Going from fresh to salty

[patoloco]

If I have a FW perfectly cycled tank and add the proper salt, will this turn into a cycled saltwater tank?

I wonder beacause I've read that FW and SW nitrificating bacteria are different.

Also, don't know if the ph adjusts automatically when adding salt. I've read perfect Ph for SW tanks is around 8.3, while tap water comes beetween 6.5 and 7.5 in most cases.

Any info? Thank in advance.



NOTE:
Let's consider the filter used is safe for both FW and SW, so it won't come into discussion.

[abraham]

If I have a FW perfectly cycled tank and add the proper salt, will this turn into a cycled saltwater tank?

NO, you will be starting all over.

I wonder beacause I've read that FW and SW nitrificating bacteria are different.

They are....

Also, don't know if the ph adjusts automatically when adding salt. I've read perfect Ph for SW tanks is around 8.3, while tap water comes beetween 6.5 and 7.5 in most cases.

It may or may not. Ph can be hard to maintain depending on your local water supply.

Any info? Thank in advance.

What are you looking to do? Fish, inverts, reef...?

NOTE:
Let's consider the filter used is safe for both FW and SW, so it won't come into discussion.

Abraham

[patoloco]

Thanks. I was suspecting that. Then, I'd rather dissarm the tank, cleant it and restart from the beggining.

[abraham]

If you need any help, let me know!

Abraham

[jenghes]

Answers below within your quote :) Good luck! I have been doing sw for 4 years, I came here seeking advice on fw.


If I have a FW perfectly cycled tank and add the proper salt, will this turn into a cycled saltwater tank?

I wonder beacause I've read that FW and SW nitrificating bacteria are different.

Yes, they are different. You will need to start over. I also recommend a different substrate than the typical fw gravel (I don't know what you are using though.

Also, don't know if the ph adjusts automatically when adding salt. I've read perfect Ph for SW tanks is around 8.3, while tap water comes beetween 6.5 and 7.5 in most cases.

It does adjust somewhat. Dosing of Kalkwasser helps boost your PH and Calcium.

You should never use tap water in a sw system. Investment in a RO/DI system is absolutely necessary. If it is a small tank, you can get away with using Distilled water from Wal-Mart instead. Be careful with other brands of distilled water because many companies distill the water with copper tubing. Copper is toxic to the inverts. The water should be pure to avoid algea outbreaks.

Any info? Thank in advance.



NOTE:
Let's consider the filter used is safe for both FW and SW, so it won't come into discussion.

If properly set up with a skimmer and live rock, no filter is needed. The skimmer and LR do all your filtration for you. Basic bio-wheels and wet-dry's tend to be a nitrate factory in sw.

If you really want to start up, there is a lot of great information on reefcentral.com

By the way, GOOD LUCK :)

[abraham]

"You should never use tap water in a sw system. Investment in a RO/DI system is absolutely necessary."

This isn't always true. It depends on your tap water. A RO/DI isn't a bad idea, but not necessary if your tap water is "good".

I've run very successful reef tanks for the last five years, and have been into saltwater fish tanks for over twenty before that. Water quality is very, very important, but before you drop a bunch of money on a ro system, check out your tap.

Abraham

[patoloco]

Thanks a lot for your resposed and useful info. I'll begin researching some more about SW care.

TX again