tropical to marine

Question
QUESTION: hi i currently have a tropical fish tank 40inch x 18inch x 12inch but i have always wanted a marine tank is it possible to change the tank to marine and how easy is it to keep a marine tank have been told by some its easy and very hard by others thanks for your help robert

ANSWER: Hi Robert,
The change can be a bit tedious. You can slowly convert from fresh to brackish, then brackish to marine over a course of 3 months with water changes. However the best and quickest way is to empty and start anew. The substrates used in fresh systems are generally ok but not optimal for the needs of marine systems. The best marine substrates are crushed coral in sand or gravel sizes. They are high in calcium and act as a buffer to the Ph and alkalinity in marine tanks. You can use your fresh substrate, but it must be rinsed thoroughly as will all filtration. Marine systems need a bit more maintenance and patience in the initial set up an cycling stages, and a watchful eye for the first 2 years when it comes to water quality, salinity, filtration(biological and mechanical). I have had marine systems since I was 8 years old. Water testing must be done more frequently, and more accurately, general maintenance is about the same other than the need to mix sea water. If you exercise patience, start your set up right and dont rush things, you can have a very stable self contained ocean going. I have actually found my marine tanks require much less attention and maintenance than my fresh water systems giving more time for the enjoyment of them. Most aquarists rush things and get impatient and end up having problems that require lots of work and time, this is where marine systems get their bad rep. If you have more questions, as far as actual set up or more details, let me know. I can go on for days in that regard.

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QUESTION: realy helpful info m8 cheers
can you tell me what i will need to buy (do i need a skimmer)or anything else like that thanks m8

ANSWER: Hi Robert,
No problem. I would look into wet dry filters or sump filtration... and possibly a skimmer. Skimmers are not a necessity with a large enough biological filter(1 to 1.5 pounds live rock and substrate per gallon of sea water) and good water flow. I would say that 99% of all aquarists use them, I personally dont but thats a matter of personal preference. A good skimmer wont hurt to have as a beginner to marine environments though. Depending on the size of your aquarium, yours sounds like a 37 gallon from the dimensions you gave me. You can get by with just a couple of powerheads for water movement and a small canister filter system or a larger on the back filter. In marine systems its important that the water in your aquarium is turned(filtered) around 8 times(minimum) its total volume a day. If your not planning on corals(and I dont recommend them yet) your lighting you have will be just fine. Let me know how it goes!

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QUESTION: hello again mate i think i will have a fish only tank with some ocean rock and fake corals can you tell me what kind of fish i can keep in this kind of tank and ones that dont grow to big.
many thanks again mate
         robert

Answer
Hey Robert,
You have a 37 gallon system. The rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish(adult size) per gallon of actual aquarium volume. There are hundreds of species to choose from. Odonus Niger, Niger Trigger is on the smaller end of the Triggers as is Rhinecanthus Aculeatus, the Picasso Trigger. Reaching only 10 to 12 inches full grown. It is really going to depend on what sort of fish system you want. There are Damsels that reach no more than 3 inches, Clowns that reach no more than 4 to 5 inches.... I would visit a site, or grab a book and look up species that appeal to you and read as much as you can. Because literally you have hundreds of choices. I kept a Pterois Volitans, Red Lionfish and Odonus Niger together in a 40 gallon in my office for years and they thrived, you just have to keep them similar in size. Nothing that fits in anybodys mouth. Look at some species you like and make a list and we can go from there if you have specific questions. Id be glad to help you narrow down a community you like.