Saltwater To Freshwater

[Kits]

i am purchasing a 30ish gallon(measured 3 ft long 1 ft wide and like 17 inches tall) with an emperor 400 filter 150 watt heater hood and everything(craigslist ftw) has had no fish just saltwater in it was being cycled...so my question is what and how do i convert it for freshwater?(it had saltwater in for a month), i know i cant use the gravel(or can i?) and imnot sure about the filter wheels.. what do i need to clean(and with what?) can i use the gravel thats in there? can i use the biowheels too? and i plan on doing a fishless cycle.

 

[andywg]

Just give everything a quick rinse under the tap. The salt will not do any real harm, especially once it is watered down by a whole tank full of water.

Be a little wary of the substrate as it probably will buffer the pH and KH up higher than you will want (unless you plan on fish that require such conditions).

 

[Kits]

i really didnt wanna buy new gravel but thats a releif that i dont have to replace those wheels or anything, is there any type of cleaner? the tank is gonna be what i call a "schooling" tank where i just get fish that school(definetly neon tetras dunno about guppies or mollies and silver dollars(if they dont eat tetras i need to research while cycling XD)) so im not sure if they will want that... otherwise i can justbuy new gravel thanks for the reply

 

[K-Holed]

What gravel do you have at the mo? Does is look like normal gravel, or is is white or light grey in colour?

 

[Kits]

yes and some cyan blue or light blue too. is that bad?

 

[andywg]

There's no need for any special cleaner other than some water to rinse everything out.

Also, consider buying sand instead of gravel. Most people find it looks better.

 

[Kits]

its gonna be a freshwater so will that be easier to clean?

 

[Kits]

also is there any easier way to clean this salt off its kinda like stuck on there i can feel some ruff spots on the inside or will that not really matter?

 

[Kits]

theres still stains on the filter and and the filter media has some brown spots on it, should i jsut toss the filter media? and about the white stains on the filter should i worry? if i have to get it all like super clean should i just soak it in vinear in it (hoping it doesnt need all of this)

 

[andywg]

I have used SW equipment in FW and only ever gave it a quick rinse. Most of the residues come off within the first month or so of use.

 

[K-Holed]

The only reason I asked about the colour of the gravel was beacuse the gravels used in marine tanks, tend to be calicum based to buffer the water. But from the colours you've mentioned, lord only knows what look the previous owner was going for!