how do i start a BW tank?

W

Wildiana

wildiana
Sep 27, 2004
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0
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Syracuse, New York
my wife convinced me to keep the silver tip which is in FW at this time, he was one of our first and she doesn't want me to put up for adoption. fine.


but what is exactly BW?
is it more than just adding aquarium salt?

any special equipment other than what i have for my FW?

i have a 20L FW

getting a 29H and plan to keep both tanks.

what will i need, i'm getting a 29g TOpFin starter kit. will the equipment that comes with it, will i be able to use for a BW tank?
 
BW is any mixture of seawater and FW. Aquarium salt has nothing, repeat nothing, do do with it. FW + aquarium salt = salted water. FW + marine mix = BW. Marine mix is a very complex mix of materials, far from being undefined aquarium salt - which will not support the life and health of BW and SW critters.

There is no significant difference in SW and FW equipment, except that SW frequently uses more equipment which is not suited to FW. BW tanks rarely use skimmers and such, so it does not apply to most BW tanks. You do need a hydrometer, marine mix, and possibly some different kits - pH is higher, some tests use different chemistry.
 
So what do you plan on doing with the silver tip? It actually will prefer marine conditions as an adult & grows to 18". A little too large for a 29g.
 
I am in the same situation as you, I just recently acquired a black fin shark catfish(same thing as a silvertip isn't it?) aa friend of mine bought it without enough forethought, and now that it got sick, it became mine :rolleyes: it's still in the "hospital" but doing very well. I however am very excited about setting up a brackish tank.it was sounding very complicated at first, but in actuality I dont' think it's that much more complicated than fresh water really :)
there is definitely the expense however of upgrading at a later time! But I think these catfish are worth it, they have such beauty and grace! :)
Let us know what happens!
 
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