salt water tank conversion to fresh

Question
I had a 26 gallon salt tank for about 5 years.  Converting it to fresh for time reasons. How do I clean all the calcified growth on the glass?  Can I use same filter and just clean well with tap water?  I would like to just cycle tap water for 2-3 days to clean out filter, etc.  Does this make sense?  Thank you

Answer
Hey Susan,

sorry to lose a reefer to the dark side!!!  hehehehe

as for how to prepare the tank for fresh water, Im not totally sure since i have never kept freshwater tanks, BUT, you can clean the tank with vinegar and water solution, maybe 1 gallon vinegar to 10 gallons of tap water, and let soak, or let run through the filters, ( you will need more vinegar and water)

but after a day, most of the calcification and corline aglae growth will be gone, what isnt gone will be very soft, and will wash off with a scrub / sponge from the kitchen, (maybe an old one)

after that, rinse with tap water, and maybe 1 cup of bleach to a tank of water, and let run throught the pumps, and filter, but without the filter pads.. you will want to replace or find a better filter for freshwater use, (see my original comment above about my experience)

After the bleach wash/rinse, then repeat with just a tap water wash/rinse

I hope this helps at least get you to a clean tank that you can prepare for the freshwater system


good luck

bill