converting freshwater tank to salt

[trigger40]

hey wht dont you buy one of those brita water filters and just trickle the water in. lol

 

[mauler]

Then is there something I should put in its place? And when you first fill the tank does it need to be filled with nothing but reverse osmosis water?

 

[mauler]

Does the Brita filter actually work?

 

[trigger40]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/120#post_3545605
Does the Brita filter actually work?
i was just jokeing and it does work but ther are better brands. but if you did it that way i might be able to fill up a 8,000g pool faster. lol but nothing good happens in this hobbie fast so if if you are willing to sit around for a few hours and wach it fill its a cheap solution.

 

[mauler]

If it actually works I'll sit there all day if I have to.

 

[mauler]

And theres no kind of water conditioner that removes all that stuff and if I use RODI water do I even need water conditioner?

 

[geridoc]

And theres no kind of water conditioner that removes all that stuff and if I use RODI water do I even need water conditioner? No water conditioner can replace RODI. Those faucet water purifiers are only carbon filters that remone objectionable taste and smell, but don't purify to the level you need.

 

[mauler]

Alright then I'll look into a good RODI system and does that mean I don't even need water conditioner?

 

[mauler]

Should I get live sand or is live rock enough?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/120#post_3545638
Should I get live sand or is live rock enough?

Hi,

With your own RODI system you don't need a conditioner. You don't HAVE to have live rock or sand, as long as you have rock and sand...it's "enough"...but the more live you have, the better it is for a healthy stable system. So if you can afford live reef sand, and live rock...go for it.

 

[mauler]

Im planning to start with 20-30lbs of live rock and build it up over time and can I mix live sand with some other sand

 

[geridoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/120#post_3545640
Im planning to start with 20-30lbs of live rock and build it up over time and can I mix live sand with some other sand
That's fine, just be sure to cycle properly, and leave several weeks between fish addition since you will be a little light on lr. Subsequent additions of rock should not be lr, IMHO. You run the risk of having die-off in the rock, which leads to ammonia spikes. Instead, later additions can be what is called "base rock", but is really just dry, dead rock. It will become live over time.

 

[mauler]

Im in no rush to add fish I want to take it slow and try to get everything right. And I don't get it how would the rick "die"?

 

[beaslbob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/120#post_3545638
Should I get live sand or is live rock enough?
Actually IME neither is absolutely required.

I just start the the tank with macro algae and that is sufficient.

then I use common limestone rocks and play sand.

my .02

 

[mauler]

Wont the limestone and sand raise the ph to high

 

[mauler]

Do I need to completely drain my tank and refill with RODI water?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/120#post_3545785
Do I need to completely drain my tank and refill with RODI water?

Hi,

If the tank hasn't cycled yet, and there are no live critters...yes. If it has cycled and/or has life in it, then just do your water changes and top offs using RO water from now on, and eventually the water quality will get better.

 

[2quills]

Ph of a reef tank is maintained a little bit high to begin with. Limestone or any other calcareois rock would help buffer the system from rapid swings/drops in ph.

 

[mauler]

Its cycled for freshwater but I'm sure it's not the same as saltwater?

 

[mauler]

Do the ph swings affect fowlr tanks?