binskiboi

Hello fishlore! I really want to switch from fresh to saltwater in my 10 gallon aquarium! I currently have no fish in the aquarium and it is cycled already and up and running. I have an outside box filter, heater set at 78degrees farenheit, and a thermometer. I already have a sufficient amount of decor in the tank. I plan on keeping it Fish Only until i feel comfortable enough;maybe in a few months ill add live rock? I was wondering before I were to take on this task...
1. Will I have to recycle my tank switching from fresh to salt?
2. How much money a month would it cost for the salt and such to keep it going (NOT including adding rock fish etc.)
3. what fish and how many could i keep in a 10 gallon (was hoping for a "nemo " fish)
4. could the fresh to salt water transfer be instant with instant ocean?
5. Give me all advice neccisary for questions I may have missed!
Thanks alot!

-Binskiboi!

10gallonmadness

First of all, you will have to start all over. I'm not a salty expert but I don't think your cycle will remain intact. For money here's a good estimate http://www.fishlore.com/saltwatervsfreshwater.htm. The Ocellaris clown fish (which is a nemo fish) is a great beginner saltwater fish. Here's some info about it http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-ClownFish.htm. I also recommend keeping a pair (one female, one male) for best results. For a 10 gallon, you cant do much. Maybe 2 clowns, a neon goby and some kind of small invertebrate. Again, I am not a stocking salty stocking expert but this is merely a suggestion. You will probably need better filtration for a future possible reef tank too. live sand and live rock will benefit filtration too, it will also make a more comfortable and natural home for your fish.

binskiboi

ty so much! Looks like ill be cyclin all ova!

10gallonmadness

Yep, we've all been there.

nemo addict

1. yes you would be better of using RO/di water and a good salt mix
2. loads once you get addictted and then realise you want bigger fish then upgrading to accomadate such fish,,
3. not really many look at nano fish section on a online store and research them with several different sites as many say different and take the average,
4, yes but would cause you problems long term with algaes
5, when adding live rock your system will go in to a mini cycle so it best to put in what you want and cycle less stressful for fish ,
you said about decor in tank you want to make sure this is safe for salt water as salty water can leech toxins from plastics and other such items of decor,, my advice to you would be research what you want then ressearch again until you are confident enough to take the next step, as the hobby is expensive enough you dont want to make it more expensive with mistakes
good luck and hope this has not put you off and heped you on your way to thrieveing salty tank

ATP

Yes you will. You'll have to remove all the water that's in your 10 gallon and all the gravel, etc and wash them with RO water (reverse osmosis)
This depends on the quality of salt you're using and the equipment you're using.
Not much for a 10 gallon. Maybe a neon goby or a clown goby. I would not put a clownfish in a 10 gallon. (others may disagree) Especially a pair. Most clowns get 4 inches and over.
Nope. Instant Ocean is a brand. They make sea salts, hydrometers, test kits, etc. You'll need to cycle your tank.

Your HOB filter won't do you much good in a saltwater set up. I would not use the carbon (filter media). The media will cause nitrate problems if it's not clean regularly.

Live rock should be added when your salinity level is in range. (so about a day after set up)

I would honestly research more. Unlike freshwater, you could just jump in and have a high chance of success, saltwater is different. Almost everything is sensitive.

ATP,

MizRamzi

Here's a pic of my 8g biocube. If you research *everything* you'll have a blast!
I have 1 PJ Cardinal, 1 Tangaroa goby and 1 Yellow Nose Prawn goby/Pistol shrimp combo. My tank is now 6 months old! I'm not trying to show off, but just trying to give you a visual of what you can do with your tank if you do your research. Most of all be patient!!! Nothing good comes from trying to speed things up.

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binskiboi

very nice ty! my folks said they'd get my a 12gallon biocube for christmas. Would that make it alot easier for me to get started? (it has a whole walkthrough with setup and for the first 2 months of having your tank going)