[mestupidcat]

Hi all!

I'm starting to get the hang of converting tanks from fresh to salt. I've done two cheap tanks. My first saltwater tank ever: an Aquatech 5 gallon Hex from Wal-Mart. Sorry I didn't do a step-by-step of that, but now I have an empty 55 gallon Aqua-tech, so I'll post pics of getting that done.

***

Here's my 55 gallon.




First thing I did was take out all FW fish (rehomed), then unplugged filter and heater before draining as much as possible with the siphon tube/hose(gravel cleaner). If you have a lighter tank, it's very helpful to wedge some books under left or right side so all the water pools to that side. Put the siphon hose on that side to take out the most water (makes job easier).

When you have drained out as much old water as possible, it's time to get EVERYTHING out of the tank (gravel/leftover plants).

Since I wasn't able to lift the tank to put books underneath I have about a centimeter of filthy water left in the tank. I'm gonna see if my husband can put some books underneath one end to help get the last bit out.

I didn't think of this earlier, but if you plan on re-using your former FW powerfilter, the very first thing you should do after unplugging stuff is clean out the filter as good as possible. Throw away the carbon cartridges and get replacements. If filter has the white bio-fiber, just rinse as good as possible and put back in the filter.

Here's tank after I took out gravel (still need to get out the rest of that water and clean my filter):





Yeah, hubby's gonna help me drain out last of water after our 2 yr old is gone with gramma (shouldn't have little kids underfeet while moving around heavy tank stuff).

I'll update later!

[mestupidcat]

Oh, here's an updated picture of my Aquatech 5 gallon Hex. It's a temporary home for my baby maroon clown. After 55 gallon is set up, that will be her(?) new home.



Tank is about one month old.

Hey, if anyone has any suggestions on which protein skimmer to get for the 55 gallon, I'll listen. I was thinking the Prizm Skimmer (within my price range and got good reviews on drsfostorsmith.com).

https://www.petsolutions.com/Default...temID=12515870

Don't want TOO much water flow in the tank that would beat up soft corals in the future..

Thanks for reading; y'all take care!!

[Brewski]

Nice tank - be careful with the larger one and don't get over excited about putting your marron in it.

How are you planning on cycling the new tank?

Save a little more money and buy a bigger skimmer, something rated for about 150 Gal.

A smaller tank has tendencies to be very difficult to keep pristine.

[glampka]

Don't waste your money on the Prizm. Get a real skimmer.

[Krazy]

Dont worry about water flow, alot of flow is good

I've got two SEIO 820's and a tunze 6060 in my 90 now, the corals LOVE it

[Brewski]

I'm in Hawaii right now and unless you've snorkeled on the reef, you have no idea how much cuurent these fishes and corals can handle.

Most fish go with the flow and most corals - brain, sps, love it. there are very few that don't like the movment - when the trade winds roll into Maui at 11:00 am every day it gets really rough - you have to know where the edges of the reef are so you don't get beat-up.

[jvharding]

This is nice skimmer:

CPR Bak-Pak 2R+ Reef Ready Protein Skimmer - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

The more flow the better your nitrogen exchange will be!

[mestupidcat]

Hi everyone. Sorry taking my time on this. Still cleaning out the tank. Didn't have any help tilting tank to drain last bit of water, so I used a washcloth to soak up water then squeeze out into bucket (all that brown bottom water). After getting out about half a gallon that way, I actually rinsed off the dust pan and scooped out much of the water and leftover gravel that way. Now, I'm in the process of getting the last of old water and dirt out of tank by putting a little warm water in bucket and using washcloth to wipe off debris This will be a slow-going project (hope y'all don't mind).

I was looking at skimmers, the one you suggested, the CPR Bak-Pak 2R+ Reef Ready Protein Skimmer but its really more than I can afford, so I googled "best 55 gallon protein skimmer" and came across this site: SIMPLE REEF AQUARIUM - BULLET PROOF REEF

Looks like good advice. Does anyone have any experience with the Visi-jet protein skimmer? I really like the price (will also need pump) and "GARF" highly suggests it, as well as TWO Maxi-Jet 1000 powerheads. I open to any thoughts y'all have on the linked site and what they're saying. Personally, I've been using Oceanic sea salt mix and planned on using the same for my 55 gallon. I've had no problems so far with this brand.

Thanks for reading- I'll update when I have some progress.

[jvharding]

Not sure About these maybe someone else can give you feedback the prizm you were looking at was over $80 the CPR is $140 and is a decent unit take a look at this:

Saltwater Marine Aquarium Water Quality & Filtration: Turboflotor Protein Skimmers

or This

Search for 'skimmer' in Home & Garden - About.com

You maybe be better off going with better unit right from the start even if you have to wait to get it! It beats getting stuck with something that does not work well. Trust me on this I have three Skimmers sitting arround.

[jvharding]

The ADVANCED AQUARIA HV 1 Hang on is $108 Excalibur is nice unit should do well for your 55


ADVANCED AQUARIA SV 100

[mestupidcat]

Hi all-

Thanks for your advice on skimmers, everyone. I'm still looking at all the ones you guys are posting and reading reviews online.

I finally cleaned out the tank (just water and scrubbing for me) and the filter is clean, so I'm ready to put in the water.

Not sure what should be my next step after this, skimmer or sand???

I'll either buy the LR and let it cure in the 55 gallon or a 20 gallon. The 20 has a power filter and power head, and the 55 is empty at the moment.
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So, here's the tank before adding water:

***

Here's a tiny mod I did to the filter intake tube (cut off two or three inches so it isn't sucking so close to sand in future):

***

Here's everything I gonna use to mix water in tank:

***

I'll post more pics after I have the water in the tank. I will fill the 5 gallon canister up to 4 gallons each time, add 8 drops Prime per 4 gallons (two drops per gallon) and pour into tank. Each dumping 4 gallons into tank, I'll add one cup of Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix at PETCO (1/2 c per gallon). After tank is full with water and salt mix, I'll rinse off the carbon filter cartridges and place in filter and turn on filter to help mix water.

[mestupidcat]

Just got done adding salt mix and water to the tank.



How I did this was:

1. Fill up canister to 4 gallons.

2. Carry canister to tank and add 8 drops of Prime to water in canister.

3. Add two cups natural sea salt mix into tank.

4. Pour water into tank.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until tank full.

6. Fill power filter with water (priming).

7. Turn on filter.

Salt mix at bottom of tank will be thoroughly mixed in one or two days.

So now I'm gonna keep looking at skimmers and see which will be best for my setup.

For substrate, I'm thinking mostly Caribsea live sand (40-60 lbs) and some crushed coral (10-20 lbs). CaribSea Aragonite Substrate - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

For powerhead(s), I'm considering AquaClear or Maxi-Jet, two smaller or one bigger. If I were to put one Maxi-Jet on each back corner, should I get two 900s or two 1200s, or one 1200??

Thanks for your input. It may be until next weekend until I add something else. Trying to decide what I should add first. Maybe skimmer, then powerhead, then sand?

Open to suggestions from experience.

Thanks,

Jen

[mtfabel]

I think that you should add the LR after you get your skimmer up and running. After you have the rock where you want it then put your sand in around the rock. Dont add any powerheads until your tank has cleared up from adding the sand. I would get 2 powerheads, dont matter much which ones but more flow is usually better.

P.S. Stay away from the crushed coral substrate. Use as fine grain of sand as you can get.

[dfurbee]

mtfabel is right. Stay away from the crushed coral, stick with fine grain sand.

[mestupidcat]

Hi everyone:

Just an update on the 55. Still haven't added anything else. Had to quit job because dad got sick (mom WAS babysitter) but this Saturday I should be getting birthday money to help out tank. May 19th I'm trying to get to a Dallas (DFWMAS) frag swap where I can get a used skimmer from another member, maybe LR, powerhead or two. Not sure if I want LR or LS first. After I get the LR, I'll want powerheads blowing on them and a skimmer to suck out the bad stuff. After this weekend I'll surely have something new for the tank. You guys think you're tired of waiting.. boy.. wish I still made money every week. Anyone know any tried-and-true work-at-home ideas??

I'll update soon. Oh, last I checked my salt level was low, but some water has evaporated since then.

[mestupidcat]

Okay, I went to the local frag swap and got 25 lbs of live rock for $50 and a used 1200 maxijet powerhead for $10. Everyone should join their local marine aquarium group. This was a very cool outing and I think I got pretty good deals. From pet store I bought 40 lbs of live sand ($50). Oh- and day before yesterday I bought an Aquatech powerhead from Wal-Mart ($20).

Here's an updated pic of 55 gallon ( the smaller new rocks are put into my 20 gallon until later):



Here's the sand and new powerhead I bought (on left in tank picture):



I guess I can add the sand at any point now. May be more helpful to cycle, so I'll post new pic after I do. I have the powerheads blowing on the rocks and I'll turn filters and powerheads off when I pour in the sand.

Thanks for reading- take care!

Oh- and I wanted to get a decent protein skimmer used, but no one brought one, so I'll get one later, but before any fish go in.

[mestupidcat]

Hello again all-

I added the sand about a week ago. It was really cloudy for the first 2 days, took about 6 days for the water to clear up completely.

Sand or rocks first?? Everyone has a different opinion on this.. I used to think sand first but for this tank I added sand after rocks. I won't do this again. I'll be adding sand first for a few reasons: good bacteria in sand, takes 2-6 days for your water to get clear again, there are elements in live sand that are good for the water, helps stablize pH.

Here is the 55 gallon now:



I took out the smaller rocks and put them in my 20 gallon for now. They'll be added back when I get closer to having tank ready. I still need a hang on skimmer and 50/50 light bulbs. I guess that's all for now. I've been adding Kent Essential Elements once a week to help the water.

Bye!

[blind1993]

i have found a hob skimmer for just 13 bucks shipped go to petsmart.com and look for supreme skilter by danner it does not say it is a skimmer but it is

[glampka]

Save your money - the Skilter is not good at all.

[blind1993]

what is bad about it

[jvharding]

This Unit would be great System to add to this set up IMO!


Store

[mestupidcat]

The Refuge looks nice. So the attached skimmer skims all the tank water? Does it hang over the outside of the tank? Looks like it.

I'll be getting coralife 50/50 bulbs and a skimmer next, then after water is where it should be I'll start adding the rest of the rocks with corals.

Next update will be after I get new bulbs, should be maybe this next weekend.

[blind1993]

it looks like an intank

[dfurbee]

No, that refugium is a hang on tank! I have one, and they are awesone

[blind1993]

i thought he was talking bout something else