difficulty of converting from salt to fresh?

[jakeca77]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anybody has any experience in converting a saltwater tank w/sump to freshwater? How do you do it and is the sump still usable for a new freshwater setup? I would assume that you just need to make sure that you get rid of all of the salt? I have zero experience with saltwater. The reason I'm asking is I recently saw a great deal on a tank that was running as a saltwater setup and I was thinking of buying it, but not sure if it is worth the trouble.

Thanks !

 

[shelferich]

I ran my 90 gallon with sump as salt for a few years and converted it to fresh water about a year ago. Just took everything apart and cleaned it using vinegar and water to get as much of the coraline off as possible. I got it all off except for the stuff on my overflow which is still there but is now green from the algae. I even re-used my sand, just took it out of the tank and rinsed it really well with the garden hose and ran it through a collander to catch and snail shells, etc that were in there. As far as the sump goes, you can probably re-use your salt water one if you want but I just made myself a new DIY sump with a filter sock and a 5g bucket filled with pot scrubbies. Most salt water sumps have a refugium and protein skimmer which you dont need for fresh water.

I say go for it! Just make sure to rinse/clean everything well and you'll be fine. If the tank your buying comes with live rock, corals, fish, protein skimmer, etc then you can just sell that off to help finance it.

 

[shelferich]

What size tank are you looking at? What all comes with it?

 

[jakeca77]

It is a 90 gallon that has crushed coral a stand and lighting. The crushed coral would have to go because of the alkalinity. I would have to ask about the size sump.... Ya I was thinking about the protein skimmer and refugium also. I have never used a sump setup either. I have only had canister filters.

Thanks for your insight.