nrw saltwater tank

Question

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Followup To

Question -
i have a couple of questions for you. first is i have a large rock with holes in it evry where it is coolest rock ive ever seen it is in my fresh water tank right now im selling my freshwater fish and turning it into a saltwater tank but i want to keep rock in there it is very big rock it takes all most have of my 29 gallon tank up . now can i add some live sand and live rock in there and will the rock i have in tank now get cool stuff on it and become a live rock. and how much live rock should i put in 29 gallon rock with ther big rock. ok also i have to 250 gallon hang magnum fillters will thay work and what kinds media should i put in them one has little byo balls in it and outher has carbon i was tols to use only sponge part of it and get rid of balls and carbon cause the live rock will take its place so what should i do? and, last question. when i tank fresh water fish out can i use the same water and just add my salt ? and will rain water work ass good water ?. also i prob need a protin skimmer right? i no i askeda lott im sry hope you can help me ty

Answer -
hi brandon,

   The cool rock you have in your freshwater tank will be okay in the saltwater tank but only after you take great care in cleaning it and then curing the rock in saltwater. Even though you may not see it there are many live organisms in and on that rock which will die off and cause a problem with ammonia in your new tank. I let mine sit outside for months and then soaked in saltwater for another couple of months after I cleaned it thoroughly, trying to make sure their was nothing dead still left in it. You cannot use the freshwater in your tank and you must clean your tank with clean fresh water before your salt mixture goes in. You won't need a protein skimmer for a couple of months because you won't be able to put fish in for about that long. Except for a couple of damsels to help the tank cycle. When a saltwater tank cycles it creates ammonia, which turns into nitrites and then to nitrates. The water looks the same but is changing, chemically. Live sand and live rock will also help the process. I would get a 20 lb bag of live sand and wait about a week to ten days, then get about 10 lbs of live rock and wait another week and get another ten lbs. Don't put it all in at once. Then let everything settle for about two weeks and put in the damsels [ 2 or 3 ] and let it cycle for another two to three weeks and you should be ready to add the fish you want. I know this all sounds like a long time but your patience will pay off with live fish instead of dead ones and they tend to be more expensive. Get a saltwater test kit to test ph, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Get a hydrometer to get an accurate reading of salt content. Everything has to be right. Please be patient or don't even start or you will be disappointed and I would rather see you successful and happy. thanks, Gerry---also, go to about.com and click on "games and hobbies" [left side of page]. on next page click on "saltwater aquariums" [left side all the way at the bottom], and you will be at the site run by stan and debbie hauter. Take their saltwater 101 class and "how to get started". You will be glad you did and you will have a grasp of what needs to be done.


thank you very much. i was wondering about the rock you said that it would be ok. but this is a chunk of rock that has never been in ocean will it become live rock if it sits in tank and cycles? and will things begin to grow on it such ass crustations and normal stuff that would come out of the ocean . also you never answerd me on the magnom canister filters. and what to dut in them or if i shuold keep caarbon or the bile balls. some one told me not to use ball and carbon for reef tank only sponges.
ps sry pelling is so bad real tired

Answer
hi brandon,
  The rock will eventually have the same things start growing on it as the other rocks in your tank. They are minute life forms floating in the water looking for a place to attach themselves and grow. The filter you have should probably be okay with new filter and carbon material. I am not really sure if you should use the bio balls unless they are in a drip tank as they need both air and water to grow the right bacteria. Remember, go to the website I told you about as the subjects you need to study are all there. Thanks again, Gerry.