Switching To Freshwater Questions.

[Bosco83]

My wife wants to switch her 60g tank in our bedroom to a freshwater planted tank. I am in the process of breaking her tank down and I was wondering how clean I have to get it? I figured suck all the sand out and clean the sides put her substrate in and let the tank cycle. Then I realized how much coralline algae she has on the back of the tank. Should I just leave it and let it die off in freshwater? If not I guess I'll just have to take her tank outside and clean it with vinegar water.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[trido]

I left quite a bit on my overflows when I switched over to a planted tank. Since I'm dosing CO2 the Ph runs low and dissolved the coraline just like a Ca reactor.

FWIW, my FW planted tank is as much headache as any reef tank.

 

[Bosco83]

We aren't switching because it's hard to take care of she just wants a new project (for me)

 

[Bosco83]

We also don't really plan on making a serious planted tank just some easy to keep ones. I don't think we are going to be using co2 just good substrate and T5's. We are hoping that's enough to keep some easier plants for a more natural look.

 

[IPisces]

Its enough. I have a 29 gal fw planted tank. I am not running co2. I am running an airpump 24/7. The plants are growing like crazy.

 

[Crack31]

I've used a clean utility knife to get coraline algae off the glass. Doesn't seem to scratch the glass.

 

[Maxx]

Unless you're going to be keeping african cichlids in the tank, odds are the pH is going to be below 7 in order to grow the plants and keep the fish happy. This ought to be enough to dissolve the coralline algae on the sides of the tank/overflows.

Nick

 

[Bosco83]

I figured it will just jump start the cycle with the few pods I couldn't save and maybe a couple small snails in the overflows.

Brian

 

[vinny2261]

If you fill the tank with fresh water the coaline will fall off afte a short time, then just rinse it out, set it up and let it cycle like you said.