Saltwater cycle

[mtmesser]

I just sold all of my african cichlids out of my 180, and still have the water in the tank. I am switching the tank to saltwater, if I just add salt to the water, with 50% of the cichlid freshwater and the rest pure water, would this speed up the cycle for saltwater, or should I just start fresh, with all new saltwater.

http://www.carolinafishtalk.com/forum/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=268259

 

[Madreef]

Start with an empty tank with clean rodi water and salt mix. Do you have your filtration and lighting lined up yet?

 

[_Alex_]

You would be better off with fresh RODI water. are you plannign on using the original sustrate to??? what about rock and filtration?

 

[mtmesser]

I will be using new substrate, also I have all my filtration already, lifereef system, with calcium reactor, also going to run carbon and small amounts of gfo. Still debating on using bio-pellets. I've ordered dry rock already, and will be in tuesday.

 

[_Alex_]

ok then new salt water. woudlnt wanna risk with who knows what could be in the old water. sounds like your off to a good start!

 

[Engloid]

Yeah, the bacteria in the freshwater would all be killed in the saltwater, and the dead matter could then result in very high ammonia. Further, your freshwater likely has much more phosphate than you will want in a saltwater setup.