aquarium water

Question
QUESTION: sorry about some many questions, but i have the 29 gallon freshwater aquarium already set up and it has been up for 1 year and the water is ro already. i was planning on stripping it of everything it has (gravel & decor) and just go from their so i can set up the saltwater aquarium. also would an  18 watt 5000k fluorescent eclipse 3 light be enough to keep live rock? maybe even coral?

ANSWER: Hello,

No problem on the number of questions.  

Just because it is or was a freshwater does not mean it is or was RO water.

Ro, just describes the type of filtration used to purify the water when it was added to the tank.

After the water is used, and or been sitting, RO has nor bearing on the situation.

And yes, you can strip everything out of the freshwater tank, clean the heck out of it, and then replace with live sand and live rock.

You can use any light to start the 'cycle' process in the saltwater tank.

BUT, that light will not be sufficient for most corals.  Teh color will not be that attractive either.  Reefers usually like colors in teh 14000k range.  (the kigher the number the more BLUE the color)

Intensity is also important.  reccomended lighting for corals is T5HO,  I would suggest something more powerfull then 39 watts and several tubes.

A 70 watt metal halide would be ideal also.

Dont forget that more light means more heat, so you will want fans or chillers to keep the water cool

good luck



bill



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

QUESTION: would the light work for the live rock because i was hoping on setting up a fowlr aquarium with a coral beauty, two clown fish, a fire fish, and a spotted hawk fish. (are those fish okay?) also how many snails and prawn cleaner fish guys should i get? thanks!

Answer
Hello,

as i said above: '...You can use any light to start the 'cycle' process in the saltwater tank..."

AS for the fish choices, they should be okay in a fish only system, BUT, you might not be able to keep the shrimp and snails like you might want...

check out www.liveaquaria.com  and review thier compatibility information.


thanks


bill