NEED HELP CONVERTING FRESHWATER TANK TO SALTWATER..

[TJB7509]

I have a 55 gallon tank that I’ve used for many years (fresh water). I would like to convert it to salt water, all my freshwater fish died. I love the overall look of a saltwater fish tank and I just want to know; what are the first few steps to getting started & can I still use the filter system that I am currently using now (which hangs from the tank). Some one please help me! Thanks.

[Bergy]

hey and wlecome to the little ocean...

yea, i dont blame you on the look of saltwater tanks vs freshwater.... saltwater tanks look so much cleaner.. (when things are workin right, which is most the time)

but, before you clean up and prepare the old tnak you might want to do a little research on REEF READY tanks,  these tanks are designed for saltwater systems in that they have an overflow and drain and return system drilled into the tank...

saltwater tanks dont use or rather they dont need filters like freshwater tanks, but we  the moer intermediate and more advanced users, anyways, prefer to use sumps on a saltwater tanks.. this will allow us to place the heater, and skimmer and other equipment below and out of sight of the display tank..

but, if you want to use the fresh water tank, that is ok too..   many people do it all the time...

first, you got to clean out the tank.. the best way is to use bleach water... 1 cup bleach for each gallon of water...

and rinse and scrub and do whatever it takes to clean.

If the tank has stuff stuck to it you can soak it longer
 maybe over night???

and then rinse with fresh water. maybe even use declor, if you are afraid of any issues, but reallisticlly, a couple of rnses and it should be good to go.


good lcuk, and thanks for stoppin in.


keep us posted.


bill

[psykokid]

Also, did you ever medicate the tank with copper? If you had in the past then you will not be able to keep corals in this tank. It would be a good candidate for a fish only (FO) or fish only with live rock (FOWLR). The copper medications will leach back out of the silicone and poison any corals you try to keep in there.

Your current hang on tank filter would be fine for now, you could use it to run carbon pads and for some water movement/gas exchange.

[OCtrackiepacsg1]

Good luck on your tank. I recently converted too, though I still have another fresh/brackish set up and my betta.
I've found Saltwater easier to clean. I think the only disadvantage to salt is expense and how I spend a lot of time mixing the salt, then again if you have a spare powerhead, it does it  for you