want to transition to full saltwater

[volcomkrew4life]

Pufferpunk, say I brought his SG up to full saltwater conditions and upgraded him to a 55g tank. Would I NEED live rock, a protein skimmer, ect? Or would an AquaClear filter and weekly water changes be good enough?

[sevenyearnight]

If you raised his sg, and did not introduce the bugs and pods in the liverock, you will be working with the same bacteria you already have, nothing would change but the amount of salt you add. You'd still have to do 50% water changes, it would in effect just be high brackish.

[volcomkrew4life]

That's the exact answer I've been looking for sevenyearnight. Thank you! lol. Well I don't quite have the money for the liverock right now so could I raise his SG now, continue running my AquaClear filter, do 50% weekly water changes, and then once I have the money add the liverock and powerhead and remove the AquaClear filter?

Basically, I'm wondering if without live rock, and only using a filter and water changes, will full saltwater conditions be unstable in any way?? (you basically answered this question in your last post though so I'm guessing no)

[Pufferpunk]

You'll be fine. I did this for about a year, until I learned better. You might want to figure what a year's worth of salt tossed down the drain compares to buying LR. Lots of folks selling it for cheap when tearing down their marine tank. Check for a local reef club & Craigslist.

[sevenyearnight]

It's kind of a waste of salt/$$$.
I'd wait till you can afford the liverock, make sure you quarantine it in a separate container, or cure it if it's not been cured.
Don't put liverock directly in your tank without doing so.

[volcomkrew4life]

Okay, how exactly do you "cure" liverock?

[sevenyearnight]

PP usually magically produces links to just about anything.

[Pufferpunk]

That's because I know how to use the search option on a computer.

http://www.livestockusa.org/CURING.html

[sevenyearnight]

That's because I know how to use the search option on a computer.

*hint *hint

[xrayjeeper83]

You can also get cured from your LFS or if its from someone breaking down their tank it will most likely be cured

[Pufferpunk]

I never trust that any rock is totally cured from a LFS. They go through it too fast. Only way I'd trust LR from a LFS is if they sold it from one of their own display tanks.

[volcomkrew4life]

Yeah I figured that PP...wouldn't wanna add the liverock to my puffer's tank thinking it was already cured and find him dead the next day from an ammonia spike. Is there any harm in curing live rock that has already been cured? (if you weren't positive it had already been cured)

[sevenyearnight]

Nope, good practice.

[volcomkrew4life]

Okay good, and LAST question (lol) does the live rock need any specific lighting like corals and plants do? Such as fluorescent or a certain amount of wattage?..

[xrayjeeper83]

Not from my readings, I plan on putting some in my canister