Changing from Saltwater to freshwater

[mslittlebear]

Hello,

I currently have a 60 hex saltwater aquarium and wish to convert to freshwater. We have tried and tried and can't seem to stop losing fish by following all the rules. We just did a water change and lost the last of our fish. We have only been at it since April. We check the water regularly and did regular water changes and still lost them.

My question is can I use the same tank and filter after cleaning them thoroughly? We have a fluval 303 canister filter. Also, can you recommend the correct way to do this? Thanks for the help and, hopefully, we will have better luck.

mslittlebear

 

[Scottw68TN]

IMO, You should be fine using the same equipement. And if you have ?s we are here to help on the freshwater side of the house.

 

[ferret]

Just rinse it out really well, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[snapcrackler]

Hi and welcome

What type of substrate are you planning on using for your conversion?

And what kind of problems were you running into with your SW setup?
Let us help you identify what the cause of your initial problems were so you don't have another frustrating bout when you go to FW.

FW can be less "fussy" to maintain but can still present you with similiar problems.

Aside from that, just get new substrate, wash everything up with plain water, install new filter media, fill up and get to correct temp, and begin your tank cycle. You can cycle the tank fishless or with a couple of durable fish.

Let us know what your plans are

 

[tkos]

If there are any hard water stains from the salt some good cleaning methods are - 1. vinegar
2. Oxyclean
3. razor blade (unless it is acrylic).

If a little salt residue is still around it won't hurt most fish at all. And actually since you have everything for a saltwater tank perhaps you might wish to try a brackish water tank instead of a full freshwater. You already have the salt and there are many exciting brackish water fish like gobies and mollies taht are just waiting for good homes.

 

[mslittlebear]

THanks everyone!

Hi

Thanks for the help. First, ?? substrate. I don't know what that is. Also, the problems we had first were just when we brought in new fish, they would last a day or two and then die, so I assume too much stress. THen we had a saltwater "specialis" who deals only in saltwater and also does commercial setups, come and do a water change and that is when the problems started. He used what he called "special water", and never checked the pH. We lost a damsel that we had since April and a flame angel, turns out the pH was way low. He said "Oh I don't usually check the pH because the salt we use raises the pH". Well, we just buffered the water and let it go for a month, didn't add anything new and checked the pH and other levels frequently. Didn't have to do a thing. Did a water change yesterday and they all died. pH and salt were okay, so were ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. My only thing is, perhaps the water was too cold. We mixed up the water and let it set a couple of days covered to let the chlorine evaporate or whatever it does as we had done once before and everything was okay. Yesterday, we lost the damsel we had since April, then the goby, then the trigger and this morning, both clowns. so we are pretty discouraged.

A friend also mentioned brackish, but I don't want to have to go through spending a ton of money on a fish to have it die. Also, what should the pH be for freshwater and I believe I need to treat the water with a dechlorinator first. Also, we are planning on putting gravel on the bottom, which I know has to be rinsed. Anything else we need to do? I really appreciate any help and am a little discouraged but willing to give it one more good old try. Thanks everyone!

Carol

 

[snapcrackler]

Hi,

Don't worry about your PH for now. Let the water sort that out for itself to start with. You can start with a couple of hardy types of FW fish that aren't particular about PH.

Substrate just means the stuff on the bottom, i.e. gravel. So you're good to go there.

Just get your gravel in there, fill up with tap water, set your heater to about 78F, leave the lights on, get your filter going, let the chlorine flash off overnight, and then start your tank cycle: You can do this with a couple of very hardy fish or you can do it fishless. Check this article for details on cycling:

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

Don't bother with any additives like PH up, PH down, etc. Just let nature take its course and eventually your tank will be cycled and sparkling. You can do 10-20% water changes every week or two with dechlorinated water after the cycle has completed.

When you hgave a few months of flying time under your belt with a low bio-load (only a few fish) then you can buffer your PH with natural substances if you really want to. You will probably find that you don't even need to bother with it.

 

[mslittlebear]

Thanks for the information!

Hi,

Thanks for your help!

 

[Fruitbat]

mslittlebear....

I'd be REALLY careful about 'letting the chlorine flash off overnight'. Back in the old days when water treatement facilities all used straight chlorine to treat water that would have been OK. Nowadays many water treatment plants use chloramines which will NOT simply dissipate quickly. Best to get a chlorine/chloramine remover (commonly available in your local pet store) and take care of that water before you think about putting fish in it.

 

[mslittlebear]

Where are you in Rochester?

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I also am in Rochester on Latta Road, where abouts are you? I did plan on getting a declorinator as the man at Pet World told me to. Right now we are cleaning it out really, really well. Do we have to cycle like a sw tank? Love to talk more with you since your local.

Carol

 

[mslittlebear]

Sorry,

Hi,

Sorry I looked wrong at the post and thought you were in NY, but that was the post above you. I would appreciate any help though as I also was told to declorinate the water.

Thanks Again

Carol

 

[mslittlebear]

Boy I am confused

So sorry,

I really am not a blonde, but at the moment I am thinking like one (no offense to anyone as I have two blonde daughters), I was looking at my own post above yours and duh!!! didn't look at the name. We will start all over.

I really appreciate the help. Thanks!

Carol