As the title indicates, I am officially hanging my saltwater hat and trying on the freshwater one. Saltwater was fun for many years but it was time to leave. One of the biggest reasons why I am switching is because of the animals we keep. Corals are easy to kill and the damage to the environment through coral/fish collection is not something I can support. I know freshwater has its own host of issues but I feel it is by far the lesser of the 2 evils. I want to have an aquarium, and being a good steward to the environment and the animals I keep has moved to the top of the list. I have invested ridiculous amounts of money in aquariums and equipment so I am repurposing as much of it as I can. All saltwater live stock has gone to good homes, all aquariums have been drain and refilled/cleaned with vinegar and water. All deposits have been removed from tanks and equipment. The first aquarium I will start with is a Red Sea Reefer 525XL, it has a 108 gallon display (59x22x22) and a 31 gallon sump . I am choosing to start with this aquarium because of the volume. I am hoping the added volume will give me more stabile parameters and less dramatic swings as I learn freshwater. Some of the equipment may be overkill but it can be adjusted down.
Lights
Hydra 26HD x3
Pumps
Ecotech Vectra M1
Reactors
AquaMaxx XL x2
I plumbed these inline and can run multiple medias simultaneously if needed
Heater
Ehiem 300w heater
Dosing
Bubble Magus w/ extension. No idea of dosing regiment yet but equipment is available should i need it
Controller
Apex Jr will control and monitor pH, temp, and CO2 (5lb tank w/ regulator that came off calcium reactor).
Aquascaping
Manzanita wood, Seiryu stone, Eco-Complete in areas where column feeders will be and ADA Amazonia in places where substrate nutrients are required. Plants TBD and layout is currently WIP.
Anyone that has any recommendations and/or can share their experience switching from salt to fresh is totally welcome. I appreciate feedback. Today everything was filled with freshwater, checking plumping for leaks and all equipment being tested after dismantling.
Lights
Hydra 26HD x3
- 6 - Cree XP-G2 Cool White (> 70 CRI)
- 6 - Cree XT-E Royal Blue
- 6 - Cree XP-E2 Blue
- 2 - OSRAM OSLON Deep Red
- 2 - Cree XP-E2 Green
- 2 - SemiLED 415nm
- 2 - SemiLED 400nm
Pumps
Ecotech Vectra M1
- Pump Type: Centrifugal / DC
- Flow: 2000 gph (7500 lph)
- Pressure: 21.5' (6.5m)
- Flow: 4,500+ gph (17,000+ lph)
- Communicates wirelessly with each other to create different currents
Reactors
AquaMaxx XL x2
I plumbed these inline and can run multiple medias simultaneously if needed
Heater
Ehiem 300w heater
Dosing
Bubble Magus w/ extension. No idea of dosing regiment yet but equipment is available should i need it
Controller
Apex Jr will control and monitor pH, temp, and CO2 (5lb tank w/ regulator that came off calcium reactor).
Aquascaping
Manzanita wood, Seiryu stone, Eco-Complete in areas where column feeders will be and ADA Amazonia in places where substrate nutrients are required. Plants TBD and layout is currently WIP.
Anyone that has any recommendations and/or can share their experience switching from salt to fresh is totally welcome. I appreciate feedback. Today everything was filled with freshwater, checking plumping for leaks and all equipment being tested after dismantling.