Converting a freshwater tank to saltwater

arstarz

arstarz

New Member
My husband and I found a 55 gallon tank w/ stand for dirt cheap and decided to start our own saltwater aquarium. While researching, I found that the best way to clean the tank and get it ready was with bleach. So, as I am in the process of cleaning the tank, I am scrubbing the tank like a mad woman and the grime on the top of the tank is NOT budging! Is there anything else I can use to loosen it? I don't want to use any harsh chemicals w/ ammonia in them unless I absolutely have to. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Start with vinegar. If that doesn't do the job then you'll need muriatic acid. Be careful with that stuff and only do it outside with gloves & goggles and keep your face away from the top of the tank.
Hopefully the vinegar will do it. I suggest vinegar often because it's very effective and it is not harmful at all for saltwater critters.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Fill the tank and let it soak a few days in the vinegar and water solution. That's how I get my power heads good and clean. A one sided razor blade helps for those tough spots.
 
arstarz

arstarz

New Member
As a matter of fact, yes! I've looked at so many beautiful tanks, its giving me ambition to get it all done :)
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by arstarz http:///t/391174/converting-a-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3467880
As a matter of fact, yes! I've looked at so many beautiful tanks, its giving me ambition to get it all done :)
Then you are hooked, just like the rest of us. I remember being so happy with my first live rock....it was the only thing in the tank and my pride and joy for months were three little majano anemones that I thought were corals.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the hobby, and do saltwaterfish.com. Don't forget to buy your live rock from this awesome site! They have some pretty good deals on rock and sand, and even better with some of their livestock.
The dollar store should have a little razer blade holder, that will let your slip a razor blade in it so you can scrape more effectively.
Pure vinegar dissolves calcium pretty well, thats mainly why the vinegar is working effectively.
Research what you can now and take things very slowly! If you jump in too quickly, you will end up wasting a lot of money.
Good luck! Hopefully I'll be around to help.
 
arstarz

arstarz

New Member
I'll admit, when we first decided to make it saltwater, I was ready to buy the fish! Then the more I read, and asked questions I realize you can't just buy everything and throw it in. It'll be a long process, but I'm excited for the progress :)
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by arstarz http:///t/391174/converting-a-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3467940
I'll admit, when we first decided to make it saltwater, I was ready to buy the fish! Then the more I read, and asked questions I realize you can't just buy everything and throw it in. It'll be a long process, but I'm excited for the progress :)
To be honest, I felt like a Marine Biologist after all the study I put into going with saltwater. I was scared to death to take the plunge for a long time, but loved the critters. Freshwater fish are silver with splashes of color, nothing like saltwater fish. I hated African cichlids, they were so darn mean and they were the prettiest freshwater fish.
Once I got into SW tanks, I realize it wasn't so hard after all. More expensive, but not so hard. I have living breathing seahorses in my bedroom, the size of my hand not the tiny ones sold from the comic books with sea-monkeys...and a tank that has macroalgae that looks like rose petals....life for me can't get much better than that.
 
njbillyv

njbillyv

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by arstarz http:///t/391174/converting-a-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3467940
I'll admit, when we first decided to make it saltwater, I was ready to buy the fish! Then the more I read, and asked questions I realize you can't just buy everything and throw it in. It'll be a long process, but I'm excited for the progress :)
This thread is KILLING me, I can't even get my wife to feed the fish let alone, well, anything. And don't get me started on the "why did you need to buy ___________?" And Heaven help us if one of the tanks gurgle! Meanwhile one of her dogs is peeing in the closet while the other one is barking at a butterfly. Go figure.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBillyV http:///t/391174/converting-a-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3468002
This thread is KILLING me, I can't even get my wife to feed the fish let alone, well, anything. And don't get me started on the "why did you need to buy ___________?" And Heaven help us if one of the tanks gurgle! Meanwhile one of her dogs is peeing in the closet while the other one is barking at a butterfly. Go figure.
The only solution is a budget for the fish tank and stuff. If you need something expensive save for it from the budget. I was married 34 years, After bills and groceries (kids were grown) we each had our money to do with as we pleased. From that budget we got out hair cuts, clothing or stuff for the fish tank. Income tax was used for the big stuff, like new furniture. We had a little savings.
We worked and never had a whole lot, but we had the things that made us happy and no fighting over money spent on the things we loved to do. You can't expect your wife to feed the fish, nor should she expect you to mop up fidos urine.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I am poor. Lol. I don't make much money at all and I live well below the poverty level. Meanwhile, my wife is a full time college student and I have a newborn baby girl.
Still, after all that, I have enough left over for a fish tank. Go figure! My wife is the type of person that wants to make me happy. One of those ways is a fish tank. (love yah Hunny! )
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBillyV http:///t/391174/converting-a-freshwater-tank-to-saltwater#post_3468025
A stinking pinch of flake food while I'm traveling, is that too much to ask? She's Italian, I suspect she's just waiting for my cleaner shrimp to get big enough for scampi.
Then wouldn't she be guilty of over feeding the shrimp to fatten him up?

You know... a little secret for some spice to the marriage.....doing special favors for each other for services rendered works great for negotiations. A back rub, a foot massage...a day at the spa. This is a family site.
 
lcaldwell85

lcaldwell85

Member
LOL. I managed to luck up with my husband. He started out at this hobby -just- to appease me. ( I've wanted a salt tank for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little girl. ) He bought me the tank for Christmas, and from there we proceeded with buying everything slowly. We don't make a whole lot, but we can afford the tank. Meanwhile, an unhealthy addictive glow started to gleam behind his eyes as we discussed the different fish, live rock, filtration and lighting. Soon he was every bit as obsessed with me. It's become our new hobby, and when we aren't adding to it, we typically relax with music and watch the tank. It's really cut down on the cable bill if nothing else!
 
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