Running a salt tank with fresh water?

Cope · 07/26/2016, 04:33 PM

I will be setting up my ne 500 gal tank next week, the problem is Im not living at home right now. It almost 400 miles each way and no way i can deal with this new tank right now. Where the new tank is going I have a 240 gal that is fresh water fully stocked. The live stock bellongs to my renter who may or may not be getting his behind thrown out pending my inspection of the dammage to my house..... If I decide to over look his letti g the ATO over flow for what looks to be a long time, I would feal bad about leaving his fish high and dry with no home as the 240 is going on CL.. so my question is how bad is it for the substrate and such to be run as a fresh water tank? most likely I wont be moving back home for a year or even two. How hard will it be for me after that time to switch the tank over to salt?

I know when I was a kid and first started reefing I litterly took my fresh water fish out of a tank and just dumped salt in and started my obsession with reef tanks... But that was many issues ago and I do not want to have any hidden issues when i do get home and want to start what will be my dream reef tank.

My worry is getting Phosphate locked up in my sand and rock, should i jist store all the sand, rock and dead coral in the garrage, then when i move back basically empty the tank clean and add my stuff?

Thanks for the time and advice.

mcgyvr · 07/26/2016, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cope

should i jist store all the sand, rock and dead coral in the garrage, then when i move back basically empty the tank clean and add my stuff?

^^This..

OrQidz · 07/26/2016, 10:20 PM

I would not put live rock and substrate in a FW setup and then back to salt again. I think you could get nutrient buildup that could cause you problems in your reef later. I would just store it until you're ready to set it up.

07/26/2016, 04:33 PM	#1
Cope Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In deep water (SLT CA) Posts: 595	Running a salt tank with fresh water? I will be setting up my ne 500 gal tank next week, the problem is Im not living at home right now. It almost 400 miles each way and no way i can deal with this new tank right now. Where the new tank is going I have a 240 gal that is fresh water fully stocked. The live stock bellongs to my renter who may or may not be getting his behind thrown out pending my inspection of the dammage to my house..... If I decide to over look his letti g the ATO over flow for what looks to be a long time, I would feal bad about leaving his fish high and dry with no home as the 240 is going on CL.. so my question is how bad is it for the substrate and such to be run as a fresh water tank? most likely I wont be moving back home for a year or even two. How hard will it be for me after that time to switch the tank over to salt? I know when I was a kid and first started reefing I litterly took my fresh water fish out of a tank and just dumped salt in and started my obsession with reef tanks... But that was many issues ago and I do not want to have any hidden issues when i do get home and want to start what will be my dream reef tank. My worry is getting Phosphate locked up in my sand and rock, should i jist store all the sand, rock and dead coral in the garrage, then when i move back basically empty the tank clean and add my stuff? Thanks for the time and advice. __________________ I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. Current Tank Info: Soon to be 500 gallon mixed reef! Last edited by Cope; 07/26/2016 at 04:42 PM.

07/26/2016, 10:20 PM	#3
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	I would not put live rock and substrate in a FW setup and then back to salt again. I think you could get nutrient buildup that could cause you problems in your reef later. I would just store it until you're ready to set it up.