I have a 100 gal. cichlid tank that I want to change to a saltwater tank. My question is can I use the rock, sand, shells and other things in my saltwater tank? Can I just add some live rock and coral? What should I do? I have a penguin 400, 2 eheim ecco filters, a powerhead, heaters and plan on buying a uv filter. Any help will be appreciated
Freshwater to saltwater
- Thread starter hebrewdiver
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Rob.D
Moderator
I can only assume you have solid rock, the porosity of marine rock is what helps give a lot of surface area for denitrifying bacteria to colonize. Most freshwater sand is silica based, if I'm not mistaken (don't take my word for it), silica is bad in marine tanks. A canister filter can be used but not recommended for a reef tank, I would look into setting up a sump/internal skimmer set up in lieu of the canister. Lastly, UV is also not typically used on a reef tank, it sterilizes good "bugs" that you want reproducing in your tank.
leptang
Well-Known Member
I wouldnt bother using a penguin 400 or a UV filter. Aragonite rocks are used mostly, they are the best at bacteria filtration that brakes down the nitrogen cycle along with helping buffering the pH.
The eheimecco filters can be used with active carbon to reduce yellowing of the water and other harmful impurities that might enter your water, also you can use other media that removes phosphate to reduce unwanted algae growth in these filters. IMO aragonite sand is the best sand to use because it will help buffer pH swings, and less likely to contain metals, and large amounts of silica. (Silica is use by many organisms like sponges but not in larger amounts that can cause algae growth). A heater is a heater use it if you have problems keeping water around 75f to 79f. I assume your fishtank isn't drilled so you don't have a over flow to drain to a sump that holds your filters. This is OK not to have if you're on a budget. I strongly recommend a hang on back protein skimmer! This filter helps remove organics before it decays into the nitrogen cycle and phosphate buildups.
The above info will help keep organics low in a reef aquarium along with water changes. Over time corals grow and they suck up the elements in the water to grow. The main building blocks are pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, salinity and levels must be tested regularly and maintained for good coral health and growth along with proper strong lights
The eheimecco filters can be used with active carbon to reduce yellowing of the water and other harmful impurities that might enter your water, also you can use other media that removes phosphate to reduce unwanted algae growth in these filters. IMO aragonite sand is the best sand to use because it will help buffer pH swings, and less likely to contain metals, and large amounts of silica. (Silica is use by many organisms like sponges but not in larger amounts that can cause algae growth). A heater is a heater use it if you have problems keeping water around 75f to 79f. I assume your fishtank isn't drilled so you don't have a over flow to drain to a sump that holds your filters. This is OK not to have if you're on a budget. I strongly recommend a hang on back protein skimmer! This filter helps remove organics before it decays into the nitrogen cycle and phosphate buildups.
The above info will help keep organics low in a reef aquarium along with water changes. Over time corals grow and they suck up the elements in the water to grow. The main building blocks are pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, salinity and levels must be tested regularly and maintained for good coral health and growth along with proper strong lights
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