Converting established freshwater tank to saltwater

watson_barrett · 11-09-2006, 08:31 AM

Hello,

Just wondering if it is ok to convert an estblished freshwater tank to saltwater, obviously would follow normal set-up proceedures after draing, just wonder if the estalished freshwater stuff will strew up the cycling process or make it take longer, also is a 48G tank that is only 13 inches deep, deep enough for live rock or will it look silly and not have enough room, thanks!

adam`

jd@ga · 11-09-2006, 10:59 AM

Hey adam!

That sounds like a very cool tank. Where did you get it? That tank will do great for a reef tank . I seen a tank kind of like yours and it was a great looking tank.

As far as as the equipment give everything a good cleaning (water only) and lose the gravel and you`ll be set. Hey post pictures of the whole setup when your finished. I hope this helps some.

watson_barrett · 11-09-2006, 11:50 AM

Well I currently have a 29FW that I plan to keep FW. Have had this for I don't even know how many years but I would guess 15. I live in DC metro area and was lucky enough to fing a killer deal of a bunch of tanks and stands, just picked my fav. one and best deal (it's dimentions are 3ftL,2ftH,13inchesW.

Also, Can I use the filtration system from the FW for SW (as opposed to buying or makeshifting a SUMP?), It is the large kind you keep under your tank and I believe it ran me over 100 bucks new about 2 years ago.

Do I need to do aything special or just wash everything off (i.e. get new cubes, sponge filter object, carbon rocks???)

thanks for the help,
VR,
adam`

jd@ga · 11-09-2006, 01:54 PM

Yeah, you can use all your old filtration, change your carbon out or don`t even use it at all. As far as cubes,sponge, filterfloss just clean them very good.

After the clean up add sand/crushed coral/lr and s/w and sit back and let your tank cycle a few months. Make sure you read up on tank cycle,water params, and corals/fish and you`ll be set.

xeruf · 11-10-2006, 12:00 AM

hmmm just a thought, why not salitify (sp) the current cycled water to maybe speed up the process a month or 2

like save the water add new substrait, LR and add the old cycled watter that now has salt added to it

WhoDey · 11-10-2006, 12:52 PM

You are going to go through a large cycle if you add live rock. Doesn't matter if you use your cycled water or not. I"m not sure it will help that much considering most of the bacteria live in the subscrate, LR, ect. It still will take a month or two depending on how much live rock you get and if it is cured or uncured. I would also recomend getting a skimmer if you plan on adding live rock.

-N

ahill3780 · 11-10-2006, 08:55 PM

My short answers (opinions) would be:

Start fresh. You can use the tank and the filter itself, but ditch the old water and substrate.
Replace all of the filter media with new cartridges and foam blocks. Clean out the filter with fresh water to get as much gunk out as you can, then put it back together.
Start with a new substrate, live if possible to help speed the cycle process, and add any live rock you want from the start if you can.
Clean the tank out using fresh water as well, scrape off any residues that you can so they don't carry over into the new setup.
Let the tank cycle after the setup before adding any fish in.

And of course, ask us any questions that come up.

And Welcome to FishTankForums!

HTH,
Aaron