i have a 29 gallon tall freshwatertank that is cycled and want to convert it to brackish. whats the best way. it currently has a gravel substate. do i need to remove gravel, there goes my bacteria,and put sand in,or is gravelall right for brackish fish. also what can i keep in this tank?
converting an existing tank to brackish
- Thread starter vance
- Start date
Just leave the tank as is, already cycled and slowly raise the specific gravity to where you want it over a period of two-three weeks. Without fish in it of course.
Once you've reached the desired SG then you may begin to add fish.
You could keep one green spotted puffer or two-three figure eights.
Once you've reached the desired SG then you may begin to add fish.
You could keep one green spotted puffer or two-three figure eights.
I'd check to see what SG the fish at the lfs are being kept at. Most lfs keep their BW fish in FW. In that case, then you should start out your tank in FW and raise the SG .002/week, until you reach the desired SG. This is so you don’t destroy the good nitrifying bacteria as you add salt. SW bacteria are different than FW, so you need time for the SW bacteria to develop as the FW bacteria dies off slowly. If the store keeps their puffers in BW (congratulations, you’ve found a store that really cares about their fish), cycle your tank at whatever SG the fish are living in at the store.
the lfs i will buy my fish from do keep theirs in brackish water. the owner i talked to said her husband took care of the water in the brackish fish tank and to talk to him about how much salt to put in the tank. so i guess i lucked out there. they do keep their fish tanks very neat, andi never see dead fish in them like you do at wallyworld. thanks for the tips. im going to start getting hte tank ready tommorow and i'll keep you guys posted.