What do I need?

[gatorfreak89]

Alright, I just bought a 46 gallon bow front tank and I am going to make it a saltwater tank. What is the best filter for it? What light should I get if I just want a few soft corals? Best substrate?, etc. Any advice would be great

 

[BalaShark]

Any advice would be great

Start by reading the stickies. When you decide to buy something, buy the best you can afford, i.e. lights, protein skimmer. That way, you won't kick yourself later when you find out what you have needs to be upgraded. Also, by doing this, you avoid having a basement full of useless fishtank crap that nobody else wants

 

[Lorna]

Most definitely.......we all have rooms of stuff that we bought and now are the proud owners of.....uselss stuff

 

[S.Reef]

First and foremost you will need live rock...roughly a pound per gallon. A good HOB skimmer is also recommended...lighting you could go T5 or CFs all depends on how much you want to spend

 

[exhumed07]

on the whole what u need subject I kinda have a question. I been looking at a 125 gallon tank that I want to do as a big cichlid tank and convert my 55 to a salt water. now I know it's not cheap but I"m wondering for myself how much it would cost to convert a 55 to saltwater considering all I have is only the tank.

 

[S.Reef]

under a grand

 

[S.Reef]

very rough estimate-it can be done for a whole lot more

rock-$200
substrate-$40
filter-$60
Skimmer-$100-200
light-$250
salt-$20

 

[exhumed07]

ok may be a few years yet before I get it lol

 

[S.Reef]

i would look on craigslist and local forums for used equipment or people taking set ups down you can get a lot for this stuff for cheaper

 

[exhumed07]

I think of it the same way ase used parts for my truck. don't do it cause I have no idea what kinda condition it realy is. I just don't buy used

 

[Lorna]

Funny I would take the 125 to salt and leave the 55 for the cichlids. It would only cost marginally more....more rock, more sand etc....