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Possible to convert saltwater tank set-up for freshwater AP?

SO I got this amazing garage sale find! A 40-50 gallon acryllic salt water tank. For $10! No leaks! When I told the peopel what I wanted it for they threw in the filter system too, for free.

It has the looks of a great breeding/rearing tank..for tilapia...or (any suggestions)? If not, I'll let our oldest kiddo have it for his trout project.

It came with a very not-cleaned filter system. A bio-filter...it has these funny looking blue balls with slits all over them. I understand the basic concept of a bio-fiter having a bactia build-ip on the balls to handle the filtering...What I want to know (hopefully someone here has saltwater tank experience) is , is it possible to clean out the filters and then use it for fresh water fish culture? Any pointers?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Converse on June 24, 2012 at 5:34pm

I had originally planned to just make use of the tank. Then after the bio-filter was thrown in the deal, it seemd to open up a few more possibilities. ...Any pointers?

Permalink Reply by Tony Gilliam on June 25, 2012 at 1:09am

Converse, I would sterilize everything, before using anything, Boil the bioballs and bleach the tank. Then its like starting with new stuff. $10 bucks was a great deal!!

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on June 25, 2012 at 7:17am

Or instead of bleach, you could use hydrogen peroxide.Probably not necessary to boil the bio-balls if you sterilize them using hydrogen peroxide or bleach (one or the other never mix)

The equipment should all be usable for regular aquaponics once cleaned.

Permalink Reply by Sheri Schmeckpeper on June 25, 2012 at 7:57am

All I can say about the price is...wow!! That's a great find!

I don't have experience with salt water tanks. I know they usually have sumps, but in AP sumps are used to keep tanks at a constant level, and in salt tanks I believe they're used for bio filtering, nitrate control, and mineral stabilization. But what do I know?

We're breeding in a 75 gal freshwater tank, but we started in a 30 gal tank. I'm sure you can use the saltwater tank for breeding maybe 6 - 8" tilapia.

Permalink Reply by Converse on June 25, 2012 at 9:49am

Thank you all for your pointers. Yes..Wow! That's what I thought. The tank was not set up, and had obviously not been set up for a while. Thus, I really am not sure how it all works together (figured I could find out doing a search online). Thanks for the explanation of the sumps for saltwater vs. fresh. And thanks for the pointers about cleaning. I know what I am going to be doing today...