How to change from freshwater to salterwater

[krystalstarr]

Want to upgrade to a 180 gallon. Found one used online. Was used as a fresh water tank
Want to know what I need to make this a salt water set up. (FOWLR)
Is the filter good enough?
Light need changing?

I’ll copy the description in the post and the photos:

180 gallon acrylic fish tank, in great condition, up and running, tank stand canopy, digital heaters, led lighting and 2 filter one fx5 and one fx6

 

[ryanjohn1]

Fish only tank that stuff should be fine. Add sand rock and salt and your ready to cycle, replace all the filter media with new stuff clean the tank,

 

[flyingscampi]

Most of the equipment associated with a saltwater tank require a sump. Nitrate management is difficult without a sump as you can't have a skimmer, algae scrubber, or refugium, and carbon dosing usually requires a skimmer. I had a cannister filter on my last setup and water changes were the only way to control nitrates, but it was a small tank so this wasn't an issue.

Also, dosers, heating equipment, top off equipment, etc., will all be hanging off your display tank.

It will probably be easier and probably cheaper to buy a second hand saltwater setup with a sump.

 

[RJT]

Most of the equipment associated with a saltwater tank require a sump. Nitrate management is difficult without a sump as you can't have a skimmer, algae scrubber, or refugium, and carbon dosing usually requires a skimmer. I had a cannister filter on my last setup and water changes were the only way to control nitrates, but it was a small tank so this wasn't an issue.

Also, dosers, heating equipment, top off equipment, etc., will all be hanging off your display tank.

It will probably be easier and probably cheaper to buy a second hand saltwater setup with a sump.

@flyingscamp opinion is on point. Buying a used saltwater setup is best in the long run, especially since this is a large tank that you will have for years. Having a sump allows for options with maintaining the tank. I got a 220g that I drilled, lasted over a decade. If it wasn't drilled I would have replaced it a few years later.

 

[krystalstarr]

@flyingscamp opinion is on point. Buying a used saltwater setup is best in the long run, especially since this is a large tank that you will have for years. Having a sump allows for options with maintaining the tank. I got a 220g that I drilled, lasted over a decade. If it wasn't drilled I would have replaced it a few years later.

Thanks for all the info. Can I eventually put a sump to replace these filters in this tank?

 

[afrokobe]

Thanks for all the info. Can I eventually put a sump to replace these filters in this tank?

you can, if you plan to drill, I would definitely figure out if the panels are tempered. Otherwise you will need to buy a new tank in the future. Otherwise you could do a hang on the back overflow, but that is not the preferred choice for most people.

 

[Bucs20fan]

If you are doing a fowlr tank, you dont need a sump. I run my 180 fowlr with a fluval fx6 and a tidal 100. I understand the want for a sump, which is great for a reef, but a fowlr saltwater tank really isnt all that different from a freshwater tank.

Pick your salt, youve got filtration. Any lights work, and get some dependable heaters, Spend your money on rock and sand. Boom. Saltwater Fowlr tank.

 

[krystalstarr]

you can, if you plan to drill, I would definitely figure out if the panels are tempered. Otherwise you will need to buy a new tank in the future. Otherwise you could do a hang on the back overflow, but that is not the preferred choice for most people.

It’s acrylic tank

 

[krystalstarr]

If you are doing a fowlr tank, you dont need a sump. I run my 180 fowlr with a fluval fx6 and a tidal 100. I understand the want for a sump, which is great for a reef, but a fowlr saltwater tank really isnt all that different from a freshwater tank.

Pick your salt, youve got filtration. Any lights work, and get some dependable heaters, Spend your money on rock and sand. Boom. Saltwater Fowlr tank.

Thanks for this!