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