Switching from planted to salt

[Couesfanatic]

I have been doing planted tanks for about 10 years and want to make the switch to reefs. I did high tech co2 stuff and low tech/ low light also. I have read a couple of the sticky threads but not all of them yet.

How does the price compare to a high light co2 injected planted tank? I've always used eheims and led lighting. I'm not sure what size tank I want to go with, probably a 40 breeder or 75 gallon. Do you have any issues with fish jumping on a open top? Any tank brand recommendations? Maybe an ada 90p?

How does the maintenance compare to a high tech planted tank?

Thanks for the help, I know quite a bit about freshwater and almost nothing about saltwater.

[eatbreakfast]

I used to do both types of planted tanks as well, and found I like reef tanks more.

Equipment is a little more expensive because you need more, then in planted, but if you bought any ADA stuff than you may be pleasantly surprised.

I have found maintainance easier in a reef tank than planted tanks.

In an open topthere is always a chance any fish will jump out.

[flight50]

Your in the same boat as I am. I have been doing FW for the past 13. I am here to learn about SW as well and I have learned a decent amount in the past several weeks. I was about to setup a 90g planted display in my living room to go along with my (8) planted 40g breeder project I have going on in my garage when I then decided to jump to SW for my newest setup.

I ran a mid level planted 55g display tank in my living room. I can tell you, its a different world and alot more expensive. You can't really go cheap equip in SW. You will end up replacing it down the road so save up if necessary. Tank brand is the same. It doesn't matter whether SW or FW especially for a brand new tank. If you find a used one, check for wear and tear if the tank was previously SW.

The water parameters are totally different and alot less forgiving than FW. Saltwater doesn't tolerate Nitrates, co2 only for calcium reactor and some nutrients allowed if there are corals. FW planted welcomes nitrates, co2 and nutrients. Fw plants, substrate and bio media is filter and SW live sand, live rock, coral, refugium and protein skimmer are your filters. Not all have to be used but it depends on your setup.

SW inhabitants are typically more expensive vs cheaper ones for FW. I see the beauty in them both for they are not one in the same. I have been curious for some time to do SW but never really had the taste to open my pocket book so deeply until now. I will continue to research left and right til the end of the year as I gather things I need to get my tank up and running. Good luck to you though. We both have our hands full making the transition. Its a night and day difference and the setup can be 2-3 times more complicated than a high maintenance planted tank but that depends on how you want to setup your tank of course.

[ghellin]

Make sure you have not used copper in your tank as this could haunt you from the start. You sound like you know very well what you are doing with Freshwater but it never hurts to cover the basics. I as well ran high tech planted tanks for many years and migrated to the salt life. It is rewarding plus you can trade and sell frags for so much more than plants lol. Keep your CO2 equipment it will save you money if you decide to do a calcium reactor rather than dosing (I did.) Start with the biggest tank you can afford to get, most want to upgrade within a year if you start with something smaller than 75 gallons. For a fish only tank you won't need much, but if you go with a reef you will need a skimmer, powerheads, reactors, etc. Like freshwater a reef tank can be ultra complex or very simple I have seen beautiful tanks on both ends of the spectrum. I would recomend Craigslist for a tank or possibly full setup, try to find a reef ready tank with a sump. $1,000 can get a really nice tank if you watch, if it comes stocked sell what you don't want to fund new purchases. Tank maintenance can be hard at times but not as frequent as when I had to keep my plants trimmed. A well setup tank can be very easy to care for.

[Mcgeezer]

Maintenance is pretty intricate especially in reef tanks. You have to dose 2 part calcium/alkalinity solutions along with maintaining magnesium levels to support the previous two. Salinity is also critical. Your trying to mimic the chemical composition of natural seawater.

The chemistry involved with saltwater is night and day different from freshwater. Make sure you read a good book about it...and then read it again. The stickies are great...and bulk reef supply has tons of good youtube videos which are very helpful. Everyone on this site is helpful.

Research what kind of tank you want (reef/FOWLR) and understand the specific needs of each kind. Understand your limitations as far as what you can stock in your tank depending on what you choose.

Reef tanks obviously have much more chemistry involved and it's honestly not that difficult....at least after you've learned it. Many corals are very easy to take care of, and many others are very difficult. It all depends on how comfortable you are in your husbandry skills.

I started my reef tank 7 months ago never knowing much other then reading books/watching videos. And now I have a thriving reef. If I can do it, I know you can.

Here's my tank....my starry blenny is hiding

<a href="http://s72.photobucket.com/user/coglitosway/media/imagejpg1_zps0fffd30b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i175/coglitosway/imagejpg1_zps0fffd30b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo imagejpg1_zps0fffd30b.jpg"/></a>

[Couesfanatic]

Thanks for the replies and help. I have a lot of reading to do. I hope I can make the switch after a move in the near future. I plan to save up some money and do some learning before I start one up. Looking forward to a new corner of the hobby. thanks.