Our marine tank

[Mrs Mental]

Here's a few pics of our new tank - we've not got loads in it yet but have about 8 mad shrimps, a rockling (fish) a starfish, some strange snailies, some limpets and some sea enemies (as my youngstest calls them) ;D ;D

Here's the tank:

Here's my favourite snail with a sea enemy on its back eating some bloodworms!

Here's my favourite sea enemy waving to you all!

A shrimp swimming about on his way to the top for a bit of breakfast!

And a shrimp stand off!

Hope you enjoy them

[rock-steady]

That is a nice set up you have there. Id love a marine tank one day. Little bit jealous now

[Deli--x]

Are the marine tanks hard to control, water temp.. etc.. x

[AshMashMash]

Oh wow, a cold water marine tank

Did you collect the inhabitants your self? What temperature is it kept at?

Cool pics. You need a snakeslock anemone as well as that beadlet (?).

[Mrs Mental]

Ohhh ohhh lots of questions right hang on one at a time!!!

Right first off its 'real' actual sea water in there so we part change it every 5 days or so. Dunno what the temperature is sorry - one of the snails knocked the temp doodah off the filtration pump and the crab dragged it off under the sand so I can't read it now Would presume its near enough at sea temperature but obviously a little higher as its in a house, if you know what I mean.

Yes we collected the bits and bobs ourselves and we put them back to the sea when they grow or if we think they're stressed or unhappy or not behaving naturally, although 99% of things seem really happy and are feeding and growing fine so no we've not really had any problems with it.

And yes I am sure we do need one of them snakeslock thingies but I'm bu**ered if we know what one of them looks like if you give me some clues I'll keep an eye out when I next have my head in a rockpool.

We've got a few more new friends in there now - these pics were taken a few months back so I'll try and get some new ones for you all to awwwww over.

And yes we do live right on the beach and no you cannot all descend on us for a fortnights holiday...................well not unless you're really nice and bring wine for the adults, choccies to bribe the chidlren with, food for the BBQ and of course large handfuls of weeds for the torts & snail ohhhh and your welly boots to rock pool in!!!

[rum&coke]

very good nice idea too

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by Mrs Mental

Right first off its 'real' actual sea water in there so we part change it every 5 days or so. Dunno what the temperature is sorry - one of the snails knocked the temp doodah off the filtration pump and the crab dragged it off under the sand so I can't read it now Would presume its near enough at sea temperature but obviously a little higher as its in a house, if you know what I mean.

The rock pool type creatures are very hardy and can survive a wide range of temps, and so I am sure they are happy. However, I am betting your tank is above 20C at the least, and if you go meaasure the temp in the sea right now I am guessing its no more than 15C at the mo, probably less. Just make sure you acclimitise properly

Originally Posted by Mrs Mental

Yes we collected the bits and bobs ourselves and we put them back to the sea when they grow or if we think they're stressed or unhappy or not behaving naturally, although 99% of things seem really happy and are feeding and growing fine so no we've not really had any problems with it.

I wasn't critisising, just wondering I love rockpooling my self.

Originally Posted by Mrs Mental

And yes I am sure we do need one of them snakeslock thingies but I'm bu**ered if we know what one of them looks like if you give me some clues I'll keep an eye out when I next have my head in a rockpool.

Gorgeous anemones, and found around the UK, though less common than the beadlets. They may be photosynthetic though

Very interesting indeed! Always wanted a cold water marine tank, never have done it. Just watch those temps... too high and the animals might suffer.

What filtration are you using?

[Mrs Mental]

Wow thanks for the pics - those "enemies" are gorgeous arent they - will keep an eye out when we're next bottoms up at the beach

I didnt think you were critising when you asked your questions hun - no problem -was just explaining things as best I could so sorry if I sounded a bit defensive, wasn't meant to.

I hadn't thought to do this last time I posted but I've stuck my tort digital thermometer in the water and the temp at the moment is 18.6 so not too bad but thanks for that hun I will certainly keep an eye on it. Hopefully it helps that we part change the water fairly regular. If it was going to be a problem am I right in thinking we'd have lost things by now? (Have had the tank going for about 7 months now and only lost one wee fishy)

As for the filter doodah ekkkkkk dont know hubby does those bits and the cleaning out of it and the topping up bits - I just do the glamour bits like the rock pooling. The pump goes near enough down the whole side of the tank so quite a biggish one and its failry powerful Im presuming cos the water is pretty clear about 90% of the time - can get mucky depending on food sometimes.

Thanks for all your help & those pics.

[AshMashMash]

Ah wicked! Thanks for the info, very interesting Sounds good.

Temp is lower than I thought, which is a good thing. Seems like everything is working.

Keep us updated!

[fishboy]

oooh! anemonia viridis!!! very pretty ash!!! the OP should definitely look for one. They look very similar to condylactis gigantea which i have kept before, just a bit more greenish (hence the viridis)