Need help converting Fresh to Salt

[jeepsrt]

Well looks like my buddy has gotten the saltwater bug. He has had a 100G freshwater tank for a few years now, along with his 175G Fresh water Arawana tank. But when I brought my nano over to his place (its home for a few months) he has decieded to convert his 100G into a FO saltwater tank.

Current set up as follows

100G Tank
Rena X-3 filter
he would need new lighting which isnt the problem.

But what will be invilved in converting this.

Also he wants to keep some of the same decorations as used in the exisiting freshwater ..not the fake plants, they are broken 2',3',4' water pipes =P would these be ok in there?? He would want to keep those along with some LR and live sand.

Any and all info would be greatly appreaciated.

 

[RyanLab]

water pipes? like PVC and ABS pipes, or copper. Copper is bad for a saltwater tank.

 

[ASommers]

Any lighting will work for FO. Not sure if copper would be a problem with a FO tank.

 

[jeepsrt]

water pipes? like PVC and ABS pipes, or copper. Copper is bad for a saltwater tank.

No copper used, water pipes as in a glass pipe (decoration only of course) =P
my main question really is will the filter be suffcient, I am sure I will at least nead to get some more movment in the water.

 

[ASommers]

Maybe add a skimmer, but I think the same basic setup will work for both. main thing that I can think of is just to watch your nitrates.

 

[Photobret]

Ideal setup:

100 Gallon tank
Xp3 Filter used for Carbon
Get some flow in tank its very important, 2x Korralia 4's and 2 x Korralia 3's

Lighting, depending on what he wants to keep, Powercompacts are cheap enough and he can do everything from Softies, LPS and Zoas. He will want to upgrade later to MH or High Output T5's for clams, anenomes (sp.!) and SPS.

Ideally he wants a sump, either look into the option of having the tank drilled or get an overflow, the ONLY one I recommend is the Lifereef Overflow, its guaranteed not to ever cause hassles.

Clean the pipes...? Very odd he wants to keep them but anyway, maybe boil them in hot water, dont use cleaning products at all!!!!

Make sure the top off water or make up water is filtered, no using tap water for this tank!

Any more questions just ask...