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#1
September 15th, 2008, 02:29 AM
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going from fresh to salt
is there anything special I need to do to convert a fresh water tank to saltwater? I found a 35g for sale. Is there a difference in the lighting on a tank used for freshwater?
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 14g Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 8 months Other Intrests: animals, pottery 
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#2
September 15th, 2008, 02:44 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
Depends, if you want to keep corals or not. If you want corals prepare to spend some big bucks!
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I'm Dave  Keep it Simple Current Aquarium(s) Description: 55 gal reef, Hamilton dual 175w metal halide with dual actinic Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: +1 yr Other Intrests: reefin' and ridin'
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#3
September 15th, 2008, 03:06 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
Yes, lighting is different as Simpleman said, if you want to keep most inverts like clams, anemones and corals. To keep those photosynthetic animals, you need lighting to match the sun, which freshwater and basic tank lighting does not do. If you want to keep saltwater fish only, you won't need special lights. Or you can start keeping fish only, save up money, then transition to a reef tank when you can afford lights.
You will need a protein skimmer, which is unique to saltwater. The cheapo crap brand is SeaClone, so you can skip that  .
__________________
They see me moderatin', they hatin'. Sarah 
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 240-gallon reef with a 55-gallon sump and 35-gallon refugium Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 7 years
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#4
September 15th, 2008, 03:19 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
You will need a protein skimmer, which is unique to saltwater. The cheapo crap brand is SeaClone, so you can skip that
.[/quote]Thanks Biff 
__________________
I'm Dave Keep it Simple Current Aquarium(s) Description: 55 gal reef, Hamilton dual 175w metal halide with dual actinic Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: +1 yr Other Intrests: reefin' and ridin'
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#5
September 15th, 2008, 03:53 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
I already have a reef tank but I wanted to get another one, I've been looking on craigs list and there are alot of fresh water systems for sale cheap I just want to convert one to salt water. I have never had a fresh water tank so I dont know what they have for lights. is there any cleaning issues involved to convert one?
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 14g Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 8 months Other Intrests: animals, pottery
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#6
September 15th, 2008, 04:03 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
Kat,
You can convert one without issues. I converted a 30g fresh to salt. I added new lights, powerheads & a HOB skimmer. If you are adventurous, you could do some drilling (as long as the glass is not tempered). Clean any used tank with a water/vinegar mix and you should be OK. Just be careful with used tanks....you never know what was in them beforehand which may have seeped into the silicone (chemicals, copper, etc). Good luck. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 30 gallon, 2 clowns, starry blenny, purple wrasse, LPS, Softies, Polyps Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: Enough to put a nice dent in my bank account!
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#7
September 15th, 2008, 04:18 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
Quote:
All you need to do is clean it good with vinegar. Also ask them if they ever used copper in the tank. Better yet test it for copper before you buy. As for lights they'll usally be PC's. Find out the type when you contact the seller. Most go with t5's for salt tanks. Then you'll have to buy a protein skimmer and powerheads and whatever else you don't have. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 120 with 30 sump Aquatinic Constellation T5 lighting Coralife Super Skimmer Koralia 2/3 Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 2 years and counting Other Intrests: Pig collector, Gardening
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#8
September 15th, 2008, 04:50 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
Glad to see 2 people mentioned the copper. If it's ever had copper in it, then it's pretty much worthless as a reef tank.
__________________
 Tiny Tank ClubYou can't culture hair algae like this!! Don't even try .......... ROOKIE!! If I wake up with marker on my face, I'll stab you. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 30g tall reef, HOB CPR refugium, 61lbs LR, 60lbs LS, 144W T5 lighting. Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 1.5 yrs Other Intrests: Radio Control airplanes
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Kat (September 15th, 2008) | ||
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#9
September 15th, 2008, 05:09 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
how can I test the tank for copper?
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 14g Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 8 months Other Intrests: animals, pottery
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#10
September 15th, 2008, 05:14 AM
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Re: going from fresh to salt
They sell copper test. The tank needs to have water in it though.
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 120 with 30 sump Aquatinic Constellation T5 lighting Coralife Super Skimmer Koralia 2/3 Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 2 years and counting Other Intrests: Pig collector, Gardening
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