Reptile tank To Reef Tank..???

My woman wants to set up a tank were looking on craigslist and theres a few tanks on there that were reptile tanks i heard that is a nono to go from reptile to fish can this happen and if so how i clean the tank....Thanks

Rocky

 

The main thing with going from reptile to reef is how long its been setup as a reptile tank I think, since your main goal in a reptile tank is HOT and dry, which is horrible for the silicone which seals the tank, expeccially since theres usually dry sand in the bottm which drys out the silicone also, scratching from the animals too ruins the front of the glass. I know its cheaper to buy used, my 125 is used but if you do go with a reptile tank have it filled before you leave, if not I wouldnt go near it. If you save money on your tank, you risk spending it on your stuff around the tank when it fails...

 

not to mention alot of reptile tanks are alot thinner glass, as they dont have to hold all the weight of the water....

 

If it's a standard aquarium that was used for reptiles, your biggest issues will be whether or not it leaks, and proper cleansing. Urea and other biological contaminants can permeate the silicone sealant, and for certain, you cannot use any type detergent. What I normally do is fill the tank with freshwater, and when no leaks are found, add a heater and powerhead. Raise the temp to 75+, and let it run for 1 week to dilute the contaminants. Empty the tank, rinse thoroughly, then refill with saltwater. Again raise the temp, and add a couple precured live rocks, and let the system run for 2 weeks. That will allow any residual contaminants to break down naturally and be defused by the bacteria. Empty and rinse again, and you are good to go.

Yup, it's "old school", but it's always worked for me. And whatever the tank size, the additional cost for salt- and patience- won't outweigh the joy of success.

Cheers, and good luck.

 

I've always found that when someone lists a tank as a reptile tank, it either has some crack or other defect that leaks water or the glass is too thin to support the water pressure. IMO I wouldn't get it.

 

Thanks very much were looking and theres not much opitions here in maine on aquarium stuff.....