakes with FW, I think you'll be a much better SW person if you do.

If you want color and beauty in a FW system, setup an African Cichlid tank. Their coloration and behavior is very similar to SW fish.

 

[mapleredta]

yeah ive had a 29 gallon before.

 

[markandkristen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9527049#post9527049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
I'd start over. What kind of gravel is in the tank? Most often, gravel collects too much detritus for people to be happy with it, but many types can work well with enough maintenance.

yep. i would definately read those two articles to make sure you know what your getting into... i love saltwater as well. i got hooked when i was a child looking at saltwater tankds. thinking one day im going to do this. ... Dad would always say its too much work. of course saltwater tanks were no were near as prominant as they are today. awesome fun.

 

[mapleredta]

Thank you everybody.

 

[dc]

[welcome]

Or the dark side!

While there can be a lot of ups and downs here, it's so rewarding it's well worth it. Just remember patience, and don't buy what you can't afford.
I liken my tanks to my garden, always a weed or two that has to be pulled.

 

[mapleredta]

There so beautiful I cant wait!