Question about converting a reef tank to freshwater

**FinalJenemba** · 05-03-2012, 04:55 PM

I know absolutely squat about reef tanks, im asking this fr my father who needs some advice. He has a 34g Solana reef with the Current 20" 150w Halide lighting fixture. He wants to convert it from a reef into a freshwater Dwarf Cichlid tank. The tank will be unplanted and coming from freshwater I fear that the light would be WAY to powerful for a freshwater tank. Is there any chance that light would work? If not how much do you think it would be worth if we tried to sell it? What other modifications do you think would need to be made for the tank to work as a freshwater?

Thanks guys!

**Cliff** · 05-03-2012, 06:17 PM

The light is most likely between 14,000K and 18,000K lighting. I would think that would not be suitable for any FW tank. At least I would never try it.

MH lighting is pretty old school in most parts and is not that expensive at all to buy second hand. You may not get a lot for it as most people with marine set-ups want T5HO or LEDs these days.

The tank itself would only need a good cleaning before using it for FW. If the tank is drilled for a sump you might have to buy a plug for the bulkhead flange if you do not want to have a sump on the tank. Not much work at all really.

**FinalJenemba** · 05-04-2012, 08:30 PM

Thanks cliff, that's pretty much what I was thinking. I don't think its drilled for a sump, it has the whole solana built in filtration in the back with a protein skimmer. I think we can just remove the protein skimmer and add the biomedia and be good to go, im pretty sure it moves at least 200 gph.