[mestupidcat]

Hi everyone!

I bleach-cleaned and rinsed out my former FW 20 gal. I would like to turn it into a SW. I realize it will be harder to keep stable (size) but my new 55 gal is taken by 4 pacus and 2 other FW friends. So I've been doing some reading and I know I'm gonna get 20 lbs live sand, 20 lbs live rock, and salt mix (Instant Ocean?). Recommended (tried and true) websites to purchase from are welcome. I wasn't thinking of corals yet, just inverts, later seahorses and starfish. My questions are more on hardware. From what I understand I CAN use the stock FW filter, but I'm not sure what I should get (size/brand) for the protein skimmer and powerhead. I'm not sure if I should plan ahead and get more power for possible upgrades in the future or just to set up and start up this "little" tank.

I read, re-read and printed out the guide from this site. I also need to make sure I do everything in the right order. Let me see if this sounds right...

1. Mix salt mix and fill clean tank. Use powerhead to stir salt water. Make sure SG is about 1.024

2. Add live rock. (Or should I wait first until the ammonia reaches 0?) I think the LR is what makes the ammonia go away. Point powerhead to rocks til they cure (ammonia reaches 0.) Get out dead solids.

3. After LR cures, add live sand. Let settle and wait til numbers stablize (need test strips) before adding anything.

Any response will help so thanks in advance.

-Jen

[dalamar96]

Hmmm. I would add the livesand first, but that is just me. Also you have to make sure your Temp and your Ph are correct before adding live sand or live rock. But other then that it looks alright

[stupac21]

you can go ahead and add the live rock right away, but you'll have to be patient before adding inhabitants, probably about a month or so.

[glampka]

Add the rock first & then the sand. That way you won't risk the rock toppling should you get burrowing fish in the future. Also seahorses can't handle much current so you'll have to be carful how they are placed. Seahorses also require a special diet so you might want to consider that beforehand.

[darkwolf29a]

I have heard, and I'm going to do this, that a good way to ensure that burrowers don't get crushed is to put the live rock on a couple of PVC risers to stabilize them. I'm going to be making a few PVC and egg crate pedistals (SP?) to put my rock on, so they'll be close to the sand, without putting any gravity on it for my burrowers.

[mestupidcat]

THANK YOU for you your replies, everyone!

20 gallon got taken by jewel cichlid and arrowhead puffer. My plan now is to keep one maroon clownfish with anemone in a 5 gallon and probably get a bigger tank later. I have the filter and protein skimmer running with salt mix water. I'll probably try to get premixed water from marine fish store before adding anything. I plan on adding 5-7 pounds LR, 5+ lbs. LS, then give it a couple more weeks. FS says they have something to put in tank to make ready in a week. I'll probably get a bigger tank before long, or have 55 gallon for salt when pacus move into future pond.

Thanks again for sharing!

[stupac21]

I wouldn't believe them aboutthe "ready in the week" formula they want to give to you. If something is quick and easy in this hobby, it usually doesn't work.