how to switch to salt water

[fish dude]

i was wondering if you need anysort of a differnt tank, different filter, differsnt substare, or what else id need if you know please help

ps..this is for my 20 gall

[latazyo]

there is a lot

different lighting options, different filtration methods, different kinds of livestock

basically decide what you want, each different combonation will have a different combo of stuff you'll need

for a fish only tank, you probably own't need too intense lighting, whereas a reef tank will need more lighting for the corals, so....decide what you want first

[fish dude]

i would like mostly fish but probably some coral. ps..how much about will this transformation cost

[99RedSi]

Originally posted by fish dude
i would like mostly fish but probably some coral. ps..how much about will this transformation cost

lol .. alot :). If you want a reef tank, plan on spending around $500, or therabouts.

[OrionGirl]

And don't plan on 'lots' of fish. SW systems crash quickly when over stocked. You won't have room in there for any big fish, and only a few smaller ones. Maybe a trio of basslets, and one of the hardier pygmy angels.

[latazyo]

if you only want a few "basic" corals, you could probably get away with about 120 for lighting, 25-30 lbs Live Rock, 20 lbs live sand, 100 or 150w heater, 2 powerheads

so:

lighting
2x55w bright kit from ahsupply.com CLICK HERE (http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm)
$65
24" premade enclosure for lights from ahsupply.com
CLICK HERE (http://www.ahsupply.com/finished_enclosures.htm)
$35
2 bulbs from HELLO LIGHTS (http://www.hellolights.com)
$25 for 7100k actinic 03
$28 for 10000K daylight
filtration
20 lbs Live rock from www.liverocks.com
$88.04 shipped
20 lbs Live Sand from your local pet store
$35
others
100 or 150w ego jaeger heater from www.bigalsonline.com
$15
salt
Instant Ocean Marine Salt from pet store
$15
Hydrometer from pet store
$5
Thermometer from pet store
$1
water movement
2 powerheads from your pet store
$15 each


I may mave missed something here or there, but that should get you off the ground, so for the "conversion" you're looking at $344.04 and this is not counting any coral or animals

not to mention that my estimates for live rock and sand are a little on the low side, you'd need more than 20lbs of live rock for a 20g and 20g MIGHT be big enough to justify a skimmer also

[99RedSi]

Do LFS by live rock from a local customer's SW aquarium? I'm thinking how to make some of the "investment" back :). hehe

Thanks

[fish dude]

sorry imlate with the reply. thanks for all of the info. i was wondering. clown fish need anenome and is anoenome a coral. does that mean id need lighting. also will this breed and how quickly. thanks

[latazyo]

clownfish don't need anemones in your fish tank...only in nature...sometimes they will host in an aquarium anemone, sometimes they will not, but it is DEFINITELY not necessary

anemones are not corals, they are a different kind of animal

and yes, anemones have pretty strict lighting requirements, etc

they are beautiful, but very difficult to keep in the home aquarium, unfortunately