any and all thoughts and pros and cons of converting my outdoor pool into a brackish/full saltwater habitat? The reason I say brackish is because I live on the Bogue sound in NC and it's brackish and I'm thinking I could just pump that water into the pool? Would regular fish like tangs be able to be acclimated to brackish? I'll have to check the salinity though. The pool is 7500 gallons and I'm thinking how cool would it be to replicate my front yard in my back yard! lol, but seriously, it'd be sooo cool. My absolute favorite thing to do is walk around the sound catching all sorts of crabs and fish. I see sharks and stingrays too, so if I couldn't acclimate tangs and nicer fish, I will try to make it as natural as possible with sharks and stuff. IT'll be soo cool. Just wondering, what would the maintenance be like? I'm figuring rain will be good autotop off, maybe a screen net to keep bugs out or no? Can reg sunlight grow coral? I dont really think so and that would make this a lot harder though so I think this would be fish only with live rock. What would I need to buy to start this project (though most likely won't happen, a boy can dream) Im assuming airation will be a problem. Filtration, I don't really know, maybe if I have enough oysters and clams and barnacles, it would be okay? let me know. Im also thinking just all locally collected because temp will be a big thing, but I figure native life will be okay? ANY thoughts much appreciated, and any tips and things welcome.
changing pool into saltwater tank
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ccombs
Valuable Member
I think that would be a really cool endeavor. However, I think you might end up doing more maintenance and not enjoy it as much as you want. I could see something like this turning swampy really quick and cause major algae problems, kinda like the gross edges of a river bank.
I could be wrong and would love to see other opinions.
Mark Waltermire
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Living on the coast only about 30 miles south of you, I can say that you'd also have an issue with trying to heat it in the winter time. It does get below freezing frequently and I don't know where you'd get a heater that would be able to keep 7500 gallons warm while its 30º or even 40-50º. Also I believe that you would need some sort of large chiller in the summer time when the lows are in the upper 70ºs and the highs in the 90º
fish farmer
2500 Club Member
I've been researching some parameters for brackish water systems, not much available for info at the hobbyist level. These are some things I've discovered while doing research.
High brackish would be around 15 to 20 ppt (1.0113 -1.015 SG). A skimmer will work at over 1.010, not sure how well though. Live rock will work at 1.015 SG. Several snails will live at 1.010, like Nassarius, tiger nerite, olive nerite, dwarf cerith, even blue leg hermits will live at 1.010.
Fish would more than likely be juvenile marine species which may be considered gamefish in certain areas and collecting juveniles may be restricted.
I wouldn't use rainwater, just due to pollution issues, bugs, etc.
The book "Dynamic Aquaria" has info about ecosystem modelling which would be a good use of a space like that, http://agrifs.ir/sites/default/files/Dynamic Aquaria.pdf
High brackish would be around 15 to 20 ppt (1.0113 -1.015 SG). A skimmer will work at over 1.010, not sure how well though. Live rock will work at 1.015 SG. Several snails will live at 1.010, like Nassarius, tiger nerite, olive nerite, dwarf cerith, even blue leg hermits will live at 1.010.
Fish would more than likely be juvenile marine species which may be considered gamefish in certain areas and collecting juveniles may be restricted.
I wouldn't use rainwater, just due to pollution issues, bugs, etc.
The book "Dynamic Aquaria" has info about ecosystem modelling which would be a good use of a space like that, http://agrifs.ir/sites/default/files/Dynamic Aquaria.pdf
MnFish1
10K Club member
I will paraphrase the rest - this is crazy. You're taking a risk with whatever you put it the pool, you can't see what you're putting in unless they are 12 inches or larger - In the era of political correctness NO - dont try to put marine fish into a brackish environment. In the meantime - When you go to try to sell your house - most importantly - how many do you think will want to maintain this (no offense meant) disaster....? Ask your wife about this one 
MnFish1
10K Club member
Sorry - I wasn't as blunt as I meant to be - this is crazy - unless - you want to give up the 35-40K for your pool. Which in our neighborhood devalues property rather than increases value. Having some kind of brackish aquarium in a pool - unless you can just take it away with no care about the monetary loss - makes NO sense (the marine fish will not thrive)
Mastiffsrule
Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
Like the thinking. think big but temper with realistic expectations.
Can it be done, sure. But costs would crazy, basically running like a public aquarium.
However, I would love to see the auto feeder for that tank.
Can it be done, sure. But costs would crazy, basically running like a public aquarium.
However, I would love to see the auto feeder for that tank.
The OP may not plan on moving?
MnFish1
10K Club member
Everyone moves............ at one point or another. I would never mess up my pool making it a brackish water aquarium - because long- term - it doesn't make sense - and it would cost 10s of thousands of$ to fix. (if it was a 20 million dollar house - maybe) - but - the fact is - making a pool into an aquarium - no one can see the fish. No offense to the OP - to me it makes absolutely no sense. Build an outdoor aquarium.... Does he want to keep sharks????? there is no logical rationale IMHO - and a koi pond in a pool to me (with both a koi poind and a pool) is incredibly insane..,,,,
ccombs
Valuable Member
I think the OP just wanted some insight into a thought he had, no shame in that.
IF (big if) you pulled it off somehow it would be amazing.
I personally think your maintenance and unforeseen issues in dealing with this at the hobbyist level will lead to frustration and financial stress on you and your family.
IF (big if) you pulled it off somehow it would be amazing.
I personally think your maintenance and unforeseen issues in dealing with this at the hobbyist level will lead to frustration and financial stress on you and your family.
Firemanreefkeeper
Active Member
I think he might have meant to post this on April 1st. But he was a bit late.
