Tank conversion

[emonemo25]

Hi I’m relatively new to marine tanks. I’ve kept small all in ones before but now I want to move into a large scale.

I don’t like the style of many marine tanks and have came across the Juwel Vision 260 Marine Aquarium, I’m also considering the size up (450). I really love the curvature of it. The problem is I know it’s really designed for fresh water.

I would really love some help with upgrades and what to add to make this tank a great marine tank. I’ve never really needed wave makers or any extras so any advice regardless of how simple is a big help !

I have seen people add sumps. I’ve never had a sump before. I don’t know if I’m confident enough to adapt the tank incase I mess it up or damage it. If I could have a good system without the need for a sump that would be ideal.

Thanks !!

 

[Mr Fishface]

So I would imagine that any freshwater tank could be converted pretty well but there may be a few factors you'd have to consider.

Looking at those tanks, my first wonder is the lights. Could you replace them for more coral colored light? Or if you want to do a fish only or display algae tank, they would work just fine.

My second wonder is the filter they include. It very well might work but my first thought is the salt creep. It was probably not made with that in mind and that might be a difficulty to deal with. I also think about other equipment you may want like a protein skimmer. It looks like there isn't any room for that sort of stuff. But, again, if you are doing a fish only tank, probably not a huge deal.

I will say: when I started the hobby I was TERRIFIED of sumps. I thought it was over my head, would be difficult or lots of work to maintain and the fear of it failing. Having used them, they are not a huge deal. It takes a little planning but once you get it set up right, it works really well.

My first sump I used a HOB overflow. I read a lot of mixed reviews but tried it and I never had issues for ~1 year while I used it. Had a couple power outages on top of me turning it on and off for various reasons, never had any sort of issue. I now have drilled tanks so I don't worry or use the HOB these days.

Drilling I have heard is not that bad (though I have not done it). You can usually buy thin pieces of glass from a hardware store for cheap to practice on.

Anyways those are my thoughts. Hope it helps!

 

[Idech]

Tunze makes great equipment for people who don’t have sumps. The Tunze Comline filter, Tunze Comline Doc skimmer and Tunze ATO.

They go inside the tank, but they are black so they are not really visible. It’s on the left side on my picture.

That’s what I have on my tank. You can check my thread build if you care.

Build Thread - Build thread - converting 75 gallons fresh to salty

That’s it, I’m hooked ! I set up my Fluval Evo 13.5 last February and it’s going well so I want bigger. I’ve looked at many possible options but I’ve decided to convert my 75 gallons African cichlids tank to a reef tank. This tank was bought less than a year ago and it would have felt like...

www.reef2reef.com