Live Rock -YEAH RIGHT!

I am not a fan of live rock (if you didn’t guess).  If you do use live rock you get hitch hiking pests (like blinking bristle worms) and basically have to wait for the “live” rock to die before you can add anything to the aquarium. The whole tank maturation thing.

Carib sea do a range of rock we import from the states. 100% free and great value if you compare it to “live” Rock.

All this rock is from my home tank that we had to pull down due to a snail eating/boring a hole into a silicon join and creating a leak! $1000 later and the tank was fixed. Only problem was we had to empty the tank and send it over to Gary at Arana Hills.

I use live sand called Aragalive also from Carib Sea. The permits on this were a PITA to get, AQIS are very strict on importing “live” and bacteria products. After a lot of effort though, we import without the sand being irradiated on entry into Australia, so it’s the genuine US live products.

The other beauty of Aragalive is you don’t need to wash it (Praise Be!). Washing Ooilte sugar sized sand would be the pits and you’d loose half the sand down the sink! When using the Live Sands you simply pour in the sand, empty the satchel of Bio Magnetic Clarifer from in the bag into the tank, and an hour later it’s clear as crystal!

Rock work is a personal thing. Pete has done as he pleases with this tank. Did I mention it is two and a half feet deep?

Pete is actually balancing on a 4 foot high ladder on the other side of the wall.

Sand in, time to fill her up!

Sand ripples

Just a quick Post showing our fresh water test.

This is done before sand and rock work and is basically to test there are no leaks and everything is running ok

Nothing leaking so far

Next Job - make up salt water with Tropic Marin Pro Reef Sea Salt.

Next - Rock work.

Strange Name - Brilliant Product

As filtration we are using an Ecosystem 4822 Pro Sump

The 4822A Pro Sump model comes with 3 lights, 2 x  7 inch sock holders (and Socks) and 60 pounds of Miracle Mud.

The sumps are made from hand glued acrylic in the USA by Leng Sy.

It is 48 inches by 22 inches (hence the model number)

First Picture shows a Miracle Mud 10 pound Jar, Second the Bed of Mud between 1 to 1.5 inches thick and the last picture shows a plastic bag laid over the mud bed where the water enters this section of the sump (you put a plastic bag down so it does not stir up the mud - always remember this step)

Miracle Mud acts like a DSB (deep sand bed) without the potential issues of them. It also slowly releases minerals back into the aquarium.

The Ecosystem Method works, I can confirm this through personal experience. We have used it very successfully on 5 tanks now.

Miracle Mud Videos

I will add some more links soon

Next Getting Wet….

“Measure twice, cut once”

I really don’t like old sayings, but, in this case it works.

Over tank has a glass overflow and 7 holes drilled 4 outlets and 3 returns.

You can drill tanks your self but I REALLY do not recommend it - get the guy!

Our tank is “used” in that it came from my house. To get the tank into the new “In Wall” situation we actually used over old stand which we simply turned around to say money and effort.

The only (obvious) problem with doing this was one of the braces was not centered and happened to cover the centre return. To make life easy we cut a piece of glass and siliconed it into place!

Filter socks are an excellent idea.

Our Filter Socks are 200 micron mechanical filter that help remove everything (snails, rocks, detritus) from the water column before it goes into the Miracle Mud Bed or hits a pump and gets minced into millions of super tiny bits. Easy to clean, just turn them inside out and throw them into the washing machine (WARNING - Only do this when the wife is not in the building - WARNING) then hang them on the clothes line for a couple of days in the sun to remove any chlorine.

Filters socks come in 4 or 7 inch with either a plastic ring or draw string top.

Plumbing Tips

1) Measure twice, cut once.

2) Use pressure pipe -  it’s easier than you think.  Ribbed pipe cuts flow and traps detritus. Clear pipe does not go around corners, and cheap clear hose goes brittle.

3) To cut down on noise however connect your return pumps to PVC with a small piece of Clear pipe.

4) Use double union ball valves. They can be replaced if necessary and can be cleaned. (salt water fouls taps) PLEASE remember when buying ball valves if they are the cheap red handle valves, they WILL break. Also you can adjust the strain on the tap on good ball valves!

5) Vibration of pipes hitting on timber or other pipes equals noise, so uses silicon or small rubber bits to stop this.

6) Try and use two 45 elbows (we could not in this case due to the tightness of the system

7) Make sure if the power turns off your sump does not over flow through back flow. TEST THIS BEFORE YOU COMMISSION YOUR TANK.

Call the guy to drill your tank.

Next Miracle Mud…

So this is the start our new warehouse at Loganholme. Its 744 SQM of warehousie bliss.

In the back ground is Robbie and peter (the realestate agent)

The aquarium is basically bottom right in a wall yet to be built under mezzanine level.

Sheeting the walls

This is Craig the builder’s best side.

Sheeting the wall that the aquarium is going to fit into.

Craig did a great job and is a great builder

Sheeting Finished now setting

Cabinet in position waiting to lift the tank.

The Tank is from Garry Maher in Brisbane, and is not light

Next post will be all the plumbing …

Best from all the Team at Aqua Blue

www.aquabluedistribution.com.au

New mixed reef aquarium from Aqua Blue Distribution

This is our new “in wall” mixed reef aquarium.

The tank is located in our new warehouse in the reception.

The size is 8 x 2.5 x 2.5 feet and with the Ecosystem 4822 Pro Acrylic sump should be around the 1500 ltr mark.

More soon

Regards

The team at Aqua Blue

www.aquabluedistribution.com.au