Tank switch over

motoms · 11/29/2009, 04:38 PM

Hi just wanted to know whats the best way to switch over my 210 gallon fresh water tank.To salt water.I curtly have to tanks running one is set up fresh and one is set up salt. The fresh water currently set with.African Cichlids.The substrate is. Eco-Complete African Cichlid sand that has been in the system for about 2 years now.The rock is Texas holey rock about 200 lbs.I would like to use the rock if i could.How should i prep the rock that has been in the system also for 2 years.The wt dry I have is the MegaFlow Sump Filter model 4.If its possible would like to utilize he wet dry to.Now for the salt water set up witch i sold the tank is a 150 gallon reef with lots of live rock in display and sump.And a four inch sand bed.I'm going to utilize the lights and skimmer.So if any one can help this is pretty stressful to me.And I think is going to be for all my fish and coral's.

Thanks Tom

motoms · 11/29/2009, 08:54 PM

Any one please

motoms · 11/30/2009, 06:16 AM

I thought this was the sight with a wealth of info.I cant even get one reply wow.

HUNGER · 11/30/2009, 07:45 AM

i have heard of people just adding salt right to it what i would do is do a huge watter change and clean everything realy well and than add salt to it

spleify · 11/30/2009, 08:02 AM

So are you tearing down both existing tanks, and converting the 210 into salt? Am I understanding this correct? Has the fresh water tank ever been treated with copper. If so I would be hesitant to use it. IMO I would try and get some new LR if you are wanting to do this correct.

Otherwise, just mix up some salt water and add it to the tank, You will have a cycle you have to wait out.

_88 · 11/30/2009, 10:06 AM

I would drain it and start with fresh mixed salt and RO/DI water. I'm not sure what typew of sand you have but if it's not crushed arragonite I would replace that as well. If it is crushed arragonite then I would take it all out and give it a very thorough rinsing to remove debris before starting a new salt tank. The limestone "holey" rock should be OK but you may have some phosphate issue if you use them without cleaning them first. I probably wouldn't bother myself but if you want to clean those then there are some threads in the chemistry forum that have instructions on how to clean them with a muriatic acid dip.

motoms · 11/30/2009, 04:09 PM

Ty finally a response

AwkwardParrot · 11/30/2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoms

Hi just wanted to know whats the best way to switch over my 210 gallon fresh water tank.To salt water.I curtly have to tanks running one is set up fresh and one is set up salt. The fresh water currently set with.African Cichlids.The substrate is. Eco-Complete African Cichlid sand that has been in the system for about 2 years now.The rock is Texas holey rock about 200 lbs.I would like to use the rock if i could.How should i prep the rock that has been in the system also for 2 years.The wt dry I have is the MegaFlow Sump Filter model 4.If its possible would like to utilize he wet dry to.Now for the salt water set up witch i sold the tank is a 150 gallon reef with lots of live rock in display and sump.And a four inch sand bed.I'm going to utilize the lights and skimmer.So if any one can help this is pretty stressful to me.And I think is going to be for all my fish and coral's.

Thanks Tom

Okay, to start. You are doing a lot all at once.

To start:
The tank; if you used copper in the tank...you need to clean it with white vinegar, and a rinse of hot water. Then run warm water in the tank with a lot of carbon to clean it.

The wet/dry filter; can be used, however, the sump with the 150 (as small as it is) will be a better bet than the wet/dry filter. A wet/dry filter can sometimes be described as a ticking time bomb, releasing nitrites into the system.

Existing substrate; needs to be removed. Get fresh stuff, don't use what you got from the 150, again, you could be asking for trouble. At the very most, use a little in the tank to get the bio started, and use some in the sump for the same reason.

The existing freshwater rock; take out, wash and scrub in hot water. rinse again and let dry. it may be better used as a foundation for you live rock.

The live rock from the 150; keep alive with salt water mixed appropriately, keep light on it, and keep it at temperature. If you want to remove any unwanted algi, just scrub in warm water.

Onto the equipment; what is the skimmer? what is the light? how old are the bulbs in the fixture/hood?

Finally; the 150g, keep it for emergencies!

Hoped this helped! Good Luck!

11/29/2009, 04:38 PM	#1
motoms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 72	Tank switch over Hi just wanted to know whats the best way to switch over my 210 gallon fresh water tank.To salt water.I curtly have to tanks running one is set up fresh and one is set up salt. The fresh water currently set with.African Cichlids.The substrate is. Eco-Complete African Cichlid sand that has been in the system for about 2 years now.The rock is Texas holey rock about 200 lbs.I would like to use the rock if i could.How should i prep the rock that has been in the system also for 2 years.The wt dry I have is the MegaFlow Sump Filter model 4.If its possible would like to utilize he wet dry to.Now for the salt water set up witch i sold the tank is a 150 gallon reef with lots of live rock in display and sump.And a four inch sand bed.I'm going to utilize the lights and skimmer.So if any one can help this is pretty stressful to me.And I think is going to be for all my fish and coral's. Thanks Tom

11/30/2009, 08:02 AM	#5
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	So are you tearing down both existing tanks, and converting the 210 into salt? Am I understanding this correct? Has the fresh water tank ever been treated with copper. If so I would be hesitant to use it. IMO I would try and get some new LR if you are wanting to do this correct. Otherwise, just mix up some salt water and add it to the tank, You will have a cycle you have to wait out. __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

11/29/2009, 08:54 PM	#2
motoms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 72	Any one please

11/30/2009, 06:16 AM	#3
motoms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 72	I thought this was the sight with a wealth of info.I cant even get one reply wow.

11/30/2009, 07:45 AM	#4
HUNGER Moved On Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OHIO Posts: 95	i have heard of people just adding salt right to it what i would do is do a huge watter change and clean everything realy well and than add salt to it

11/30/2009, 10:06 AM	#6
_88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 107	I would drain it and start with fresh mixed salt and RO/DI water. I'm not sure what typew of sand you have but if it's not crushed arragonite I would replace that as well. If it is crushed arragonite then I would take it all out and give it a very thorough rinsing to remove debris before starting a new salt tank. The limestone "holey" rock should be OK but you may have some phosphate issue if you use them without cleaning them first. I probably wouldn't bother myself but if you want to clean those then there are some threads in the chemistry forum that have instructions on how to clean them with a muriatic acid dip.

11/30/2009, 04:09 PM	#7
motoms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 72	Ty finally a response