Converting To Saltwater

[retiredfish377]

I have a 20 gallon tank i want to convert to a saltwater tank
at present it has a flouresent light aquaclear 150 filter and the heater i,m checking to see if it is safe for saltwater tanks also what kind of test kits do i need also what is the best type of substrate
thanks alot for your help

 

[k.o.d]

Hi there

Do you want a reef system or a fish only system?

Fish only will need the salt for the water plus either a coral gravel or coral sand substrate, the filter, plus maybe another for the extra filtration, convert your flourescent to a marine type light, either a daylight or 50/50. A few pieces of ocean rock for the fish to hide around. Put some polyfilter in the filter and it will remove protein based compounds, the requirement for skimming is not as great in a fish only system.

For a reef system you will need
live rock
a skimmer (optional if you run a sump with eco-system)
powerheads/water pumps for plenty of water circulation
a much uprated lighting system - minimum of T5 lights, mix of daylight and actinic spectrum
an aragonite substrate will help buffer the water

Test kits would be
minimum

ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
pH
hardness tester
phosphate
calcium

 

[Aquascaper]

Much more importantly has the tank been involved in any treatments of fish using copper based meds?

If it has forget about Live rock and Corals as the copper in the meds will have leached into the silicone and will leach back out over time and will wipe out the reef.

 

[retiredfish377]

i have not used any meds in the tank at all as in 2 yeas no sick fish at all