Is it possible to set up a 15g upright to salt?

S

spankey

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Dec 21, 2001
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Boyertown, PA
I have 2 55g cichlid tanks right now and have a really nice 15 gallon designer upright tank just sitting empty at the moment.. I was toying with converting one of the 55s to salt but really don't want to disturb them.. And I really want to try salt but really don't want to drop a huge freshwater tank that has been established for some time now and possibly fail.

Could I do anything with these dimensions 24hx12wx12deep. Its such a shame to see the tank just sitting in my basement not being used...

My son's and myself love clown fish but don't want to get something that will get too big... Pretty much would like some color but stuff that will remain somewhat small? I have NO parts for this tank what soever. And need some info on lighting.. I want to stay pretty much as cheap as possible without cheating the system... Another words. I really don't plan on doing coral so I really only need lighting to keep live rock and the fish to look nice... I don't have a heater or filter although I would do a powerhead in the tank for movement... Would a protein skimmer be needed on such a small tank?

Any suggestions on setup Fish, rock lighting etc.....

Any info or help you can offer me will really help me out in making up my mind to talk the old lady into letting me set this puppy up again and making it look great!!!!

Thanks so much for your TIME and INFO!!!!!
Spankey :bowing:
 
Hey Spankey,
It's certainly possible to do a 15 tall. It's a bit clumsy for filtration and lighting, but can be made to function. In my opinion, it's about the minimum size for a pair of small clowns, like ocellaris or percula.
For stacking the live rock, it will probably be helpful to build a frame of PVC or something to get it a little taller.
Lighting will be a bit tricky. I don't know of too many PC systems that will fit over a 12X12 space, although you might be able to DIY something with a retrofit kit or two from Aquarium Hobbyist.
A skimmer is especially nice for a small tank. It will help keep the nutrient load down, and aerates water very efficiently without creating a lot of salt creep.
 
mogurnda

Thanks for the reply. I actually went to home depot today and built a custom lid for the tank. I put three compact Flourescent fixtures under the hood and still have room for two more.. Right now I have 39 watts over the tank. I will try to attach a picture of the lid. But I need to take another one. THe light is so bright you can't see the bulbs.. Now mind you they are ones that came with the fixtures so I need to get to the pet store and get the correct compacts for the tank. These will NOT due.. Plus they are very yellow not the bright white you see with the 10,000k bulbs.. But anyrate. I think they will work. I removed them from the setup they were in from the store and hard wired them to the lid and placed a reflective tape under them to give more reflection! So far so good... I just need to paint the lid now. But all and all its done...

I really only want to be able to do maybee 1 clown and a garnet fish and maybee some small hermit crabs.. Nothing really fancy.. I will do some live rock....Maybee a goby as well. Whom knows.. Need to get this tank to clear now.. I just put the play sand in and the tank is dusty... But after it settles I will go to work on cycling it... My kids can't wait to get some fishies in there...

I have a penguin mini in the tank right now and a 10 watt heater. I think I need to upgrade the heater but will do that next week. It was from a tear down tank. Any rate. I also have a nice aquaclear powerhead I am going to place in the tank for circulation. I hope that helps it a bit... The filter and powerhead is out of my 55 gallon.They were both well established for over a year with biological filtration in the other tanks.. I hope this will either help the tank. But not sure if having fresh water bio is going to die in the salt? Need to look up that info...

The mini I was using just as overkill on one of the 55s along with two other large filters I run on them. The mini was originaly from this 15 gallon when it was up. I just didn't want it lying around so I threw it on the 55 with the others... Any rate... The salt is in and my hydrometer is reading perfectly....Temp is an exact 75degrees. So now I need to test in a few days and see how it goes... Wish me LUCK!!!!!

Thanks again and I will keep all posted on the progress of this tank as I go...

Spankey

 
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It looks like you are on your way for sure.
I have a ten gallon hex, which lots of people said I couldn't do and it still has the original four in it. I know I break the rules but mine is set up the same as a FW except I add salt and I have a 2 inch piece of rock and 1/4 inch live sand.
If someone told me about my tank I wouldn't believe them. It's been set up for a year with the same fish and I think I have only done four water changes on it. Everything is testing fine and fish-which are hardy damsels-show no signs of stress. I do only feed once a week.
Boy am I going to hear it from who ever reads this.
PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS IF YOU ARE NEW TO SALT WATER!!!
I moniter closely.
I have a whisper....ummm...I don't remember the size but it's the one that goes with a ten gallon, I have a really cheap ten buck heater, and the light that came with the hex over five years ago. So yes it can be done!!!
Your hood is awesome!! You won't need to worry about the WPG, since you aren't doing corals, unless if you want coraline algea. Otherwise the more lights you have the more of the bad algea will thrive. Then you may need a protien skimmer. My tank has a pretty clear-blue look and it is plenty light and I hardly ever have to scrape it either. LOL I just looked and it is only a 8wat. But really it is really pretty, if I knew how to post pics I would.
The bio from your FW will die off from SW. There is no reason to wait till it clears to throw a couple cocktail shrimpies or a couple pinches of food to start your cycle.
Anyway that's my two cents. I wish you good luck and keep posting!!


Likes to ramble-Tina
 
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