| This is not an attempt to lay down railway lines for a | | | | has a quite deep aquarium, and/or hard corals are to |
| converting aquarist to religiously follow, but hopefully | | | | be kept, consideration should be given to metal halide |
| a thought provoker that indicates some of what lies | | | | lighting of the correct wattage and Kelvin rating. |
| ahead. | | | | It has already been stated that filtration will be other |
| Quite a number of freshwater aquarists are tempted | | | | than a canister filter (it can be by canister filter(s) but |
| to keep marines because they see a stunning | | | | these are not the modern recommended way). The |
| aquarium somewhere, or they realize that keeping | | | | filtration of choice is live rock. Live rock can be |
| marines is not as difficult as they first thought, or | | | | obtained as ’base’ which is cheaper, and |
| they feel they have accumulated enough experience | | | | ’premium’ or surface which costs more. The |
| to make the change. Not all freshwater aquarists are | | | | amount of rock is generally1½ lbs for each gallon in |
| the same of course. There are some really beautiful | | | | the system. The rock can deal with ammonia, nitrite, |
| decorated freshwater aquariums about, and keeping | | | | and nitrate (provided it is not abused, it has limits). |
| one of these is as difficult as a reef aquarium. | | | | Further enhancing filtration can be placed in the |
| Once the decision to change has been made, then | | | | aquarium, such as a deep sand bed (DSB). This DSB |
| the aquarist gets down to brass tacks. What next? | | | | can also be placed in the sump. A Plenum (a raised |
| What do I need? What can I use from the | | | | DSB) is another alternative, particularly in the sump. |
| freshwater system? | | | | Algae (Caulerpa) filtration can also be put to use in |
| The first owned item is, of course, the aquarium. The | | | | the sump. |
| second the heater(s). The third, the canister filter. | | | | If a DSB is to be put in the sump, then decorative |
| The aquarium should be emptied and stripped. Once | | | | sand in a fairly thin layer can be placed in the |
| empty, it should be thoroughly rinsed in clean fresh | | | | aquarium. |
| water (tap water will do). Then it should be generally | | | | If there is to be a high calcium demand (hard corals) |
| dried with clean cloths. There isn’t a need to use | | | | consideration can be given to a calcium reactor. In |
| a sterilising agent as the aquarium is going to remain | | | | the larger aquarium additives can prove expensive |
| empty, dry and penetrated by air for a period, until | | | | and impractical. |
| the marine system is ready for assembly and use. If | | | | An automatic top-up system could be put to use, |
| a sump has been in use this should receive the same | | | | again a good addition to the larger system. A small |
| treatment. If a sump has not been in use, then | | | | aquarium can use these devices but they are more |
| consideration should be given to having one. If it is | | | | of a luxury. |
| decided to have one, have the aquarium drilled to | | | | Now what of the seawater. The first need is |
| receive the overflow plumbing. | | | | sufficient dry sea salt. The second, at least after the |
| The equipment needs to be obtained. A protein | | | | initial mix, is a saltwater safe container for routine |
| skimmer should be rated at around twice the net | | | | water changes. |
| capacity of the aquarium system. The heaters are | | | | Actually considering fish and/or corals hasn’t |
| already available - if there is any doubt, or they have | | | | been undertaken yet, apart from the lighting |
| been in use for a long time, obtain new ones (two | | | | requirement for corals. |
| are best, rated at one half each of the required | | | | So the freshwater aquarist has some equipment. He |
| wattage). Circulation creation needs to be considered, | | | | she also has the experience of keeping an aquarium, |
| by purchasing power heads, or an internal | | | | and has no doubt done research on it. On the change |
| wave-maker, or both. A canister filter is already | | | | to saltwater it is evident that a lot more research is |
| available, but it should be noted that this will be used | | | | required, not because the saltwater hobby is |
| for chemical and solids filtration only (bio-filtration is | | | | particularly difficult, but because it is particularly |
| by other means). | | | | different. |
| Aquarium lighting needs some careful consideration. | | | | One thing the freshwater aquarist probably has is |
| What does the aquarist intend to keep? It is likely | | | | patience. This patience will prove to be of immense |
| that a fluorescent system is already owned, and this | | | | value. Peter Cunningham and John Cunningham |
| could be used on the marine system. However, the | | | | between them have been keeping saltwater |
| fluorescent tubes will need to be changed as the light | | | | aquariums for over 35 years. Visit Aquarists Online if |
| spectrum will be incorrect. Actinic tubes combined | | | | you are interested in learning more about the |
| with daylight types are required. Again, if the aquarist | | | | saltwater aquarium hobby. |