what else would be needed to convert to salt water?

[crimson156]

have a 180 w/a magnum 350, lifeguard fbf 600, emmperor 400 w/bio-wheels, and another pawoer filter, i don't know its name bit it holds 4 cartridges= each cartridge has a foam pad and a carbon pad in it. what else would i have to add for equipment to change over to a salt water tank if i chose to.

 

[dacia]

Whoa, you have lots of filters for one tank!
Be sure to get a good protein skimmer and a couple of powerheads for circulation. If you do choose SW over FW, I suggest adding a DSB with lots of LR. My first SW tank still has CC, but since it is a FOWLR rather than a reef, I have not had any problems with it. You also need to upgrade your lights from what came with the tank if you plan on keeping corals, anenomes, or even certain marine plants. Also plan on buying a good RO/DI unit to purify your water. Anything I left out?

 

[michaeltx]

well you want a short or long list LOL
main things to start
since you have the tank and all that.
look at the filters close for any signs there might be metal that comes in contact with the water if so that filter will not work on a SW tank. metal and salt is a bad thing.
youll need RO unit or somewhere to get RO water. this is almost a must when dealing with SW tap water has to many variables in it that wil comprimise the inhabitants. ( some will say you dont need it. IMO you do if you have a water company that rents RO units in your area rent one for a month or so and have them come out and show you the filters in the unit and youll see for yourself what it takes out of the water.)
sand 2" for a shallow bed 4-6 " for a DSB youll have to search there is a lot of info on both and reasons why and why not do one so read up and make your own descion on that. also use a argonite based sand.
Sea slat mix of course.
hydrometer or refractometer I say refratometer much more presice than hydrometer.
youll need test kits for the basics ammonia-nitrite-nitrate-PH
clean buckets
powerheads for circulation ( in fw a little current will do you but in SW you need ever inch of the tank with current and water movement to keep theings going.)
Live Rock 1-1 & 1/2 pounds per gallon of water
lighting if you want to have corals ( if you have ever run copper in the tank for an reason this might not be an option copper in a reef tank is a deadly combination since most inverts cant tolerate copper)
for reef youll need more test kits.
and most important a lot of patientients nothing happens fast in SW and a quick jump can mean disaster in the long run.
best advice is to do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions on the board to get real feedback on your plans.
HTH
and welcome to the board...
Mike

 

[legend]

i think the magnum 350 has a metal propeller.....:confused
I've been using one on my tank....so far so good, but when i get more cash i am going to get one of those ecosystems.