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Shortly we will be pulling down our marine tank & transferring the fish, the corals & live rock to a new larger tank.

The old marine tank will be changed to a non planted African cichlid tank. I'd like to use the sand base in the new set-up, if that's possible.

How many changes of water would it take to get the salt out of the existing marine substrate to make it safe for freshwater. Or is that even possible?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
TW

Hi,
I'd like to know what you are calling sand?
If it is crushed coral, then my answer would be "No,"
don't try to use it in the African tank. THE reason
is that the salt water is absorbed in the pores of the
coral and it would be very difficult to wash (soak) it
all out.

If you had regular play or filter sand in the tank,
I still would not use it as that is quartz and while it
would wash clean easily, it will do nothing to maintain
the high pH and GH necessary for the Rift Fish.

Actually most folks who keep Rift Fish use limestone to
build their clifs and caves and then use some carbonate
as substrate. Your choices would be crushed limestone,
crushed dolomite, crushed coral, or crushed oyster
shells. All are carbonates and will maintain your tank
in the desired range.

If the African Cichlids are not the Rift fish then regular
sand would be OK to use after cleaning. Be sure to keep
the sand layer thin, no more than an inch to avoid
compaction and anaerobic areas within the substrate.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I would think it's argonite which is pretty darn cheap to replace. Although alot of african cichlids can handle quite a bit of marine salt in their water. You also have to take into account all the things that have been living in the sand. Bristleworms and such will now be dying off in freshwater. Perhaps if you pulled the sand and rinsed it then it would be fine but at that rate if you are using argonite you might as well just replace it. Especially if you were running a DSB. You won't want that much substrate in your tank now in the first place, you'll also want to place any new rocks down in the sand not on top since alot of cichlids like to dig, and there's probably alot of detritis and anearobic patches in an old DSB.

Thanks to you both for such quick responses. It is 3 different types of sand, laid in layers. I can find out what they are, but from what you both say, it doesn't sound promising.

I'll check it out & and also see if any of those substrates you mention are available Frank.

Cheers
TW

To be on the safe side dont even think of it, the cost of new substrate will be cheaper than replacing any lost fish.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

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