Converting tanks

[Aquaman19]

We have a salt water tank at work that I want to switch over to fresh water.  I plan on rinsing the tank and boiling the rocks.  Anything else I should do?  What about the canister filter?

[Marty]

I don't know that you'd have to boil the rocks.

Just rinse out the filter/media really well.  Do you have any saltwater fish/critters, or did you get rid of them already?

[Ron]

In the end, you'll have to cycle the tank again for the proper bacteria for freshwater. Cleaning the rock work, sand, etc, will help avoid the waste breaking down into ammonia/nitrite in large amounts before it's cycled again. I don't think I'd go to the point of boiling though.

[mibwb]

Give everything a vinegar bath to remove salt,salt marks..salt built-up. Then rinse well. Or you could go Brackish you're got everything already. Letting the rocks sit in heated freshwater will help any salt leach out. Any salt left in them shouldn't bother anything after you've let the tank cycle. Just to be sure do a 25% water change after final cycle.

[Aquaman19]

I was only gonna boil the rocks to get the scum off.  They are very porous and I thought to boil out the crud.  Thanks for the tip.

[Regalblue]

Watch that the rocks don't explode when you boil them.

[mibwb]

Oh, I forgot....don't boil the rocks inside. The smell won't be pleasant. Boiling rocks, I've had them crack, never had any explode....but on the side of caution boiling without a lid outside is safer and less smelly. Or just get new rocks easier.

[mightieskeeper]

I'm with mike on this subject.  Boil them on your grill or fire pit outside,  stink is understatement. lol  Clean them up with a scrub brush.  If you bleach them they could be white, that makes for a cool look.  Substrate can be rinsed and reused as well.