switching 40gal fresh water tank to saltwater

Question
QUESTION: hi there i was wondering the process i would have to go through to switch my planted freshwater to salt water. i also would like to know if i can reuse any of my current equipment. i have 40 gal tall, eheim canister filter rated for 60 gallons, a 400gph Hydor Koralia power head, light i have a 24 inch ballast that can holds 4 T5 bulbs. Also is it a must in having live rock, if so how much. would i need a skimmer to run a saltwater tank, if so which brand you believe is good.

ANSWER: Hello Noel,

Switching a tank over to saltwater is possible.  you would need to clean the tank well, nothing special, just a couple washes/rinses in bleach water and then vinegar water then fresh water...

the cannister filter is ok, if you clean it also... although i would suggest not using the 'bio balls' or whatever media is in there, (including the foam pads).  the pads can be used on special cases, when you want more clear water.  (they would remove the fine particulate matter)

the t5 light is excellent. You might need different bulbs as saltwater enthusiasts prefer more BLUE bulbs... they make the colors 'pop' better..

the power head is probably a bit on the small side but you can get another one of those for just a couple bucks...

but the big question you are trying to minimize is teh live rock...

In salt water aquariums, the 'filtration' is not the same as in fresh water... fresh water uses the substrate, (rocks), to filter the water, (in those under gravel filters), and they use the cannister filters, for thier foam pads/media

In saltwater, the filter is alive... it is organisms that live in and on the rock and sand...

It is those critters that process the fish waste, (poo), and convert it into a product that is less harmful and easily exported..  (nitrates)  so, to answer your question, the more live rock the better...

a skimmer is not needed... although it is helpful, and will help in reducing the amount of 'maintenance', i.e. water changes...

most skimmers are ok... some are better then others, but as long as it mixes air with water, you will get skimmate, i.e. the gunky foam

if you are 'energy' conscience, then you can spend more and get a more efficient skimmer, i.e. pumps that draw less current..

and some of the cheaper skimmers, are constructed 'cheaply', so you might end up breaking it or having to replace it after a year or two..

there are some good/ok skimmers out there in the $120+ range...  euroreef skimmers are pretty much the 'cheverolet' of skimmers, and many companies have copied them...

Octopus skimmers are the latest skimmer to come into the market that i know of...

anyways, i hope this helped, if not, please let me know, and i will try again...


good luck, and hope to see you around in the saltwater world...


bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi there thank you for the info you gave me there.
i have traveling about SOCAL talking to various LFS workers about the same question i asked you. At one store they mentioned something that sparked some ideas for me.

He told me about using only a skimmer and power heads. No live rock or sand, or even the canister filter i have. he went on to say use crushed coral as substrate and lace rocks for decor and hiding spaces. Will this work ok? won't i need a way to remove solid waste? or just gravel vacuum during water change? And if possible what type and size skimmers are suitable for a 60gal? (prefer a hang on back skimmer or stand alone)

he said that since i am only going for a fish only tank that LR and the live sand is a waste of money. the store i went to has a good reputation for there service and help. and also the fish i am planing to keep are 1x Radiata Lionfish, 1x Antennata Lionfish, 1x Volitan Lionfish, and 1x Snowflake or Jeweled Moray Eel (not going to use the 40gal anymore i have a 60gallon sitting up for some time)

Answer
hey noel,

i live in socal, please share the names of the store you went to...

you can skip the live rock, the sand, the skimer, the filter, everything if you so choose, but you will have to do water changes more often... and i mean WAY more often.. weekly at least... especially with those fish.. big eaters, and big poopers...

Crushed coral is very common in europe. they think it odd that we prefer sand...  But, since everything i have ever done, and everything i have ever read and been told, has been to use aragonite sand and live rock...

it is the critters on/in the sand and rock that do the work... they convert ammonia into nitrate..

ammonia, even in small amounts is not healthy for fish... immagine swimming in a pool with ammonia... ??? no, imagine breathing it...???

if you could constantly flush the water with fresh, salt water, then it wont be a problem...

but, unless you have biology working for you, then ammonia will always be your enemy..

As for skimmers, if you arent going with biological filtration, then i suggest getting a skimmer that is 2-4 times bigger/more capacity then your 60gallon tank.. so maybe a skimmer that is rated for 240 gallons??

It is really hard giving suggestions for something i can not reccomend...

I strongy urge you to log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com and talk with Just_greg  and 'Randy Folds'  

they are both 'extremely' smart regarding saltwater aquaria.. Lanny, (randy folds), is a marine biologist... Greg, has several aquaria with lion and scorpian fish, and hosts another forum on those and other aggressive species...

You can post your questions there, and get a few other replies and suggestions that might be a bit more helpful then mine...

sorry i could nt be more helpful...

and hope to see you online at thelittleocean.com

b