How do you convert a saltwater aquarium to a freshwater aquarium?

Question

I recently purchased an aquarium from somebody that was using it as a saltwater aquarium. It is very dirty and has salt caked all over it. I need to clean off all the algae and salt. Do I just use water and a scrubber or is there more to it? I read somewhere to use vinegar, anyone ever heard of this? Also what is a protein scimmer? The tank came with all types of stuff that I'm not familiar with. Can I keep any of the decor that was in the tank if I rinse it off? Thanks for any advice you can give.

I already have 5 fancy tailed goldfish and 2 small catfish in my other tank that I plan on transferring into this tank. The decor is mostly rocks and fake plants. I removed all of the old gravel because I want to use the rocks that I had in my old tank.

It came with 2 filters a dual bio-wheel and the the one that uses rocks with charcoal. I was planning on keeping the filters and replacing what I can with new stuff. Or can I clean the pads and wheels as well as the casing?

Answer 1

Vinegar and water will be fine to scrub off the inside of the tank. Don't use your regular algae scrubber though. Use something disposable so you can just toss all the germs and grime away. Soak all decor in a diluted bleach solution for a while to get rid of the diseases that may be present. A protein skimmer removes organic materials from saltwater aquariums and are not needed to create a freshwater environment for your fish. Good move not using the old gravel, you don't want bacteria in your newly set up tank from the old fish. I'm actually surprised that there was any gravel as sand is a more popular substrate for saltwater tanks. What type of filter did your new tank come with. You need to do some research on this filter because it may not be compatible with your freshwater tank. If it is just a standard power filter, throw away the pad and set it up in a empty container and turn it on and let it run to clean it out. Also, scrub the insides really good to get rid of old algae, debris, and bacteria. Pipe cleaners work well to clean the tubing. Be sure to clean everything as well as possible.

Answer 2

You can keep the majority of the decor, depending on what it is. If it's mostly rocks, it probably wouldn't be a good idea if the fish you're planning on getting like more acidic water, as they could raise the pH. Again, that depends on the kind of rock, but typically the rock used in a saltwater tank can raise the pH and hardness.

I'm not sure on the methods of removal for the salt and algae, but you could try a glass scraper and a good soak, as well as just wiping it down. Be careful if you use bleach, though - even trace amounts are bad, so it's recommended to use a 1:19 bleach to water solution - so a ratio of a very small amount of bleach to alot of water. Soap is also bad as it can leave behind residue which is a real pain to get rid of and won't be good for the beneficial bacteria as it develops in the tank. And, regardless of the cleaning methods you use, it's always best to give it a few extra rinses - especially if it's going from salt to fresh like this.

Almost always, the decor (depending on what it is) should be safe.

A protein skimmer is really only useful for saltwater, so it'd almost be a waste on a freshwater tank. For a freshwater tank, you really just need the tank, lights, a filter, and a heater - if you can't gaurantee the temperature will remain in a stable range that's comfortable for any fish that will end up in the tank.

If you have any further questions on setting up the tank itself, the cycle, or stocking it, feel free to post them.

Answer 3

Converting Saltwater To Freshwater

Answer 4

Hi,

You can also use Vinegar to clean the aquarium safely. You can also use Borax to clean the glass / aquarium. After cleanign it either with borax or vinegar you can put in water and use some good conditioner.

Keep the filter etc. running for atleast a day and then chaneg 25% of water again put the conditioner like Tetra's AquaSafe or something similar and then you can slowly introduce your fishes to new tank. Just clean the tank and accessories with vinegar first and then again with freshwater. You can keep the decor but you must clean it with vinegar and you can also do 1 thing:

Get Tetra's AquaSafe and mix it in clean water...use that water to clean stuff after cleaning it with vinegar. This will make sure that its ready for the freshwater aquarium. Also do the same for aquarium.

The protein skimmer etc. is a filter for saltwater aquariums and is not meant to be used with freshwater aquariums. I think you can use the lights and air pumps etc. but not skimmer.

Thanks.

Answer 5

Nothing that lives in salt water will survive in a freshwater tank, so you will need only to rinse the tank well, anything that survives in it will die right away starting a biological cycle for the tank. You can buy razor-blade window scrapers from paint departments which will remove the coralline algae and salt-creep without scratching the glass - just don't go too close to the seals. The protein skimmer is very valuable, it will turn minute proteins and waste into a soapy scum that you can remove. It will keep your tank water crystal-clear.

Answer 6

First of all someone told you to use bleach! DO NOT USE IT!!! the reason i say that is because bleach will absorb in the glue that holds the tank together and you can never get it out!! you will have to throw the tank away!!! vinger and baking soda is a good thing to use!!! just no soaps!!! a protein skimmer is something that is only used in saltwater tanks it does exactually what the name says it skimmes the protein out of your tank! i would get new decor just because you dont know what was kept in the tank and how they shut it down!!! you can go online and look what kind of protein skimmer it is and sell it you can make some money off of it!!! along with the other equipment you dont want!!!

Answer 7

All you need to do is completely clean it.. Do not use any kind of chemicals to clean the tank!! As long as you are using the tank for freshwater use, it will be fine. A protien skimmer is mainly for saltwater use

Answer 8

Use diluted bleach water to clean, u should start over with new decor. If u don't want to don't use decor that is made of natural sea products ( changes the ph in fresh water tanks). A heater, and a filter are really all you need, power heads are ok. Set up your tank and let it run for a couple of days, take a sample of the water in to the pet shop with you when you go to get fish. Don't use distilled water, city water is the best with a water conditioner. Start out with just a couple of fish to start( not goldfish)

Answer 9

I have ground up corral instead of sand in the old saltwater aquarium that I want to convert to freshwater. Can I re-use it or should I just get sand and throw away the old "sand"?