75galguy

Need some advise on converting my tank to saltwater and what new equipment I need for a basic fish set up. Tanks in advance for any help anyone can give!

k19

to start a SW tank it is very hard and very expensive the live rocks,fish and corals all cost alot of money once it is set up it is easer to mantain with you want good info go to marineaquruiamsa

nemo addict

starting a saltwater tank can be expensive as mentioned above ,and also hard work ,,
what was you thinking of setting up >>> fo ,,FOWLR ?? or a reef equipment can be got cheap at the moment due to the ammount of people closing down sw tanks,,what tank size did you have in mind

75galguy

I have a 75gal tank,but from what I have read I can still use my empo 400 power filter for a basic fish set up but I will have to change my substrate and get rid of my undergravel filter system. I already have a sweeper powerhead, so that can stir my tank. I think I need a protien skimmer and a pump but the way my tank stand is configured I wont have anywhere to hide it. I look forward to the challenge of a saltwater tank but armed with the right info it cant be all that difficult. The cost of it I am not realy that concerned with because I can get a basic set up and build on it over time.I will be checking on this thred for a couple of days to see what info may pop up. I was thinking that if I take out my undergravel filter I can add another empo 400 and that should move enough water to filter the tank properly.

nemo addict

are you doing fish only ,,reef fish only with live rock different setups need different equipment ,, and good to see you are not rushing in to it as salt water is better taken slowly ,, people think it happens over night and there the one s who end up with all the big problems

75galguy

I am thinking of some clown fish and sea anenomies and maybe live rock? I dunno yet. I know that if I have coral I need a really expensive light set up and I dont want to spend a huge amount of money right out of the gate. I know it takes a good amount of time to set it up and im in no hurry. My tank I have right now im really into and thats the tank I will be converting so im in no hurry to get rid of what I have. I works real well. I am open to suggestions on what would be the best stuff to start with.

nemo addict

anemones need a mature tank and depending on what clowns you have depends on what they host ,, IMO live rock is the only way to have a SW tank setup ,, as live rock provides lots of benefits and can have some cons but mainly positives ,, as for anemones they need a good lighting system and very good water qaulity ,, a lot of people say 6 months but a tank is really matured by then a mature tank is around a year old ,,, some clowns will host soft corals which do not need a high lighting system ,, but dont count on a clown hosting anything ,, Live rock as i said has many benefits but can be expensive so i would shop around and can be added until you have required ammount

75galguy

What, in your opinion would you start with if you were me? I have a 75gal tank with an undergravel filter sysytem and a empo 400 power filter and a sweeper powerhead to stir my tank.( you can look at my tank pics) I guess my lights are a regular florescent set up.

nemo addict

firstly i would decide on what sort of setup i was having and what budget i have to complete the project ,, personally from experince i wouldnt run a SW with out a sump ,,
so i would build a sump and prepare display tank and stand for fixing to sump (drill tank) install stand pipes and weir (i dont have a weir) if having a weir personal choice(i think you loose to much room)
if not i would sort out a stocking list and build to suit ,,, firstly reasearching each fish invert coral ,,,, and make sure they are all compatiable ,,,, if you cant in stall a sump then same thing equipment to suit stocking ,,,, i am just starting a rebuild and will posting pictures as i go check out others tank builds and get som ideas from there ,,,,

ohh and the reason i preffer live rock and sumps is that mechanical filters can become nitrate factories and dont work as well as live rock good flow and a sump as a filter system ,, as its worked in the sea for years imo eco is the way to go

75galguy

Hey thats some real good info thanks for all of your time!

nemo addict

No problem if you come up with a stocking list and your ideas of a setup we can fine tune them ,, also your DIY skills lol as you will need these
and also what is not practical with your tank ,, like sump under stand as some stands cant accomadate a sump