Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

[MateFrio]

I've been offered a custom 80 gallon corner aquarium that was used for a couple of years as a salt water tank.  

I don't have a ton of funds as I've just setup and stocked a 75 gallon tank.  Will I be able to use the wetdry filter and other equipment for freshwater?

The tank has also been in storage for more than a few months.  Will filling it with water be enough to test for leaks?  What should I do before I bring it into the house?

I am excited about the tank.  Just a bit nervous about setting it up and how much money it costs to do things right.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

I would definately leak test the tank.

The tank will also more likely have salt crusties and algae on it, that you need to clean pretty good.

Clean the sump really good, and take the pump apart and clean it also.

You need to flow test the system to make sure the pump seal is still good.

Sometimes, the o-rings can get dried out if in saltwater, then allowed to dry.

I would flow test it all inthe garage or something before bringing it into the house.

[MateFrio]

Re: Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

I hadn't thought about doing a flow test yet.  Thanks.

[Fire_chair]

Re: Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

If you have the time you could leave it filled with water for a week or two to check for slow leaks.

[Tiapan]

Re: Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

yeah but other then cleaning it good and testing for leaks you can definately use the wetdry for freshwater (really nice for sensitive fish) and that sounds like it could be a really cool tank (i vote for cichlid tank), mostly because it would probably be hard to light for a planted  

[wvgdiscus]

Re: Converting Saltwater Setup to Freshwater.

Its not to hard to convert the tank over, use a razor blade to clean all the glass & soak with vinegar to get all the silicon clean & scrub it with a green pad.  The lights should be good for plants. clean the wet/dry with vinegar as well.
Does the wet/dry have a sponge filter. If it does not then its a sump & you will need to find a way to put a sponge filter in it. The bio balls will need to be boiled with vinegar for a few minutes ( DO NOT melt them ).
After you get all this done put it all together then fill it with vinegar & water let it run a few days to clean out all the hoses this will also pressure test it. Then break it down & clean everything out.