Converting Brackish to Marine

[Maduro]

Hi,
Hello all. I've had a Green Spotted Puffer in a 120G Uniquarium (built in trickle filter) for the past 4yrs. He started off as a tiny fish in a tank full of mollies and two other baby puffers, he eventually killed and ate all his tankmates. He's currently a healthy 5" and full of personality (for a psychopath) from what I've read, it's time to switch him over to full salt. He's been in SG1.010. My plan is to get him to full marine and put some live rock in the tank to help with bio-load.

2 questions:
A) considering this is a well established tank and filtration system, how should I go about raising the salt levels? From what I've read, my Puffer can handle a 12hr transition. My concern is the existing bacteria. My plan is to do weekly 10% water changes with SG1.025 water. Is this a good approach for both the puffer and tank bacteria?

B) i know it's a stretch but are there any tried and true SW tankmates for aggressive puffers? something he can't catch?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[Waters]

I personally would just replace evaporated water with 1.025 saltwater and raise it slow. No reason to rush it. I would think your bacteria would be fine, although I have nothing to back that up lol. As far as tankmates, there are tons of predatory fish that would work with a puffer in that size tank. I would stick to semi aggressive fish (triggers for example).

 

[Maduro]

I personally would just replace evaporated water with 1.025 saltwater and raise it slow. No reason to rush it. I would think your bacteria would be fine, although I have nothing to back that up lol. As far as tankmates, there are tons of predatory fish that would work with a puffer in that size tank. I would stick to semi aggressive fish (triggers for example).

Thanks for the response. Once I get the tank to 1.025 I plan on introducing some live rock. I'm currently dechlorinating my tap water (which is on the hard side) and mixing in Instant Ocean. Will live rock thrive in water that hasn't been through reverse osmosis? Is there a certain type of live rock that will?

 

[Waters]

Thanks for the response. Once I get the tank to 1.025 I plan on introducing some live rock. I'm currently dechlorinating my tap water (which is on the hard side) and mixing in Instant Ocean. Will live rock thrive in water that hasn't been through reverse osmosis? Is there a certain type of live rock that will?

Yes, live rock will be fine in tap water....although depending on the quality of your city water you might run into algae issues in the long run. RO/DI is definately safer since you don't know what is in your tap.