Is anyone using a freshwater tank for saltwater?

[AydenLincoln]

I know it can work but probably needs upgrades. I’m only planning on putting a little lobster in the tank so I know bioload won’t be as heavy as a tank full of fish but lobsters are messy. Anyone have experience with this? Would it need a different filter? Here’s the tank: https://www.petsmart.com/fish/start...b6ZVdpH5h5LiNaDXx4TK-efUrI5ZlQ30aAo8yEALw_wcB

 

[davidcalgary29]

I used something like that for one of my first quarantine tanks; it was fine for its purpose. But that's nearly seventy bucks -- why not just get a bare 10g or 20g tank and a spare powerhead and build your own system? Or go for an Evo? The Evo gives you so much more bang for your buck, and it isn't that much more expensive than the linked tank.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I used something like that for one of my first quarantine tanks; it was fine for its purpose. But that's nearly seventy bucks -- why not just get a bare 10g or 20g tank and a spare powerhead and build your own system? Or go for an Evo? The Evo gives you so much more bang for your buck, and it isn't that much more expensive than the linked tank.

I already bought it lol! It was because I wanted to set it up…it was because I went to PetSmart at 9 pm lol. I mean I could still return it. It just was a good deal for what I want to use it for.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I used something like that for one of my first quarantine tanks; it was fine for its purpose. But that's nearly seventy bucks -- why not just get a bare 10g or 20g tank and a spare powerhead and build your own system? Or go for an Evo? The Evo gives you so much more bang for your buck, and it isn't that much more expensive than the linked tank.

Its too late... she already has it

 

[davidcalgary29]

D'oh!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I would of went with an evo... But again I say I hate evo's because you end up tearing everything that comes with it out eventually. But in this case it would be perfect.

 

[Tamberav]

Ya you sure can. Why can’t you it holds water… fresh or salt lol

I have done it before with cheap freshwater tanks. I had to block the bottom hole to get better surface skimming and added a wave maker. New light for corals if that’s in the plan.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Ya you sure can. Why can’t you it holds water… fresh or salt lol

I have done it before with cheap freshwater tanks. I had to block the bottom hole to get better surface skimming and added a wave maker. New light for corals if that’s in the plan.

Nope no corals in this tank! I know true. And I figured because it’s only going to house a reef lobster there’s no need to spend more since a tank is a tank.

 

[Tamberav]

Nope no corals in this tank! I know true. And I figured because it’s only going to house a reef lobster there’s no need to spend more since a tank is a tank.

ya I mean people make reef tanks out of cookie jars, vases, and Rubbermaid tubs. Nano reef had a creative container contest and I saw some coffee pots and all sorts of oddities. If it holds water and doesn’t leach/rust, it can be a saltwater tank.

 

[AydenLincoln]

ya I mean people make reef tanks out of cookie jars, vases, and Rubbermaid tubs. Nano reef had a creative container contest and I saw some coffee pots and all sorts of oddities. If it holds water and doesn’t leach/rust, it can be a saltwater tank.

Great point! I’ve seen those. I just wonder about filtration.

 

[Tamberav]

Great point! I’ve seen those. I just wondering about filtration.

jam some floss in the back to catch debris, maybe a bag of carbon and do regular water changes

 

[AydenLincoln]

jam some floss in the back to catch debris, maybe a bag of carbon and do regular water changes

I will definitely put a bag of carbon. Filter floss sounds good probably better than the filter cartridge.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

One of the things you have to concern yourself with is the pump, It may have a stainless shaft instead of a ceramic one. but you can take apart the pump and check

 

[AydenLincoln]

One of the things you have to concern yourself with is the pump, It may have a stainless shaft instead of a ceramic one. but you can take apart the pump and check

I did read about that.

 

[Koh23]

Tank is simply something that can hold some amount if water, there is no such thing as freshwater, saltwater, any kind of tank...

Its all just marketing, it is 5 pieces of glass or acryl, it can be 5 pieces of wood, concrete, ceramics.... Anything that holds water....

Differences between setups is very minimal, you can have freshwater tanks with overflow, sump, etc, same as you can have saltwater tank without any of that....

So yes as long as it holds the water....

Ceramics shaft are nice but not crucial, many many cheap pumps work for years in sw without corrosion or any problem, so......

 

[AydenLincoln]

One of the things you have to concern yourself with is the pump, It may have a stainless shaft instead of a ceramic one. but you can take apart the pump and check

I took it apart and I have no idea lol. It just says made in China and I can only take the one part off to see a plastic blade. I could use another pump though. Would it rust is that the concern?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I am also worried about the filtration with this... I mean the tank is slick and all but maybe you should pick up a used fiji cube or waterbox. what if the pump does not have enough flow. I know by many standards the tank is super cheap.... But I wouldn’t want it to be a waste if it can not keep up with the demand. When you know there are other tanks out there that would and be less of a pain and you can put some other things in there and not worry...
2 cents worth

 

[AydenLincoln]

I am also worried about the filtration with this... I mean the tank is slick and all but maybe you should pick up a used fiji cube or waterbox. what if the pump does not have enough flow. I know by many standards the tank is super cheap.... But I wouldn’t want it to be a waste if it can not keep up with the demand. When you know there are other tanks out there that would and be less of a pain and you can put some other things in there and not worry...
2 cents worth

I understand that. I’ll be adding a bag of carbon and a wave pump too so flow won’t be an issue. And they don’t have a 5 gallon in Waterbox and for this build I will not be spending hundreds….or at least trying not to.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I took it apart and I have no idea lol. It just says made in China and I can only take the one part off to see a plastic blade. I could use another pump though. Would it rust is that the concern?

Yes that would be the concern. There are different grades of stainless steel, some will rust more than others... (iron content) if you look at the end of the shaft if it is white then it is ceramic if it is metal.. But you should be able to pull out the impeller/ better be able to for cleaning

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes that would be the concern. There are different grades of stainless steel, some will rust more than others... (iron content) if you look at the end of the shaft if it is white then it is ceramic if it is metal.. But you should be able to pull out the impeller/ better be able to for cleaning

It’s definitely metal but it looked fairly sealed from what I could tell I mean they have to be electrical wiring is in them.