Would you convert a 75 gallons freshwater tank to a reef tank ?

[Grey Guy]

Did you keep the salt and rocks ? If so, how did you clean them ?

I thought we were talking about going fresh to salt. The other way, I never tried reef rock in a fresh water tank, or fresh water decor in a reef. Always used different substaight too.

 

[Idech]

I thought we were talking about going fresh to salt

Yes, you’re right, we’re talking about fresh to salt.

Nonetheless, in my freshwater tank I have African cichlids (Mbunas) and those fish live in rocks and sand and need a higher PH. So I have 80 lbs of aragonite sand and 75-100 lbs of Florida rocks and lace rocks in the tank.

I guess most people don’t have this kind of freshwater set-up when they switch, but it was worth asking…

 

[dedragon]

Did you keep the salt and rocks ? If so, how did you clean them ?

Yes, you’re right, we’re talking about fresh to salt.

Nonetheless, in my freshwater tank I have African cichlids (Mbunas) and those fish live in rocks and sand and need a higher PH. So I have 80 lbs of aragonite sand and 75-100 lbs of Florida rocks and lace rocks in the tank.

I guess most people don’t have this kind of freshwater set-up when they switch, but it was worth asking…

I think this is what you were referencing, the salt wont work but the rock might as long as it wasnt treated with copper or something, might look weird in a saltwater tank and idk if lace rock will effect the pH or alkalinity too much

 

[dedragon]

@Dragonsreef
great recommendation on filter (i like HOB over cannister for maintenance reasons) here is a link for OP its on sale a bit from amazon

 

[rusty hannon]

If you have room to behind tank and squat down I can think of several containers you could use as a diy sump, sumps to hold equipment and more w/v which is all a sump does. Best to drill I agree but I never have hang on CPR unit and u can create it so u could slide it,them out for maintance. Always some kind thing the imagination con come up w and ur in a perfect place for help.

 

[rusty hannon]

Terrible , how about a gfci power sirip w a gfci receptacle for added protection.??

 

[chizerbunoi]

My 55 gal has been up for 6 years now. It’s an eye sore with the HOB skimmer but I rarely do maintenance which you can tell. I guess I should do a WC and test parameters some day. I just tip up with tap water and feed the fish. Ugh the powerheads look so awful with all that algae.

Never used RODI and local water is 225 TDS. I do keep macro in display as I don’t have any tangs to eat it. Not with that many carpets/magnifica around. Just a bunch of anemones and 3 clownfish.


Honestly the tank and equipment were a fraction of the cost of the anemones. Equipment is the cheapest part of this hobby for me

I didn’t run a protein skimmer for many years. But started when I slacked down to maybe monthly WC?

 

[Gmantu]

I’ve had a 55 gal running for just over a year. Started with a marineland canister filter. Tank ran well but I had higher goals for the tank.
Added a sump with a HOB eshopps overflow and have been adding equipment ever since. My biggest take away so far is that I wish I would have done more planning and research before I started anything.
I watched a video by Than from Tidal Gardens and he made a good point. A 120 gal tank isn’t much bigger in dimensions than a 55 or 75. And the cost isn’t much more.
If I were in your position with the knowledge I have gained so far and keeping in mind that you don’t want any DIY, I would try to sell your 75 and stand and get a larger tank and sump. I think you’ve already got the itch to go bigger and I don’t think a 75 will scratch that itch once you realize your still limited in stocking and space.
If finances allow, go bigger and hire someone to do the DIY you don’t want to.

 

[chizerbunoi]

Here is my 90 gal from a long time ago. You can see the unsightly equipment everywhere.

Electrical was a mess.
HOB aquaclear
HOB skimmer
Tunze Ato
4 vortech powerhead
Heater
Controller
6 bulb t5

Just butt ugly but I purchased equipment over time.

I was able to grow everything from SPS, claims to elegance corals. I had a HOB overflow a long time ago but it flooded my basement. So that went away the next day. The HOB skimmer flooded many times too.

 

[Idech]

I’ve stumbled across a great package that would make my freshwater tank reef ready : Tunze Reef pack 500.

Here’s what’s in it :

For seawater biotopes from 200 to 500 liters (53 to 132 USgal.).
Power consumption only 31 W for all components, 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz).
• Comline® DOC Skimmer 9012 for high performance skimming.
• Loop current in aquarium by energy saving pump with variable
performance from 500 to 2,100 l/h (132 to 555 USgal./h).
• Comline® Multifilter 3168 (cartridge quick filter)
• Osmolator® 3155
• Storage tank 5002.250 with a volume of 27 liters (7.1 USgal.) to hold the
refill water.
• Magnet Holder up to a glass thickness of 15 mm (2/3").
Dimensions (L x W x H): 140 x 220 x 415 mm (5.5" x 8.6" x 16.3")
Can be easily combined with other TUNZE® products.

I can’t seem to find it in Canada but I can buy the parts separately and just find a reservoir for the ATO.

This would be perfect. I’m still doing research on it but it looks very interesting !