Hi I’m new to the message board.
I have been reading through the forums for the last few days obtaining information on setting up a salt water tank. I have a few questions I haven’t found any real good answers on yet.
I currently have an 80gal fresh water tank I have had it up and running very well for 5 years now with no issues at all. We have grown a little bored of the current setup, and are looking into converting the tank into a salt water system. This will be my very first attempt at salt water.
My goal right now is to keep things as inexpensive as possible, yet have a good functioning tank. I would like to start out with live rock/sand and just fish. No coral yet. At a later time I would look into setting up another tank for a reef.
Things I’m not really sure of:
Can the fresh water tank be safely converted to salt water, with lots of diligent cleaning?
What should be used for filtration? The tank currently works with 2 topfin 120 carbon type filters will these work, or do I need to go another route? What about a protein skimmer is it really needed? Do hang on tank models work good, or should there be a larger type under the tank?
Does a tank need a sump or can you get by without one?
What about lighting, with only live rock/sand and fish will my current florescent lighting be enough?
I’m fairly limited on space, and all of the equipment will have to be stored under the tank in the stand.
As I said I want to keep it simple, and fairly inexpensive (easier said then done I’m sure) upfront and add/upgrade equipment over time.
Would also like to see some plumbing diagrams, I've looked at lots of equipment pictures, but plumbing is still a little fuzzy.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and sorry to be so long winded.
I have been reading through the forums for the last few days obtaining information on setting up a salt water tank. I have a few questions I haven’t found any real good answers on yet.
I currently have an 80gal fresh water tank I have had it up and running very well for 5 years now with no issues at all. We have grown a little bored of the current setup, and are looking into converting the tank into a salt water system. This will be my very first attempt at salt water.
My goal right now is to keep things as inexpensive as possible, yet have a good functioning tank. I would like to start out with live rock/sand and just fish. No coral yet. At a later time I would look into setting up another tank for a reef.
Things I’m not really sure of:
Can the fresh water tank be safely converted to salt water, with lots of diligent cleaning?
What should be used for filtration? The tank currently works with 2 topfin 120 carbon type filters will these work, or do I need to go another route? What about a protein skimmer is it really needed? Do hang on tank models work good, or should there be a larger type under the tank?
Does a tank need a sump or can you get by without one?
What about lighting, with only live rock/sand and fish will my current florescent lighting be enough?
I’m fairly limited on space, and all of the equipment will have to be stored under the tank in the stand.
As I said I want to keep it simple, and fairly inexpensive (easier said then done I’m sure) upfront and add/upgrade equipment over time.
Would also like to see some plumbing diagrams, I've looked at lots of equipment pictures, but plumbing is still a little fuzzy.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, and sorry to be so long winded.
