Author Topic: Converting to salt water set up (Read 2337 times)

mbettman · « **on:** June 29, 2011, 12:37:02 »

I am attempting to convert my 125 gallon freshwater aquarium to saltwater.
I need a lot to do this.
Looking for that left over equiptment you no longer need. Lights, skimmer, live rock, live sand, pump, I don't know yet what all I need. Probably build a refugeum unless I can find one built. Trying a reef tank.
Any comments welcome.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2011, 13:55:53 »

technically you dont need a whole lot if you start out with a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) just throw some salt in there and monitor the water quality for a bit. The tank cycles because of bacteria, the bacteria thats in SW and FW are the same thing (for the most part, I'm not 100% sure, but 90+% sure). But if you want to get into corals, then you would need to upgrade your lights. A refuge isnt a must but it does make life a bit easier and helps with stability because of the extra water volume (more water amkes it harder for things to change rapidly and allows you to have more fish though you shouldnt exceed your display tanks capacity)

And throw some LR in there. It's rather simple.

kattz · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2011, 13:58:06 »

Try All About Pets in West Chester. He has a lot of used and scratch/dent items. So does Gerber's.

I bought my big Sea Life Systems fuge/sump from All About Pets for $100. List was like $575. It just needed a little acrylic work. Cost me $10 to fix and it's been great since.

Kev

kattz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2011, 14:01:39 »

Darin, you just won the "I've made the most oversimplified explanation of a complex subject" award for the club for 2011. You'll find the prize in a flaming paper bag on your doorstep soon.

..

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2011, 14:08:05 »

lol, thank you, thank you, I'd like to give a shout out to my mom, my dad, my sisters, and esp my wife for helping me win the flaming bag of poo award for 2011 and the year is only 1/2 way over with. I DID IT!!!

mbettman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:06:22 »

Keep the comments coming. What about live sand? Is it neccessary ar regular sand? Water? ro/di right?

Boonjob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:11:11 »

Quote from: mbettman on June 29, 2011, 16:06:22

Keep the comments coming. What about live sand? Is it neccessary ar regular sand? Water? ro/di right?

Live sand is best, though dry sand can be seeded to become live(and usually much cheaper to go this route) and is also a good way to go if your starting fresh and have time to allow it to seed and cycle... And yes RO/DI from a reputable source is choice.

If your cycling the tank you will have some time while it does so, to do some reasearch on what you really would like to add.

micki · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2011, 18:23:32 »

I have live sand for you as well as skimmer and sumps!

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2011, 18:55:33 »

i helped micki move all that stuff she listed to her house, its really good condition stuff, i'd get what you could off of her.

micki · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2011, 18:56:42 »

Thanks Darin!

mbettman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2011, 14:10:30 »

Still need lights. Anybody have a good deal?

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2011, 14:16:28 »

i have a couple power compacs that i have been debting on selling. they need new bulbs i think in one of them, not sure how old they are.

mbettman · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2011, 15:20:30 »

Darin how long are they and cost of new bulb and cost?

west chester reef · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2011, 15:46:08 »

I have new 96 watt Square pins from Hellolights if you need that type of bulbs

Boonjob · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2011, 16:02:28 »

Quote from: west chester reef on July 18, 2011, 15:46:08

I have new 96 watt Square pins from Hellolights if you need that type of bulbs

what k and length bulbs are these?

dlcrawle · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2011, 16:22:54 »

96watt would be 34"....I also have two different 36" fixtures one holds two bulbs the other one all bulbs have 3-4 months use on them. The 2 bulb fixture also has led moon lights with built in timers for each bulb and leds. The other is a coral life with one 96watt bulb and no timer or leds.

mbettman · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2011, 22:54:23 »

how much ?

mbettman · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2011, 19:13:28 »

I need a fuge now or a 29 gallon and I can make one. Needs to be able to fit into 125 gallon stand.

Reefpete · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2011, 19:17:19 »

Quote from: mbettman on July 20, 2011, 19:13:28

I need a fuge now or a 29 gallon and I can make one. Needs to be able to fit into 125 gallon stand.

Is that the largest size you can fit under your stand. I know micki has a few that would be ideal, if not perfect for a 125
Enjoy the PC lighting. lol

mbettman · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2011, 19:33:32 »

Stand has parallel braces fron and back. Not sure really what I can squeese into it.

Reefpete · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2011, 19:38:14 »

Quote from: mbettman on July 20, 2011, 19:33:32

Stand has parallel braces fron and back. Not sure really what I can squeese into it.

Are you draining the tank and replacing that pool sand?

mbettman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 20, 2011, 19:56:00 »

No rolling the dice on the sand.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: Converting to salt water set up (Read 2337 times)