How to convert.....Quickly

dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
I have several freshwater tanks and need to convert one or more to saltwater...quickly!
Someone is giving me a 210 gal. tank complete with fish....I will not see it until Sunday so I dont know anything about it. I am not sure if it is a fish only or reef tank, I will find out Sunday.
Problem: I have no place to put a 210 gal. tank. It will take me a few weeks to get the tank set.
Question: Can I convert some of my freshwater tanks to saltwater by next Tuesday or Wednesday? I will convert them back after I get the 210 gal. tank set.
I currently have 2 @ 55 gal. tanks, 3 @ 29 gal. tanks and 4 @ 10 gal. tanks.
TIA for any help....
 
keith burn

keith burn

Active Member
get all of old water sand and l/r you can.
with out them sorry ...no.
imo at best 50/50 with that.
do you have a lfs?
do you have some one with s/w tanks?
can you get the people to hold them to give you more time?
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by dffhogs
http:///forum/post/2861861
I have several freshwater tanks and need to convert one or more to saltwater...quickly!
Someone is giving me a 210 gal. tank complete with fish....I will not see it until Sunday so I dont know anything about it. I am not sure if it is a fish only or reef tank, I will find out Sunday.
Problem: I have no place to put a 210 gal. tank. It will take me a few weeks to get the tank set.
Question: Can I convert some of my freshwater tanks to saltwater by next Tuesday or Wednesday? I will convert them back after I get the 210 gal. tank set.
I currently have 2 @ 55 gal. tanks, 3 @ 29 gal. tanks and 4 @ 10 gal. tanks.
TIA for any help....
I think it would be easier to move and re-setup the 210. You'd need a couple guys to help but I've moved and setup tanks of that size with no problems. If you try to setup your tanks, you will have to place all the sand and rock in the various tanks to keep them seeded. What would you do with the current FW fish in there? And you may not have sufficient equipment on those setups to keep the fish or corals alive. JMO
 
keith burn

keith burn

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2861876
I think it would be easier to move and re-setup the 210. You'd need a couple guys to help but I've moved and setup tanks of that size with no problems. If you try to setup your tanks, you will have to place all the sand and rock in the various tanks to keep them seeded. What would you do with the current FW fish in there? And you may not have sufficient equipment on those setups to keep the fish or corals alive. JMO
 
dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
Originally Posted by keith burn
http:///forum/post/2861869
get all of old water sand and l/r you can.
with out them sorry ...no.
imo at best 50/50 with that.
do you have a lfs?
do you have some one with s/w tanks?
can you get the people to hold them to give you more time?
I know nothing about maintaining a saltwater tank, I have only ever had freshwater. What are lfs?
I dont know anyone with a saltwater tank.
 
dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2861876
I think it would be easier to move and re-setup the 210. You'd need a couple guys to help but I've moved and setup tanks of that size with no problems. If you try to setup your tanks, you will have to place all the sand and rock in the various tanks to keep them seeded. What would you do with the current FW fish in there? And you may not have sufficient equipment on those setups to keep the fish or corals alive. JMO
My problem will be the stand. If it comes with a stand, I will move and setup. If it doesnt, it will take me a few weeks to buy or build a stand.
I know several people with freshwater tanks so relocating my current fish is not a problem. What extra equipment will I need?
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
lfs local fish store
Read the threads at the top of this forum. Read them carefully and if you have questions still about maintaining a tank ask ask ask ask
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by dffhogs
http:///forum/post/2862637
I know nothing about maintaining a saltwater tank, I have only ever had freshwater. What are lfs?
I dont know anyone with a saltwater tank.
Oh no!!!
You better get a crash course and spend as much free time reading and learning. Hears a link to a 101 gen knowledge site that I found helpful. But Quick and fast should never be concepts that enter your thought when it comes to anything saltwater.They really break it down Barny style and it takes little more than an evening to sift through all their knowledge..but you will come out knowing ALOT considering how little time you spent. Its REEFkeeping 101, so dont expect to learn much more than the basics.
{edit link}
I don't know nearly enough to maintain a tank or go around giving advice with 100% confidence.
Mabee your LFS(Local fish store) might sell premade sea water(mine sells it for 1.00 a gallon)
If you figured out a way to store the fish and other life forms in separate containers and did regular water changes you might be able to get them to survive long enough while you setup your new tank. But careful about that...don't rush things. Everything will die, dont kid yourself...it will happen.
OR
Mabee if you transport all the life in plastic bins (water/rocks/sand/everything) you could do A direct trasnplant right back.
I wouldnt know if that would work so mabee someone can do a +1 or -1 on that.
My theory is if it is removed from the tank directly into preset up clear water and stored there fora few hours it wouldn't cause too much issue if your sterile about it. Then setup the tank with its original water and voila!! put everything back in. Cross your fingers...but you might end up with dead tank...but at least you can keep the equipment and start over by doing it right.
Cycling takes a month. No way to get around it.
 
texasmetal

texasmetal

Active Member
The first rule of saltwater is:
Nothing GOOD happens quickly.
As stated, cycling takes at least a month. More like 2-3 months before it's actually stable. So, I wouldn't waste time trying to convert your freshwater tanks. You'll only end up with several disasters.
Rubbermaid bins with powerheads and heaters are the way to go.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2862794
Oh no!!!
You better get a crash course and spend as much free time reading and learning. Hears a link to a 101 gen knowledge site that I found helpful. But Quick and fast should never be concepts that enter your thought when it comes to anything saltwater.They really break it down Barny style and it takes little more than an evening to sift through all their knowledge..but you will come out knowing ALOT considering how little time you spent. Its REEFkeeping 101, so dont expect to learn much more than the basics.
{edit link}
I don't know nearly enough to maintain a tank or go around giving advice with 100% confidence.
Mabee your LFS(Local fish store) might sell premade sea water(mine sells it for 1.00 a gallon)
If you figured out a way to store the fish and other life forms in separate containers and did regular water changes you might be able to get them to survive long enough while you setup your new tank. But careful about that...don't rush things. Everything will die, dont kid yourself...it will happen.
OR
Mabee if you transport all the life in plastic bins (water/rocks/sand/everything) you could do A direct trasnplant right back.
I wouldnt know if that would work so mabee someone can do a +1 or -1 on that.
My theory is if it is removed from the tank directly into preset up clear water and stored there fora few hours it wouldn't cause too much issue if your sterile about it. Then setup the tank with its original water and voila!! put everything back in. Cross your fingers...but you might end up with dead tank...but at least you can keep the equipment and start over by doing it right.
Cycling takes a month. No way to get around it.
I kept a lot of my livestock in plastic bins for 2 weeks during my transfer.
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by dffhogs
http:///forum/post/2862642
My problem will be the stand. If it comes with a stand, I will move and setup. If it doesnt, it will take me a few weeks to buy or build a stand.
I know several people with freshwater tanks so relocating my current fish is not a problem. What extra equipment will I need?
I'd be willing to bet that a stand is coming with the setup. This person has a 210 gallon tank... the water alone weighs over 1,600 lbs. He's not keeping this thing on a counter or a bookshelf. I'd clear out a spot for a tank that is 72" x 24" and get a few guys who can help. With large bins or new garbage cans, you can maintain a lot of the water and keep the sand/rock "live". Get enough salt to mix at least 150 gallons of new water, if necessary. If you are going to be making RO (reverse osmosis) water, you'd better prepare early because it will take you a couple days to make that much RO water. No need to panic... this can definitely be done.
 
dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2862828
I'd be willing to bet that a stand is coming with the setup. This person has a 210 gallon tank... the water alone weighs over 1,600 lbs. He's not keeping this thing on a counter or a bookshelf. I'd clear out a spot for a tank that is 72" x 24" and get a few guys who can help. With large bins or new garbage cans, you can maintain a lot of the water and keep the sand/rock "live". Get enough salt to mix at least 150 gallons of new water, if necessary. If you are going to be making RO (reverse osmosis) water, you'd better prepare early because it will take you a couple days to make that much RO water. No need to panic... this can definitely be done.

You are correct, it comes with the stand. Great news, there are two of them, one freshwater and one saltwater. I am not concerned about the freshwater tank, I have plenty of available resources to take care of it.
I wont see it until Sunday but my plan will be to get some of the large trash containers that have wheels and save as much of the water as possible. I will bag the fish. The sand and rock will go into totes, not sure if they have coral yet, will find out Sunday. I will take my camera and try to post some pictures. I will also pick up some salt to use to top off the tank. Hope to be able to move the tank and get it set back up the same day, maybe Monday or Tuesday.
 
robertmathern

robertmathern

Active Member
Sounds like a plan. good luck
just as a pice of adive dont say you are going to get some salt to top off the tank. You use fresh water to top off the tank. You use salt water to finish filling the tank. Someone might take that the wrong way. lol
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
One last peice of advice...I personally would post a long detailed description on exactly what steps your taking and what order your doing them in. Every detail...transportation time/distance. equipment, lights, storage,heating, room temperature. number of people involved. multiple trips EVERYTHING.
let the people hear know exactly how you plan to attack this hill^^
It is possible someone may find a flaw in your plan and stop you before you make a critical mistake. I really wish you the best of luck...this seems like a great opportunity and a lot of stress.
 
dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2864434
One last peice of advice...I personally would post a long detailed description on exactly what steps your taking and what order your doing them in. Every detail...transportation time/distance. equipment, lights, storage,heating, room temperature. number of people involved. multiple trips EVERYTHING.
let the people hear know exactly how you plan to attack this hill^^
It is possible someone may find a flaw in your plan and stop you before you make a critical mistake. I really wish you the best of luck...this seems like a great opportunity and a lot of stress.
If I have time I will do that. I am not sure how quickly they want them removed from there house. Sunday is to meet them, give them an estimate of how long it will take to remove them and find out when they will be home to let me pick them up.
"great opportunity and a lot of stress" you got that right!
 
dffhogs

dffhogs

Member
OK, went and looked at the tanks. They are 210 gal. with corner overflows. The freshwater tank is very clean and well kept
. I will not have any problem with it.
I am going to need help with the saltwater tank. There were 4 fish... 2 clown fish @ 3", 1 yellow tang @ 5.5" and 1 fish about 2" that was a deep blue with at yellow tail (dont know what it is). Live rock, no coral.
The tank has algae everywhere. The front was so discolored, the pics sux, that and I have never photographed an aquarium
.







I know, the pictures are bad.
Football game is back on....I will be back!
 
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