Dreaming of Marines - Starting with Marines
My friends the Patel brothers, Suresh and Nayan, who live in South London, had been keeping fish for many years. They had kept a range of fresh water tropical fish but more recently they were into larger fish which translated to cichlids such as the African mouth brooders and Green Terrors. They enjoyed keeping fresh water fish but deep down they were dreaming of marines.
Setting
up the marine tank
The chance to realize their dreams finally came when Nayan started redecorating his flat. The Patels selected the central fireplace in their living room to be the site for their new adventure. The metal fireplace was removed from the chimney breast leaving an alcove into which a base was built to take the tank. As the tank filled with water was going to weigh half a ton, the base had to be re-enforced with a metal frame built into the walls. The tank (1170 cm x 580 cm x 750 cm, length x width x height) was made to measure from 10 mm glass and fitted snugly into the alcove.
The chance to realize their dreams finally came when Nayan started redecorating his flat. The Patels selected the central fireplace in their living room to be the site for their new adventure. The metal fireplace was removed from the chimney breast leaving an alcove into which a base was built to take the tank. As the tank filled with water was going to weigh half a ton, the base had to be re-enforced with a metal frame built into the walls. The tank (1170 cm x 580 cm x 750 cm, length x width x height) was made to measure from 10 mm glass and fitted snugly into the alcove.
Patel's marine aquarium 3 months after setting up
Marine set-ups need a lot of equipment outside the tank to ensure water quality and stability. In the limited space surrounding the tank a lot of equipment had to be fitted. The outside canister filters (Eheim 3228 Thermo wet/dry filter, Eheim 2226 filter) and the UV sterilisation unit (Vecton UV15) were fitted under the tank, while the protein skimmer (Berlin Classic 25/250 gallon, Red Sea) was fitted alongside the tank in a cabinet. In the limited space above the tank was the lighting units consisting of several metre-long tubes (3 daylight tubes and 2 marine blue tubes). The whole fireplace was beautifully and cleverly wood paneled to conceal all the equipment.
The tank was filled with salt water (Kent marine salt: specific gravity: 1.020 – 1.024, pH: 8.0 – 8.3, temperature: 270-280 C) and coral sand placed on the floor of the tank and the water circulation started. About a week later three pieces of living rock were added to the tank and water parameters were closely monitored for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates but all seemed well. Some two weeks later the first fish, five blue damsel (Chrysiptera cyanea) were introduced into the tank. These small fish seemed to revel in the vastness of the large tank.
Problems to overcome
Now the first problem struck. One evening, Nayan came in to view the tank to find that the water level in the tank had dropped a few inches. Apparently the jubilee clip on the protein skimmer had worked itself slightly loose and water was slowly seeping out onto the carpet on the floor. This problem was quickly and easily rectified. Not long after, the next problem crept along slowly in the form of brown algae that started growing on everything from glass to rocks. Insufficient lighting, early morning sunlight on the tank and even high silica in the water was suspected, but experimentation with the lighting did little to relieve the problem. Physically cleaning the glass every few days was the only answer.
Now the first problem struck. One evening, Nayan came in to view the tank to find that the water level in the tank had dropped a few inches. Apparently the jubilee clip on the protein skimmer had worked itself slightly loose and water was slowly seeping out onto the carpet on the floor. This problem was quickly and easily rectified. Not long after, the next problem crept along slowly in the form of brown algae that started growing on everything from glass to rocks. Insufficient lighting, early morning sunlight on the tank and even high silica in the water was suspected, but experimentation with the lighting did little to relieve the problem. Physically cleaning the glass every few days was the only answer.
By now, more inhabitants had been added to the tank. New additions included three types of anemones, one each of Sebae clown fish (Amphiprion fuscocautdatus), yellow-bellied blue damsel, (Pomacentrus caeruleus), goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus), cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), lipstick tang (Naso lituratus) and copperband butterfly fish (Chelmon rostratus).
Now a new menace hit the tank in the form of filamentous green algae. This was much worse than the brown algae as it was much faster growing. Some hermit crabs and starfish were added to the set-up to try and keep the algae down but they made little impression on the algae and the glass had to be physically cleaned, but it soon grew back. Water parameter test revealed that ammonia and nitrates were within acceptable limits but that phosphates were rather high (0.5 and 0.8 ppm.) but because of inexperience not too much attention was paid to this.
Tackling algae
The green algae syndrome lasted for several weeks. Various pieces of advice being offered by various friends and dealers, the most persistent advice being to instigate regular weekly water changes with reverse osmosis (RO) water. Purchasing RO water is cumbersome and expensive and hence a reverse osmosis unit was bought which permitted the preparation of a continuos supply of RO water. Frequent 25% water changes with saltwater prepared with the RO water were undertaken. Slowly the green algae disappeared and about five months after the tank was first set up it was finally possible to get a clear view of the fish and invertebrates, without having to scrape the glass. The Patels now realise that the rocks, which might not have been completely cured, could have been the major cause of their problems. Phosphate removal could well have eliminated their algal problems much earlier.
The green algae syndrome lasted for several weeks. Various pieces of advice being offered by various friends and dealers, the most persistent advice being to instigate regular weekly water changes with reverse osmosis (RO) water. Purchasing RO water is cumbersome and expensive and hence a reverse osmosis unit was bought which permitted the preparation of a continuos supply of RO water. Frequent 25% water changes with saltwater prepared with the RO water were undertaken. Slowly the green algae disappeared and about five months after the tank was first set up it was finally possible to get a clear view of the fish and invertebrates, without having to scrape the glass. The Patels now realise that the rocks, which might not have been completely cured, could have been the major cause of their problems. Phosphate removal could well have eliminated their algal problems much earlier.
More livestock
About this time, the Patels acquired at a very special price a large amount of livestock from someone giving up the hobby. Fish and invertebrates are expensive, which is why the Patel brothers decided to take the chance on a big addition all in one go. Everything from the filtration unit to the protein skimmer was working perfectly, before the addition. The new stock included a pair of clown fish (Amphiprion clarki), three goby fish (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus), a yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), a palete tang (Paracanthurus hepatus one honeycomb moray eel (Gymnothorax favagineus), a purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora), a blue streak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), one big finger leather coral (Lobophytum sp.), three starfish, some shrimp, a yellow sea cucumber, some sea urchins and a large amount of live rock.
About this time, the Patels acquired at a very special price a large amount of livestock from someone giving up the hobby. Fish and invertebrates are expensive, which is why the Patel brothers decided to take the chance on a big addition all in one go. Everything from the filtration unit to the protein skimmer was working perfectly, before the addition. The new stock included a pair of clown fish (Amphiprion clarki), three goby fish (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus), a yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), a palete tang (Paracanthurus hepatus one honeycomb moray eel (Gymnothorax favagineus), a purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora), a blue streak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), one big finger leather coral (Lobophytum sp.), three starfish, some shrimp, a yellow sea cucumber, some sea urchins and a large amount of live rock.
Luckily the new additions settled in well and there were no losses. Water conditions were closely monitored and did not deteriorate, helped by weekly water changes to keep everything stable. Only the long-spined black sea urchin which was seen to be munching on coral growths was removed back to the dealer. The leather coral was cut in two and was soon growing as two separate colonies.
Feeding
Feeding such a large and varied population of fish and invertebrates need planning to make sure that every creature is getting sufficient food and nutrition. Foods consisted of chopped up frozen mussels and cockles, frozen brine shrimp and dry food (Sera Granumarin). The whole tank came alive at feeding time. The eel would suddenly appear from its hiding place and was able to consume large pieces of mussel in no time. The Clown fish would snatch the mussel or cockle pieces, placing them out of reach in their anemones to eat at leisure later on. All the other fish, including the tangs and the apparently difficult to feed copperband butterfly ate the offered foods greedily. Additionally the tangs and the butterfly were continuously feeding of the green algae that grew on the sides of the tank and on the rock.
Feeding such a large and varied population of fish and invertebrates need planning to make sure that every creature is getting sufficient food and nutrition. Foods consisted of chopped up frozen mussels and cockles, frozen brine shrimp and dry food (Sera Granumarin). The whole tank came alive at feeding time. The eel would suddenly appear from its hiding place and was able to consume large pieces of mussel in no time. The Clown fish would snatch the mussel or cockle pieces, placing them out of reach in their anemones to eat at leisure later on. All the other fish, including the tangs and the apparently difficult to feed copperband butterfly ate the offered foods greedily. Additionally the tangs and the butterfly were continuously feeding of the green algae that grew on the sides of the tank and on the rock.
Even the wrasse ate well and thrived. In order to make sure that all the inhabitants of the tank got their fair shares the cockles and mussels had to be chopped small. The unoccupied anemones were fed individually by placing small pieces of food within their tentacles, while no other special feeding regimen was set up for the other invertebrates. For its part, the sea cucumber just ingested the coral gravel, excreting it at the other end thus removing any detritus within and creating new landscapes daily.
Cooling
Eight months after the tank had been set up, everything was going well, yet one more problem was to occur. With the onset of summer the water temperature in the tank rose above 320 C. This overheating problem was easily remedied by disconnecting one of the heaters in the tank. Another change was also made to the tank. The tube lighting was replaced by two metal halide lamps (150 watts) and a fan to dissipate the generated heat. The metal halide lighting actually completely transformed the looks of the whole marine aquarium, intensifying the colours of all the inhabitants and causing the coral to grow strongly.
Eight months after the tank had been set up, everything was going well, yet one more problem was to occur. With the onset of summer the water temperature in the tank rose above 320 C. This overheating problem was easily remedied by disconnecting one of the heaters in the tank. Another change was also made to the tank. The tube lighting was replaced by two metal halide lamps (150 watts) and a fan to dissipate the generated heat. The metal halide lighting actually completely transformed the looks of the whole marine aquarium, intensifying the colours of all the inhabitants and causing the coral to grow strongly.
Patel's marine aquarium some 3 years after setting up
A little bit of heaven
The Patel brothers, when they first started on their adventure of keeping marines were unaware of all the difficulties that they were to encounter. Some of the problems might have been avoided if they had read a lot of books and planned things in advance. Fortunately they did have some professional help in setting up and maintaining their tank. For the most part, Suresh and Nayan were able to logically work out the causes of the problems as they occurred, and to solve them.
The Patel brothers, when they first started on their adventure of keeping marines were unaware of all the difficulties that they were to encounter. Some of the problems might have been avoided if they had read a lot of books and planned things in advance. Fortunately they did have some professional help in setting up and maintaining their tank. For the most part, Suresh and Nayan were able to logically work out the causes of the problems as they occurred, and to solve them.
With experience, maintenance of the marine aquarium is routine, with water changes now taking as little as 15 minutes a week. Daily feeding the fish is a joy as it brings out all the fish, but is well controlled to ensure that there is no water pollution. The fish and invertebrates have thrived through all the teething problems and have grown well. Now, some nine months after first placing the tank in the fireplace, the Patel brothers no longer need to be Dreaming of Marines as they have successfully created their own little bit of heaven in their living room.
Costs
Tank: $300.00; All other equipment: $1200.00 approximately
First live rock: $300.00 and fish: $150.00
Second addition of rock and livestock obtained : $150.00 but should have cost over $500.00
Cost of weekly 80-litre water change, salt: $3.00
Cost of weekly feeding with frozen food: $3.00
Other additional costs: electricity, test kits
Tank: $300.00; All other equipment: $1200.00 approximately
First live rock: $300.00 and fish: $150.00
Second addition of rock and livestock obtained : $150.00 but should have cost over $500.00
Cost of weekly 80-litre water change, salt: $3.00
Cost of weekly feeding with frozen food: $3.00
Other additional costs: electricity, test kits