what does it take to turn a tank into a saltwater tank?

[newfiegirl]

what does it take to turn a tank into a saltwater tank? my hubby was talking about it for a while to change one into a saltwater tank but never really understood how to go from there if we decidedt o, would you need all new equipment and is a 30gallon to small?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

The bacteria in fresh vs salt is different so the tank would need to recycle. You should drain all the water out and replace with ro /di. Some people buy it and haul the water from a lfs and some buy an ro /di unit. What's the filters and stuff you have now?

 

[Bectan01]

It would be like starting over I guess. I was bought a 55g for my birthday (lucky me) and it came with everything for a freshwater set up, I think my partner thought that's what I wanted then I went to the fish store and fell in love with the marine fish! Long story short, the only thing I kept was the heater. I sold the under gravel filter, light, gravel, food and all the other gear on eBay and started anew...

 

[Bectan01]

Oh and a 30g is not too small, but you may get addicted and want a bigger tank! - you have much more options for fish in a larger tank and its easier to keep a salt water tank stable if its a larger volume. A lot of people recommend 55g is a good beginner size but it depends on how much time you want to give it. If you have the time and the patience a 30g will be fine, especially if you already have the tank

 

[newfiegirl]

mine came with everything for freshwater! i got a filter i dont know the name of it, as i have had it for a year and didnt really do anything with it like we want to do now! but i got a filter the air bubbles and a heater. well my husband has been thinking after we get basement done about building his own aquarium which wewere wanting a nice long one just not sure if we want it in the wall or not yet!