nancylm
03/10/2015, 06:46 AM
I have a 12G tank that I was freshwater for a couple years. I moved the last few inhabitants over to my larger tank and would like to convert my existing tank to salt. Here is what I am thinking:
1: Get live sand (Ocean Direct 1 inch deep), live rock (10 lbs of pourous), mix salty water, and cycle the tank. Questions: am I right that I don't have to do anything except monitor the levels here since there won't be any fish in the tank? Do I need to add anything at this stage? Sidenote - I will have a heater, powerhead, HOB filter. Am I missing anything? From what I have read, in a tank this small you can be ok without a skimmer and refugium if you do frequent water changes and close monitoring.
2: When I start seeing things growing add a clean up crew. Keep monitoring levels. I want them to be stable for a while so I know they're ok and it's not just luck. How long would that be?? lol
3: once the levels are stable add one Fish. My kids want a clown. I'm thinking a captive bred Ocellaris. I know it can't stay in my 12G forever. But would 6 months to a year or so be ok? I know how big they get but I can't find much info on how fast they grow. I've read that they will use almost anything as a host and I saw a picture of some using one of those spiky balls that sort of look like an anemone. Thought I might try one of those until I'm ready to try a real one. (Do clowns always have to be in pairs? I've read that they often like to be. If I got two, how big would their forever home need to be? I know the minimum for one is 20G but I can't find out how much for two.) Also - How would adding a refugium change things? Do the clowns really need the space to swim or is it more about water quality? I am under the impression that they don't go too far from their host. So I have a small space for the tank but it does have a cabinet under with space for a refugium if that would help)
4: monitor the levels again. Until I feel like I can manage an easy coral. Will need to upgrade my lights. I am overwhelmed by that part as I'm sure I want LEDs but not sure how to know if they are strong enough. Am I right that I don't need to worry about the lights too much until this point? I can use regular lights with FOWLR tank?
5: If I keep one coral alive I'll add another
Also a question about water. I keep reading in some places that RO water is a must and in others it's bad because it strips minerals. Can anyone help me understand?
Thanks in advance for help.
1: Get live sand (Ocean Direct 1 inch deep), live rock (10 lbs of pourous), mix salty water, and cycle the tank. Questions: am I right that I don't have to do anything except monitor the levels here since there won't be any fish in the tank? Do I need to add anything at this stage? Sidenote - I will have a heater, powerhead, HOB filter. Am I missing anything? From what I have read, in a tank this small you can be ok without a skimmer and refugium if you do frequent water changes and close monitoring.
2: When I start seeing things growing add a clean up crew. Keep monitoring levels. I want them to be stable for a while so I know they're ok and it's not just luck. How long would that be?? lol
3: once the levels are stable add one Fish. My kids want a clown. I'm thinking a captive bred Ocellaris. I know it can't stay in my 12G forever. But would 6 months to a year or so be ok? I know how big they get but I can't find much info on how fast they grow. I've read that they will use almost anything as a host and I saw a picture of some using one of those spiky balls that sort of look like an anemone. Thought I might try one of those until I'm ready to try a real one. (Do clowns always have to be in pairs? I've read that they often like to be. If I got two, how big would their forever home need to be? I know the minimum for one is 20G but I can't find out how much for two.) Also - How would adding a refugium change things? Do the clowns really need the space to swim or is it more about water quality? I am under the impression that they don't go too far from their host. So I have a small space for the tank but it does have a cabinet under with space for a refugium if that would help)
4: monitor the levels again. Until I feel like I can manage an easy coral. Will need to upgrade my lights. I am overwhelmed by that part as I'm sure I want LEDs but not sure how to know if they are strong enough. Am I right that I don't need to worry about the lights too much until this point? I can use regular lights with FOWLR tank?
5: If I keep one coral alive I'll add another
Also a question about water. I keep reading in some places that RO water is a must and in others it's bad because it strips minerals. Can anyone help me understand?
Thanks in advance for help.