125 gl fresh water 2 salt water conversion

[Emoney]

Looking to turn my fresh water tank into salt water. Have done alot of reading on the net also in books. Alot of the info was rather confusing. So i decided to go to this forum to get help.

My questions are.

1: what sort of preparation should i do to the tank, after having fresh water fish in it. ( im sure emptying the water is one) but as far as cleaning, what should i use.?...or do nothing.?....

2: Im currently not using a sump in my tank. Looking to buy one with i guess a protein skimmer built in. ( some book/articles say you dont need..??).......do I...?? whats a good brand name,..?

3:. Only things i will be using from this tank is . Tank, heaters , and lights.

I know this can be a long and expensive process, so im really hoping some kind soul with experience will take time to help.

Thanks for the time. Im really excited about this! Looking to get started buying supplies and prepping take !.....thanks again

[OneDummHikk]

1) Vinegar and water cleaning is about all the cleaning you need to do. Don't use soap though. Have you ever used copper in the tank?

2) Don't buy a sump with a built in protein skimmer. Get one separate. If you buy one built in and something happens to it, you can't replace the skimmer without replacing the sump. You also can't upgrade it later if you want or need to.

For a 125, I would get a 33 gallon long tank for the sump. Its the same width and length as a 55G tank but not as tall. Then add baffles to it and you are set.

Welcome to TRT and good luck with the new setup.

[Emoney]

No i have never used any sort of metal in the tank,.......So whats a good reliable name brand pump and skimmer to get..???........One more question...It seems i need to buy another tank..??.....what is that for.??

[D.J.]

by copper he meant ICH treatments......


the other tank he is talkin about would be for a sump tank......

as for skimmers just remember the more you spend the better the skimmer....dont go adding a petco 80 bucks special to it......

vertex is what im gone be running on my new setup when it gets here....right now im running a cpr dual backpack skimmer....seems to do a good job...

the sump with built in skimmers are junk.....DONT BUY ONE.......not worth the money.....

what lights do you currently have and what are your plans for saltwater? if coral...your lights arent gona be enuff if they are just the regual flouresent aquarium light strip....

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by D.J.

as for skimmers just remember the more you spend the better the skimmer....dont go adding a petco 80 bucks special to it......

I agree with not buying a cheap knock off at a chain store, but I am not sure that I agree that the more you spend the better the skimmer. Buying skimmers is a tricky business. You can spend upwards of 600 dollars on a Sealife Systems skimmer and then skim the snot off of it using an MSX series skimmers. With skimmers, cost isn't always a good indication of the quality of the product.

[Emoney]

Yes..!!!...Ihave used ICH treat ments in the past......!!!......What do i do NOW...??.....is that a big issue..??


you guys really know your *****....thanks alot.....gonna go looking at sumps and skimmers....and do a little more research.....keep you guys posted...ill be around

[OneDummHikk]

Emoney, what color is the silicone in the corners of the tank? Or, is it acrylic? If its acrylic, it doesn't matter with the ich treatments. If its glass, and the silicone has copper in it, it turns a green color if I remember right. If it hasn't turned colors, you don't have anything to worry about.

[Emoney]

..Protein Skimmer ETSS AE Tech 600 XR......anyone know anything about this skimmer..??........A local has one brand new in the box nvere used hell sell me for 375....good deal..??......good product..??........read nothing but good things so far, looking for you guys for some help

[Emoney]

one more thing......how many, and how big of powerhead do i need ?

[OneDummHikk]

ETSS AE Tech 600XR is a downdraft skimmer. The pump for it is going to be another ~175-300 dollars depending on which pump you choose. The pump you choose for it will also tell how well its going to skim or not. Downdraft skimmers typically require a pressure rated pump to operate properly because of the way they work. As far as quality and price, its a good skimmer and thats a good price for one new in the box.

Powerheads. Depends on the powerhead and placement. 2 MJ600s in that tank wouldn't even move the water but two Koralia 8es would make you think the seams were coming apart on it.
On a 125, I would look into and consider a CLS because its a 6 foot tank.

[Emoney]

thanks for your help......you guys are the best.........gonna start a build thread when i get my fresh water set up broken down...!!........

Thanks again