Is it okay to change a salt water aquarium to a fresh water aquarium?

Question

i have received a new fish tank that was used for salt water fish but now that i have it i want freshwater fish. i was told that the salt in the tank doesn't come out and that it must always be salt water. it this true?

Answer 1

Just keep washing/scrubbing it untill it looks clean.

Salt dissolves in water so it will wash out, and if there is a tiny trace left it wont harm fresh water fish. Many people actually as a small amount of salt to their freshwater tanks anyway.

Ian

Answer 2

You will be ok using it for freshwater, I've done it plenty of times with various aquariums. Just remove everything from the aquarium, scrub and rinse it. The amount of salt if any will be miniscule and won't cause any problems.

One thing, make sure you do not use any of the substrate (gravel,sand) or decorations that were used while it was a saltwater tank. If the tank had a filter in addition to a protien skimmer, make sure you scrub t really well and replace all filter media before use.

Answer 3

No just clean it with a scrunge and hot water.

Answer 4

try cleaning it really good, let it dry, then see if you can see salt in it if yo can, do it again but if you cant get it out well i guess you cant use it.but you can find super heap aquariums at craigslist. ive seen a 30 gallon one for 25 bucks and a 10 gallon one for free! and 5-10 bucks

Answer 5

It is true that salt doesnt evaporate with the water, yes.

BUT you have a tank with no fish in it? No problem rinse it really well with nothing but water.. NO SOAP OR DISH DETERGENT!!!!!!!

You can use a 20/1 bleach solution if you like but not necessary.

Get that baby cleaned and set up so it can start cycling and you can adds some fish of your choice in 3-4 weeks.

congrats on the new tank!

(Like lanab said, most people keep a small amount of salt even in freshwater, so your good just make sure if it has gravel? that you swish it and rinse it really well)

Answer 6

my aunt & uncle have doen that before......after u wash it just make sure u let it dry in the sun...supposed 2 get rid of bacteria/salt.

BUT im not POSITIVE it would work or what they used 2 clean it....so ur best bet is to ask a professional like someone that works at petsmart, or somewhere?....or google it? (: