Converting FW to SW

[saltyair]

Personally not a good idea IMO. best to start with new sand or rinse the sand thoroughly. The ammonia and nitrate will be extremely high and give algae a big boost. Also don't run your lights during the cycle

Originally Posted by Palmer

Hi Everybody,

I am converting a 125 G african cichlid tank to a SW tank with soft corals. I know the sand is filled with nutrients and when draining it have siphoned off as much as possible. I know ideally it would be best to start with new sand. When I want to start it up with SW I was thinking of just putting in live rock and letting it cycle with the nutrients in the sand rather then using a shrimp . Then putting on a skimmer and just letting it sit for awhile. Then fill it with a clean up crew and just going slow and not introcucing corals or fish for awhile.

Thoughts?

[Palmer]

Good point about keeping the lights off and possible algae bloom

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by saltyair

Personally not a good idea IMO.

Remember, I said not terrible. Not the best way of course, and I wouldn't do it, but I think it's manageable. Personally, I'd buy new sand

[mrhasan]

Which is cheaper? Buying new sand and cycling with shrimp or using the old sand and keeping up with vigorous water change - that's the $$$$ question