New to SW

[Tortie]

Wasn't sure whether this should go under general or beginner, sorry if I chose the wrong one.

Right now I have a 10G with one juvenile african cichlid (mbuna). I was going to upgrade to a 29 and get cichlid sand and the whole deal and then I remembered that I had loved clownfish and if I were to make a switch, why not just leave the tank and go from FW to SW.

I have many questions; basically I'd like to know if this is an easy or difficult process (FW to SW), what equipment will have to be changed/replaced or kept, and the differences between managing a FW and SW aquarium (water parameter-wise). Also, what kind of substrate is recommended? Right now, I have just a plain blue gravel but I was hoping to change that to Eco-complete cichlid sand (live sand). I was wondering if I could even use this brand of sand for the tank (it's supposed to buffer pH, I don't know if this would be alright for SW fish).

For my 10, I have a Whisper HOB filter and a standard (I forget the brand) heater. I keep the temperature at 79 degrees and the pH is about 7.8.

I'd also like to know if it is reasonable to house a pair of false percula clowns in a 10G. It's going to be a FO tank, so no annemonies, but I'd also like to know what to add to the tank to make it more comfortable for the clowns.

If you need any more information or have anything else that you'd like to add about keeping a SW tank, all will be appreciated!

 

[Trogdor]

Well your biggest difference between saltwater and freshwater (besides the salt) is your lighting. Lighting can run a few hundred dollars because of the intensity of lights that you need to run. Metal Halides are the preferred lights atm and T5 HO are a close second. Power compact lights can be used on shallow tanks (imo under 24" deep).

If you choose to use a substrate, sand is the substrate of choice. Aragonite based sand is suggested because it will help buffer the pH. Temperature range should be between 76F and 82F, most keep there tanks around 80F. Stability is usually the key more than being a couple of degrees high or low.

A 10g tank should house a perca pair just fine. Here is a fish guide that a member here created to help with selection of fish. This should help on what you can put in your tanks.

Hope that helps a little and welcome to nanotank

 

[Tortie]

I've heard and read that as long as I'm not keeping any inverts that lighting shouldn't be a problem (but I could be mistaken). I think I'm going to pick a sand substrate that buffers pH, it seems the best way to go.

Thanks for the link to the fish guide, I'll definitely have a look through it.

Thanks very much!

 

[KidNano]

my understanding is in a FO tank lighting isn't really critical. Also if by inverts you meant crabs, shrimp, starfish,etc...... then I don't believe lighting is important for them either.

Good luck.

 

[Trogdor]

That's true about the lighting. But once you get the coral bug then you will need better lights.

 

[The Kapenta Kid]

There is a huge amount of easily accessible info on the Net explaining how to set up SW systems and even how to convert from FW to SW and what you can keep and what should be replaced. The problem is more to digest the mass of information than to find it.
For FO and mobile inverts like shrimps, snails, crabs etc. you don't need fancy lights.
The folks who make Eco Complete, Carib Sea, also make SW substrates like Ocean Direct and various aragonite live sands, so you should use these or even just barren aragonite sand instead of Eco Complete which is designed to support plants which you won't have in SW.
Basically, in order to create a home for a couple of Percs in your 10g I'd say you only need to add salt water. Your existing filter, heater, and lights will suffice.
It would be better to have a buffering sand like aragonite but it is not essential.

 

[Tortie]

Thank you for your input. I was talking inverts like annemonies, corals, etc. It's good to know though, that shrimp and most of the cleanup crews don't need special lighting. Alright, I'll go with a sand that's designed specifically for saltwater tanks, sounds like a good idea. Yep, that's what I'm going for, just a home for a pair of percs. That sounds like a great suggestion, thanks again!