In our business we run two types of systems. Our 16 55 gallon aquariums with undergravel filters are driven by a high volume, low pressure air pump with air stones. Our 2,500 gallon vat system runs on a combination of bio balls, mechanical filtration, Hiatt's "Tri-Pelletized Activated Charcoal" and "Right Now" all driven by a 3,000 gph pump. We can hold up to 600 critters in our vat system and this combination works very well for us. The mechanical filter must be cleaned frequently, due to the high load of fish that we introduce to the system. The charcoal does absorb a great deal of the copper sulfate, which we use in our system to control parasites that may be brought in from the wild on the stock we collect, until it becomes settled. We had to test and adjust the copper twice every day, for the first 2 months after we installed the charcoal in order to keep the the copper at maintenance level (.15 ppm). After the medium was settled the level of copper only had to be adjusted every other day. Using the Tri-Pelletized Activated Charcoal has the added advantages of providing a large biological surface area and the virtual elimination of nitrates in a properly prepared tank.
After you have installed the filter, all you have to do is add water. If you are not fortunate enough to live near a body of saltwater, you will have to purchase a quantity of sea salts, such as Instant Ocean, and mix it with tap water. Because tap water contains chlorine and/or chloramine, be sure to de-chlorinate the water. There are a number of good de-chlorinators available on the market and we recommend AmQuel by AquaVet., which should be added to the tank as you are putting the water in. We recommend that, if you are running a fish-only tank, you maintain your salinity at a specific gravity of 1.019. This is a bit lower than raw ocean water (1.024), but we have found that this level seems to calm the fish. For your reef system, the 1.024 level is good. In regards to pH, we recommend a level of 8.0.
If you are interested in Hiatt Distributors Limited products, we are sorry to say they do not have their web site up and running yet. However, if you want to contact the owner Bill Hiatt, you can fax him at (592)428-5592.
If you live in Hawai'i, take note that as of November 1994, the State of Hawai'i banded the importation of any type of cultured bacteria without a permit (which doesn't currently exist). Check with your local pet shops or fish suppliers for legal purchase of any of these types of products.
