Converting from freshawater to saltwater aquarium?

Question

I'm converting my 10gal freshwater aquarium to a saltwater fish only. I have a marinelnd powerfilter, thermometer, heater and light (I will change the bulb to 50/50). I know I will be needing new sand (aragonite) and hydrometer.
My question is, do I still need a protein skimmer? powerhead? or my powerfilter will be enough (he powerfilter is for 20gal, so this is kinda strong for 10gal)?

I know a lot of you would say don't use a 10gal aquarium for saltwater, but this is the only available for me now due to space.

Answer 1

Well, i usually recommend 40 - 50 gallon for a beginner salt tank because of temperature flucuations toxic buildup etc, but i have seen many 20 gallons and Nanocube has a 1 gallon out for salt. I was thinking of getting one myself. (i just don't want the extra work)
READ everything you can about setting up a marine/reef tank, they require a great deal of attention to DETAIL and constant monitoring and the organisms that go in there can be very expensive and delicate.
If you are very, very, very diligent, you should have no problems.
you may want to start out with just the tank without the sand but you will still need the skimmer, your power filter should be okay, you can always block part of the intake to lessen the amount of water being pumped into the filter. just attach a hose to the intake that is smaller than the opening. or place a rock in front of the exaust. Good luck, and don't cry when the tank takes a dump and everything dies.

Answer 2

You are just begging for trouble by trying to use a 10 gallon tank for your first saltwater aquarium. Even highly experienced saltwater aquarists will very seldom try a setup as small as a 10.

If you have never done a marine tank before, save yourself a lot of grief and cash and stay with the freshwater tank until you have more room and can afford $500 for the correct initial setup. Marine water conditions are so touchy that a 10 gallon tank can crash in less than a day and kill everything in it.

The bigger, the better. You shouldn't start with anything less than a 55 gallon tank if you have never done it before. Water quality needs to be tested every few days on a big tank and probably daily for a 10 gallon tank. The biggest problem for marine fish is the pH of the water. Salinity is second. You will need test equipment for both.

Basically, what I'm hearing from you is, "The hell with the well being of the fish and other creatures, I want a saltwater tank."

You need to go to "About.com" and follow their links to "Setting Up and Maintaining a Saltwater Aquarium." There is a lot of good information there.

Answer 3

The fact that you have a 20 gal filter is good. I always go for bigger capacity when it comes to a filter. Make sure you have bio material as part of your filter so that you you can grow beneficial bacteria (important in controlling your water parameters) I do recommend you use small power head just to get your water moving. Good water current is important. You dont NEED a protein skimmer. Many people run small 10 gallon tanks just for corals and dont use protien skimmers. This is not the recomended practice but it works. Your water wont be crystal clear but it will be clear enough for your needs. Just make sure you keep a close eye on your water parameters. The smaller the tank the more closely you have to monitor it. Dont get too excited, a saltwater tank takes a long time to cycle.

Answer 4

you could shop maximum people of the decor, searching on what that's. If that's regularly rocks, it probable would not be a strong concept if the fish you're making plans on getting like better acidic water, as they could advance the pH. back, that relies upon at this form of rock, yet commonly the rock utilized in a saltwater tank can advance the pH and hardness. i'm no longer particular on the approaches of eliminating for the salt and algae, yet you may want to attempt a tumbler scraper and a strong soak, besides as basically wiping it down. be careful in case you take advantage of bleach, though - even hint quantities are undesirable, so that's cautioned to apply a a million:19 bleach to water answer - so a ratio of an exceedingly small volume of bleach to alot of water. cleansing soap is likewise undesirable because it may leave behind residue that's a authentic discomfort to get rid of and should not be strong for the constructive micro organism because it develops contained in the tank. And, regardless of the cleansing approaches you take advantage of, that's continuously ultimate to grant it some better rinses - distinctly if that's going from salt to sparkling like this. virtually continuously, the decor (searching on what that's) must be secure. A protein skimmer is extremely in hardship-free words useful for saltwater, so it would virtually be a waste on a freshwater tank. For a freshwater tank, you extremely basically elect the tank, lighting fixtures, a filter out, and a heater - in case you won't be able to gaurantee the temperature will proceed to be in a strong variety that's tender for any fish which will finally end up contained in the tank. once you've any further questions about installation the tank itself, the cycle, or stocking it, sense free to submit them.

Answer 5

go to garf.org they will tell you how to set up perfect aquarium good luck and welcome to wonderful world of saltwater :-D