Saltwater Molly/ fancy tail Guppies show refugium build

[elweshomayor]

Hey guys, so I am in the process of turning Mollies and Guppies in my soon to be show refugium into saltwater.

It's been approximately 4 days, 3 water changes, and Salinity is up to 1.005. Today I had my first casualty. A guppy was found dead today. Im I going to fast for these guys? I know it can be done, but the water still basically fresh water lol

I've been doing 30% water changes everyday to minimize ammonia and nitrates (exception on the first day I introduced the fish) since the tank is not cycled. I've also been feeding very minimal amounts. Reason tank is not cycled is because since I am adding salt, what ever organisms grow while in fresh would die as it turns into salt.. So there wouldnt be a point. After I have reached 1.023-1.024, I will connect it to the main 150G tank, which should handle the new load just fine. Though I will make sure to do a big water change prior to it. Then the new added rock should be seeded and added to the total amount of rock, after which I will purchase a bunch of algae for the refugium.

 

[bobt2]

mollies will be fine in saltwater, not too sure if the guppies will take it. they like some salt, yes, but full 1.025 ???

 

[elweshomayor]

mollies will be fine in saltwater, not too sure if the guppies will take it. they like some salt, yes, but full 1.025 ???

I had my doubts at first, but I have seen guppies on refugiums that are connected to full saltwater tanks as well. That's why I decided to add them and give it a shot too. Hopefully they do well and survive the transition. Im taking it very slow.

 

[elweshomayor]

So, today the salinity is 1.008. Everything else seems fine, though tomorrow I will be doing another water change and raise it to 1.010! Getting there before I can connect it to main tank

 

[farfromsea]

The tank has been cycled right? And yes guppies are supposed to be euryhaline like mollies. I've been thinking to add some to my weird reef [emoji12]


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[elweshomayor]

The tank has been cycled right? And yes guppies are supposed to be euryhaline like mollies. I've been thinking to add some to my weird reef [emoji12]


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Not yet, the issue was that I am starting from fresh, so there was no way to cycle it as fresh and then add saltwater.

So in a way, this is a acclimation procedure. I am doing water changes everyday as I increase the salinity though to prevent high ammonia and nitrate levels. Once this reaches 1.024ish, I will connect the overflow to my main 150G tank which has been cycled for a good 7 years lol

 

[farfromsea]

Saltwater Molly/ fancy tail Guppies show refugium build

I would just be concerned about adding an uncycled tank to the main system. Stick an ammonia badge in there and keep an eye on it. Over the next few days. I understand the whole water change thing though.


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[elweshomayor]

I would just be concerned about adding an uncycled tank to the main system. Stick an ammonia badge in there and keep an eye on it. Over the next few days. I understand the whole water change thing though.


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I am a bit concerned about that. Though I dont know how much ammonia is the tank going to produce. I have thought about moving some of the rocks I have on the refugium and maybe some from the display into the new tank to quickly seed it before I connect it to main tank. Perhaps then I would only get a small and quick cycle.
I could put some biofilter for the display for the 2 weeks I am doing the switch to saltwater and then 2-3 days prior to the switch, have it run with everything else.
I will also probably dose some vodka to help move it along.

 

[farfromsea]

I don't know either but I would imagine die-off from the rocks (if this was an established freshwater tank before?)


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[dreadhead]

Are you adding mollies for the benefits of them reproducing in your system and adding another food source? Best of luck with the process!

 

[elweshomayor]

I don't know either but I would imagine die-off from the rocks (if this was an established freshwater tank before?)


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This was pretty much all new and recently added. Though still the ammonia from the bioload alone is a concern once it becomes saltwater and I cant just do big water changes. Though im hoping that the introduction of some LR and such will help.

 

[elweshomayor]

Are you adding mollies for the benefits of them reproducing in your system and adding another food source? Best of luck with the process!

Multiple reasons, the mollies will keep bad algae in check. The reproduction is just a plus
Though I do like the look of them. They are like the anthias of the fresh water world

 

[Tripod1404]

While you are at it, it is also possible to convert some african cichlids to full saltwater.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_zK7UekAME

 

[Reefbuoy]

Most salt water stores sell starter cultures of bacteria to minimize the cycle.

 

[elweshomayor]

Most salt water stores sell starter cultures of bacteria to minimize the cycle.

What is the earliest, salinity wise, that one can add the bacteria cultures? 1.020? or perhaps a little earlier like 1.018? I am not connecting the tank until I hit 1.024, however if i can get a kick start i would be great. I will be seeding the tank with a piece of LR from my tank and some sand as well.

 

[farfromsea]

Seems to be little information from a reliable source on the viability of the bacteria in hyposaline environments. I would call Dr. Tim's or some other manufacturer and ask!


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[elweshomayor]

Seems to be little information from a reliable source on the viability of the bacteria in hyposaline environments. I would call Dr. Tim's or some other manufacturer and ask!


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Thats actually a good idea. Today salinity is 1.010 so im getting there. Tomorrow I will probably raise it to 1.012-1.015ish.

 

[A sea K]

How are you increasing the salinity? Topping off with full strength seawater?

 

[elweshomayor]

How are you increasing the salinity? Topping off with full strength seawater?

Each day I basically do like a ~.010 difference (more or less) on the previous. Example, yesterday I had a salinity of 1.008, so I prepared water with 1.015. This raised the salinity by .002. (I believe it took around 6-7gallons of water)
I feel like this way is less of a shock and I can do bigger water changes to account for ammonia.

 

[Swensos]

This is from Dr. Tim's Website:

I have a Brackish water tank – which bacteria is for me?

The choice of whether to use the Freshwater One & Only or the Saltwater One & Only bacteria in a brackish water tank depends upon the salinity (or specific gravity [S.G.]) of your water.

If your salinity is less than 10 ppt (1.007 S.G.) then use the freshwater formula.

If your salinity is greater than 10 ppt (1.007 S.G.) then use the saltwater formula.