In this series I will take you on a trip with me turning my freshwater African CIchlid tank into a beautiful saltwater reef tank. Due to the different minerals and mineral concentrations between fresh water and salt water, practically all of the fresh water bacteria will be killed off due to osmotic shock if you were to place them in a marine water environment. How to Break the Ammonia Cycle in a Fish Tank, How to Convert a Salt Fish Tank to Freshwater, How to Treat Ammonia Poisoning in Aquarium Fish, How to Raise the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium Tank With Baking Soda. You will need sand instead of gravel & obviously sea salt. Then, scrub it thoroughly from inside so that no old algae, debris, and bacteria remains in it. Next Last. Guest. Of course, the biggest difference is the need to add sea salt to the water to create a marine environment. If you didn't do this, ammonia and nitrite … Has anyone here successfully changed over a saltwater tank to be used as freshwater? Bettas don't like high flow so maybe get something like a red sea nano filter. answer #2. First, we will check out the aquarium itself. Archived. 4 years ago. Thank you so much for any help! If you've decided to change your saltwater aquarium into a freshwater aquarium, give yourself plenty of time to find new homes for your saltwater fish, coral and plants. Close. This is because more equipment such as powerheads, protein skimmers, and live rock is needed for saltwater tanks. u/dennythesmou. Don't worry about any bacteria that might still exist on these items -- they'll die out in the new saltwater environment. If you have a functioning freshwater aquarium system you may already have most of the equipment required to make the conversion to a fantastic saltwater aquarium system. Take everything else out of the freshwater tank, including all the gravel and then drain and clean (without soap!) You will need sand instead of gravel & obviously sea salt. I have another freshwater tank that could comfortably house the fish I have in there now. If so, what type of additional plumbing, pumps, filters do I need. Can a Saltwater Hermit Crab Go in Freshwater? I cleaned out the tank really good using distilled vinegar and a razor blade. Stan and Debbie have worked in the aquarium fish field for over three decades and written 300+ articles about pet fish. The larger the tank the better to be able to maintain a habitat for saltwater tanks. If you are planning to have a reef tank, you will need to upgrade your freshwater lighting to accommodate corals and some other invertebrates such as anemones that require a higher quality light in the right spectrum range. Help/Advice. I wanted to try turning my 10 gallon freshwater into a saltwater tank - can someone break down the steps for me? Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Currently, I have a fluval conister filter 305, the intake of saltwater tank normally is at the water line. I just started this myself. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to maintain good water conditions, good luck. It is suggested to use crushed coral for your bed at the bottom of the tank instead of live sand. Fish Channel: Converting a Freshwater Fish Tank to a Saltwater Fish Tank, Aquatic Community: Setting up a Saltwater Aquarium, Directions for How to Use Biozyme in Aquariums, How to Turn a Freshwater Tank into a Saltwater Tank. I have a 54L 60x30x30 tank that has been used for freshwater which I want to convert into a saltwater tank - if possible. With a smaller (10 gallon or less) aquarium, when a problem comes up, things can get worse in a hurry as there is little "buffer room" for mistakes and problems. © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. In saltwater aquariums, the live rock that most saltwater aquarists install in their tanks provides a majority of the biological filtration platform. Clean its pipes as well and for this get pipe cleaners. Scrub off the inside of the tank, first. It will salt water, but there are many more minerals in sea water that won't add. Many people with freshwater aquariums have thought about converting their tanks into a saltwater fish or a coral reef tank, but have heard that it is difficult to do, that you will have to obtain all new equipment and that it will cost a lot of money. They provide enough filtration flexibility to allow the aquarist to add or subtract different filtration options (mechanical, chemical and biological) by changing the media in the baskets within the canister to suit their needs. It said to measure 1/2cup of salt per gallon of water. This particular myth is false; you can absolutely convert a freshwater tank into a saltwater tank or vice versa. Share. hi, i have a freshwater 45 gallon tank with currently no fish in it. General help on new filter and turning a freshwater into saltwater tank. Turning Freshwater Tank To Low End Brackish Help. Hello everyone, I’m a beginner aquarist trying to revive a 85L family tank that has not been used in years. After dumping your freshwater, the substrate and decorations, clean the tank thoroughly with a diluted bleach solution, such as 9 parts water and 1 part bleach, and rinse well. It has been our experience that the average salesperson working in an LFS doesn't have a clue to what the lighting requirements are for a reef system, which usually results in you ending up with either inadequate or unnecessary equipment. What would be everything I need to do this? There are no special aquariums that differ in fresh or saltwater set-ups. Im I thinking of turning my 20g freshwater tank into a saltwater tank. once the tank is set up, the fresh water running through the fixtures is slowly going to dissolve the buildup, just as quickly as it got there in the first place. There are so many stunning aquascaping ideas to choose from that will ensure that the tank will be outstanding. If you searching to test How To Make A Freshwater Fish Tank Into A Saltwater And Largest Fish Ever Caught Freshwater price. Turning an Abandoned Salt Water Tank into a Fresh Water Oasis. 680 680. Hello everyone, I’m a beginner aquarist trying to revive a 85L family tank that has not been used in years. It doesn't really matter, as long as it holds water without leaking. Freshwater gravel won't work well in saltwater aquariums, so choose one that helps saltwater bacteria grow -- such as sand, crushed coral or aragonite. I am needing advice on converting my 6x2x2 freshwater tank to a saltwater tank. The saltwater "rule of thumb" is 1" of fish for every 5 gallons of tank water. I really want to try this because there's so many cool salt water fish that I can catch, but I cant be stuffed to maintain a salt water tank because it SEEMS like too much trouble to set up. Hi, I have a 36G freshwater tank and wants to convert it to a saltwater tank. Use a heater to make bucket water temperature the same as the tank temperature. Oct 27, 2020 #93 Fakegolfnews Well-Known Member View Badges. my mom wants me to turn the tank into saltwater because she loves saltwater fish im going to use instant ocean for the salt but what else do i need? My question is can it be done? I have a 30 gallon Eclipse Aquarium and cabinet stand that currently is freshwater. 6; Next. I have a solution to the temperature dilemma. How Many Fish Can I Put in My Saltwater Aquarium? Turning Freshwater Tank Into Saltwater And Best Freshwater Fish For Sand Substrate is best in online store. Help turning Pool into tank. Joined Jan 1, 2019 Messages 733 Reaction score 688. And depending on what type of fish you put in it alittle salt will not harm them. Posted by 6 years ago. As I have gotten to know many of the stories shared with me by subscribers of the saltwater aquarium blog newsletter, I have come to realize that many of us have joined this hobby after first starting out and having success with a freshwater tank. In saltwater aquariums, sand or crushed coral is used for the substrate. Other considerations are the material from which the light hood is made, which may not hold up to the corrosive effects of SW, and if you want to upgrade to VHO, PC, or MH lighting, the standard aquarium hood will not hold those bulbs. Let us reassure you, a lot of the products you use with your freshwater fish tank are also suitable for saltwater fishkeeping! You can do that. I have a 30 gallon Eclipse Aquarium and cabinet stand that currently is freshwater. Oct 22, 2020 #1 7. How to convert freshwater tank to saltwater coral reef tank. Appropriate types of decorative rocks and corals, either non-living or synthetic, are generally used for decorating saltwater tanks if you are not planning on adding live rock and/or keeping a coral reef system. But what equipment do i actually need?? Went to the only shop in my city and they recommended a space eko 300 as a filter ( for saltwater ), but I can’t find many reviews online and it seems to be a kind of old unit. Fortunately, it isn't difficult to increase a freshwater aquarium's filtration to meet saltwater aquarium requirements. 4 years ago. Turning a cycled freshwater tank into a brackish water tank. But I really have no idea. You will also need to replace the substrate that was used in your fresh water tank with substrate that is meant for a marine environment. You can’t repurpose/convert a freshwater tank into a saltwater tank or vice versa. When you are ready to switch your tank from freshwater to saltwater… Remove the Fish If you don't plan to continue keeping a freshwater tank, you will need to get rid of your fish. You want to follow the instructions for measuring salt in your water accurately. How To Turn Saltwater Tank Into Freshwater And Images Of Saltwater And Freshwater Reviews : Get best How To Turn Saltwater Tank Into Freshwater And Images Of Sa I didn't use any equipment that was used for Saltwater though. You will need to by a protein skimmer as well as a test kit to monitor pH, Ammonia, Nitrate & Nitrite levels. How to Use a Water Conditioner in a Betta Bowl. I've had my freshwater community tank for about 2yrs and am very efficient with running a well balanced tank now. Don't add fish until no ammonia registers, which could take up to four weeks. Mollies seem to like the brackish water better than totally fresh. Help/Advice. Saltwater Aquarium Discussion. These salt containers provide proper mixing information so you know exactly how much to mix with fresh, dechlorinated water before adding it to your tank. It is cycled and has been running for about a year or so. If you use sand in your freshwater tank, then you are good to go. 1 of 6 Go to page. Turning a 55g freshwater into a salt water tank? Household chemicals do contain substances that are detrimental to the system. Use about 10 grams of marine salt per litre of water. The whole system has to be analyzed and started all over again like you would do to a new tank. 's require quite a bit of maintenance in order to keep them clean and free of nitrate producing tank materials such as uneaten food and detritus. This is what most saltwater livestock prefer and will benefit from. I want to know what extra requirements I need to get. For the most part, saltwater critters need better water quality than freshwater critters. Most freshwater aquariums use gravel for the substrate. Close • Posted by just now. 5 comments. Here is what you will need to do. Sand tends to clog up your filter system and create many problems. For a tank that size, you're probably better off just getting a new filter if you haven't already. Use water and vinegar. It is just pure marine salt - nothing special. Dismantle the Tank. In turn, their gills process the water and remove salt. Set aside any accessories you want to keep. Joined Oct 22, 2020 Messages 5 Reaction score 74 Location Pittsburgh. I already have 2 canister filters which i have read are ok to use in saltwater. Sand will assist with keeping alkalinity levels high, which is what your water will need. reply #3. Currently, I have a fluval conister filter 305, the intake of saltwater tank normally is at the water line. Take all your current freshwater fish, ornaments, and substrates out of your freshwater tank. Thread starter Raymond Taylor; Start date Jul 17, 2017; Jul 17, 2017. Jaded. Sale. Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank Temp And Turning Saltwater Tank To Freshwater Reviews : Get best Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank Temp And Turning Saltwater Tank To All in all, conversion from a freshwater to a saltwater tank isn't all that complicated. It is best to go to a fish specialty shop in your area. If you searching to check on Can You Turn A Freshwater Tank Into A Saltwater Tank And Black Sea Saltwater Or Freshwater price. I currently have a 75 gallon saltwater tank that I am contemplating switching to a saltwater tank. I plan to start a budget saltwater tank in the future and I am here to get some help choosing the equipment for it since I have no idea what I am looking for. Thread starter Raymond Taylor; Start date Jul 17, 2017; Jul 17, 2017. Thread starter 724wakefield; Start date Oct 22, 2020; Tagged users None 1; 2; 3 … Go to page. This system design is for easy maintenance with a minimal amount of work. While gravel will work in a saltwater aquarium for a portion of the biological filter bed, sand or crushed coral works better for the various critters (i.e. hide. Never use table salt in your aquarium; always buy a commercial salt designed specifically for fishy environments. Member. I am wanting to convert it into a FOWLR tank as i dont want to be restricted on what fish i can put in. So I am sure it has been asked before but I am not able to find too much, searching for the words freshwater & saltwater bring up a lot of results. Archived. The lights used on an FW tank are usually standard or NO (Normal Output) fluorescent bulbs, which will work fine for a fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock saltwater tank. Drain the tank of all saltwater and discard the filter pads and sand. Help/Advice. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING. Close. I also converted a saltwater tank to freshwater. Rated 5.00 out of 5. Home; Category. Price comparisons for 300 Gallon Freshwater Fish Tank And Can You Turn Saltwater Tank Into Freshwater You can order 300 Gallon Freshwater Fish Tank And Can You Turning a freshwater tank into a saltwater one uses basically the same technique as starting a saltwater tank from scratch. If you are enthusiastic about turning your freshwater tank into saltwater, just go for it if you are ready to dedicate time and care to the nurturing. Hello. lighting for aquariums has made high-quality reef tank lighting not only possible but also cost-effective (low power consumption and 50,000-hour bulb life). However, you benefit from not having to replace all your equipment. he is small so for now this tank will work, I will … The tank itself can be used as is. 5 years ago. The good news about switching water types is that you don't need a whole new tank. For the most part, the H.O.T. Saltwater tanks need a lot of attention & the fish are expensive. =) I was just given a very nice 60 gallon saltwater tank with overflow box & wet/dry filter AND 1/2 glass! Most freshwater aquariums do not utilize powerheads or pumps to create a surge or wave effect, but virtually all pumps and powerheads used in aquariums are suitable in either fresh or saltwater. It currently has a sand substrate - can that be left in? The size of the aquarium does matter, though. If your freshwater tank has a single hang on tank (H.O.T.) Canister filters work quite well in saltwater aquariums. This thread is archived. A saltwater fish tank can be much more work than a freshwater aquarium. I'm hoping for it to be around $250? I've often daydreamed about turning a swim spa into a reef tank. The preferred substrate in marine tanks is sand or crushed coral. 724wakefield New Member View Badges. i know its very hard can u just tell me what else i need. Turning a freshwater tank into a saltwater one uses basically the same technique as starting a saltwater tank from scratch. I've aquired a great 33 gallon tank that the previous owner had set up as a saltwater, but I think I'm leaning more towards using it as a freshwater. Filing the tank: Add fresh water to a bucket- leave space at the top for rising levels from the salt. 2. Adding some salt to the prevailing freshwater will do nothing but kill your fishes and invertebrates. After finding homes for your freshwater fish, prepare to wait about a month to add new tropical fish to your saltwater aquarium. Once your plants and animals have a new home, thoroughly clean and refurbish the fish tank. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Crushed coral or other calcium-containing substrates will also help stabilize the water quality. Messages 4 Reaction score 0 Experience Just started so I got a 20 long with a 2-3 inch GSP puffer in it (do start about tank size needed and what not. Shape The World. There's plenty of flow in one of those, like "hurricane on top of tsunami" flow! After adding your substrate, live rock and saltwater, you still must use patience before adding fish. You can also buy ready-to-use saltwater aquarium water if you prefer. I wanted to convert to Saltwater and wanted to know if I can use my existing tank and convert it to a Saltwater setup? Turning a 55g freshwater into a salt water tank? Use some scrubber which you could get rid off just after this operation. I have a ten gallon freshwater tank that a I want to turn into a brackish water opae ula shrimp tank. You cannot turn a salt water fish into a fresh water fish. For the most part (there are exceptions) the larger the aquarium for a saltwater aquarium, the better. By fintastic, 4 years ago on General Salt Water Questions. Let's talk how you could go about it. Reactions: Santa Claus, Bleigh and Alaeriel. Let's quickly go through the pieces of equipment that you will need to start your new saltwater aquarium system. 4. personally i don't feel like cleaning the parts you can't see is too big of a deal. Give away artificial plants and accessories that you can't sterilize wholly, those that are hard to clean. Under Gravel Filters (U.G.F. Be Her Village. You cannot turn a salt water fish into a fresh water fish. filter only provides mechanical filtration, removing suspended food particles and other debris from the water. Saltwater Tank Gravel / Substrate. Turning Freshwater Tank To Low End Brackish Help. No it won`t. sand sifting fish and invertebrates) that will occupy the reef tank. Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank Temp And Turning Saltwater Tank To Freshwater Reviews : Get best Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank Temp And Turning Saltwater Tank To 100% Upvoted. Saltwater Aquarium Fish and Reef Tank Forum. Empower Her. Adding salt directly into the tank can cause serious damage to your fish and plants. Freshwater tanks do not need this equipment and are much more cost-efficient to start. Turning an Abandoned Salt Water Tank into a Fresh Water Oasis . Just like with freshwater aquariums, saltwater tanks need time to cycle, which means giving the bacteria time to create a stable environment in the tank. Go. If you are looking for Saltwater Fish Going Into Freshwater And Saltwater Tank Aq If you plan on turning your freshwater aquarium into a saltwater aquarium, you are likely wondering if the equipment you already have can be used to create that saltwater aquarium or if you have to get brand new equipment. You can give them away to other hobbyists, schools or similar facilities, or you may be able to sell some healthy, unusual fish. Converting Freshwater Aquarium To Saltwater. report. Saltwater tanks need a lot of attention & the fish are expensive. How To Turn Saltwater Tank Into Freshwater And Images Of Saltwater And Freshwater Reviews : Get best How To Turn Saltwater Tank Into Freshwater And Images Of Sa Because of osmoregulation then, saltwater fish must drink water in order to make up for the water lost as the result of the high salt content or salinity in the aquarium’s tank. Reusing Equipment. Share. The fairly recent advent of L.E.D. I wanted to convert to Saltwater and wanted to know if I can use my existing tank and convert it to a Saltwater setup? Obviously, if you are converting from a freshwater aquarium to a saltwater aquarium, you already have an aquarium. It is advisable to clean the tank with a sponge or filter floss with water only. Water is not an object because I live near to the ocean and ive calculated that with the 2 tubs i can fit in the minivan it will only take around 500 trips to fill. After finding homes for your freshwater fish, prepare to wait about a month to add new tropical fish to your saltwater aquarium. As I have gotten to know many of the stories shared with me by subscribers of the saltwater aquarium blog newsletter, I have come to realize that many of us have joined this hobby after first starting out and having success with a freshwater tank. if you are looking for low prices products, find in our store. As far as items like castles, bubbling divers, and sunken chests, if you are a "true" saltwater naturalist, adding these types of things is unheard of. filter, just add another one to double the capacity. Would someone please walk me thru the steps I would need to do for this change to happen? How to Test for Calcium & Magnesium in a Salt Water Aquarium, How to Move My Betta From a Bowl to a Tank, How to Create Beneficial Bacteria for Fish Ponds, How to Reduce the Alkalinity of Aquarium Water, How to Change Fish Tank Water (Freshwater), Switching From a Gravel to a Sand Aquarium. Hi, I have a 36G freshwater tank and wants to convert it to a saltwater tank. The smaller the tank, the … share . freshwater saltwater. The freshwater "rule of thumb" for the number of fish in a tank is 1" of adult body length fish per gallon of tank water. Go. If so, what type of additional plumbing, pumps, filters do I need. It currenly houses a few cherry shrimp and snails which I would move to one of my other tanks. Hey folks. If you are planning a reef system, lighting becomes much more critical and expensive. Don't forget to … To have a saltwater marine tank it requires to have a 30 gallon or more. 's), which are still used in many freshwater (and even saltwater) aquarium setups are considered a thing of the past, except for certain applications, such as systems requiring low water flow. Checklist for Starting a Saltwater Aquarium at Home, 12 Best Saltwater Aquarium Products of 2020. When you are ready to switch your tank from freshwater to saltwater… Remove the Fish If you don't plan to continue keeping a freshwater tank, you will need to get rid of your fish. Turning a cycled freshwater tank into a brackish water tank. You just need to make some adjustments. You will need to by a protein skimmer as well as a test kit to monitor pH, Ammonia, Nitrate & Nitrite levels. I have a ten gallon freshwater tank that a I want to turn into a brackish water opae ula shrimp tank. I've had my freshwater community tank for about 2yrs and am very efficient with running a well balanced tank now. My friends' cousin is currently doing it, and apparently he said that some the fish in there is about 80% converted. Even after following the manufacturer's instructions, you might need to add more salt or fresh water to the tank to bring your salinity levels up to par. Although some of the big items from your freshwater tank are reusable, you must replace a few things, starting with the substrate. Thread starter #1 Raymond Taylor New Member. save. This process is a pain in the rear. This process, also known as osmoregulation, is connected to the water’s balance as it relates to a fish’s surrounding medium. Additional items needed besides the sea salt will be a hydrometer to measure the salinity, water test kits, saltwater aquarium books, and a few other supplies, but by being able to use "some" of the equipment you already have, you're off to a pretty good start. Turning Freshwater Tank Into Saltwater And Best Freshwater Fish For Sand Substrate. Additional items needed besides the sea salt will be a hydrometer to measure the salinity, water test kits, saltwater aquarium books, and a few other supplies, but by being able to use "some" of the equipment you … i have the filters runnimg i have abut 70 gallons of filtration in the tank ( two thirty five gallon filters). The idea is to turn salt water fish into fresh water fish. When the tank is clean, the new set up can be assembled. Many people with tropical fish tanks think about making the switch to a marine aquarium set-up at some point, but often change their minds when they think about having to invest in a brand new fish tank and fish tank equipment. Dr. Nick Saint-Erne has worked in veterinary hospitals treating a variety of animals, including zoo animals and exotic pets for over 35 years. Turning a freshwater tank into a saltwater one uses basically the same technique as starting a saltwater tank from scratch. Hey, I'm moving out of my family home soon, and I plan to take this big tank with me. As mentioned earlier, plants are photosynthetic organisms that utilize light as an energy source to facilitate biological processes. Do I Need to Change the Charcoal in My Aquarium Filter? I have a question. After finding homes for your freshwater fish, prepare to wait about a month to add new tropical fish to your saltwater aquarium. Test for ammonia every few days, and you'll likely see it spike then begin to shrink. For saltwater tanks, it is important to know that starting the process and setting up the tank is going to be significantly more expensive than starting a freshwater aquarium. General pet stores I have found do not carry saltwater tank supplies. You can give them away to other hobbyists, schools or similar facilities, or you may be able to sell some healthy, unusual fish. Sеttіng saltwater fish tank uр lіkе a freshwater fish tаnk; Mаnу реорlе thіnk thеу саn set up thеіr nеw ѕаltwаtеr tank juѕt lіkе an frеѕhwаtеr tаnk. With the exception of large stones or rocks, most freshwater tank decorations are useless in saltwater aquariums, and some items such as plastic plants can even be dangerous to marine life. Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR) This article assumes you’re not going to dive into growing corals which is much trickier than only fish and some live rock. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. When you perform water changes, check the salinity every time -- evaporation often means you must add a bit more fresh water. In most cases, this isn't so. General help on new filter and turning a freshwater into saltwater tank. Of course, the biggest difference is the need to add sea salt to the water to create a marine environment. There isn't any reason why you can not turn your saltwater tank in to a freshwater. Saltwater fish and plants cannot survive in a freshwater aquarium. I want to know what extra requirements I need to get. Rinse other items you plan to reuse, such as your filter and thermometer. When I was a kid, I got hooked into the aquarium hobby by starting out with a freshwater aquarium. Live aquarium plants come in a variety of colors but the most common color is green – if the plants in your tank begin to turn yellow, it could be a sign that there is a problem with the conditions in your tank.