I am thinking of switching my 29 gal tank from fresh water to salt water. I am wondering how long it would take for my tank to cycle and be ready for salt water fish.
Fresh water to salt water
- Thread starter RollendChang
- Start date
It depends on what cycling method you do. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. You can cycle with cocktail shrimp, uncured live rock, cycle with cocktail shrimp and pre-cured live rock... lots of different ways. Do you want this to be a fish-only or a reef tank?
I have converted my 44 gallon freshwater to saltwater. I started at the beginning of last month, and I already have a decent foundation built (what is that, about 6 weeks). You have to start from scratch. New water, gravel/substrate. I decided to run an emperor biowheel filter until I could get enough live rock later down the road to eliminate it. Dechlor and age the water a couple of days with the heater (mine's at 78 degrees). Add salt (I used Instant ocean, my SG 1.025) and one raw shrimp for about a week. Added about 15 pounds of live rock about 2-3 weeks after that. After about 4 weeks I added a coral beauty and a coral banded shrimp. Everyone is happy and the shrimp even molted two days ago.
The filter your going to try will work but, you'll have to keep it pretty clean if you want to have any of the nitrate sensative species. You also have to keep the fishes native habitats in mind some of them really need places to hide. It'll work just take more work and attention.
Good luck
Good luck
A cynical reply would be that a sandy tank with only a few small stones is not going to be very great to look at. I would try to get some cover in there.
My feeling is also that the penguin will be working overtime, and you'll never be very stable.
If you keep the penguin, and some base rock and 5 or 10 pounds of live rock , plus another powerhead you can have a much more stable system for not too terrible a price.
I would also recommend Mike Palettas New MArine Aquarium as likely the 18 dollars you'll spend to save the most money/heartache.
My feeling is also that the penguin will be working overtime, and you'll never be very stable.
If you keep the penguin, and some base rock and 5 or 10 pounds of live rock , plus another powerhead you can have a much more stable system for not too terrible a price.
I would also recommend Mike Palettas New MArine Aquarium as likely the 18 dollars you'll spend to save the most money/heartache.