Help--Saltwater to Freshwater

[central]

I'm thinking of converting my saltwater reef tank to a planted freshwater tank. I just have a few questions.

First, would a planted tank be cheaper and easier to maintain than a reef tank? It seems like my reef is a never ending money pit. There is always something else to buy.

Can I use my currant lighting that I have? I have a pc lighting setup with 220 watts (2 x 55 watt 10,000K and 2 x 55 watt actinic). I also have a canopy for the tank with 2 x 250 watt metal halide lights installed. Will either of these setups be o.k. to use for lighting.

Can someone explain what I would need to set up a planted tank or point me to some helpful links?

Thanks a lot.

 

[sky.eyes.woman]

I would think it would be LOTS cheaper. Check out the aquatic plants board here, it might be real helpful. That part about the never ending money pit...that's why in almost 13 years of keeping fish I've never tried a marine setup of any kind. I mean..the prices...:thud:

 

[Puffernewbee]

I agree with sky.eyes. Check out the aquatic plant forum here:
Aquatic Plants
You could also check out:
The Planted Tank Forum

You do not specify the size of your tank but if it is around 70 gallons the PC light you have will work nicely. You will want to replace the bulds with 6700k bulbs though since that is a better light spectrum for plants.

 

[tanker]

I have two reefs and a FW heavily planted tank. IMO my FW tanks take more time (more water changes). What do you mean by constant expenses?? Do you mean additives (calcium, buffers, ect)??

I add more stuff to my FW planted tank---Trace, Fe, K, Nitrate, Pho, CO2, ect. And over 400watts of PC lights.