Reef to fresh

[TheWalkman99]

Due to a lack of time from buying a new home and my ATO flooding my work and throwing all my levels out of each while I was gone on a 5 day weekend I have decided to break down my reef tank and convert it to freshwater.
While researching I came across several similar threads on reef 2 reef so I thought I would post my own questions here too.
My main question is could I use the same substrate in a freshwater tank after several thorough rinses? I rinsed the tank a few times today I plan on getting white vinigar and filling the tank with a mixture of vinigare and water and letting the tank run for a day followed by more rinsing. Is there anything additional I should do?
PS. I plan to get back into rescuing eventually I saved all my equipment.

 

[Reef-junky]

Don’t feel bad I was making good progress on my tank and then we got a house. Now I have a million projects and the tank is on the back burner.

 

[Willu]

If you are talking about reef sand, you really shouldn't unless you plan on keeping African cichlids as they require elevated pH levels. The problem with with reef substrates in freshwater is that it will raise the pH of your water which is usually not something you want to do since lots of freshwater fish live in water with pH<=7. You can check if certain rocks or substrates are safe for your freshwater aquarium by doing an 'acid test' or 'vinegar test' where you basically put the rock/substrate into some sort of acid such as vinegar, and if there is a reaction i.e bubbling, then it is probably unsafe to use as it would raise the pH. If you want sand, look into carribsea's sand for freshwater systems or if you want to be frugal you could use pool filter sand which is also commonly used in freshwater tanks.
I'm happy to answer any questions about freshwater since I've been doing it for years.

 

[TheWalkman99]

If you are talking about reef sand, you really shouldn't unless you plan on keeping African cichlids as they require elevated pH levels. The problem with with reef substrates in freshwater is that it will raise the pH of your water which is usually not something you want to do since lots of freshwater fish live in water with pH<=7. You can check if certain rocks or substrates are safe for your freshwater aquarium by doing an 'acid test' or 'vinegar test' where you basically put the rock/substrate into some sort of acid such as vinegar, and if there is a reaction i.e bubbling, then it is probably unsafe to use as it would raise the pH. If you want sand, look into carribsea's sand for freshwater systems or if you want to be frugal you could use pool filter sand which is also commonly used in freshwater tanks.
I'm happy to answer any questions about freshwater since I've been doing it for years.

Thank you for the reply. After giving it some thought and some more research I decided to get new sand.
I can’t find anywhere what the ocean direct sand is actually made of.
Thanks for offering your help I wish there was a freshwater forum as awesome as reef 2 reef

 

[Willu]

You should go look at plantedtanks.net, smaller than r2r but it’s good too

 

[SVA]

If you are talking about reef sand, you really shouldn't unless you plan on keeping African cichlids as they require elevated pH levels. The problem with with reef substrates in freshwater is that it will raise the pH of your water which is usually not something you want to do since lots of freshwater fish live in water with pH<=7. You can check if certain rocks or substrates are safe for your freshwater aquarium by doing an 'acid test' or 'vinegar test' where you basically put the rock/substrate into some sort of acid such as vinegar, and if there is a reaction i.e bubbling, then it is probably unsafe to use as it would raise the pH. If you want sand, look into carribsea's sand for freshwater systems or if you want to be frugal you could use pool filter sand which is also commonly used in freshwater tanks.
I'm happy to answer any questions about freshwater since I've been doing it for years.

I need some help also. Converting a 250 gallon reef tank to fresh water. Rotator cuff surgery both sides so need to quit hauling water for a while. Fish are in happy homes, coral sold and protein skimmer cleaned and stored for now. Tank has drain and plumbed for water lines (hot and cold) into the sump (lines were already in wall. Worried about water flow rates with smaller fresh water fish. Any suggestions