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Native nz coldwater rockpool tank


William halligan

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William halligan

I have just setup a native New Zealand rock pool aquarium and i was searching for tips on keeping cold water aquariums

 

Currently have;

20L aquarium

200L/hr filter

400L/hr power head

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Acrylic insulates better than glass. Have you considered switching to acrylic? Depending on how cold you need to get it, a 1/13th HP chiller might be enough.

 

An Ice Probe Chiller can cool 10 gallons by 6 to 8 degrees. You could use multiple Ice Probe Chillers to achieve greater temperature drops and/or larger tank sizes. An aquarium controller can be used to control the temperature.

 

What temperature range are you shooting for?

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William halligan

Nothing over 15 degrees celcius, the tank is all ready set up and cycling at 20 degrees so too late to swap glass for acrylic

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OK, so 59°F. That's a difference of about 16°F (or 9°C). An Ice Probe wouldn't be able to achieve that with your tank. You might even want to use a 1/10th HP chiller.

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William halligan

Thanks, that was my biggest problem because the fish i want live in very cold tempratures, they can handle the warmth but i would like to play it safe

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You are talking of the tide pool dwellers correct?

 

One recommendation, don't pick any algae living only in the littoral zone, they always die in captivity.

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William halligan

Not alwayse i have heard of a guy with a 6 year old native and a friend of mine has had his set up for two and a half years but he is a marine biologest so knows exactly what to do

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Polarcollision

Heads up on the ice probe chillers. Mine lasted one year and then were useless and lots of echo stories on the internets. 1/10 or 1/15 hp chiller is more reliable long term.

 

PS, do you have a thread? Would love to follow

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William halligan

I dont know the guy with the older tank so i am not sure if he had red macro

 

But my friend can't keep red macro either but it will last longer in his tank because of his water flow

 

And i was thinking the same thing as you amphipod about the chiller because they get really warm

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A chiller shouldn't be needed for tide pool creatures, they were made to withstand the changes.

This is what i was thinking. Most tidepool areas around here (Similar temps to NZ) need to withstand monstrous changes of temp throughout the year. Probably around 30 degree (F) differences.

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Even when they can get stuck in the pools at low tide and are subjected to the direct sunlight, or freezing wind, rain, or drying sun.

 

Even changes within a few hours.

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Polarcollision

A chiller shouldn't be needed for tide pool creatures, they were made to withstand the changes.

 

A common misperception, but let's think about this. Being able to withstand a higher temp does not necessarily mean it is ideal environment for a long life. We can withstand 130 F, but are we going to stay in that temp for the rest of our lives? Nope. Biologically, enzymes function best within a narrow temp range. If the creature can't cool itself to that ideal temp, it's biology will likely be negatively affected. I'd look at the range a species inhabits at high tide and find out the max average temp of that range, then keep the aquarium at or below.

 

Maybe you'll have a different experience, but my tidepool fish survived at 65 F, the anemones did not. Thriving was at 55 F.

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William halligan

I still want to see what the fish are like in water that is cooler it has been really hot ever since I set the tank up so I can't say for sure yet

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William halligan

PS, do you have a thread? Would love to follow

 

I have set up a thread in reefers tanks forum it is called temprate marine nano tank

I will do weekly updates

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I still want to see what the fish are like in water that is cooler it has been really hot ever since I set the tank up so I can't say for sure yet
how hot you talking?
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