Converting from freshwater, Need help!

[Floppy]

Hi all. First post in the forum!

Have been fishkeeping for a few years. I currently have a 422 euro bracing tank without sump. Got some goldfishes inside running with OHF. Used to house a RTG ;(

Have been reading up for the past few weeks and here are my current ideas to setting up a FOWLR:

1) Ditch the OHF, can't imagine salt and coralline growing all over my Mr Aqua

2) Use Deep Sand Bed for nitrification

3) Get enough Live Rocks for all its benefits

4) Purchase a big enough Skimmer for the bad stuffs

5) Get two wavemakers as the LR will create alot of deadspots, moreover without my OHF

I'm really lacking of water movement

*5) Maybe I'll keep the OHF with just one layer and use a dolphin pump so I can add stuffs like Phosphate removal or Carbon etc

Intending to keep small bioload as I'm not running a sump. I have some questions which I hope bros here can help

#1 If I were to place an external skimmer below my tank (I have a two tier stand), does the skimmer come with a pump powerful enough to pump water back into the tank from below?

#2 Any skimmer to recommend?

#3 If I were to say use a 4-5" sand bed and get the live rocks, what would be the estimate cost? (Im still serving our country)

#4 If sump is a must, anyone has recommendation for marine tank maker?

Thanks bros for reading. I will head down to LFS after CNY period. GONG XI FA CAI!

[[V]tEc]

What your tank thinkness? 4 2 2 to be safe need to be 12mm thick. 10mm will work but more risky. Deep sand bed do more harm than good. Skimmer will not have enough pressure to pump up to your main tank. Either u use a hob skimmer or place your skimmer above the tank.

[Floppy]

Hi thanks for rply!

My tank is 12mm thick. Ok then I'll stick to shallow bed, save more money also.

Hmm the skimmer thing would be a problem :/

[[V]tEc]

it will be better if u have a sump tank.

[Floppy]

Yeah I get what you mean. I've been reading up to try and see if I can work around not having a sump as that would mean I'ld have to drill a hole.

My tank also has top bracing so the commercial overflow box won't work

Any other suggestions? Im seriously considering downsizing to a 2ft cab sump. My pocket not so deep ._.

[[V]tEc]

For marine, if u want to just set up try try, get a smaller tank first. Often ppl start up a big tank and find that they cant afford to get a decent skimmer, return pump and chiller. I only started my 4ft tank when i have a more stable income.

[Floppy]

Thanks for the advice After looking at prices online. I really think that 4ft is a little out of my budget. Even for FOWLR.

Shall source for 2ft Cube!

[Neutral]

Thanks for the advice After looking at prices online. I really think that 4ft is a little out of my budget. Even for FOWLR.

Shall source for 2ft Cube!

I'm also new to marine.. also convert one of my 322 to a FOWLR.. Having said about affordability of the equipment for the set up.. The life rocks and sand bed can easily hit $150 - $200 liao for my 322. Not talking about the rest. But keeping marine is more fun as the fishes are more colorful.. lolx

[Floppy]

I'm also new to marine.. also convert one of my 322 to a FOWLR.. Having said about affordability of the equipment for the set up.. The life rocks and sand bed can easily hit $150 - $200 liao for my 322. Not talking about the rest. But keeping marine is more fun as the fishes are more colorful.. lolx

Exactly! its those brilliantly coloured saltwater fishes that got me excited

[sun2000]

Why not try to DIY an overflow pipe like this

save some $ and have a simple sump ( 2ft tank?)

cheers

[tjy]

Bro, if you have the budget, you can really create an amazing 4feet tank. But I'd say the cost of running it is pretty high. Equipments like chiller and everything else has to be able to match that capacity. I would strongly reccomend a sump tank...

[Veronicayun Yun]

hi everyone i am new to here... my father use to have a 4ft marine tank 10 years ago but till to tank broke so is gone... hope to keep bk marine fish too... right nw i am usin a 2ft cube tank. with sub tank...

[tjy]

hi everyone i am new to here... my father use to have a 4ft marine tank 10 years ago but till to tank broke so is gone... hope to keep bk marine fish too... right nw i am usin a 2ft cube tank. with sub tank...

didn't you started a thread on your own ?

[Floppy]

Hi bros, thanks for the replies.

After much consideration I have decide to try out a ~30litre tank for enjoyment in my own room (and to keep cost low).

Currently im at 24hrs into the setup and just tested for Ca, its kinda low at 300. Using tropic marin salt. Hmmm

[tjy]

Congrats bro ! looking forward to your posting and updates of your tank

[solasido]

Hi bro, Tropic marine salt - what is your salinity? At SG 0.025 Ca should be around 380 I am using Tropic marine too and initially I didn't understand why such branded and expensive salt has low Ca, Mg and dKh. But now I see the benefit. Lower Ca, Mg, dKh allow us to adjust according to our current tanks parameter to minimize fluctuation when doing water changes. Salt with very high dKh, Ca, and Mg like RedSea Pro will not allow us to do this. Imagine if your Ca is already too high and you want to bring it down. This is not to say that salt with high Ca dKh and Mg is not good. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Floppy]

Hi bro, Tropic marine salt - what is your salinity? At SG 0.025 Ca should be around 380 I am using Tropic marine too and initially I didn't understand why such branded and expensive salt has low Ca, Mg and dKh. But now I see the benefit. Lower Ca, Mg, dKh allow us to adjust according to our current tanks parameter to minimize fluctuation when doing water changes. Salt with very high dKh, Ca, and Mg like RedSea Pro will not allow us to do this. Imagine if your Ca is already too high and you want to bring it down. This is not to say that salt with high Ca dKh and Mg is not good. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hey thanks for the reply. Makes alot of sense! Hmm shall hit the shops tomorrow to get some additives. Or maybe i'll just raise the salinity to .025-.026.

[andythiam]

Welcome. Sump tank you can custom make at serangoon road beside casket. Price reasonable.

[idle69]

Agree wif andy! Went down 2 do my 2 feet sump, abt $60!

[Ccccz]

Bro, serangoon shop beside casket means Singapore casket there along lavender street? Is it a glass shop or tank maker? You must tell them explicitly how to design the compartments or they will do a default sump for you? Thanks for the help.

[psycosis]

Hi bro, sounds like you are in my shoes 4 years ago. I converted my freshwater tank into a FOWLR setup. The tank I had comes with a filter chamber which is operated by a powerhead. It also comes with a built in light hood.

Obviously, this built is not suitable for saltwater life to thrive. So what I did was..

1) installed a 1800 dymax powerhead in the filter chamber to push water into a pre filter(filter sponge) --> canister filter(filter media such as bio balls etc) --> chiller --> tank

2) cut, remove and modify the tank hood. I removed the NO floro lamps and installed some LED lightings.

So, if you intend to convert freshwater to saltwater, you have to do some modifications or improvications to try to provide an enviroment for your livestock to thrive.

Tot I share abit. Good luck with your new setup.http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=194001http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=194002http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=194003http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=194004

[domvonn]

Bro psycosis , do u use a skimmer ?

[psycosis]

Yes, i used a limewood aeriator skimmer in chamber 2 of the overflow. This is because of the limited overhead space. Skimming fine. See pic for better... Picture.

[psycosis]

Cannot recall the brand. I think its nanoskimz or something like that. Skimmers are not essential but bonus to have if you are keeping FOWLR. If your current freshwater tank does not have an open top, i suggest you mod it into open top for better gas exchange on water surface. Good luck on your new setup