Converting 46g FW to SW

[txaggies07]

I am moving to Virginia from Texas in August after I graduate from college. I decided I did not want to move my fish in my 46g FW tank. I also have recently encountered a huge algae problem in my tank due to my CO2 stopping and me not fixing it. So, my girlfriend took some of my fish and I found someone to take the rest of the fish.

I am going to turn this tank into a SW tank. I have been reading for awhile on SW tanks and I have a 12g nano reef so I think I am about ready to make my 46g into a SW. I have a 96W 12000K Fluorescent bulb on there. What do I need to be able to grow corals and such. I dont need to grow everything, but it would be nice to have some options. I can fit one more light fixture on my tank. I have a 30W Fluorescent as well. Would replacing that with an actinic bulb be enough? Should I get another 96W with an actinic bulb? Should I get another 96W with 48W 12000K and the 48W actinic? Should I scrap it all and get something else? I would like to use one of these options because it would cost me less than $100 on any of them.

I have a HOB filter and a heater that will both work for the SW tank. Throw in the new lighting and most of the bases should be covered. I dont have the cabinet space to pump anything out of the tank and down below. What else is necessary for a SW that I am missing?

 

[Reefscape]

Personally, i would replace the light fixture and buy yourself a T5 setup or even a halide lighting system..but, that all depends on what types of coral you want to be able to keep..Your best researching the different types and then asses your lighting after you have decided on the coral you want..

As you already have a nano, do you currently use an RO unit for the water? if not, your best of concidering buying one else the potential to be plagued by nucience algae in the future is always going to be there.

If you buy 1 - 1.5lbs of live rock per gallon in the tank, then you dont need to have the filter running as the live rock will provide the mechanical filtration for you.

A protien skimmer rated at twice your tank size. Am sure the people here from the US will chime in with some good skimmers for you..

You will also need some good powerheads for water circulation in the tank. As your going to be keeping corals, you'll need around about 20 x water turn over per hour. So, with a 46gal, your looking at needing 920 gph water turnover. You need to concider that factor when buying some powerheads..
Niko

 

[txaggies07]

How necessary is the RO? I do not have any water supplies that I can easily tap into.

 

[Reefscape]

just my opinion, but i would always have one...its worth it in the long run and saves the algae battle...

Niko

 

[txaggies07]

Anyone else have suggestions on the lighting?

Also, when I place my tank after the move I will try to place it so I can get the RO.

 

[Reefscape]

the RO can go anywhere in the house, does not need to be near the tank, my RO unit just puts the filtered water into a big drum and i use it from there...

 

[txaggies07]

Thanks for that clarification atnixon.