Saltwater/freshwater fish tank?

Question

I`m planning a 240 gallon salt or fresh water tank. My question is should I have the tank drilled for overflow`s just in case I do decide to start a saltwater tank in the future? Will these overflows help or hurt on a freshwater tank? What kind of filter would you recommend for a freshwater or salt water tank? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.

Answer 1

That's a BIG tank! What material is it? If it's acrylic, the drilling won't be a big deal. If it's glass, any drilling should be done by the manufacturer to avoid cracking the panel.

If you drill, you'll have to keep the water level far enough below the opening that the water doesn't spash out if you don't use it. This puts a strain on hang-on filters from having to move the water up the additional distance. I've had several overflow tanks for freshwater - this can be used for a sump (extra tank to increase the water volume), or to add a wet/dry filter, refugium, or algae scrubber to increase your biofiltrations and nutrient removal.

Wet dry filters provide the best filtration, but unless you make it yourself, these can be pricy. There are a lot of designs to build one on the web, just google DIY trickle filter. The sump with extra water volume lets you add more fish. The next best I'd say is a canister filter. These force water through the media, so unfiltered water can't go over the top like it can in a hang-on, plus you have a lot of media options. Biowheels would be next, because of the added area for bacteria to colonize, followed by a standard hang-on filter.

The only thing I'd do differently between a saltwater and freshwater tank is to add a protein skimmer if I didn't use a wet/dry on the tank.

You can look up more info on filters (and just about anything else aquatic) in this link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ See both the freshwater and marine sections in set-up.

Answer 2

Okay well first of all, Guppies and Oscars are both freshwater fish, and if you decide to grow coral in their tank, the coral will obviously die. Your Oscar tank shouldn't smell if it has proper filtration. For Oscars, a filter twice the size is more ideal, so you would be better with a 100 gallon filter. Why did you remove the filter to your 18g? The guppy fry would not like it as it would present too much of a current. If the 18g tank doesn't have any sort of filtration, I suggest you go out and buy a 20g filter ASAP. I wonder how the tank is cycled and suitable for your fish if you don't have a filter... Oscars will be fine with live plants. They may dig them up, and uproot them at the bottom but you'll just need to stick them back into the substrate. Good luck.

Answer 3

Deciding on what type(s) of filtration to use on saltwater aquarium can be a daunting task. Often times researching will lead you to conflicting information. The reason for this, is because each system is different, and there are pros and cons to each scenario.

A reef tank/saltwater fish tank can be a true thing of beauty...if it's done correctly. The key, the most crucial aspect to this hobby, is to have an arsenal of knowledge at you disposal. The best place I have found for this is the Living Reefs website.

http://www.livingreefs.com/forums/register.php?referrerid=1343

Here you will find MANY knowledgable, friendly, and helpful people in the forums and chat rooms. There is also a plethora of helpful articles geared up for everybody. From the beginner to the seasoned aquarist, everyone can benefit from the information on the site!!! Do yourself a favor and take a look, join up, and enjoy the addiction that is saltwater aquaria!!!!! I promise you that you won't be sorry.

Answer 4

Go SALT WATER. 240 gallons is a very big tank. you have almost every fish option open to you. I live in SoCal and here is the website of the local fish store that I go to. They also deliver.

windowtothesea.com

Answer 5

saltwater equipment prolly more expensive! fish iam sure are!
had a freind who had a lemmon shark in his tank!
way cool!
see what kind of matience for both !
chk price of foods!
keep cat away from fish if you have one!
GL
:-)