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Outdoor pond into saltwater tank?

Discussion in 'Saltwater Fish Forum' started by California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009.

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  1. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I've got a protein skimmer for sale in the Trading Post. :)
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #21
  2. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, lol let me know if you have any for sale next year :D i would probably need to start the sw by then
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #22
  3. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    You're going to need to convert him to full saltwater pretty soon, once he starts to get over 4".
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #23
  4. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, he's currently on the lower to mid area of brackish, how long do you think i have? i got him about 6 months ago, maybe a little longer when he was only 2" if that, and now he's between 3 and 4" do you think he will continue to grow every 6 months, or grow in between, im just trying to find out how much time i have to get prepared for everything, and talk to the dreaded parents about getting a bigger tank, and i know they will say no and turn into a fight
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #24
  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    With proper care/diet he will grow on a regular basis. Right now his salinity should be between 1.010-15. That needs to be maintained and increased very soon to full saltwater (1.018-22). I'd say 3 more months and he'll need to be setup in full saltwater.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #25
  6. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, i'll recheck the salinity today, i gave him half of a mealworm yesterday for the first time and he ended up eating it, i've started to give him more meat based diet instead of his plankton, even though he eats it, i think he may have outgrown that food, so he's had the meat from the clams, which he only eats a little bit, i gave him a cricket for his teeth and that helped since i can't get ahold of small snails, and i think i'll be giving half a mealworm once a week, oh and i've also gave him some frozen bloodworms
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #26
  7. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    his salinity is perfect right now and at 1.014
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #27
  8. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    oh also if i can't get ahold of small snails, should i try a crab
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #28
  9. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    That should work.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #29
  10. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, his teeeth are pretty good right now so maybe in two weeks the teeth will grow some and i could get a crab
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #30
  11. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    also when i turn my 20 gall to full saltwater will i need all of the other equipment or can i keep it how i have it
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #31
  12. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    What equipment specifically ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #32
  13. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    all i have is a heater and filter that's meant for 20 gallons, i know nothing about saltwater equipment, and all i know is that the equipment that i'll eventually have to have is really expensive
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #33
  14. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    You'll want a protein skimmer for sure.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #34
  15. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    what does a protein skimmer do? sorry, i know nothing about equipments
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #35
  16. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    It removes organics from the water. Because saltwater causes things to float a protein skimmer removes what floats to the top, things you cannot see.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #36
  17. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ohhhh ok, and do you think that should be the only thing that i would need to invest in? and what about a stronger filter? since i plan to hopefully get a 55 gall in the future should i also invest in one that would mainly be for the 55 gallon? For a really strong current or get a 30 or 40 size filter
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #37
  18. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    If you get a 55 gallon tank you'll need a better filter, a powerhead or two and a protein skimmer.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #38
  19. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok, looks like i've got some investing to do, hopefully next year i will be able to find a saltwater tank on craigslist that has all of the equipment that i would need, and if it would come with coral i could always resell it
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #39
  20. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    so when i turn the tank to full saltwater in 3 months which thing do you think would be the most important to get for the 20gal?
     
    California Cowgirl, Mar 8, 2009
    #40
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