Moving a freshwater canister filter to saltwater quarantine

[xdestry]

Hello, i was wondering if i could move an established freshwater canister filter over to my saltwater quarantine tank? I found a bit of ammonia levels in the quarantine like .25, I was wondering whether i could clear out the freshwater in the canister and just move it to the quarantine. Are the bacteria that eat the ammonia the same or will they all die off? Thanks!

The quarantine is for my corals and fish that i am moving from a 90 gallon established setup. I purchased a bit of seawater from my lfs and I think thats where the ammonia is from. Theres about 40 gallons of seawater and 50 gallons of fresh rodi saltwater mix in there. I can do a 50 percent water change but I am afraid the .125 of ammonia will still hurt the fish and corals.

also i am using an api ammonia test kit and i saw that the water coagulates a bit and becomes kind of slimy after i add the 8 drops of ammonia 1 and ammonia 2 in. the water is not clear and it looks like there are air bubbles trapped in the liquid. is this normal?

[xdestry]

hi guys nevermind this, i will be giving my corals and livestock to someone for safekeeping. please delete thread

[Xavibear]

Freshwater & saltwater bacteria are different.

[arcticwolf]

Originally Posted by Xavibear

Freshwater & saltwater bacteria are different.

That is also what i have always heard. .. but ...if that is true, then why do the bacteria culture starters all say for fresh or saltwater use. Do they simply contain fresh and saltwater bacteria?

[Xavibear]

I've never used starter culture for either type of tank. I've tried moving a filter from an established freshwater tank to a saltwater tank & watched as my tank went through a full cycle.

Reef chemistry forum will be the best place to get the answer as to why this doesn't work.