Can I turn a 30 gallon freshwater tank into a Saltwater setup?

you definately can and for much cheaper than you'd think...

since you have most of the setup (tank, heater, filter, stand?, etc..) all you would need is a hydrometer and marine salt technically...

but to make things a lot easier buy at least SOME live rock (preferably of high quality) and a calcium based sand/gravel, crushed coral, aragonite, 'live' sand... (mixed results with the LS)

remove everything fromt he tank and give it a good cleaning, it' doesn't have to look like new, just get the major depris out of there..

mix up about 30 gallons of SW or buy it (usually it's a buck a gallon for premixed) and place any equipment that doesn't fit into the hood (heater? powerhead?) then place all the rock in your tank, then add the sand and fill the tank with SW..

the tank should take about 2 weeks to 2 months depending how much live rock and sand you used... buying a good marine teste kit will alllow you to track your progresss and not have to guess, or ''test'' with a damsel or chromis...

once your nitrites are under .25 ppm you can start stocking hardy fish (i usually just wait it out till they hit 0 it' takes like a few days more at most)

some good starter fish?

here's one of my lists:

for a 29gallon tank anyway..

chalk bass

grammas (royal or blackcap, the blackcaps are expensive but every bit as hardy as the royals)

clownfish (some can get agressive and the only ones i'd keep in a 29 are the perculas or occelarus)

chromis (usually fight when kept in groups in smaller tanks)

firefish (all kinds are same hardiness but very differnt prices- $15 to $150)

gobies (pretty much any)

smaller damsels (yellow tail blues, blue, talbot's, allen's solomon chromis, rolland's, pretty much any chrysiptera damsel)

if you wanted to you could add a smaller protien skimmer to the tank if there's space for it in the hood... IDK if you'd have to cut out a hole for it...

i have a seaclone 100 on my 29 and it works ok enough for only being $100.. i'm sure there's better for the same $$$ but the seaclones are just so availible.. plus then i'd have to look for one, and i'm lazy lol

it's a lot easier than it sounds, especially once you start to get the hang of things.. but if you feed you need any clarifications on the giant mess of an essay i just wrote, lol, please feel free to email me...

1

For a 30 gallon no plumbing, penguin 330 w/ bio wheel protein skimmer(down the road if need be) hydrometer cycle test kits for saltwater synthetic sea salt and a really good book. I suggest anything by Bob Fenner you can also find him at www.wetwebmedia.com I have talked to him personally and they really know their stuff. as for fish in that size tank some clowns and damsels would be best suited for a beginner.

a 10 gallon tank is to small 4 a salt water tank. you should just turn it into a freshwater tank,sell it,or think of something else to do with it.

For saltwater there are differebt things you will need to get... and some things that u need to dump.... for example your filter... dont use it... it just gathers the bacteria and is only good for when your fish get sick and you need carbon.... instead you need to use biological filtration...

this includes buying "live rock" - suck as figi rock... (rock that has algae or other nice goodies on it... this algea will die off as you ship it home... the die off will then help cycle your tank..... you can normaly purchase this at your LFS (local fish store),

The second and optional option for biological filtertation is your sand bed....

You can either do a deep sand bed for better filtration... this involves sticking 4 inches or more sand and LEAVING it (Dont stir it up --- let the snails do that) that will help convert your amonia into nitrates ect.... it also builds up gas which if stired up can cause some damage.... but in the long run it provides great filtration.... or if you dont like the look of 4 inches of sand you can just stick one inch... this will requie you to stir it well every few days... clean it ect and it doesnt provide any filtration.. your third option would be to go bare bottom = no sand much easier to clean but it doesnt look as nice

Now the sand your going to get has to be or become live sand... live sand is sand that contains micro organisms that aid in the proccess of breaking down fish poo :P... you can buy this sand at LFS that already has these organisms or you can let you live rock (rock that has algea and other nice organisms on it)_to seed your sand (infect it with the good organisms) this takes ALOT longer.... if you choose ot buy the sand only get enough so it covers 1-2icnhes of the "Dead" play sand.... then use your finger and poke holes in the sand... this causes the lower levels of dead sand to become "infected"..... you can read more about doing this on the sites i provided bellow....

Other things you will need to get is a hydrometer to measure your salinity, a power head to provide decent "flow" which is normaly provided by filters but usualy is not enough to keep the sand stired.... also you may also want to invest in a second powerhead, a second heater and stick it in a rumbermade contain to "premix" your salt (you cant just add the salt into the tank... it will kill the fish).....

another option you have and one of the most important is a skimmer.... skimmers are not requred but help ALOT, it acts like a filter for salwatert,, it takes all the nasty fishpoo and bacteria and sticks converts it into a nice nasty smelly "nogg" in a collection cup.... it helps keep your tank clean....

Now could you just get away with usualy only a filter and a powerhead and a heater? yes.... but you wont be able to sustane any corals for long.... if you just want a fish only tank your fine....

another hting you will need to look at is lighting... if you want corals they will need high power lighting such as power compacts (PC) or metal halides or (MH)....

lastly for plumbing you do have an option of getting a sump... another tank wired uneith your display tank... this allows for more gallons = more fish in the tank along with the ability to hide all that nasty equipment......

So did i scare ya yet? salt water looks complicated but oncey ou do your research its really easy... however expect to pay ALOT of money, they cost alot more then regular fishtanks ?(enlessy our doing fish only) but are worth it.... here are some helpful forums/sites... look in the new to the hobby/tutorial forums... lots of GREAT tutorials...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/index.php?s=

http://www.melevsreef.com/

http://www.reefmonkey.com/phpbb2/portal.php

http://www.nano-reef.com/

hope i didnt scare ya to much... its worth it if you can take the plunge.... :) and have the money to do so.... but bud do your research.. its worth it :) plus if your only looking at keeping a few clowns you wont need ot much (err btw dont keep more then 2 hehe they are very territorial) but it is expensive... and it adds up fast O.o iv had to pospone my plans on getting a full blown reef tank until next year do to financial issues :( and the fact im moving to a place thats a good 12hour drive = by by fishies hehe :) but heres the rundown on prices

skimmer - $200+

lights - $300+

Rock - $8/pound... you need at least 1 pound per gallon :P

those three are the main things that will sink your boat :( hope that helps!