Freshwater to Saltwater

VahanM · 08/24/2009, 11:31 AM

Hi guys,

My boss just picked up a 100 gallon aquarium from his cousin who didn't need it anymore. The aquarium was used for freshwater fish but my boss wants to use it as a saltwater tank for the office. It's a glass tank and we got the stand and the canopy for it as well. The problem is that there is no overflow, no sump, the lights are inadequate, the filter is under gravel, and the pumps are prolly also inadequate.

I'd like some advice on whether or not it's worth going ahead and converting this into a saltwater tank. If so, I'd appreciate any help in doing this as we'd like to be able to do this ourselves as much as possible.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

bulldoggg03 · 08/24/2009, 11:42 AM

I just recently did this with my 75 gallon. Yes it is worth it. If the tank still has a good seal then you should be good. My tank was used for Freshwater African Cichlids. You LFS should have someone who can come out and drill your tank for you. It is going to cost money and Saltwater is not cheap. I got a hook up on my salt, sump, overflow, and protein skimmer. I already had the sand. That cost me around $280 for everything. All was done at my place. I work on the side at my lfs and the owner has worked with me on pricing. I got all my rock for $3.5/lb. Spent about $280 for 80lbs. I still need a couple more pieces. You can look on Craigs List for live rock. You are also going to need sand. I already had the sand from my africans. I just bleached and was good to go. You can get away with regular lights if you are not going to do reef right away.

RSJennings · 08/24/2009, 11:44 AM

What kind of saltwater tank are you planning on doing FOWLR, soft reef, mixed reef? Each set up requires a different system. No matter what set up you choose it would be a good idea to get an overflow and sump/refugium.

skleek · 08/24/2009, 11:46 AM

Go for it!

Plus you can write off all the livequaria bills as an office expense!

VahanM · 08/24/2009, 11:53 AM

I guess we can start with fish only but eventually he wants to have a reef tank.

The tank is in great shape and was filled with freshwater fish about a week ago. The previous owner had the tank for a year so it's still fairly new.

RSJennings · 08/24/2009, 12:11 PM

Fish only with live rock (FOWLR) is a great way to start out. You still need the same basic things to get started as you would with a reef tank. The only great difference between a FOWLR tank and a mixed reef is the lighting and the protein skimmer. If you want to eventualy start a reef tank then I would buy stuff geared more for a reef tank, a large protein skimmer for example. Lights can be very expensive, but with FOWLR you don't need as much lighting so you can skimp on the lighting this time and get nicer equipment for when you do go to a reef tank. And trust me if you're already thinking about a reef tank you will have one sooner rather than later.

08/24/2009, 11:31 AM	#1
VahanM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 180	Freshwater to Saltwater Hi guys, My boss just picked up a 100 gallon aquarium from his cousin who didn't need it anymore. The aquarium was used for freshwater fish but my boss wants to use it as a saltwater tank for the office. It's a glass tank and we got the stand and the canopy for it as well. The problem is that there is no overflow, no sump, the lights are inadequate, the filter is under gravel, and the pumps are prolly also inadequate. I'd like some advice on whether or not it's worth going ahead and converting this into a saltwater tank. If so, I'd appreciate any help in doing this as we'd like to be able to do this ourselves as much as possible. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

08/24/2009, 11:44 AM	#3
RSJennings Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 56	What kind of saltwater tank are you planning on doing FOWLR, soft reef, mixed reef? Each set up requires a different system. No matter what set up you choose it would be a good idea to get an overflow and sump/refugium. __________________ Life is too short not to fish. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 55gal mixed reef

08/24/2009, 12:11 PM	#6
RSJennings Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 56	Fish only with live rock (FOWLR) is a great way to start out. You still need the same basic things to get started as you would with a reef tank. The only great difference between a FOWLR tank and a mixed reef is the lighting and the protein skimmer. If you want to eventualy start a reef tank then I would buy stuff geared more for a reef tank, a large protein skimmer for example. Lights can be very expensive, but with FOWLR you don't need as much lighting so you can skimp on the lighting this time and get nicer equipment for when you do go to a reef tank. And trust me if you're already thinking about a reef tank you will have one sooner rather than later. __________________ Life is too short not to fish. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 55gal mixed reef

08/24/2009, 11:42 AM	#2
bulldoggg03 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 44	I just recently did this with my 75 gallon. Yes it is worth it. If the tank still has a good seal then you should be good. My tank was used for Freshwater African Cichlids. You LFS should have someone who can come out and drill your tank for you. It is going to cost money and Saltwater is not cheap. I got a hook up on my salt, sump, overflow, and protein skimmer. I already had the sand. That cost me around $280 for everything. All was done at my place. I work on the side at my lfs and the owner has worked with me on pricing. I got all my rock for $3.5/lb. Spent about $280 for 80lbs. I still need a couple more pieces. You can look on Craigs List for live rock. You are also going to need sand. I already had the sand from my africans. I just bleached and was good to go. You can get away with regular lights if you are not going to do reef right away.

08/24/2009, 11:46 AM	#4
skleek Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: fort lauderdale FL Posts: 149	Go for it! Plus you can write off all the livequaria bills as an office expense!

08/24/2009, 11:53 AM	#5
VahanM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 180	I guess we can start with fish only but eventually he wants to have a reef tank. The tank is in great shape and was filled with freshwater fish about a week ago. The previous owner had the tank for a year so it's still fairly new.