Is my tank suitable for saltwater?

HI guys,

I consider myself a newbie to the hobby still. I had a 55 Gal freshwater community and then a cichlid tank for almost a year now + 5 Gal betta tank. i'm planning to switch to saltwater tank. My 55 Gal is a standard size tank (48X21X13). I made a 3D concrete background which takes about 1-3 inches from the width. 1-2 inches of crushed corals.

Now, considering the above information, do you believe my tank is suitable to be transformed into a saltwater tank (size wise)? I heard Saltwater fishes need more room than Freshwater and grow much bigger.

I would hate to let me tank go as I worked so hard for 2 months to make that 3D background. Thanks guys in advance.

 

Any thoughts?! I would really appreciate it

 

It would be fine. just pick fish that are suitable to the smaller size

 

There are many Saltwater fish that can comfortably live in a tank that size. If you have not already, I would look at the minimum tanks size recommendations on liveaquaria and start making a live stock list from those. I have found these recommendations to be pretty accurate.

FWIW, I do not push the envelope as far as min tank size recommendations nor do I recommend trying to do that... I like to set myself up for success!

 

thanks guys, appreciate your time

 

Size wise it should be fine. I would rethink the concrete background though. If its regular concrete I would get that out of the tank.

 

Size wise it should be fine. I would rethink the concrete background though. If its regular concrete I would get that out of the tank.

Valuable information! Is it because of the ph level or what?! The background is glued to the back, taking it off will ruin the tank and the background.. In that case I'll have to replace the tank!!

 

OneWorld

did you seal the concrete or anything? was it fine in the tank with freshwater fish?

you can put water in the tank, put water in a bucket. test both after a few days and see if the water in the tank had a different pH etc etc etc

 

Yeah, the freshwater tank was up and running for about a year, no problems.. I didn't seal it but Initially I had to do water change on daily basis for about a month just to bring the ph down before putting any fishes inside..

 

Guys I would really appreciate some solid professional opinions and facts.. I need to know before I jump into a new field and God forbid harm any fish due to lack of information.. Thanks for the people who commented if anyone else has some experience with my original post, please share.. Thanks a lot

 

if it was ok for freshwater fish, it should b fine for salt. just cycle the tank and test the pH and get it settled down before adding fish. if you can, put a sealant on it before you put water in the tank. that will help a lot. then start small- live rock, cycle. test. add a damsel fish- they are cheap and a good indicator for a tank and for a beginner

 

if it was ok for freshwater fish, it should b fine for salt. just cycle the tank and test the pH and get it settled down before adding fish. if you can, put a sealant on it before you put water in the tank. that will help a lot. then start small- live rock, cycle. test. add a damsel fish- they are cheap and a good indicator for a tank and for a beginner

Thank you so much. So the salt in the water is not going to react with the concrete? The reason you suggested to seal the background is it to control the ph level or it has to do with salt ruining the concrete and eventually harming the fishes?

I'm sorry, I'm really bad at chemistry

 

control pH and to seal in anything you might be concerned about. I have been diving in places where they have used cured concrete as a replacement barrier reef for corals etc to grow on. they use concrete to make pier beams for boat docks.