Reef Ramblings

A short video of the SICCE stand at this year’s Interzoo trade show, showing the breadth of the range of products on offer.

To see more of the range of SICCE products, go to: www.sicce.com

Tim Hayes, Midland Reefs, ©2010. Images, SICCE, ©2010

The Shark ADV range of internal filters from SICCE is available in three versions with different flow rates ranging from 400 to 800 l/h, to suit aquariums between 90-180l, where it is the sole filtration. They can also be used as auxiliary circulation pumps for large aquariums and can be usefully employed in reef and marine aquariums as an inexpensive alternative to a media reactor. It’s far more effective to put a bag of carbon or phosphate media into a Shark ADV internal filter than just leaving the media passive in the sump or behind the rockwork of the aquarium.

The stand out feature of the Shark range is the quick release media cartridge system using SICCE’s patented magnetic connecting system (MCS). Instead of having to remove the entire filter from the aquarium you can just reach into the aquarium and easily separate the media cartridge from the body of the filter making media cleaning or replacement a quick and easy task that keep disturbance to the aquarium to a minimum.

The interchangeable cartridges can be used to house active-carbon, filter sponges, phosphate remover, or any other filtration media. Additional cartridges can also be added to increase the filtration capacity of the unit.

There is a sophisticated Venturi system to improve oxygenation featuring an airflow adjustment with four settings, it automatically compensates for low water flow in the tank by increasing the amount of aeration.

As well as controlling water flow, the adjustable intake at the base of the filter prevents small fish and other animals from being pulled into the filter, with the aperture adjusting from 1 - 4 mm.

Features:

• Magnetic connecting system with interchangeable cartridges
• Pump head swivels through a wide angle allowing flow direction to be set.
• Venturi system for greater oxygenation
• Water flow adjusted by head setting
• Adjustable intake for greater control of water flow and for preventing fish from entering the filter.

Shark ADV 400 and 600

Models 400 and 600 have flow rates of 400 l/h and 600 l/h respectively.

They come with a single 320 cm³ cartridge but can be upgraded through the purchase of the add-on 210 cm³ modular cartridge.

Shark ADV 800

The Shark ADV 800 as well as having the highest flow rate of the range at 800 l/h comes complete with the add-on 210 cm³ modular cartridge giving a massive 530 cm³ volume for media

All Shark ADV filters have a 3 year Guarantee.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs ©2010

SICCE ©2010

Italian pump manufacturer, SICCE, is pleased to announce that the marine aquarium specialist, Midland Reefs, has been appointed UK distributor for its product range in the UK.

Established for more than 35 years, SICCE designs and manufactures a broad range of water pumps for all areas of aquatics, from small water fountains pumps up to pond and drainage pumps.

The aquarium range includes extremely quiet recirculation pumps with low power consumption, stream pumps, internal and external filters, power head pumps, high-precision heaters, air pumps, CO2 systems, and aquarium lines for both beginners and the demanding aquarium enthusiast.

For fountains, there are extremely quiet pumps for both indoor and outdoor applications, along with submersible lamps.

The garden range includes internal filters for ponds, pressure filters, fountains, submersible lights, and flexible folding pond kits complete with pump.

Of particular interest to reef keepers are the extremely quiet Synchra Silent return pumps, the high output, high head Multi return pumps, and the stream style Voyager range.

The new range of SICCE products will be on display for the first time in the UK on the Midland Reefs - SICCE stand at the AQUA2010 trade show in Telford, 6^th - 7^th October.

For more details on SICCE products, please contact Midland Reefs.

Telephone: 01543 685599. Email: tim@midlandreefs.co.uk

Websites:

www.sicce.com

www.midlandreefs.co.uk

Reef Scientific Calanoid Copepods

The highest quality frozen natural marine zooplankton available anywhere!

High Nutritional Value!

High in protein, in omega3, Phospholipids, DHA & EPA, and Astaxanthin.

Although other companies market the calanoid copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, the nutritional quality of these is poor owing to the presence of autolytic enzymes that degrade fatty acids and proteins after freezing. With Reef Scientific Calanoid Copepods, these autolytic enzymes have been deactivated, consequently extending the storage time of the food from as little as one month to in excess of a year with no loss of nutritional value!

Non-polluting!

100% clean. Needs no pre-rinsing before use. The product is pasteurized for bio-security and sealed, using natural components from crustaceans, minimizing nutrient leakage in the reef aquarium. Can be thawed and kept in the refrigerator for up to 14 days.

Suitable for all saltwater and freshwater fish, corals, and crustaceans.

Originally developed in Norway as an initial feed for larval and juvenile stages of marine aquaculture species, it has since proven valuable for ornamental aquarium species. Trials have shown them to be particularly useful in larvaculture since almost all larvae of fish or crustaceans have high nutritional demands during their early stages of development,

This range of marine zooplankton is produced in land-locked bays in Northern Norway and, characteristically of high latitude calanoid copepods, are rich in phospholipids, essential fatty acids and proteins along with the caratanoid Astaxanthin. The fatty acid, DHA, is only produced in marine algae and is accumulated in zooplankton as they graze in a process of natural enrichment.

Although it’s not widely known, there is a problem associated with the preservation of zooplankton through freezing without the degradation of fatty acids and proteins. Zooplankton contains large amounts of autolytic enzymes that continue to degrade their fatty acids and proteins post mortem. These enzymes remain active when zooplankton is frozen; consequently, the maximum storage life is one month before valuable Phospholipids in the zooplankton become degraded.

Our Norwegian partners have succeeded in deactivating the autolytic enzymes present in the zooplankton; consequently, the storage time of the food has been extended to more than one year without loss of nutrients.

Furthermore, they have developed a method of coating the zooplankton with an ultra thin membrane derived from natural components of crustaceans that prohibits nutrient leakage from the food particles. This results in a frozen food of very high nutritional quality that will not pollute the aquarium by leaching nutrients into the water.

Size Range.

The food ranges in particle size from 2mm down to 0.1 mm. Currently only the 2mm size is generally available, although if you are a breeder please talk to us about the smaller size fractions. With the exception of the 2 mm zooplankton, C. finmarchicus, a number of different species are present in each sizing, providing a rich variety of different nutritional profiles. The smaller size fractions of our feed can be used to substitute the use of live feed such as rotifers and artemia. These are available, in small volumes, in the following size fractions 65-80, 80-150, and 150-200 µm, covering the size range of rotifers.

Although other companies market calanoid copepods, specifically Calanus finmarchicus, the nutritional quality of these is poor, as the autolytic enzymes have not been deactivated.

Aquarium

Aquarium shops in Norway trialing the product have been unambiguously positive. After 2-4 weeks feeding, all fish species responded with stronger and more intense coloration. Wild caught fish, fed with this food when first received, had a higher survival rate.

Clownfishes

The smaller-size food particles have a documented positive effect on fish and crustacean larvae.

In co-feeding experiments, clownfish have shown 100% higher growth compared to a diet solely with enriched rotifers and artemia. Survival has increased by 50%.

Norwegian ornamental fish breeder, Thomas Engels, has done extensive testing of the product and has substituted the artemia feeding period of clownfishes by 2-3 weeks using this product, finding it be the best food he’s ever used.

Dr. Ike Olivotto at the university of Ancona, Italy, is shortly to publish a paper showing this food to be superior to live feeds such as rotifers and artemia. His research involved comparing two groups of clownfish larvae, one group fed a standard rotifer/Artemia nauplii, diet, the other fed a combination of rotifers/copepod nauplii and Artemia nauplii/copepodites-copepods.

Analysing gene expression in clownfishes, growth promoting factors increased by 2.5 times, whilst growth-inhibiting factors (myostatin) decreased by 5 times. His research showed 100% higher weight along with 30% length increase in clownfishes 10 days post hatching, compared to fish given a diet consisting of enriched rotifers and Artemia. 15 days post hatching, larvae fed with the copepod enhanced diet had a 62% survival rate compared to larvae fed a conventional rotifer/Artemia nauplii diet with a 41% survival rate.

Aquaculture

A Norwegian lobster hatchery, Norsk Hummer AS, trialing the 500-700µm frozen food, found that the survival rate of lobster larvae during the three weeks prior to settlement, increased to approximately 15% from less than 1%! This increased survival rate was evident even when the lobster eggs were of poor quality.

In the UK, after an initial trial, the National Lobster Hatchery are now using the 2.0mm Calanus finmarchicus as part of their raising protocol.

The food is currently being trialed on newly hatched cod larvae with further testing on growth and survival planned for other species such as halibut, turbot and cleaner fish.

Midland Reefs, Unit 10 Mount Rd. Trading Estate,

Burntwood. Staffordshire, WS7 0AJ. UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1543 685599

Zooplankton Technical Data.

Table 1. Size and Species

Table 2.

Fatty acid profile (mg/g dry weight and % of total fatty acids) of the 2 mm size fraction of copepods.

Fatty acid profile may vary depending on season, locality, and plankton species grazed.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

Italian manufacturer Hydor has just launched a new range of Koralia Evolution pumps to replace the old range of Koralias 1, 2, 3, and 4.

As the name suggests this new range has evolved from the original Koralia pumps. It now includes the same shaftless technology, introduced with the Magnum range, making broken shafts a thing of the past.

The range consists of:

Two new versions of the Koralia Nano: a 900 l/h and a 1600 l/h version.
Three entirely new pumps to replace the existing Korallia range: Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200

New features include:

A more powerful pump in a smaller package, along with lower power consumption. (In the case of the EVO 5200 that’s an amazing 50% reduction in power consumption!)



Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200 models have the new generation shaftless impeller, as per the Magnum range, making maintenance easier and faster and, consequently, no more broken shafts!

The impeller has a unique, new design to produce a wider more gentle flow.

Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200 models are all now controllable and can be operated on a timer.

Smaller pump body making it less obtrusive in the tank.



The magnet-suction cup has been modified on the Evos to absorb vibrations.

Table 1. Showing the increase in efficiency of the second generation Evolution pumps over the original Koralia range.

Pump Efficiency.

Back in August 2008 we saw a fantastic increase in pump efficiency with the introduction of the Hydor Koralia Magnum range, the second generation Koralia Evolution pumps take this a step further.

The Evo 5200 becomes the most efficient pump in the range with a fantastic 945 l/h per watt, closely followed by the Evo 4000 with 889 l/h per watt. See table 2.

Table 2. The 2010 Hydor Koralia range showing flow rate, power consumption, and efficiency.

To see the Hydor Evolution range go to the Midland Reefs website: Koralia Evo and New Koralia Nano

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

We’ve just created a new Midland Reefs facebook page with the aim of keeping you informed about new products and brief news stories, without cluttering up the pages of Reef Ramblings.

Go to the facebook page to learn about our new products, ask questions about our product range, and to discuss Tim’s articles on Reef Ramblings and in Tropical Fish magazine.

Midland Reefs facebook page.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

New from EcoSystem Aquarium.

The new expanded range of EcoSystem Aquarium products includes items not seen before in the UK. The Eco Balling Method, a 3-Part Calcium Supplement  plus associated minor and trace elements is a new take on the traditional Balling System. The Eco Balling Method is designed to be easy enough for the newest of reefkeepers to use with success.

Background.

Continual improvements in techniques and advancements in aquarium technology have made the successful maintenance and propagation of more and more corals in the reef aquarium a reality. This has necessitated the development of an effective dosing system to deliver elements, such as calcium and carbonates, which are vital to the well-being of reef-building organisms.

In the early 1970s, a breakthrough in this area was made by German aquarist, Peter Wilkens, who advocated the use of kalkwasser in the aquarium. In this method, a saturated calcium hydroxide solution was “fed” into the aquarium, drop by drop, via a thin tube, but, this technique also caused a significant rise in pH.

In 1994, Ernst Pawlowsky, of Germany, introduced a new method of calcium supplementation, which soon became quite popular in the United States — Calcium part A and Calcium part B.

At around the same time, Rolf Hebbinghaus, of Germany, produced the CO2 calcium reactor, and Hans-Werner Balling developed the “Balling Method” of calcium supplementation.

By 1996, continued improvements in the Balling Method made it the method of choice for dosing reef aquariums with essential elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, whilst maintaining adequate carbonate hardness (alkalinity).

When used correctly, all levels of major elements remain constant, with calcium levels at 420 mg/l, magnesium at about 1300 mg/l and carbonate alkalinity at 7 dKH. According to the numerous German aquarists who have been using the Balling Method (see Steps 1-5 below), although this methodology has accounted for a doubling is size of small-polyped stony (SPS) corals in their aquariums within about 100 days, colouration has been compromised unless the following trace elements are also add (Step 6): Iodine, iron, strontium and NF Metal.

What follows is a comprehensive, step by step, description of the ECO Balling Method for supplementing calcium, magnesium, other minerals and trace elements, and maintaining carbonate alkalinity at natural seawater levels.

Instructions for Use

Step 1

Before using the Eco Balling Method - Calcium 3-Part Supplement, measure all vital parameters in the reef aquarium with commercial test kits, including those for carbonate alkalinity (dKH), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).

Make the following adjustments in this exact order:

• if the Mg level is below 1300 ppm, adjust to a level of 1300 to 1400 ppm by using a magnesium supplement, such as Eco Magnesium - liquid (for established aquariums with livestock) or Eco Magnesium - powder (for new aquariums with no livestock).

• if the Ca level is below 400 ppm, adjust to a level of 420 to 439 ppm, by using a calcium supplement, such as Eco Balling Method - Calcium Part C (for established aquariums with livestock) or Eco Kalkwasser and Eco Calcium Plus (for new aquariums with no livestock).

• if the carbonate alkalinity level is below 7.0 dKH, adjust the carbonate alkalinity to 7.0 using Eco Balling Method - Calcium Part A (for established aquariums with livestock) or Eco Buffer dKH (for new aquariums with no livestock).

Step 1 should only need to be performed once.

Step 2

To maintain calcium at 420-430 ppm, magnesium at 1300-1400 ppm, and dkH at 7.0 and other important parameters at natural seawater levels:

Add 50 ml/200 litres of actual aquarium water volume per day of each part of the Eco Balling Method - Calcium Supplement Parts A, B, and C separately. This dosage may need to be varied depending on the stony coral population.

Step 3

Use a saturated calcium hydroxide solution, such as Eco Kalkwasser, at night to replace water lost to evaporation.

Step 4

Monitor carbonate alkalinity, dKH, weekly as it tends to decrease due to heavy consumption of calcium carbonate by stony corals.

Step 5

Do regular weekly water changes and monitor the salinity (salt content) of the aquarium water. Salt concentration tends to rise over time owing to factors such as water lost through evaporation and through the use of a protein skimmer.

Step 6

Supplement weekly with Eco Trace Elements - Eco Iodine, Eco Iron, Eco Strontium and Eco NF Metal.

You can see this product range on the Midland Reefs website under EcoSystem Aquarium (Miracle Mud)

Tim Hayes

EcoSystem Aquarium

©2009

The Reef Scientific Eductor Nozzles increase the flow rate of a given pump by a factor of 4, through the use of a venturi effect, for no extra energy costs. The Eductor also modifies the pattern of water flow, spreading the flow making it more suited to reef organisms.

No. 1 Eductor.                                                 N0. 2 Eductor.

Usage: Eductors can be employed to give a more coral friendly water flow or to keep detritus in suspension enabling it to be more easily dealt with by mechanical filtration.

Spacing and eductor layout depends on several factors. A greater turnover requires more eductors, as a rule of thumb the two smaller sizes 3/8 & 3/4 should be spaced on a manifold at between 1 to 1.5 meters, with two larger sizes being spaced at between 1.5 to 2 meters.

Notes
The higher the pressure the more effective these nozzles will be. Flow
rate and pressure referred to in the above table are at the nozzle.

1 bar = 14.5 psi = 10.2 meters of head.

Although these nozzles require a high pressure to be 100% effective, for aquarium use you’ll see a beneficial affect from 1200 litre an pumps upwards (the minimum recommended flow).

An Eductor can be used directly attached to a pump in the aquarium or as a nozzle used in conjunction with a plumbed in system.

The graph below illustrates the effective range and flow pattern of
Eductor No. 2 (3/4”) as tested in a water tank at a depth of 50cm, with a
feed pressure between 2 and 4 Bar.

Another quality product from Reef Scientific, manufactured in the UK!

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2004 -2009

Midland Reefs is proud to announce the latest new product in the Reef Scientific range.

The Reef Scientific Ozoniser, in keeping with our philosophy of producing products as much as possible within the UK, is our first high-tech electronic product, it offers excellent value for money with a high level of technology and build quality.

This a UK made, high specification unit, that uses cold plate discharge technology. The output is between o and 100 mg; because of the greater efficiency over corona discharge ozonisers this is comparable in output to that of a 200mg Sanders unit when used without an expensive air dryer.

The Reef Scientific Ozoniser features a built in 365 day digital timer  so that it can be run for timed periods over the course of the day as an alternative to the more expensive, and often inaccurate, method of using a redox controller.

This is very versatile product, it can be run on mains power all over the world as it will operate from 85 – 260 volts AC 50 – 60 Hz. As well as units with UK plugs we have units with  European plugs available. US and other countries will follow in due course. Unlike cheaper quality units adapted to different mains supplies there’s no transformer to go fail.

For sales enquiries please call Midland Reefs on +44 01543 685599 or email: sales@midlandreefs.co.uk

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2009