New 37g saltwater tank

[Mikerushing]

I am being given a 37g tank and stand that has been used for freshwater water. I want to make it into a saltwater tank fowlr to start. I don’t know what equipment they are giving me, but I’m assuming I’m going to need a sump tank and protein skimmer. Can I use any filters and pumps that were previously used for the freshwater tank? Also does anyone know of a good supplier for saltwater tanks in the north Houston area?

 

[griss]

So, first things first. If you intend to keep inverts or corals in the future, ask the person you’re getting it from if they ever treated with copper. Copper is highly toxic to inverts.

You don’t necessarily need a sump. Many people successfully keep salt/reef tanks with canister/HOB filters. So, let’s see what you get and go from there.

I’m in St. Louis, MO and have only been in Houston once in my life and that was for work:

 

[Mikerushing]

Ahhh yes that’s a good idea, I didn’t think to ask that, thank you! Do you think live rock bought online is a decent route?

 

[griss]

Ahhh yes that’s a good idea, I didn’t think to ask that, thank you! Do you think live rock bought online is a decent route?

If i have a choice and the budget, i prefer REAL live rock, not dry rock. But, I’m usually on a budget so, I use a mix of dry rock and real live rock. By real, I mean it truly comes out of the ocean, like Tampa Bay Saltwater, KP Aquatics or Gulf Live Rock.

I do not have a high opinion of “live” rock that is just dry rock, painted purple and “infused” with bacteria…but I’m very old school having SW tanks since the 80s and my first reef in 1990. That said, many people successfully keep tanks with that rock.

 

[griss]

To add on why I like real live rock, I like all the life that comes with live rock…even the “bad” hitchhikers. To me, a bio-diverse tank best represents nature.

 

[Uncle99]

If your comfortable with the risks, good, seasoned, ocean live rock is instant cycle and chock full of algae and bacteria’s. Doubt you can beat that.

Me, I just use the painted purple stuff cause it looks great from day one and no surprises.

At the end of a year, I can see absolutely no difference. Life finds a way.

 

[Reefing102]

Welcomeb

To add I’ve used all live and a mix of live and dry. While I agree after some time it all looks the same, I’d stick with all live simply because it appeared as though there was less of an ugly stage however I can’t promise it was due to the live rock.

With that said, for live rock, ordering online is fine. There are places like Gulf Live Rock, KP Aquatics and Tampa Bay Saltwater that culture live rock in the gulf/Florida keys. This is essentially dry rock, tossed in the ocean for a few years then harvested. I’ve only ordered from KP but it was a great experience. Main differences I think are how it’s shipped. Like TBS only ships in water whereas Gulf typically ships wrapped in wet newspaper, and last I knew KP offers both options (but that may have changed I thought I heard).

Other wise there are some places (I think liverocknreef.com) that sell limited quantities of Walt smith cultured Fiji and TankStop sells real Australian (looks phenomenal and light weight but pricey, however Eric will video chat to help pick the actual pieces you want).

I can’t say I’ve seen many, if any, truly negative reviews of any of the above, however I’ve only actually ordered from KP.

 

[griss]

Welcomeb

To add I’ve used all live and a mix of live and dry. While I agree after some time it all looks the same, I’d stick with all live simply because it appeared as though there was less of an ugly stage however I can’t promise it was due to the live rock.

With that said, for live rock, ordering online is fine. There are places like Gulf Live Rock, KP Aquatics and Tampa Bay Saltwater that culture live rock in the gulf/Florida keys. This is essentially dry rock, tossed in the ocean for a few years then harvested. I’ve only ordered from KP but it was a great experience. Main differences I think are how it’s shipped. Like TBS only ships in water whereas Gulf typically ships wrapped in wet newspaper, and last I knew KP offers both options (but that may have changed I thought I heard).

Other wise there are some places (I think liverocknreef.com) that sell limited quantities of Walt smith cultured Fiji and TankStop sells real Australian (looks phenomenal and light weight but pricey, however Eric will video chat to help pick the actual pieces you want).

I can’t say I’ve seen many, if any, truly negative reviews of any of the above, however I’ve only actually ordered from KP.

KP currently does air freight or shipped in water. Not that I’ve been looking

 

[vlangel]

I am old school as well and have only ever used live rock. I also agree that KP Aquatics are top notch. I am sure that the others are as well but I have only bought from KP Aquatics.

 

[griss]

I am old school as well and have only ever used live rock. I also agree that KP Aquatics are top notch. I am sure that the others are as well but I have only bought from KP Aquatics.

One of my favorite online stores.

 

[Elmareefer]

The live rock that is shipped, could that contain aptasa and other non desirables?
Seems like the dead rock really makes your new tank cycle super slow at best?

 

[Jimbob]

To add on why I like real live rock, I like all the life that comes with live rock…even the “bad” hitchhikers. To me, a bio-diverse tank best represents nature.

This....

 

[griss]

The live rock that is shipped, could that contain aptasa and other non desirables?
Seems like the dead rock really makes your new tank cycle super slow at best?

Possible Aiptasia but, IMO that’s not a deal breaker. Peppermint shrimp, Aiptasia Eating Filefish or some Butterflyfish will take care of that. To me, the amount of life you get from real live rock makes a huge difference. But, I’m into the micro life in reef tanks…I can sit and watch Amphipods crawl around for hours

 

[griss]

Dead rock can cycle fast with the commercially available bacterial additives. I’m just old school and go with what’s worked for me since the 1980s.

One thing I’ve learned in this hobby, there in no single right way to be successful. What may work great for me, may not work at all for you. Go slow, experiment, learn from the experience and find what works best for you.

 

[griss]

Oh, and I’ve gotten a handful of Mantis shrimp over the years on rock, but I kept them well fed and they were no issue.

 

[Elmareefer]

Dead rock can cycle fast with the commercially available bacterial additives. I’m just old school and go with what’s worked for me since the 1980s.

One thing I’ve learned in this hobby, there in no single right way to be successful. What may work great for me, may not work at all for you. Go slow, experiment, learn from the experience and find what works best for you.

Just getting back into it do I want to do things the best I can. Tank is coming in a week or so. Will probably spring for some Tampa bay live sand and some base rock

Then cycle with that

 

[griss]

Just getting back into it do I want to do things the best I can. Tank is coming in a week or so. Will probably spring for some Tampa bay live sand and some base rock

Then cycle with that

That sounds like a great plan. TBS is a great company, good hobby reputation and excellent customer service. Please start a build thread so we can follow along. Following new builds is one of my favorite things.

 

[Elmareefer]

I read what TBS said about have to “cure “ their rock in a new aquarium. Lots of water changes? Is anyone familiar with this

 

[Elmareefer]

That sounds like a great plan. TBS is a great company, good hobby reputation and excellent customer service. Please start a build thread so we can follow along. Following new builds is one of my favorite things.

I will. IM tank should be here in 1-2 weeks