salt water start up

Question
Hi, I currently have a 55 gal freshwater tank w/a four bulb 48" light,and 2rena xp filters. I would like to change it to a saltwater tank. Is this setup ok for saltwater? and how should I start?  

Answer
Hi Jeff,

  It depends on what type of saltwater tank you want. Do you want fish only with live rock? Do you want to have invertebates - crabs, shrimp, starfish, etc? If you want a reef tank with corals, it is different, yet. I think the easiest way to start out is a fish only, live rock, live sand setup. That way what you have will probably be sufficient with the addition of a protein skimmer which can be added after the tank cycles. The nitrogen cycle will take about 3 to 5 weeks with live sand and live rock only. You could probably add a few damsels during this time to help with cycling. Ammonia will increase as  a natural course of events. This will then turn into nitrites. Both of which are harmful to most species. They then will turn into nitrate with the build up of natural bacteria in the sand and rock. Nitrate in small amounts is harmless to your tank inhabitants. Go to about.com. Click on "games and hobbies. Bottom left on next page will be "saltwater aquariums". This will bring you to the site managed by stan and debbie hauter. Click on "how to get started" and saltwater 101. You will find almost everthing you need and welcome to the world of saltwater. Being more critical as far as ecosystem stability, patience is the key. Be patient and have fun, good luck, gerry.