Fresh to salt

[marineBubs]

Hello all,

I currently have fresh water tanks but seriously considering converting to marine. I am only at the stage of dipping my toes so heavily researching this prospect. From what I have been reading on here, it is clear to see there is a wealth of knowledge and more importantly experience. So, if you dont mind, i am sure I will have many questions until I reach that point i will be able to start building

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to reef2reef! There's a lot of help and information to be found here. Do your research and ask questions when you have them. Good luck!

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Hello and welcome to Reef 2 Reef

 

[marineBubs]

Thank you both very much for the warm welcome

 

[TX_REEF]

Welcome, looking forward to helping with your questions as they come up

 

[Waters]

Welcome !!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/
This link has all you need to start a saltwater tank!

 

[Gizmoreef]

I am on the same journey!

Doing my first tank. Check out my thread in the AIO section. Also in the stages of figuring a ton of things out.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! I highly recommend you check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube. It’s a step by step guide to setting up your first reef tank.

 

[kevgib67]

I am on the same journey!

Doing my first tank. Check out my thread in the AIO section. Also in the stages of figuring a ton of things out.

Welcome, glad you are here also!

 

[marineBubs]

Welcome, glad you are here! I highly recommend you check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube. It’s a step by step guide to setting up your first reef tank.

Thank you very much for the link. Week one just started

 

[phillyb614]

Welcome, glad you are here! I highly recommend you check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube. It’s a step by step guide to setting up your first reef tank.

Spot on advice

 

[kvansloo]

Hello, and welcome. I started with fresh water.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Welcome, glad you are here! I highly recommend you check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube. It’s a step by step guide to setting up your first reef tank.

Spot on advice

+1 Absolutely. And I can appreciate the amount of information out there and the challenges of learning it. I came back from a 12 year hiatus, so I feel ya. It's a daunting task. I would suggest that you get your knowledge base to at least intermediate level before starting. Also, create a Database of sorts where you can write things down and store info for future use, cause trust me, there's A LOT of info to take in.

With BRSTv, realize they are there to sell product as well, generally what they carry (although I have noted Ryan suggesting product they do not carry from time to time). When in doubt, just ask and we'll give you advice along those lines.

 

[harlequinfanaticyert]

From my experience, it's easier than fresh water given you invest properly (lots of time and money) and take it slow. In freshwater I've seen issues with plant decay and soil leeching out, the fish aren't as interesting, and water changes felt like more of a requirement. Algae was worse as well, though my tank is newer.

Understock a saltwater tank, use lots of liverock, invest in good stuff, take it slow.. you'll be fine

 

[marineBubs]

I do get down to nitty gritty of hows and whys with anything i get stuck into. Freshwater has been a great journey and still is. Its not just about the fish, its all the science behind everything that is important for me. So study and research are no stranger.

Going slow for marine is my plan. Not looking to attempt anything until well into next year giving me time to get the basic understanding. What i would like to attempt first is using a seabray elite tank (i have for freshwater, and use it for marine with external canister, not a sump. However the role of the ecology with in the tank and water column needs to be understood first so i can understand how this all fits together (if its even possible ) and what role each element plays. So i am going to rake through all the experiments people have tried, learn from their outcomes and go from there

 

[Gizmoreef]

From my experience, it's easier than fresh water given you invest properly (lots of time and money) and take it slow. In freshwater I've seen issues with plant decay and soil leeching out, the fish aren't as interesting, and water changes felt like more of a requirement. Algae was worse as well, though my tank is newer.

Understock a saltwater tank, use lots of liverock, invest in good stuff, take it slow.. you'll be fine

I kinda understand what you are saying.

Freshwater, specially if you do more advanced tanks like discus or fancy iwagumi are pretty difficult to get right.
The balance with plants, ph, CO2 injection is pretty complex if done right. Also a lot of things you just can't dose.

Both aspects are pretty interesting to me. I like the technical challenges.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello all,

I currently have fresh water tanks but seriously considering converting to marine. I am only at the stage of dipping my toes so heavily researching this prospect. From what I have been reading on here, it is clear to see there is a wealth of knowledge and more importantly experience. So, if you dont mind, i am sure I will have many questions until I reach that point i will be able to start building

If you take the plunge, there are some lessons that do not translate from fresh to marine.

Nitrite is one that comes up early in a tank setup. It's not toxic in seawater.

 

[marineBubs]

If you take the plunge, there are some lessons that do not translate from fresh to marine.

Nitrite is one that comes up early in a tank setup. It's not toxic in seawater.

That is very interesting Randy. Thanks