Converting Freshwater tank with side box sump

[Natemeister]

Hi,

im a newbie from salt water normally im a freshwater kid!! I fell in love instantly and decided to convert one of my 225 liters tank with box sump to salt water.

the question goes like this i have lots of bio media that i used before on my fresh water will i still be able to use it and benefit from good bacteria when converting this tank to salt water? Can i still use the same media? Or should i throw or wash them?

also can you help me choosing the right equipments needed to build this mini beast

ciao TIA

 

[Adrift]

Congrats on going to the dark side.

 

[JNalley]

I can't tell from the picture, but some of those rocks look like quartz/silicate-based rocks, I'd definitely get those out of there. Your freshwater bacteria will be of little to no use in doing a tank cycle, so if it was me in your shoes I'd just buy all brand new media and start over. drain everything, run citric acid or vinegar through all of the equipment, let it all dry and then start fresh. No reason to bring potential problems or existing unknown problems over from the old system to the new one.

 

[Jedi1199]

Welcome to the Dark Side...

In answer to your question.. From my reading back when I converted my FW tank to salt, the simple answer is yes and no. lol confused yet? So was I. Basically, The actual media can be reused, but the necessary nitrifying bacteria are not the same. What I did was wash all the media as thoroughly as possible and then used a couple good size pieces of rock I got from an existing tank to jumpstart the cycle. I was able to add a couple small fish in my tank within the first 48 hours with no ill effects.

Good luck with your new journey.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi,

im a newbie from salt water normally im a freshwater kid!! I fell in love instantly and decided to convert one of my 225 liters tank with box sump to salt water.

the question goes like this i have lots of bio media that i used before on my fresh water will i still be able to use it and benefit from good bacteria when converting this tank to salt water? Can i still use the same media? Or should i throw or wash them?

also can you help me choosing the right equipments needed to build this mini beast

ciao TIA

In respect to you, please note that we have reefers on here who have true EMERGENCIES such as losing fish or coral, cloudy tank, spikes, leaky tanks and so forth. Please refrain from listing switchover as an emergency leaving replies open to those who have a CRISIS.
We are however glad you have joined R2R and switched to saltwater.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[JNalley]

I have highlighted and encircled the rocks I believe may be silicate-based rocks. These definitely need to be removed no matter what you do if they are indeed silicate-based.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have highlighted and encircled the rocks I believe may be silicate-based rocks. These definitely need to be removed no matter what you do if they are indeed silicate-based.

Yeah- those are standard river rock

 

[Natemeister]

I have highlighted and encircled the rocks I believe may be silicate-based rocks. These definitely need to be removed no matter what you do if they are indeed silicate-based.

O sure ill get rid of them thanks

 

[JNalley]

Yeah- those are standard river rocks

That's what I thought, which means I'd get them out asap because most of them will be silicate-based rocks.

 

[Natemeister]

In respect to you, please note that we have reefers on here who have true EMERGENCIES such as losing fish or coral, cloudy tank, spikes, leaky tanks and so forth. Please refrain from listing switchover as an emergency leaving replies open to those who have a CRISIS.
We are however glad you have joined R2R and switched to saltwater.

Okay be better next time

 

[Natemeister]

Welcome to the Dark Side...

In answer to your question.. From my reading back when I converted my FW tank to salt, the simple answer is yes and no. lol confused yet? So was I. Basically, The actual media can be reused, but the necessary nitrifying bacteria are not the same. What I did was wash all the media as thoroughly as possible and then used a couple good size pieces of rock I got from an existing tank to jumpstart the cycle. I was able to add a couple small fish in my tank within the first 48 hours with no ill effects.

Good luck with your new journey.

Got it bro cheers! Thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Okay be better next time

Here is link to all forums. Many places to address any concerns

www.reef2reef.com/forums/

 

[Natemeister]

I can't tell from the picture, but some of those rocks look like quartz/silicate-based rocks, I'd definitely get those out of there. Your freshwater bacteria will be of little to no use in doing a tank cycle, so if it was me in your shoes I'd just buy all brand new media and start over. drain everything, run citric acid or vinegar through all of the equipment, let it all dry and then start fresh. No reason to bring potential problems or existing unknown problems over from the old system to the new one.

Thanks! How many minutes of soaking with vinegar?

 

[JNalley]

Thanks! How many minutes of soaking with vinegar?

That's going to depend on how much buildup and stuff you've got going on, till it looks clean is the only answer I can give you... run a pipe brush in your plumbing to make sure there's no caked-on gunk in there, etc.