Sw Epuipment Used In Fw Tanks?

[digital_run]

Hi there....I've recently come into ownership of a 90gal SW tank (empty now) and all the equipment that was with it... As i've never converted SW equipment for use in a FW tank I was wondering what the best method was. There is a pair of HOB filters and a couple power heads that all have salt build-up on them and I'd like to use them again on the tank but I am going with a FW theme.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ã￾R

 

[dthoffsett]

You just need to give them a good clean. Everything but a protein skimmer will work on freshwater. You might try making a paste of baking soda and water to remove the salt creep, or vinegar might work, I believe you can also buy a cleaner specifically for salt creep. With whatever you use make sure to rinse really well. What are you thinking of putting in that big tank?

 

[digital_run]

Thanks for that dthoffsett...I'm still up in the air still with what I want to do with my new tank...

I've currently got a 75gal with 4 pim pictus, 1 severum and 6 gold barbs and a 55gal with a vampire pleco, 5 skunk loaches and 10 red eye tetras. I was thinking of an african set-up (maybe) or some large New Worlds... Any ideas ¿

 

[andywg]

Why not just go marine with it, if you already have most the stuff, you are more than half way there.

It's not much harder than FW (just a little more research) and has far more varied species and colours to choose from.

 

[digital_run]

Why not just go marine with it, if you already have most the stuff, you are more than half way there.

It's not much harder than FW (just a little more research) and has far more varied species and colours to choose from.

I've thought of going SW with it....BUT theres still too much left in FW that I want...I'm thinking maybe a Senegal Bichir or some sort of oddball..Not too sure to be honest.

Anyone need a skimmer...goin cheap!!

Ã￾R

 

[dthoffsett]

A 75gal would be perfect for african cichlids. If you want to see what one can look like here's a link to my photo diary, and if you do a search you'll find a lot more examples.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...139351&hl=75gal

 

[Fishy412]

is reef sand ok for a freshwater set up?

 

[Danno]

Reef sand would throw your pH off balance too much, although you can buy regular sand in giant buckers that looks similar to it, but you have to wash it first....a lot...

 

[Fishy412]

Reef sand would throw your pH off balance too much, although you can buy regular sand in giant buckers that looks similar to it, but you have to wash it first....a lot...

would it throw the ph up or down?

 

[andywg]

Reef (or arogonite) sand buffers the pH upwards. Useful in rift valley cichlid tanks, not so good in South American tanks.

 

[Fishy412]

Reef (or arogonite) sand buffers the pH upwards. Useful in rift valley cichlid tanks, not so good in South American tanks.

yeah thats what i thought. i was going to try a cory tank though and my regular tap water is too hard (8.2-8.4). i can turn on the water softenere in my house but that brings it down to about 5.5. so i thought maybe reef sand would bring it up to a 6.5- 7 range