Pondering A Fw To Sw Switch-A-Roo

[qwikimpss]

I know this topic has been discussed many times and at great length so I'm sorry for it right off the bat.

I plan on switching my 75 US gallon high-tech planted set up to a FOWLR setup within the next couple weeks. I have T5 lighting, Fluval 305 filter (I wanna move up to a 405 as soon as I can), heaters, etc etc etc. I have a buddy with a couple powerheads I'm gonna pick up to get more water flow.

I know I need some aragonite sand, a refractometer, salt water test kits and LR. Will a protien skimmer be necessary for my setup?

I plan on using tap water at first. My water is soft <2 dKH and GH and not cholrinated. Should it be OK?

 

[lljdma06]

I know this topic has been discussed many times and at great length so I'm sorry for it right off the bat.

I plan on switching my 75 US gallon high-tech planted set up to a FOWLR setup within the next couple weeks. I have T5 lighting, Fluval 305 filter (I wanna move up to a 405 as soon as I can), heaters, etc etc etc. I have a buddy with a couple powerheads I'm gonna pick up to get more water flow.

I know I need some aragonite sand, a refractometer, salt water test kits and LR. Will a protien skimmer be necessary for my setup?

I plan on using tap water at first. My water is soft <2 dKH and GH and not cholrinated. Should it be OK?

First, welcome. I've seen you post in several other sections. I think I remember you from planted, actually.

You'll need to switch out the t5 planted bulbs to marine bulbs. The higher kelvin really shows off the fish better, IMO.

I just wrote this article today, so let me link it to you. It's not the be all and end all, but it's not a bad starting point. If you have any questions, ask them here.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/381737-so-you-want-a-sw-tank-eh/

L

 

[qwikimpss]

Hi llj. Yeah, I haunted the planted section for a long time, I haven't been around in a while tho. I'm not abandoning my freshwater aquascaping escapades. I'm gonna make my 29 gallon back into my high tech setup (after dropping a bunch of coin on pressurized co2 and a 20 pound tank I'm not gonna give up my plants!). Although I do have plans to switch that out too a 40g breeder, don't tell my wife tho!

I read your article a little while ago and it has done nothing more than get me MORE excited for a new challenge. I've been thinking about it for quite some time and a friend of mine is starting up a 37 gallon cube reef this week so now I have to, HE FORCED MY HAND! LoL. After keeping just freshwater tanks for almost 20 years I'm looking to challenge myself a bit more.

 

[qwikimpss]

As far as stocking goes I'm thinking about some Yellowtail blue damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema), an Ocellaris clownfish (or two if I can get away with it), a Royal gramma (again, or two if I can keep 2-3 in the same tank) and a flame angel would be added last to round out my fish stocking. Would that be too many fish for my tank?

I do plan on having an apropriate CUC but haven't even began researching what I would need or how many I would need for my tank.

Any good ideas for some ornamental shrimp that may go well in my preliminary/theoretical setup?

 

[-Nemo-]

some stocking comments...
Yellowtail damsel: most damels are notorious for being bossy, would suggest leaving him out
Clowns: i like clowns in pairs better, i rhink they act more natural that way.
Gramma: definitely only one
Flame angel: beautiful fish

And youll still have some more room in there!

As for shrimp, fire or skunk cleaner shrimp are both beautiful and have spunky attitudes.

 

[lljdma06]

If you were lucky enough to get a mated pair, you could have more than one Royal Gramma. But it's gotta be a mated pair.