Hey guys just woundering how hard it would be to change my freshwater tank to a salt water, what new filtration stuff do i need, all that good jazz... thanks
Freshwater to saltwater tank
- Thread starter turkeyboy85
- Start date
Ever use any copper based meds ? if so, forget about doing a reef with corals. The copper will eventually leach out but do you want to take a chance with your expensive corals ? If you want to do a FOWLR, then its not too hard. You can thoroughly clean your tank and let soak in a water/vinegar solution. The last part is probably not even necessary but WTH. Depending upon the size of your tank, you have to spend some $$$ on some necessities for a successful reef tank such as a good set of lights (metal halides are best), a real skimmer (good ones won't cost anything less than $300+) and start with RO/DI water.
There are many other things you will need also but you should start saving for these first. IMO, you don't need a hundred pounds of "live" rock or "live" sand, you can start with base rock/sand and just "seed" it with some live rock/sand from a fully cycled SW tank. Buying fully cured rock will cut down on your cycle time but you're going to pay $$$ for it. Base rock/sand is much cheaper to start and you will still have to cycle regardless anyway. The Live rock/sand will be your biological filtration, you just need some mechanical and chemical filtration.
The skimmer is effective at removing waste from the water but that water should be prefiltered prior to entering the skimmer (filter sock).
There are many other things you will need also but you should start saving for these first. IMO, you don't need a hundred pounds of "live" rock or "live" sand, you can start with base rock/sand and just "seed" it with some live rock/sand from a fully cycled SW tank. Buying fully cured rock will cut down on your cycle time but you're going to pay $$$ for it. Base rock/sand is much cheaper to start and you will still have to cycle regardless anyway. The Live rock/sand will be your biological filtration, you just need some mechanical and chemical filtration.
The skimmer is effective at removing waste from the water but that water should be prefiltered prior to entering the skimmer (filter sock).
ok thanks, well i have a 150 I was thinking about changing from fw to salt, this wont be for another 6 months but i would really like to try it out some time, I have been told it isnt as hard to keep a salt water tank as everyone says it is but jut thought i would try and get some info on it first