I have a 20 gal. tank that currently has freshwater fish. I would like to change it to a saltwater tank. What do I have to do to change it over from a freshwater to a saltwater tank?

The first thing you need to understand is that 20 gallons is extremely small for a saltwater aquarium. The best type of aquarium for that small tank would be a miniature reef tank. The best you will do as far as fish go will be one or two very tiny fish.

The second thing you need to understand is that you can expect to fail if you rely only on the Internet for information. Saltwater aquariums are very unforgiving, and setting up a small tank is very difficult compared to a larger aquarium. You need to get a book on the subject and the book will tell you everything you need to know. If we had actually specifically answered your question, we would have to write a book to tell you everything you need to know. That is beyond the scope of a FAQ.

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I bought a 125 Gal glass tank that came with (2) Penguin Bio Wheel 330 power filters and (2) Penguin power sponge filters (170GPH). Would these be adequate filteration for a salt water fish only tank? I plan on using a deep sand bed as well for means of natural filtration. If this is not an adequate amount of filteration can you please give me the name of the filteration system that would work best for my tank?

No, in our opinion those filters are not nearly enough, and the use of a deep sand bed by itself is not enough for biological filtration either.

You need at least either a good wet-dry filter or a Berlin reservoir system including hang-on-tank overflow prefilters and a good protein skimmer for a marine tank. Also, don't forget to get a good book, as attempting to keep saltwater aquaria by relying only on the Internet and not doing any serious research is not a good idea.

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What is the difference between saltwater fish and freshwater fish?

The difference between the fish is not nearly as important as the difference between freshwater and saltwater. As far as the fish go, freshwater fish are not as colorful as marine fish sold in the hobby, and there are many differences in their respective physiology.

Saltwater has a lot of salt dissolved in it which vastly reduces the amount of oxygen in the water. Far fewer fish are kept in a marine aquarium than in a freshwater aquarium. Marine tanks need more filtration (usually a wet-dry filter) and a specialized device called a protein skimmer. Saltwater fish drink water and freshwtaer fish do not, so marine fish obtain some nutrients from the water.

If you are seriously considering a saltwater aquarium, we urge you to buy a book on the subject. Relying on the Internet for all information has proven to be a bad idea in every case we've seen so far, and we've seen thousands of failures due to a lack of research by reading books.

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Can I put Labradorite rocks in a fresh-water fish tank?

Labradorite is a type of feldspar, and is a soda lime-based carbonate mineral. As such, if you place a large amount of it in an aquarium, it would probably affect the pH of the water. However, one small crystal would probably not hurt.

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I have just set up a 90 gallon aquarium. About two days ago I added the salt. the water was cloudy but then went clear. After two days the water went back to a milky color. Is this normal?

It is not that unusual to get a brief cloudy water period within a week of setting up a new saltwater aquarium. You should keep your filters running. If the problem is still there a week later, do a 25% water change and vacuum the substrate. if the problem persists past three weeks, the tank is most likely under-filtered and probably needs a good protein skimmer.

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I have a 55gal tank the top plastic ring has 2 cracks in it. Is it safe to use or should I replace it or buy a new tank?

It is not safe to use and unfortunately it is impossible to find replacement frames as the mkanufacturers don't want people using their frames to build aquariums. Replace the tank.

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How much water should be in the tank for a turtle about 4 inches wide and about 6 months old?

This very much depends on the size of your aquarium, and on the species of the turtle. But, in general, we like to allow just enough water for the turtle to become completely submerged, and yet be able to easily get completely out of water to bask and dry out. It is also helpful to have enough water to install a submersible filter of some kind as these animals are VERY messy.

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I'm wanting to buy a 125 gallon, but live on the second floor. How will I know if the floor will hold up?

In this situation, your best bet would be to contact an architect to check the structural integrity of the floor, keep in mind that you will most likely need to pay for this consultation). If you are renting, check with your landlord or building manager. They might be able to provide you with this information.

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I am about to start a 55-gallon salt water aquirium and have a wet/dry filter in the bottom of the cabinet. I need to know: 1) How much water needs to be in the sump area before pumping it back to the tank? 2) Can I place a heater in the sump (I have plenty of room)? and 3) When can I turn the submersable pump on to start circulating water?

Congratulations on the new aquarium, and on your choice of filtration. 1) The amount of water needed in your sump depends on several factors--the type and size of your overflow, the size of your sump, the type of pump you're using, and the level at which the pump draws water from the sump. The simple answer is that you want enough water to cover the intake for your sump, but not so much water that you will have a flood in the event of a power outage (a check valve is a MUST); in any case the sump should be about 1/4 to 1/2 full when operating, as this will allow enough leeway to catch the overflow should you lose or cut power. In addition, if you are using biological filtration in your sump (note, disregard if this is to be a reef aquarium, as then your sump can run with no media), your water level is most effective if kept at the very bottom of your biotower (or DLS, or whatever); in other words, do not submerge your biological media entirely. 2) A heater in your sump is an excellent idea, assuming, of course, it is a submersible heater, and that it mounts in some sort of bracket. If the heating element touches the sump (glass OR acrylic), you risk causing a crack or leak. It can be turned on after ten minutes after having been submerged. If you have to expose the heater for any reason, make sure it is turned off for a few minutes, and then re-submerged before turning it back on. Otherweise, the pressure difference may cause the heater element to crack the heater, and you don't want that mess. 3) Once the tank is plumbed and filled with enough water, you can turn on your pump. Watch the system carefully for leaks and make sure the water level is high enough. If the pump runs your sump dry, and there is no blockage in the overflow, you may have too small an overflow, too small a sump, or too large a pump (use a ball valve to control flow if necessary). Good Luck!

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How do we set up a 16 gallon salt water? We have the sand and tank but we do not know how to add the water?

You will need a filter, heater, lights, test kits, and a commercially prepared salt mix. You mix the salt in a bucket, as per the manufacturer, add some sort of dechlorinator, and add it to the aquarium.

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