switching from freshwater to saltwater

Question
I'm thinking about converting my 29 gallon freshwater aquarium into a saltwater aquarium. Can I keep the power filter I have on now, or do I need to switch to an undergravel filter? What fish would you recommend for the tank? Do I have to get live rock? Is sand or crushed coral better? And is cycling a saltwater tank different than cycling a freshwater tank? I really like odd looking fish, so please keep that in mind when helping me with stocking. Sorry for all the questions, but I have no saltwater experience!

Answer
Hey Josh,

No problems in the number or type of questions, BUT, it might be better to log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

That forum is setup for more questions and more pictures...

You will also get information from me or any number of other members who might have similar experience...  And it will be more like a discussion then a lecture...

Please log onto that forum for more and better support.


As for your questions here today....

you can use a 'power filter'  (Im guessing that is a 'cannister filter')

Or you can use a HOT filter, (hang on tank) filter...

BUT, you can not, nor should not use UNDERGRAVEL filters.. .those are for FRESH WATER..

the purpose of an 'underground' filter is to use the gravel as a filter to catch large particles.. then you would clean the filter/gravel with a gravel vacuum


Saltwater tanks dont need a 'mechanical' filter.. we dont need anything to catch partcles... The particles are eaten/digested/processed...

This type of filter is called BIOLOGICAL FILTER..

You can use a mechanical filter on saltwater, but that is a suppliment to the living filter...

You will not have good luck if you dont have a mature biological filtration system


To create that living filter you need a few things... the first and most important part of the filter is TIME... as time goes on, the organisms that are the heart of the living filter will need to find food/nutrient, and then multiply and grow to be able to handle the food source they found...

If the food source is large, then the quantity of Biological Organisms will continue to grow until they run out of food stuff...

The other things needed for this living filtration system is a place for them to grow...

They do this best in(side), rock and sand...Think of all the little holes, and nooks and crannies...

And then think even smaller... microscopic holes and microscopic crannies...


Lots of people use 'crushed corals' BUT, that 'trend' is typically done in Europe and in other areas...  Typically, the US, and western hemisphere use live sand, (aragonite based)  (aragonite is not silica based, or rather it is NOT playground sand)


As for stocking and other things, I would like to defer that part of the conversation for a later time, (maybe after you introduce yourself on www.thelittleocean.com)  Once you log on over there you will see a great variety of different critters that might interest you...  We actually have a couple folks there that are into very exotic species, so you might find some good company there...

Anyways, i look forward to talking with you more, and hopefully soon...


Good luck


Bill