10 Converting to Saltwater
Description
This article is from the Beginning Saltwater FAQ, by Thomas Sasala with numerous contributions by others.
10 Converting to Saltwater
One of the most frequently asked questions in the news groups is how
to convert from freshwater to saltwater. What equipment needs to
replaced, what needs to purchased, etc..
Most equipment used in freshwater can be used in a saltwater system,
with a few exceptions. You should start by replacing your gravel with
some sort of calcerous material. Examples include crushed coral,
dolomite and argonite. Using these types of substrate tend to help
buffer the water and produce a more stable environment. Next, you need
to check all your equipment for anything metal. Saltwater will rust
anything except the highest grade stainless steel. There are stainless
steels on the market which will rust when exposed to saltwater.
Needless to say, you need to replace or get rid of anything made of
metal.
The filtration system used in your freshwater system will usually be
adequate for a saltwater system. However, you can use this opportunity
to upgrade or change filtration mechanisms. Also, which ever type of
filtration system you are using, you should add some sort of extra
water circulation to the tank. Saltwater has a lower dissolved oxygen
content than freshwater, so you need to keep the water in the tank
moving. Actually, it needs to do more than move. You need to disrupt
the surface of the water to maximize oxygen transfer with the
atmosphere.
The lighting you used for you freshwater system should also work for a
fish-only saltwater tank. However, if you want to keep invertebrates,
you will need to upgrade (more that just your lighting).
One part of a freshwater system that needs to be replaced is the food.
Marine fish need varied diets. You need to supply your fish with a
combination of fresh, frozen and live food. Flake food, although
adequate, should not be the major portion of your fish's diet.
Finally, when you are ready to make the switch to saltwater, you
really should replace all the water in your system. It is best to
start with nitrate free water to minimize the potential for algae
problems. Also, many people think that adding salt to a cycled
freshwater tank will yield a cycled saltwater tank. Experience have
shown this is not true. Saltwater nitrifying bacteria are different
than freshwater nitrifying bacteria, so they must be cultured from
scratch. As a note, nitrifying bacteria seem to be pH and temperature
sensitive. So moving some gravel from a warm saltwater tank (~85F/24C)
to a temperate saltwater tank (72F/21C) will shock the bacteria enough
to nullify any advantage from using the gravel (e.g., to shorten the
cycle time).
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