I've got a 15 gallon salt water tank that I want to convert to a fresh water plant/fish tank. I will thoroughly clean and use a high bleach concentrate to kill algae, etc., then run a heavy bleach solution through the filter and tank. I've got a 15watt F15....20" for light, filter with bio wheel (both will be replaced with new wheel and filter), pretty standard starter type tank. My own substrate (1-2") of sandy topsoil, powdered Georgia clay, and vermiculite, covered with 3/4 to 1" of medium fine sandblasting grit. Greg's root tabs added. Thinking of slow growers, Annubia, moss, fern, etc. Small # of fish (ottos, cardinals, cory).
Anyone have any experience with doing this, and what things I might avoid to benefit from your previous experiences?
Thx in advance.

Walter

Just a comment: after heavy bleach treatment and rinsing, rinsing and rinsing, it would be a good idea to rinse some more using a water/de-chlorinator mixture to ensure removal of all the bleach...

W,

I think your substrate will end in a distaster.
For SW conversion, simply rinse the tank well with hot water, no need to bleach.

If you want to use the soil stuff, try 1/2-1" max, then 2-3" of sand on topp of that. Never use vermiculite, no root tabs needed.

You will want fast growers. Lots of them from the start.
Later you can phase in the slow growers.

You can also use Excel in the start as well.

Regards,
Tom Barr



I've got a 15watt F15....20" for light, filter with bio wheel (both will be replaced with new wheel and filter), pretty standard starter type tank. My own substrate (1-2") of sandy topsoil, powdered Georgia clay, and vermiculite, covered with 3/4 to 1" of medium fine sandblasting grit. Greg's root tabs added. Thinking of slow growers, Annubia, moss, fern, etc. Small # of fish (ottos, cardinals, cory).