10 gal nano

[Ayzel1]

[emoji24]I just recently lost my figure eight puffer Keiko!!

Once Keiko passed and I removed him, I took out all the plastic decor out and left the large rocks and gravel in the tank. I also did a normal water change. My question is: once I add marine salt to the tank, do I still need to cycle the tank?
The tank has an aquaclear 50, Fluval heater, and a Hydor nano power head. The only thing that I would need to replace is the light in order to make it adequate for a small reef. Mi fish wish list for this tank is a mandarin, with a shrimp. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Paullawr]

Good question.

Yes it will - sort of. The bacteria will adapt but it will take probably a fortnight for everything to resettle.

I'd give everything a good clean gravel etc with salt water. Just to get any mulm out. Then start running it.

Check it in a week and see where you are at.

Sorry for your loss btw.

 

[wkscott]

The nitrifying bacteria in freshwater are different then those in saltwater. They will die when saltwater is added. The entire cycling process will start from square one. It's best to completely tear down the tank and throughly clean everything. Although you can wash and reuse the gravel, it's designed for freshwater tanks and may contain minerals, metals, or plastic coating that could be harmful in saltwater.
Mandarin fish are not good beginner fish. Many will only eat live pods. They generally need a large established tank that usually will have a thriving pod population.
There are several articles on this site regarding setting up your first marine tank.

 

[Paullawr]

Actually that's not quite true and were talking brackish to salt.

 

[Ayzel1]

The nitrifying bacteria in freshwater are different then those in saltwater. They will die when saltwater is added. The entire cycling process will start from square one. It's best to completely tear down the tank and throughly clean everything. Although you can wash and reuse the gravel, it's designed for freshwater tanks and may contain minerals, metals, or plastic coating thst could be harmful in saltwater.
Mandarin fish are not good beginner fish. Many will only eat live pods. They generally need a large established tank thst usually will have athriving pod population.
There are several articked on this site tegsrding setting up your first marine tank.

Thank you for the feedback, but I already have a 120gal saltwater DT. I have read that Mandarins do requires pods in order to survive. I am looking for options when it comes to using the existing stuff that the tank currently have without adding the extra expense. Thank you!!

 

[wkscott]

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[Paullawr]

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It's not criticism.

Bacterial strains that we are interested and harbour safely in the aquariums are the same.

It will take some time to adjust inbetween they may enter a dormant stage.

Take microbacter 7. A very well known additive. Used in fresh and salt.

 

[Paullawr]

And again...We are talking brackish to salt which in terms of change is low on adaption.

 

[Andrewalex11]

Yikes a F8 puffer in a 10g FW ?

The best advice for you is that it's time to start a new. Remove everything from the tank clean all of your equipment and tank really well, then follow one of the guides on setting up a brand new SW nano reef aquarium. It's going to take about a month to complete your first tanks cycle and make it safe for any life to be sustained in there so I'd take that time to really research what you're going to stock inside of it. A mandarin is definitely not a good option especially in a new tank they need pods, and lots of them.

 

[Ayzel1]

I have been looking into lighting, have any of you guys used anything like this?
Niello 18W LED Aquarium Light Bulb Hood Lighting for Aquarium and Plant Growth,Full Spectrum Lights,Blue and White Light for Reef or Freshwater Refugium-Maximum PAR for Coral and Plant Growth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4JG74A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pjs6ybAD096HN