silverado61
Well-Known Member
Its cycled for freshwater but I'm sure it's not the same as saltwater?freshwater fish are more tolerant than saltwater fish. You need Ammonia and Nitrites at zero.
converting freshwater tank to salt
- Thread starter mauler
- Start date
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Do the ph swings affect fowlr tanks?Yes they do.
geridoc
Well-Known Member
My ammonia and nitrites are at 0 but I thought the bacteria needed would be different in fresh and saltwater? Have you been adding an ammonia source? If so, then the tank had gone through a "soft" cycle, meaning that bacteria that came in on your live rock/sand are sufficient to control nitrogenous wastes. If you have not been adding an ammonia source, then the tank is not cycled, and ammonia is low because there is none to measure since none was added. And, yes, fresh water bacteria are different from the marine varieties.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546221
Is it possible to convert my HOB filters into refugiums?
Yes
One poster on another board did exactly that by replaceing the filter media to chaetomorphia macro algae and adding a light. He reported lower nitrates.
my .02
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546221
Is it possible to convert my HOB filters into refugiums?
Yes
One poster on another board did exactly that by replaceing the filter media to chaetomorphia macro algae and adding a light. He reported lower nitrates.
my .02
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546260
And would this work in place of a sump?
Hi,
A sump is a different thing then a refugium, although a sump can have a refugium chamber. A sump is a lower tank that can house your equipment, keeping the display looking nice and it adds extra water volume. A refugium is a place to house and protect the tiny critters that fish gobble up, keeping a steady supply that washes out into the display...it also will keep macros growing where the fish can't eat it up.
A HOB converted to a refugium is doable, but it isn't large enough to hold equipment nor really add any extra water volume,... it hangs on the back, so it isn't a "sump".
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546260
And would this work in place of a sump?
Hi,
A sump is a different thing then a refugium, although a sump can have a refugium chamber. A sump is a lower tank that can house your equipment, keeping the display looking nice and it adds extra water volume. A refugium is a place to house and protect the tiny critters that fish gobble up, keeping a steady supply that washes out into the display...it also will keep macros growing where the fish can't eat it up.
A HOB converted to a refugium is doable, but it isn't large enough to hold equipment nor really add any extra water volume,... it hangs on the back, so it isn't a "sump".
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546389
Would the HOBs turned into refugiums work for a little while till I can get a sump? And what TDS level is acceptable?
yes you can. And you don't absolutely need a sump.
You can also just simply partition the tank with 1/4 plastic grid (egg crate) so a small area is the refugim. Add a coule of cheapie lights to keep the macros thriving. You may in fact need nothing else to keep the tank runnning.
TDS in marine operation is meanless. specific gravity is 1.025 or so. (the salt trumps the FW concept of TDS)
my .02
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546389
Would the HOBs turned into refugiums work for a little while till I can get a sump? And what TDS level is acceptable?
yes you can. And you don't absolutely need a sump.
You can also just simply partition the tank with 1/4 plastic grid (egg crate) so a small area is the refugim. Add a coule of cheapie lights to keep the macros thriving. You may in fact need nothing else to keep the tank runnning.
TDS in marine operation is meanless. specific gravity is 1.025 or so. (the salt trumps the FW concept of TDS)
my .02
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546392
But I thought the whole point of using RO/DI water was so the TDS levels would be at or near zero? I might just do the egg crate thing.
Hi,
You will drive yourself nuts worrying over the TDS reading. I kept a SW reef for 14 years and never even heard of a TDS reading. The whole reason for having a RO/DI unit is to try and make sure the water quality is as pure as possible, and the only thing in the water being the stuff you add yourself with your salt mix. Well water has iron and all kinds of unnecessary stuff fish don't need and it feeds algae, the tap water is treated with bacteria inhibitors that we are trying to cultivate in our tanks to help keep it stable, and the fish don't need fluoride treatments.
So while a very low TDS (under 10) reading means the purest water, getting to 0 and keeping it there is near impossible... and usually only after a few days the TDS rises because your filters are no longer brand new. I doubt you want to spend a small fortune on new filters every time you turn around, when you can spend your money on critters and other cool equipment.
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546392
But I thought the whole point of using RO/DI water was so the TDS levels would be at or near zero? I might just do the egg crate thing.
Hi,
You will drive yourself nuts worrying over the TDS reading. I kept a SW reef for 14 years and never even heard of a TDS reading. The whole reason for having a RO/DI unit is to try and make sure the water quality is as pure as possible, and the only thing in the water being the stuff you add yourself with your salt mix. Well water has iron and all kinds of unnecessary stuff fish don't need and it feeds algae, the tap water is treated with bacteria inhibitors that we are trying to cultivate in our tanks to help keep it stable, and the fish don't need fluoride treatments.
So while a very low TDS (under 10) reading means the purest water, getting to 0 and keeping it there is near impossible... and usually only after a few days the TDS rises because your filters are no longer brand new. I doubt you want to spend a small fortune on new filters every time you turn around, when you can spend your money on critters and other cool equipment.
geridoc
Well-Known Member
Yes, if you use RODI for top-off and to make fresh salt water you are fine. When you add salt mix to RODI you are dissolving solids into the water, to the TDS goes way up, but it is important to start with RODI so that you are not adding toxic dissolved substances that might be in your tap water.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeriDoc http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546413
Yes, if you use RODI for top-off and to make fresh salt water you are fine. When you add salt mix to RODI you are dissolving solids into the water, to the TDS goes way up, but it is important to start with RODI so that you are not adding toxic dissolved substances that might be in your tap water.
I'm confused...was he checking the TDS of his mixed saltwater, or the water after it was filtered by the RO/DI?
Originally Posted by GeriDoc http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/140#post_3546413
Yes, if you use RODI for top-off and to make fresh salt water you are fine. When you add salt mix to RODI you are dissolving solids into the water, to the TDS goes way up, but it is important to start with RODI so that you are not adding toxic dissolved substances that might be in your tap water.
I'm confused...was he checking the TDS of his mixed saltwater, or the water after it was filtered by the RO/DI?