Aquarium Conversion!!

[Brian Baker]

I have a tank that is currently a freshwater tank and I wanted to convert it to a salt water tank.

My questions are:

1. What are the main differences between the two as far as equipment/sump set up?

2. Are there any DIY options for converting if I need to do something to convert it?

If number 1 is a no, then thank you for taking the time to read this!

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Does your tank curewnrkt have a sump?

If so your sump could be reconfigured.

I took my 75gallon discus tank and drilled it, added an overflow and a sump and converted it to a reef

 

[Brian Baker]

Does your tank curewnrkt have a sump?

If so your sump could be reconfigured.

I took my 75gallon discus tank and drilled it, added an overflow and a sump and converted it to a reef

Well that's the thing, I am probably picking it up from a friend tomorrow. So I am not sure if it has anything drilled or not. If it is not then I need to have an overflow drilled, is that correct?

I am not worried about the sump that I can take care of. Thank you for the info by the way!

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

How big is the tank you're getting?

No one can really answer what is different about salt vs fresh water without knowing you already have. It's possible the answer is nothing, it might be a lot. You can also get into the weeds on what equipment you "must" have for saltwater. As long as the tank is not made from tempered glass, I would, and have converted tanks before. I converted my tank from a peninsula (single overflow on the end) tank to an external overflow on the back. I'm just wrapping up my build. I converted the tank, built the stand, hood & lighting, and sump + filtration. If you're good with your hands, you can certainly DIY a freshwater conversion.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Well that's the thing, I am probably picking it up from a friend tomorrow. So I am not sure if it has anything drilled or not. If it is not then I need to have an overflow drilled, is that correct?

I am not worried about the sump that I can take care of. Thank you for the info by the way!

There are hang on the back overflows but to me that's just one more piece of equipment for potential failure. For me drilling the tank was worth the peace of mind. I went with the Eshopps Eclipse L and like it. Was the first time ever drilling a tank but wasn't bad.

As far as equipment there may be some basic pieces you could reuse but my guess is not much. Potentially pumps, heaters and things of that nature. Really depends.

I just used the power head and heater from my freshwater for my saltwater mixing and went all new with the reef.

Wanted more controllable powerheads and more space saving heaters

 

[George Lopez]

If you don't mount drilling, go for it. I went hang on for my 44. Another option is making it an all in one with a built in sump. Just throwing it out there