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Fish Antics - Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland - Marine Fish & Invertebrates and Aquariums

Equipment

We have listed the main components you need to consider when setting up your Marine Aquarium. We stock a wide range of products and where appropriate we have added links to the manufacturer's website.

• Juwel
• Aqua Medic
• Deltec
• Eheim
• Tunze
• Underworld
• Caribsea
• Arcadia
• TMC
• Brightwell
• New Era
• Aquatronica
• Customised

The Aquarium

You can keep Marines now a days in almost any size Aquarium but we would suggest buying as big as you can fit and/or afford. The larger tank gives you greater water quality stability and allows you a bigger choice of livestock.

Filtration

Most modern Reef systems are set up using more natural methods of filtration e.g. `The Berlin Method`. You need good quality liverock, a protein skimmer, good water flow and if possible a refugium type filter in a sump or hang on unit. Conventional biological filtration is still utilized e.g. Canister filter with a fish only system. With either method it is still important to use Chemical filtration e.g. Carbon, phosphate remover to help remove pollutants and Mechanical filtration to maintain clarity and remove unwanted detritus.

Protein Skimmers

This is a piece of equipment (also known as foam fractioning) that removes organic waste from your system before it breaks down while also enriching the water with oxygen. They come in many different forms with some designed for internal use, hang on or for locating in a sump. Buy as big a unit as you can afford.

Water Movement

Water current is very important within your Aquarium but particularly in a Reef setup. You want to be moving the Aquarium`s volume around at least 10 times per hour. There are many models available from basic powerheads to specialist wave pumps such as the Tunze stream.

Heating

What you need from your heating system is stability (the water temperature not swinging greatly between night and day). Glass heaters with a built in thermostat work well but during the warmer months you may need to consider a chiller or fans. The Aquarium temperature is much better controlled by an external thermostat such as a Tunze unit or better still a computer unit from Aquatronica.

Lighting

This is a vital element for a successful reef Aquarium as most corals within the hobby require good lighting to grow. Metal Halides would be a good choice due to the light intensity they produce while also producing a nice shimmer affect. T5 Lighting (high output fluorescent) has become more popular in recent years and does provide good results at a more economic price than halides. T8 Fluorescents can be used but are only really suitable for fish only systems. LED`s are starting to become more available and offer the advantages of a shimmer affect and lower running costs.

Reactors

Are a chamber used for either chemical filtration e.g Phosphate reactor. Or a Calcium reactor which is filled with a calcium carbonate type material and then Co2 is added to break down the material. Reactors come in many different sizes depending on Aquarium volume. They can be controlled using a computer such as the Aquatronica.

Ultra Violet Filters

These are units with a sealed tube which your aquarium water passes through while been surrounded by UV light. This light reacts with any living cells passing by destroying their dna and so eradicating them. The benefit of this in a closed Aquarium environment is to keep the level of disease causing parasites and bacteria low. They also have the added benefit of giving you great water clarity. Not a must but nice to have.

Test Kits & Additives

To be successful with your Marine Aquarium you have to maintain a high level of water quality (see guide below). This means monitoring the aquarium water through good quality test kits and taking remedial action with the correct addtive e.g KH Buffer to raise alkalinity. Also a good quality salt is very important for water changes, high in calcium and magnesium.

Water Quality Guide

• Ammonia(NH3) – 0ppm
• Nitrite(NO2) – 0ppm
• Nitrate(NO3) – >10ppm (Supplements and various reactors available)
• Phosphate(PO4) - >0.03ppm (Chemical media)
• Ph – 8.2+ (Additives and reactors)
• Alkalinity(KH) -8dkh+ (Additives and reactors)
• Calcium(Ca) – 400ppm+ (Additives and reactors)
• Magnesium(Mg) – 1350ppm (Additives)

Controllers

There are many instruments on the market for controlling various water parameters and the equipment for your aquarium. Some units are stand alone and will only measure and/or control one thing e.g. Temperature. A more cost affective long term solution is to use a unit like the one from Aquatronica. You can control pumps, water levels, Ph, Orp, Temperature, Salinity, lighting etc., the list is endless. It will also allow you to check on things remotedly from a pc if you so wish.

Foods

The dietary requirements of your fish and corals are a very important consideration as part of your aquarium care regime. Fish require a good varied diet of fresh frozen foods and dried foods such as flake and seaweed. There are also many supplements to enhance the food with essential vitamins etc. Corals get most of there energy needs from light but some will filter feed as well and there a number of phytoplankton based supplements available you can use.

Books/Dvd`s

There are a wide range of books available covering all the aspects of Marine Aquarium care. What ever level you are at there is book suitable for your requirements whether you are looking to setup your first Nano Tank or looking to breed your clownfish. DVD`s have also become more popular with a wide choice available for those who like to look at more pictures as part of the learning process.

Contact Us

Fish Antics
73 York Road,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin Email: info@fishantics.com,
Tel: 01 2846364
Fax: 01 2846375

Livestock

Marine fish Livestock Section View the our current Marine fish livestock Marine Invertebrates Livestock Section View the our current Marine fish livestock

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