120 gallon tank needs

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newplan

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Aug 3, 2007
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I have a 120 gallon tank that has been setup to be a reef tank. It has been in storage for the last 5 months while I was house hunting. I have finally found a new place but can no longer afford the high cost of the saltwater tank. I was thinking that maybe I could switch the tank over to a freshwater setup. What pieces of equipment can I still use and what do I need to redo or replace?
This is the basic setup that I have: 120 gallon tank with dual corner overflows, protein skimmer, power heads, sand, rock, 20 gallon (three chambered) sump, metal halide lights and T5 lights, and a return pump for the water.
I had to cut all the pvc pipe that connected everything for the move so it can be setup now with out the sump if I close off the overflows. Not sure what is needed for a freshwater tank. Currently I have no specific plans other than I can no longer afford the cost of running the lights, salt, chemicals etc. Any help with possible ideas would be appreciated.

by the way I was for selling the entire thing but the family will not go for that since so much time and effort went into the original tank setup.
 
hey i'm kinda in the same boat!
here's what i've learned.

the proten skimmer is virtually useless in a freshwater tank, so plan on selling it.
the sand and rock is also probably a saltwater-only thing (assuming this is/was live rock?) depending on what kind of sand it is, you could keep it if you wanted to do an african cichlid tank.. otherwise, sell it.

you could also probably downgrade the lights and sell the ones you have

I would use the sump. you've already got it and they work great (you will definitely want to clean it up really well tho!)

i dont know what chemicals you have, but you can almost definitely get rid of all of them.. and if it's marine salt, you can probably get rid of that too.
 
what is the suggestion for the lights? In other words down grade to what exactly. Yes, the rock was at one time live rock. Of course I should have no problems selling what I do not need. And then using that money to buy any new items I need.
What kind of filtration system should I use and will it be placed in the sump where the protein skimmer was originally?
 
Depends on if you wnat live plants and the depth of the tank. You will probably need to downsize on the bulbs though. Run the sump and a couple of canisters to boot.
 
Canister filters are wonderful for a 120 gallon tank. I would use at least two of them, one on each side. If you are going for a planted tank the t-5 lights will come in handy as well.

Marinemom
 
newplan said:
what is the suggestion for the lights? In other words down grade to what exactly. Yes, the rock was at one time live rock. Of course I should have no problems selling what I do not need. And then using that money to buy any new items I need.
What kind of filtration system should I use and will it be placed in the sump where the protein skimmer was originally?
Click to expand...

Pretty much your answers were given in the first to replies. Stick with your sump since it is already paid for. Post a pic of it so we know what you have. It is probably a wet/dry, refugium, and skimmer combination. The skimmer's usefulness will depend on what type of fish you are keeping and their food requirements. If you feed oily foods (menhayden, cigar minnows, sardines, shrimp, etc.) then the skimmer will prove usefull, but still it is not required. It is intended to extend your saltwater's life so you don't have to do as many water changes. Freshwater water changes are cheap in comparison. I use about 600 gallons per month for water changes and it costs less than three dollars on my bill.
 
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