from fresh to brackish

[fish_newbie]

i have a 20g planted tank(java fern and anubias nana) and i was thinking of trading all the fish in and make it into brackish tank for a figure8 or two ..but the problem is that theres ALOT of trumpet snails everywhere.. i was thinking about sifting through the sand but cmon now ..theres gotta be an easier way i thought to myself ...is there? i heard that the salt kills off all the good freshwater bacteria and the good saltwater bacteria comes in and takes it place ..with that in mind you think that i could just leave the snails in to die and feed the cycle for the bacteria? or just change whole substrate all together

sorry for the "longer-then-usual" post

thanks in advance!

 

[CFC]

The swing from FW bacteria to SW bacteria takes place at a SG of around 1.007 which is higher than recomended for F8 puffers which are light brackish fish and preffer a SG of around 1.005.

The trumpet snails are brackish tolerant and can survive in brackish water right up to a SG of 1.018 and maybe higher, i would leave them in and let them do the job of keeping the substrate aerated and the young snails will provide a good food source for the puffers.

To thin out the snail population place a plate with a small piece of meat or dead fish on it into the tank and leave it for a hour or so with the tank and room lights off, after the hour go back into the room and remove the plate which should be covered with snails, then dispose of the snails as you see fit.

 

[fish_newbie]

wow they're brackish tolerant!? this is gonna be easier than i thought ..coool thanks!

 

[jay2jay99]

A while ago I went from a community freshwater community tank to brackish community tank with four figure 8 puffers, all I did was add about 10 tablespoons of aquarium salt to the tank water, now that was easy! 1 Tablespoon to about 4-5 gallons I'm not recommending it to be done, I don't know if it's risky or not but thats what I was told to do by my lfs and they're all doing great.

Jay.