Oregon Coast Temperate Setups.

Hello all, I am new to your forums and and I am seeking anyone who may have experience with the Marineland Commercial Live seafood systems.
Specificially the ML24.BW1
http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/Documents/ML24BW%281%29.pdf
http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/commercialsystems/productdetail.aspx?id=2052&cid=3274&mid=3280&sid=

Anyone ever used these systems to house anything other than lobsters? I'm going to have it in my possesion mid April and want to start ironing out the specifics of anything else I will need to get it up and running to house inverts and livestock from the Oregon coast. The tank has no leaks, holds water just fine, skimmer works, pumps work, and chiller was functioning. This particular system had a large integrated bio wheel as well.

One thing I could use some advice on is what media to put in the area where the coolant coil runs through the lower resevoir? Marineland recommends " Dolomite " which I don't know much about why or why not to use it. I had thought of using some variety of ceramic tubules perhaps or maybe put some kind or porous live rock rubble down there?

Here is a link to a thread I started on a local forum for my new system:
http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?p=167937#post167937

Dolomite is Dolomite lime, A PH buffer. I dont remember EXACTLY if it buffers up or down but I only know that from my experience with using it as a PH buffed in soil. However from what iv seen looking into commercial systems for starting a business myself I would assume its either to be used as insulation for the coil or a PH buffed. If its just a PH buffer just some sand in the display like with regular tanks would of course be plenty. I am going to tell you what I bet everyone else has already told you. Research!

these systems are a pretty good for a coldwater setup. But a few tings should be replaced. Do not use the bio-wheel for biological filtration use some small live rock rubbe. Make the sure the rubble is not actually live.

My system has a large plastic tray that functions as a false bottom over the resevoir where the coolant coils are located. This area is where they say to put the dolomite.
What I am thinking of doing is having a mixture of both dolomite and live rock rubble in the resevoir area so that I get the benefit of both PH buffering and biological media. There is also room in the overflow filter area on the system to put quite a bit of live rock rubble. This way I can have the display area look as natuaral as possible while still having quite a bit of area for benefitial bacteria.

Is there any reason not to use the bio wheel? Or is it just not as effecient as having more porous live rock in the system? Any reason not to use both?

At first thought you were talking about one of those 1/4 cylindars that Dominion uses. Haha

I'm not familiar with the bio-wheel's make up, however if there is a sponge in it, don't use it. That will send your nitrates to the moon.

A lot of the biowheels actualy make nitrate. Its justl ike using bioballs in a reef tank. most people done do it. what are you planning on stocking the tank wiht?

Tank will be stocked with inverts native to the Oregon coast, mostly tidepools. Possibly some puget sound stuff if I can beg Steve Weast to get me something on one of his dives

I'm going to start slow with starfish and any fish that I may be able to catch in the tidepools. I'll then branch out into other types of critters that are non-photosynthetic. Alot of it depends on the access I have to specimens, and how soon I'll be able to get my dive cert. I had really good luck with collecting several years ago on the underside of the docks in Newport, OR. Found a lot of things that we didnt see in the tidepools, including a sea lion that kept mean mugging us from underwater about 10 feet out. Creepy seeing 2 eyes peering up at you from the darkness........

Here's some pics of the tank I took today when I paid the guy for it. $300 I can live with for something this sweet

awesome! Can't wait to see it up and running!

Just talked to a guy I know who does trips and exports out of Peru, including fish.......

I told him it would behoove him to start bringing in some temperate stuff from Chile.....

Ahaha, nice! =D

I like the Australian/New Zealand stuff too...

Any reason why you specified Chile?

Only specified Chile because he already has contacts in Peru. Also Chile lies on the southern 45th parallel, which is the temperate equal to the oceans here in Oregon. Also Chile is home to Islands in the Chonos Archipelago including James Island and Melchor Island.

You can also get these: Phymactis papillosa

Well then... Good reasons. =P

Nice anemone by the way! =D

(Googled it)

I WANT A BLUE ONE!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+502+711&pcatid=711

You have your blue Phymactus Papillosa.... And I'll get my Sea apple.

nope. I don't use marine land foods

~ocean wrote:nope. I don't use marine land foods

Huh?

I just got the price sheet from Marineland for these systems brand new, and the one I picked up for $300 retails for over $7000 brand new.

Found some used ones on ebay for around $1500 ish though.

epic fail sorry I didn't read to post clearly and click the link

AquaticEngineer wrote:

~ocean wrote:nope. I don't use marine land foods

Huh?

I just got the price sheet from Marineland for these systems brand new, and the one I picked up for $300 retails for over $7000 brand new.

Found some used ones on ebay for around $1500 ish though.

As my California brethren from the Bay Area would say, "that's a hella good price!"

My Cali friend uses "hella," too.

Is that some sort of slang term restricted to the area?

I'm positive it's a bay thing. Not many people from southern say it and i have never heard it used by someone not from the bay.

Cartman wrote:Now zap his hella-ass back to you're hella-universe!

Kyle wrote:Stop saying hella!

In related news, lol. I should have my tank this coming saturday. Once I get it in the garage I should be able to update some new pics.

Sounds great .