Reef Ramblings

New from Magnavore as part of the PURA filtration range, Sparkle – Liquid Phosphate Remover.

For Fresh and Saltwater Aquariums

Sparkle is a potent product yet very safe for use in salt and fresh water aquariums when used according to instructions.

Removes Phosphates

Phosphates are the leading cause of unsightly algae growth in all aquariums. Removing phosphates will cause a natural decline in scum and algae formation and growth. Sparkle has been formulated to provide a safe and gradual removal of phosphates from aquarium water.

Increases Water Clarity

When high phosphate levels are present, the water may get hazy with the first few applications, but within a few hours of use sparkling-clean water will return.

Directions For Use:

Measure out indicated amount and pour slowly into aquarium next to filter intake. Do not overdose; sparkle is designed to lower high level of phosphates gradually and safely.

Mechanical Filtration

Sparkle greatly increases efficiency of mechanical filtration. Cartridges and filtration pads should be rinsed 24 to 48 hours after application.

This product contains Lanthanum – a natural rare-earth element.

For aquarium use only. Keep out of reach of children! Do not take internally. Avoid contact with skin and clothing. Flush with plenty of water in case of eye contact and consult a physician.

Note: Midland Reefs has added this product to the range in response to customer requests. Although the product works well and is safe when used according to the Magnavore instructions above, we’d like to add a note of caution aimed at its use in reef aquaria.

We recommend using Sparkle with caution and only use it to reduce high levels of phosphates down to a level where conventional phosphate removal media becomes economic. Dose conservatively until phosphate levels are down to around 0.1 mg/l; discontinue use of Sparkle and then switch to using Reef Scientific Phosphate Remover for long-term maintenance.

When using Sparkle monitor pH and carbonate alkalinity (dKH) as lanthanum can also precipitate carbonates which may result in a lowering of these two parameters.

Sparkle should be dosed within the filtration section of a system with the aim of removing all precipitates through mechanical filtration or by protein skimming.

We do not recommend the long-term use of Sparkle in the reef aquarium.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2011

As per the title, this my first attempt at raising Amblyeleotris randalli larvae, common name – Randall’s Shrimp Goby.

Initial observations:

* Very short hatching period – looks to be 4 days.

* Very small larva – not accurately measured yet but looks to be 2 – 3 mm.

* Going to need a smaller food than standard rotifers.

This one caught me by surprise; I found an egg ball on the substrate on Tuesday morning and then spent an hour faffing about setting up a small brine shrimp hatcher to gently tumble the eggs.

I’ve had the parents for about six years and would estimate their age to be between six and seven. The female is the larger of the pair and also the less timid. Originally living by themselves in a 60 x 30 x 30 tank containing a deep substrate of mixed corals sand and gravel, they spent the last three or four years up until around December 2010 with an Alpheus bellulus snapping shrimp. Up until then the tank had always been a busy place with the shrimp digging and improving the tunnel system shared with the gobies whilst the female kept watch out in the open with the smaller male staying in the background close to a tunnel entrance. The shrimp was fairly tame, even on occasion accepting food from my hand, the female fish, while wary, would dash out for food with the male cautiously following the lead of his mate

In early December I noticed that the tank seemed to be devoid of life; there was no sign of shrimp nor gobies but given the tunnel system where they could away id decided to watch carefully while continuing to add a reduced ration of food.

Finally I spotted one of the gobies reflected in the back glass; just a head was peeking out from a tunnel hidden from the front of the tank by a rock, over the following days I continued to spot one fish, then the other, for very brief periods, usually via the reflection. I came to the conclusion that the shrimp had died, most likely from old age, and that with out their companion the fish were feeling vulnerable and were spending most of their time hiding. This behaviour has continued so far this year.

Over the years I’ve had these fish I’ve always assumed that they were spawning as the figure of the female would wax and wane as she built up eggs and, presumably, laid them. This recent discovery of an egg ball is the first proof of this.

The larvae hatched on Saturday morning but when I examined the hatcher I found that a sizable proportion of the larvae were dead. Why, is unknown, possibilities include:

• Too vigorous aeration.
• Poor water quality.
• Poor quality of eggs as a result of recent parental behaviour.

It’s also worth considering whether the parents had discarded the eggs as this is the first time an egg ball has been observed, although having said that I would have expected the parents to eat their own eggs if they felt that they weren’t going to hatch. This is common behaviour for many fish species.

Not having any large supply of rotifers to hand, much of Tuesday was spent setting up multiple rotifer cultures ready for the hatching but on Saturday morning, seeing the small size of the newly hatched larvae, it was obvious that something smaller was required. Despite managing to hurriedly isolate some ciliates for use as a first feed and as a starter culture no larvae remained alive Sunday morning.

In preparation for future spawnings, I’ll continue to maintain ciliate cultures and look to starting a culture of small strain rotifers. I’m also considering deploying a larval trap in case the main problem with this spawning was excessive buffeting of the egg mass.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2011

Over the coming years the marine aquarium industry and hobby may face a number of threats to how it operates, ranging from new legislation at EU and national level to restrictions on collection in the countries where our fishes and corals come from.

SAIA welcomes your support and active participation in reaching our goal of a sustainable and ethical trade of marine ornamentals.

If you are a UK retailer selling reef fishes, corals and invertebrates, SAIA would like to invite you to join the Sustainable Aquarium Industry Association. SAIA is offering membership at a special rate of €50 for a trial first year as an Applicant Member, prior to becoming a full member.

Benefit from:

• A close linkage between industry, science and the hobby: influencing each other, understanding each other better.
• Having a stake in the transformation of the marine aquarium trade to address aspects of conservation of marine habitats, ethic, species and animal protection, and developmental aid in source countries.
• Direct involvement in the planning and set-up of projects in source countries.
• Exchange and co-operation with like-minded people.

Additionally, by joining SAIA

• You are demonstrating your commitment to a responsible marine aquarium industry.

• By following SAIA Best Practices you can offer your customers healthier animals, which in turn, should increase your customers’ chances of long-term success with the hobby.

• Your successful customers will remain in the hobby for years to come, returning to your shop time and time again.

Donations to help support the work of SAIA are always welcome …

To join or donate please visit:

www.saia-online.eu

For more information call: 01543 685599

Sustainable Aquarium Industry Association ©2011

The first Reef Aquarium Training Course for Retailers took place on 2nd March 2011at SAI Global, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

The day went very successfully with all delegates taking home their certificate, a couple of complimentary marine aquarium magazines, and, most importantly, the 60 page course booklet.

The course booklet is a unique and valuable document, running to around 28,000 words, covering most aspects of working with marine livestock in a retail environment; possibly the only document of its kind.

Currently the course booklet is only available to those attending the course but hopefully it will be available for SAIA retailer members in the near future.

Chapter headings include:

Not only covering fish, this one day course is an intensive days training on all aspects of marine systems, covering care in the aquatic shop, nutrition, maintaining healthy stock, species selection – fish, invertebrates, corals, equipping the customer, health and welfare, water quality, legislation and conservation.

The course is based on the Sustainable Aquarium Industry Association, Code of Best Practices.

We hope to be running this course again sometime in the Autumn, to book your place, please contact Rachel Woodwards at SAI Global on 01908 249934 or email rachel.woodwards@saiglobal.com

Hobby Course.

Given the success of the course, I’ve also been asked to prepare a version of the course aimed at hobbyist. Once I’ve written the course material, we’ll announce the date of the initial course. Expect the price for the course to be in the same region of that of the retailer course, around £85.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2011

Plans to site a unique visitor attraction at Tenby’s De Valence Pavilion have been revealed this week.

Owners of Silent World Aquarium and Reptile Collection believe the now unused building inside the town walls would be perfect for their plans to create a new state-of-the-art aquarium.

“We’ve been trying to relocate for the past four years to bigger premises and the De Valence is a building that is perfect for our plans and vision,” explained Russ Spenceley, who runs Silent World with his wife, Ginny Batt, whose parents Chris and Marion Batt, founded Silent World back in 1989.

Last week, Tenby Town Council, who own the De Valence building following the liquidation of the De Valence Trust in May of last year, revealed that they had been in talks with two potential suitors for the Upper Frog Street facility.

The other interested party is national pub chain J.D. Wetherspoon.

There is an online poll where you can show your support for the aquarium (I mean, who needs yet another Weatherspoons?) please go to: the Tenby Observer

“There are only two other public aquariums in Wales one in Rhyl and one in Anglesey, so we’d provide an iconic all-weather tourist attraction for Tenby that would bring in new trade and money into the town, with all profits remaining in Tenby.”

It has also been proposed to naming the attraction the National Aquarium of Wales.

As well as providing state-of-the-art tanks, focusing on the Pembrokeshire coast and its marine life, a host of tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians and an expanded exotic section would also feature, while architects have already looked at potential building designs to include a rooftop feature and underwater restaurant at the premises.

Russ and Ginny say that as well as attracting visitors to the town, the facility would also provide a meeting point for people in Tenby, with a cafe area and gift shop open to the public and not just those wanting to visit the aquarium.

Well-known for their work with local schools and colleges and the Prince’s Trust, the couple say that there are also plans in place to increase their current training programme and expand the marine research carried out.

“Such a unique attraction could act as a catalyst for other environmentally based businesses to develop, making Tenby uniquely distinctive from other resorts in Wales and the UK in the future,” he added.

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has also given his backing to the project and written to Tenby Town Council, saying that the plans could prove to be a ‘wonderful way forward’ both for Silent World and for Tenby itself.

“Having discussed the future of the aquarium with the owners, it is obvious that they have a clear vision, and are looking to develop a modern, nationally recognised marine aquarium and reptile centre here in Pembrokeshire,” said Mr. Hart.

“They have a strong sense of place, and see Tenby as an ideal centre for the promotion of the Pembrokeshire coast and national marine reserve. It is heartening to see an already thriving attraction, looking to improve on the educational experience that it offers in a way that also promotes the area generally,” he continued.

“It appears that the De Valence offers a central location, with sufficient space to accommodate the proposed developments. Central sites of this type are quite difficult to come by, and it would be a great shame if the aquarium were forced to relocate further a field due to non-availability of a suitable site.

“The provision of this unusual all-weather attraction within the town centre would also offer valuable job opportunities, and encourage further visitors and accompanying trade to the town,” he added.

Talks on the future of the De Valence Pavilion building are set to continue when Tenby Town Council hold their next meeting on Tuesday night.

Please do your bit in helping to support the proposed aquarium by voting in the online poll.

Source: Tenby Observer

Additional material

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2011