Bangaii Missing!? - Switching to Salt on my 46gal Bowfront!!!

[JTang]

So after changing my 90gal community to discus recently, Im thinking about switching to salty on my 46gal bow front. Those crayfish are just way too boring cos they hide 90% of the time! I just cant stand looking at those little white cloud minnows taking up a 46gal tank!

Im planning to start from basic - fish only (maybe some low light soft coral?). Im gonna replace the gravels with 40 lbs of live sand. I will add 20 lbs of live rock on top of the lace rock. Btw have u guys ever used lace rock in a marine setup?

I would like to get a sump but i dont want to drill the tank n those hang on the back overflow is $150 (for a few pieces of acrylic!). I might just stick with a canister filter if possible. Maybe a larger one? New, different media? I read that the ceramic bio rings r not good for a salty setup!?

What other equipment will i need? Protein skimmer... Whats a nice, cheap one? UV sterlizer? Hmmm... Anything else? Oh some salt of cos! Lol

I will get another power head to increase the water circulation.

Since Im a newbie to marine Im gonna need as much suggestion as possible from u experts! Thx so much!

Current setup:
46 bow front (not drilled)
XP2 canister
200w sub. heater
Stock F30T8 36'' (natural daylight)
Lace rock (20 lbs?)

[JTang]

Click on link below to see pics of the current setup...

[STANKYfish]

You will love the salt tank. I am not sure of the holey rock, but the live rock acts as a filter. I know a bit about reef tanks, but not enough to give advice. My fella knows all of the working aspects. I just pick out and enjoy all the beautiful corals. He has drilled holes in a lot of tanks. Try canreef forum, its full of info about salt water.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

PM sent.

[big_bubba_B]

my nephiew has a 46g bowfront he did into salt he has a good light poer heads and a canister filter everything is running good and has corals .

[JTang]

my nephiew has a 46g bowfront he did into salt he has a good light poer heads and a canister filter everything is running good and has corals .

Great! Nice to know that it works w such a simple setup! What other equip. does he use? No protein skimmer?

[big_bubba_B]

he is getting a hang on skimmer but right now doesent have one. he has live rock in his canister

[JTang]

oh ok! I shld do the same. What kind of canister is he using?

[big_bubba_B]

xp 3 is what he is using for a canister and using the power head end for it , and a t5 ho

[effox]

I didn't bother with a canister filter, I just loaded my 29g with about 20lbs of live rock and its doing fine. I also use cheato though.

Zero phosphates and everything else is fine.