Question by tiofilo75: What would i need to start a salt water aquarium with a clown fish?
Hello there. I have had fresh water fish for over 4 years now. I have gradually learned some things and am aware of water maintenance. I do weekly water changes and fish are very happy. I have been thinking about starting a salt water aquarium with just one clown fish. I have a spare 50 gallon tank with a fluval 305 filter. What would be my next step, any info would be great. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Lela F
Your next step would be getting the 50 gallon up and running with RO water from the LFS with about 25lbs of live rock and live sand for substrate (about an inch thick maybe two). Unlike FW, SW cannot handle the other chemicals such as copper in their water (which a lot of water companies add to their water). The fact that you have 4 years experience is going to work in your favor, you already know about water changes, parameter testing, and the need for heaters and chillers. The clown (I know this because I have them) will need a temp of about 76-78. A salinity of 1.021-1.024, and 0-ammonia, 0-nitrites, and 0 to 5ppm nitrates. They are a hardy species, but will die in an unestablished tank. You must complete the cycling process before adding them, and I would give it at least six weeks if not longer. get some media from a well established tank to add to your bio cubes. But not FW bio cubes!!!!!! They will add different PH levels, and so forth to your tank. You want a PH of about 8.1 with clowns. FW has a PH of about 6.8 so that would be a disaster. When I say from an established tank I mean someone with a saltwater aquarium. Just cycle out your filter, get some LR and LS, seed the filter, use the stability and prime chemical when setting up, it will add the beneficial bacteria to your water preventing early tank death, if you just can’t wait to get that little guy but I strongly advise against it until at least eight weeks, SW is different when it comes to patience and time. You have to give it time. Also get a thermometer and hydrometer to measure salinity and temp before you add the clown, also add some inverts, like hermits, snails, things like that before adding the fish. If inverts can survive, then so can your fish. Once all your parameters read 0, your PH 8.1, calcium around 380 or 400, salinity about 1.022. and temp around 77, then add your fish, but make sure you acclimate him well, it is not like FW where you just dump them in, YOU MUST DO THIS, let the bag float for about 30 minutes or so, then open the bag and fold the edges down about four times, clip it to the side of the tank and as it floats,then add your own aquarium water an ounce at a time every ten minutes(about a shot glass) until the bag is full. Once it is, dump out half of the water and repeat the previous step until the bag is full again, now your fish is ready to be netted out. Now for mixing up the water, add the prime, stability, and instant ocean to your five gallon buckets, make sure they read what I said above, then place plates over your sand to keep it from rising also turn off your filter so that none of the sand is caught up in it. Pour in your water, once it is all added then it is time to place your live rock. Make sure you have plenty of hiding places for the little guy, and I do not know if you will be keeping a reef, but if you do get plenty of anemones. They are not necessary, but they will help if you can sustain them. I hope the best for you and hope you get your clown! Good luck! Also refer to this site for the cycling process, www.fishforever.co.uk/cycling.html

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