Thinking About Setting Up :)

[BOD]

Hi latley ive been seriously considering a marine tank, when ever me and my mum go to the pet store we always spend ages in the marine section admiring the fish.

So my first question is, i want to use one of my existing tanks to start up and its between the 35G and the 22g.

So 1) shall i empty the 22G and start a very small marine tank, which is probably considered a nano?

Or 2) Sacrifice my mbuna in the 35G for a marine.

ps: im still not even sure arghhh it seems like a big plunge going to salt water but i think im ready and willing to learn everything about it. one things for sure im going to be taking it very very slowly indeed.

 

[mantis147]

Hi latley ive been seriously considering a marine tank, when ever me and my mum go to the pet store we always spend ages in the marine section admiring the fish.

So my first question is, i want to use one of my existing tanks to start up and its between the 35G and the 22g.

So 1) shall i empty the 22G and start a very small marine tank, which is probably considered a nano?

Or 2) Sacrifice my mbuna in the 35G for a marine.

ps: im still not even sure arghhh it seems like a big plunge going to salt water but i think im ready and willing to learn everything about it. one things for sure im going to be taking it very very slowly indeed.

There is quite a difference in cost aswell! My first one cost me a fortune to setup. Most people say larger is better because there is more room for error. I started with a 80 Gallon but as you can imagine the larger the tank the more you will pay for the equipment & contents.

 

[BOD]

yea im considering cost and everything, which is why i said i would be going quite slowly...

 

[Aquascaper]

The only real cost difference between the 22g and the 35g will be the live rock.

Using the 1lb per gallon recommendation a 22g will require approx. 22lbs (10kg) whereas a 35g will require approx. 35lbs (16kg)

At £10/kg (approx.) you're looking at a difference of about £60 - not much when you consider the benefits of having the extra 13g

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, another thing to consider, do you plan on doing a reef or a fish only with live rock FOWLR? If you plan on reefing, your costs will go up a LOT, and also you need to make sure the tank was never treated with copper since copper gets stuck in the silicone seals will kill your corals and inverts.

 

[mantis147]

The only real cost difference between the 22g and the 35g will be the live rock.

Using the 1lb per gallon recommendation a 22g will require approx. 22lbs (10kg) whereas a 35g will require approx. 35lbs (16kg)

At £10/kg (approx.) you're looking at a difference of about £60 - not much when you consider the benefits of having the extra 13g

Not just live rock, More salt will be needed, ro water water changes will be slightly bigger, substrate, possibly more lighting.

I mean the cost from tropical to marine not just the size.

 

[Aquascaper]

So my first question is, i want to use one of my existing tanks to start up and its between the 35G and the 22g.

So 1) shall i empty the 22G and start a very small marine tank, which is probably considered a nano?

Or 2) Sacrifice my mbuna in the 35G for a marine.

The question is clearly whether to use a 22g or a 35g, not whether to convert from freshwater to marine. With that in mind the costs between the two tanks is neglible, the main expense being the live rock quantity as mentioned. The dimensions of the tanks will be so similar that the same lighting will suffice for both and if you are going to argue over an extra 1.3g of saltwater per water change then you really shouldn't even be considering starting a saltwater tank

 

[BOD]

Just spoken to my mum and she said yes yay! im going to do the 35G hmm got lots to think about and read up on now....

What has copper in it...or would i know if i have used copper?

 

[Aquascaper]

Have you used any medications in the tank? The majority of freshwater medications have copper as an active ingredient. Take a look at the silicone seals as well, if they are discoloured blue then copper has leached into the silicone and you will not be able to use the tank to house corals.

 

[BOD]

dang! my seals are discoloured blue so this means i wont be able to have corals, fair enough, but can i still use it for marine fish then or not?

 

[Aquascaper]

You will be bale to set up a FOWLR tank without any problems, you may find that some soft corals grow anyway - it's just not a good idea to go out and buy any just in case.

 

[SkiFletch]

You will be bale to set up a FOWLR tank without any problems, you may find that some soft corals grow anyway - it's just not a good idea to go out and buy any just in case.

Agreed, you might have some luck with mushrooms as well, but dont be surprised if you have difficulty

 

[BOD]

i dont think i would go out and buy a coral anyway, but some one said about the inverts? would it kill them?

Basically i want the fish, im not bothered about having a reef as such.

 

[SkiFletch]

I would imagine crabs and snails would be OK. I wouldnt try anemone or urchins though

 

[BOD]

shrimps and stuff the cleaners of the tank will they be ok then?...i dont think im going to deleve into urchins and startfish etc....