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REEF AQUARIUM FARMING NEWS | REEF AQUARIUM CORAL FARMING SCHOOL | 1997 WINTER - SPRING NEWSLETTER

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Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation

BULLET PROOF REEF AQUARIUM PAGE - http://www.garf.org/bullet.html

1321 Warm Springs Ave.

Boise Idaho 83712
U.S.A.
Email: leroy@garf.org

LOW COST REEF AQUARIUM - YOU CAN CREATE AT HOME

Use this site to plan your low cost reef aquarium

There are many ways to build a reef aquarium - this one will work very well because it is so simple. This system has been built over 50 times in the last 2 years. All of the people who have followed this simple plan have been able to build a good and sometimes great reef aquarium.

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NEW

FREE ONLINE CORAL FARMING SCHOOL
REEF AQUARIUM CORAL FARMING SCHOOL
This site will teach you to grow many types of reef aquarium corals

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NEW

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ALGAE CONTROL CENTRAL
REEF JANITORS ALGAE CONTROL CENTRAL

Use this site to solve your reef aquarium algae problems, and help support our research!!!

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THIS 120 GALLON REEF WAS STARTED USING THE IDAHO ARAGONITE AND GARF GRUNGE.
IT IS KEPT ALGAE FREE WITH REEF JANITORS.

THIS IS THE INDEX PAGE THAT WILL HELP YOU BUILD YOUR OWN REEF AQUARIUM

This 55 gallon reef aquarium was started using this system
Much of our research is being conducted in the field of reef farming. We are conducting these studies both in marine aquariums and in the ocean. Reef aquarium research is being conducted by members of the foundation both in the U.S. and in several other countries.
We also supply expert advice on algae control for the reef aquarium, wetlands and backyard ponds.

CREATING A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE RESEARCH AQUARIUM FOR USE IN MEDICAL RESEARCH AND LIVE ROCK FARMING

MANY TYPES OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES ARE BEING USED IN MEDICAL RESEARCH. OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE ALL MARINE AQUARIUM KEEPING SELF SUSTAINING. PROPAGATION FOR A SELF SUSTAINING LABORATORY WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUING SUPPLY OF RESEARCH ANIMALS.

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These tanks have been tested both in our lab and in several of my students homes. 55 GALLON BULLET PROOF REEF Use this as a great first reef aquarium to learn the fine art of reef keeping. Later you can expand the equipment as you learn more about the hobby. When an aquarist has the proper training many types of aquarium systems will support marine organisms. I have been keeping marine animals alive both commercially, and on a research basis since 1972. I have often maintained large quantities of delicate organisms, such as Chambered Nautilus, using all types of filtration. For the research I am conducting I needed to develop a "cookbook" type system that can be operated by people that have never kept marine aquariums.

I choose to use standard 55 gallon aquariums for this project because they are readily available. These tanks also allow me to use the standard 4 foot 40 watt lights. The list of materials used in these reefs is quite basic. All of the products used are available at a well stocked aquarium store.

Material list

SOME TIMES I FORGET TO SAY THAT YOU MUST USE Ocean Pure Pro</b>) BRAND SALT. I LEARNED THIS SO LONG AGO, AND SO MANY TIMES, THAT I THINK EVERY ONE JUST DOES IT. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE BEST RESULTS WITH Ocean Pure Pro</b>).

• 1) 55 gallon show aquarium 48" long
• 2) 1-Visi-jet protein skimmer
• 3) 2-Maxi-jet power heads (1000)
• 4) 1- heater
• 5) 2-4 ft 40 watt "Triton" bulbs with end caps
• 6) 1-4 ft 40 watt "Blue moon" bulbs with end caps
• 7) ballast for 3 40 watt bulbs
• 8) 1-"Triton" enhancer light cover
• 9) 40 lbs. seeded live rock
• 10) 80 lbs. Aragonite base rock
• 11) 50 Mixed snails and 32 Mexican red legged hermit crabs
• 12) base rock for attaching research invertebrates

I set up the 55 gallon reef tank by placing the protein skimmer in the back corner. I use the dry base rock to construct a loosely spaced stack that allows water to circulate. I operate the skimmer with the flow adjustment open to the highest flow. This high flow rate allows the skimmer to produce a profusion of small air bubbles. During the fist several weeks of operation I keep the air valve open all the way. Direct the extra bubbles along the back of the rock pile.

After the tank is stocked with corals I remove the bottom deflector so that any excess bubbles rise up the out side of the skimmer tube. I believe this extra aeration is beneficial to the system. I have had no problems with the extra air in any of systems I am running.

The "Maxi-jet" power heads are used to create a flow across the front of the tank. I do not fix one of the power heads in any one position because moving it around creates different currents in the tank. I have found that by turning the power head slightly each time I observe the tank I can create flow patterns that keep the detritris from clogging the live rocks. I have observed polyps feeding on the debris from these "mini-storms". It does not require much movement from the power head to create a large change in current in the reef tank. This change in current is very easy to observe in the long tentacle type corals.

When first establishing these reef tanks, after adding the 40 lbs of seeded live rock, I do not feed the system at all for the first two months. Place the Triton and Blue Moon lights on the tank and cover them with a Triton Enhancer. Leave the lights on for 14 hours a day. I have found that each tank goes thru a definite series of blooms. During the first month you can expect the entire tank to turn brown. This brown bloom is made up of diatoms. This is the time when to 50 mixed snails first earn their keep.

During this phase you may have to empty the skimmer cup each day. If the waste material seems watery or clear simply move the skimmer up in the tank by sliding the suction cups up. You can learn to control the skimmer by watching the red band that holds the powerhead in place. If the red band is below the water line the skimmer will remove more water. If the red band is above the water line the skimmer will remove a darker liquid.

The only maintenance that is need on these skimmers is a simple vinegar bath if the amount of foam starts to decrease. When we notice the skimmer is slowing down we simply remove the power head and run it in a pint of warm - NOT HOT - white vinegar for an hour. After a short rinse in fresh water the skimmer is ready for several more weeks of use.

THESE ARE THE BEST THINGS TO ADD TO YOUR TANK EACH WEEK

1. SeaChem Reef +
2. SeaChem Reef Complete
3. SeaChem Reef Calcium

WATER CHANGES
Change 5 gallons each month to replace minerals . The more water you change the better the reef will do.

I am amazed at the amount of brown liquid that the skimmer can remove from each reef. I am more amazed at the number of animals that survive and reproduce in each of these systems. I have included a link to a 55 gallon reef that has been the pride and joy of a 12 year old student.

INDEX OF OUR RESEARCHALGAE CONTROL CENTRAL
REEF JANITORS ALGAE CONTROL CENTRAL

Use this site to solve your reef aquarium algae problems, and help support our research!!!

LOW COST BULLET PROOF REEF AQUARIUM Learn to start an inexpensive reef aquarium
55 GALLON INSTA REEF Visit Rachel Read's 12 week old Bullet Proof Reef Aquarium
MORE PICTURES OF THIS REEF AQUARIUM

Image Page for Zoanthids and Palythoa

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO ENTER ANY DATA YOU HAVE COLLECTED IN THIS FIELD OF STUDY

We want to share as much information as possible with you. If you have any questions please use this form to ask them.

Please enter information that you collect on your reef aquarium.
Please let us know if you have any questions about your research.

Your Name:
Your Email:
Subject:
Nature:	Research Input - general Skimming Lighting Request - Question Problem
Your Message:
Send Message:

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MISSION STATEMENT

TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF IDAHO AND THE WORLD A SHOWCASE COLLECTION OF AQUATIC PLANTS, FISH, REEF ANIMALS AND PRODUCTS. TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN, APPRECIATION FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE COLLECTIONS. TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH PLANT RECORDS, PUBLIC DISPLAYS, COLLECTIONS, APPLIED RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, AND SALES OF QUALITY PRODUCTS.

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CORAL MEDICAL RESEARCH

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Contact: LeRoy Headlee -Sally Jo Headlee | Phone: 208-344-6163 | Fax: 208-344-6189
Email: leroy@garf.org

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REEF AQUARIUM FARMING NEWS | REEF AQUARIUM CORAL FARMING SCHOOL | 1997 WINTER - SPRING NEWSLETTER

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