Right now I have 2 tanks, a 10 gallon with 6 zebra danios and a 20 gallon with black mollies, platys and guppies (2 of each). I am thinking of moving my danios to the larger tank and I want to make the 10 gallon a saltwater tank. I am not sure what kind of fish to get, or to make a reef, or to have something like a sand dollar or star fish. And plus I don’t have the slightest clue how to cycle a saltwater tank. Would the current fresh water filter still work? Can someone give me the low down on how to set a salt tank up?

Hello! I think I’m finally ready to start taking on the responsibility of a salt water tank. I’ve been keeping tropical fish for quite some time and I told myself, if that went well, I’d try salt water. So… I have a 29 gallon tank. I know this isn’t the best size and the bigger the better, but I want to try this.

So can someone walk me through the process? The WHOLE process please?? lol.

And then just a couple questions…

I’ve heard that I do need a protein skimmer and that I don’t need a protein skimmer… Do I? And what does it actually do? Salt water books don’t explain much, I’ve found.

Same questions for power heads. Do I need one and what does it do?

How long should my tank sit before I start adding fish?

What kind of fish would be pretty to look at and easy (as easy as they come)?

And… live rock? Reef tank? What does it all mean?!?!

Thanks guys. I really want to do my reseach before I start this.
Hi again! Just so I don’t get repeat answers, I do know what the nitrogen cycle is.

And by "sit," I mean how long should I let my tank run once I have it set up? I know about nitrate, nitrite and ammonia, but when I start a fresh water tank, my water is clean (no ammonia, etc…). Is it different with saltwater? I’m a little confused…

But thank you so much BIGgourami. I’ll probably take you up on the email suggestion!

I really just need to know about the things that make saltwater different from freshwater.

i have a 40g and was woundering is it ok to used Reef rocks, real fossilized coral rocks in my fresh water setup? is it good or bad? i got about 4-5 small/medium size rocks.
they are new, what is the best way to prep them? i hear wash them good using tank water, rather than water from the faucet