from NIELSEN’S MARINE MATES 45 – 47 Beenleigh Redland Bay Road, Loganholme. 4129 www.nielsensmarinemates.com.au Ph 3801 4222

STAFF PROFILES OUR DISPLAY TANK Nielsen’s Marine Mates is located in the We are often asked what equipment is grounds of Nielsen’s Native Nursery, used on the display tank. Following along with Lorikeet’s Coffee Shop. The is a list including additives and nursery has won Best Garden Centre in maintenance regime. its class for eleven years whilst the very The is 1800 x 750H x 700W popular coffee shop is a great spot for and holds roughly 900 litres. It is lit by a breakfast, morning tea or lunch before or Giesemann Infinity 1800 light with three after shopping. We aim to keep up the 250W Metal Halide bulbs and 4 x 80W T5 same high standards with Marine Mates. tubes. The halides run on timer from The entire complex is owned by Dennis 9a.m. to 5p.m. daily with the T5s 8a.m. to and Christine Nielsen. The Nielsens’ 5.30p.m. The tank is filtered by a trickle passion for marine fish began about ten filter with bioballs and coral rubble plus a years ago when Dennis and Christine’s growing caulerpa in Miracle son, Brad Nielsen (who manages the Mud. Lighting on the caulerpa is run 24 nursery), set up his first marine tank. Two hours per day. In addition, the tank has a years later Dennis succumbed to marine Reef Octopus Classic Skimmer, an fish keeping and was later followed by his Ozone Generator and a 36W UV younger son, Scott, who now manages Sterilizer. A Tunze Wavebox is used with the aquarium. Tunze Turbelle Stream Pumps to provide The display tank in the shop is Dennis’s alternating currents. A Hailea HC1000k pride and joy and rarely a day goes by Chiller is used to maintain a temperature without him dropping by to check it out in of 24°C. In the last six months an detail. Dennis has an equally beautiful Aquamedic Calcium Reactor with Sera marine tank in his home and he is Controller has been added. This has meticulous in maintaining it to an certainly stabilized the calcium levels extremely high standard. Still, all has not whereas previously large amounts of been plain sailing – he had his share of calcium supplements were needed. disasters with his first setup, but once he Aquasonic Kh Powder is added, usually got good filtration and equipment in place, every second day or as needed, to things rapidly improved and his existing maintain carbonate hardness and tank is now an absolute showpiece. strontium, molybdenum, iodine and Although Dennis does not usually work in magnesium supplements are added on a the shop he is often around, and is regular basis. Purple-up is used as always up for a chat about marines. needed to maintain the coralline algae. Pictured are Dennis and Christine in front Inverts are fed daily with Cyclop-eeze and of the shop display tank. Red Sea Coral Gro. Fish are fed using frozen Marine Dinner and Marine Green, Spectrum Pellets and Nutrafin Sinking Morsels. Algae sheets are also used almost continuously in the tank for herbivores. The tank is checked daily for evaporation and topped up with fresh water where necessary and around 50% of the tank water is changed monthly using natural sea water. The tank has

www.nielsensmarine mates.com.au Ph 3801 4222 been plumbed to make water changing AMAZON SWORD PLANTS quick and easy. Coming from the Amazon River, as the So, yes, there is a lot of equipment on the name implies, there is a Sword Plant setup – but look at the results! Many tell suitable for almost any fresh water tank. us it is the best display tank in Brisbane! They range from very tall growing to low, It also achieves these results with spreading plants and grow in a range of minimum work which is what most water conditions. In colour they can vary aquarists are usually aiming for. from many shades of green, to marbled FOXFACE - MARINE FISH OF THE and red varieties. Many are hardy and MONTH fast growing plants. Ask us which plant What a great fish these are! Brightly would be suitable for your tank! coloured, peaceful and excellent algae ASSORTED AMAZON SWORDS eaters. Bright yellow with a black and Normally $8.95 white face, these are a real standout in NOW $7.70 the aquarium. There are three species of foxface – Lo magnifica, not often seen Like to keep fish in a modern looking tank here, Lo vulpinus and Siganus which is very easy to maintain? unimaculatus. The last ones exhibit a BIO-ORB units come black spot on their side and for a long complete with superior time it was thought these were a colour filters including variant of Lo vulpinus not a different biological, mechanical species. When sleeping, or if stressed, and chemical filtration, foxface exhibit a ‘rotten banana’ look – all filter media, air brown blotchy colouration. It is interesting pump, airline and valve, that foxface with the black dot seem to water conditioner, exhibit this trait less than the plain yellow bacteria start and an excellent instruction type. book on setting up and maintaining your Although they are not fussy feeders and Bio Orb. Because of the filtration and a will eat most frozen and dried foods, they larger water volume than the usual love most green algae, especially hair goldfish bowl, they are much easier to algae and will keep the aquarium clean. maintain and can be used for cold water Foxface frequently form an attachment to or tropical freshwater fish (with the another fish and will follow them around addition of a heater). the tank, becoming quite panic stricken if BIO ORB bowls are available in three they lose sight of their ‘buddy’. They are sizes: generally very peaceful with almost all 15 litre Bio Orb 32cm H x 30cm W species. 30 litre Bio Orb 42cm H x 40cm W Probably their only fault is that they can 60 litre Bio Orb 52cm H x 50cm W deliver quite a painful sting from their Whether you are a first time fish keeper, dorsal spines, so care is needed when or more experienced, you will find the Bio netting them and transferring them into Orb a beautiful addition to your home. the tank. Once there though, they will serve you well – providing great colour DIGITAL THERMOMETERS and performing their lawn mowing duties The sensor of this thermometer goes into to perfection. the water and a lead connects it to the thermometer which sits outside the FOXFACE aquarium. This is a very easy to read unit Great Value at with a clear digital readout. Much easier only $4 9.00 than small floating thermometers or stick on types which are notoriously difficult to decipher. $19.80.

www.nielsensmarine mates.com.au Ph 3801 4222 CARBONATE HARDNESS IN SALT using Aquasonic Carbonate Hardness AND FRESH WATER Powder. This can be added daily as Carbonate hardness is known by a directed until testing show ideal levels. number of names according to country of Particularly in marine aquariums, it may origin, popular usage and test kit used: take some persistence initially to achieve ♦ carbonate hardness - usually expressed this. Slow release kH tablets are also as parts per million (ppm); available. ♦ alkalinity – measured as Remember, though, that adjusting pH by manipulating carbonate hardness levels, milliequivalents per litre (meq/l); is no replacement for water changes ♦ kH – measured as German degrees which should still be carried out regularly hardness (dkH). to dilute wastes and acidity. The conversion is: 50ppm = 1meq/l = 2.8dkH TROPIC MARIN TEST KITS Carbonate hardness is the concentration Especially for the more advanced of carbonate and bicarbonate dissolved in hobbyist we now stock the highly water and its ability to neutralize acids accurate range of Tropic Marin Marine without changing the pH. Without strong Test Kits. levels of carbonate hardness, pH levels will be very unstable. In a marine Single test kits are: aquarium, the minimum level pH $23.20 recommended is 125ppm up to 250 ppm kH $23.50 whilst freshwater tanks require 60ppm Phosphate $40.80 and above, higher levels being required for some fish such as African cichlids. Combitest kits are: Carbonate hardness is usually depleted Magnesium & Calcium $72.50 in aquariums by a build up of acid from Ammonia & Ammonium $46.60 wastes. It is common to see low pH in Nitrite & Nitrate $49.20 water being adjusted up, only to find it fall back to acid levels very quickly, often Also available is the Expert Test Set overnight. This is because the carbonate which includes: hardness levels are low and there is no pH, kH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia $99.00 buffering capacity in the tank. Using buffers to adjust pH is a short term solution if carbonate hardness is low. Apart from stabilizing pH, strong carbonate hardness levels in the can supply carbon Another product just dioxide for plants so that strong flow, with arrived is Dick Boyd’s Chemi Pure . This high carbonate hardness, can result in product has been around for quite a while lush plant growth. but is unsurpassed in attaining crystal In the reef tank, calcium is often seen as clear, blue white water in fresh or salt the most important element, but coral water. It removes copper, metal ions, requires both calcium and carbonate for pollutants and odours, phenols and growth and so only when calcium levels colours. and carbonate hardness levels are Available in three sizes – balanced and correct, will coral growth 140gm which treats up to 75litres $14.40, occur. Carbonate hardness also aids 280gm which treats 150-380litres $19.30 Zooxanthellae algae living in coral tissue 1.13kg which treats up to 760litres $79.95 and assists hard in extracting All units can last up to six months before calcium from the water. replacement is necessary and include a To raise the carbonate hardness levels in filter bag. either fresh or salt water, we recommend

www.nielsensmarine mates.com.au Ph 3801 4222

FRESHWATER FISH OF THE MONTH – BRISTLENOSE CATFISH These fish are almost essential for every indoor freshwater aquarium. They are one of the best algae eaters available and tolerate a large range of water conditions. Because of their ‘armour plating’ and bristly nose, they are even fairly immune to becoming a victim to larger fish. The trick when introducing them to a new tank Do you think this looks like a tank full of with larger fish is to let them out of the good quality living rock? Would you net at the bottom of the tank and not believe it is all artificial rock and an dropping them in at the top where they artificial background! The rocks in the may be attacked on their way down. foreground are separate to, and not Bristlenose should be fed sinking algae included, in the background. This discs or veges, such as zucchini, at least background attaches to the inside back of three times a week, more often if there is the aquarium and provides an especially no algae in the tank. They love to have a realistic backdrop for your marine tank. It cave in which to sleep and breed. We would also look great in a native or cichlid have ‘bristlenose logs’ available – these tank or perhaps a freshwater tropical are a fired clay log with one end blocked aquarium. We have one on display on our off – ideal for breeding. Bristlenose can predator tank. be hard to sex when small, but when The background is large enough for a mature the males sport a mouth full of 1200 x 600 aquarium. Priced at $340, to bristles whilst the females only have a create the same effect in living rock would few. They lay large numbers of eggs and be much more expensive and because it are great parents. Whether or not you is so much lighter will not displace as have an algae problem in your tank these much water. For those of you who love an are an interesting fish to have. ‘instant effect’ then this is the background Bristlenose are regularly $8.95 for you. THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL ONLY $6.50 Check out the great new range of ornaments now in BACK IN STOCK - store. These include squid, PLASTIC WATER DRUMS nautilus, leafy sea dragon, 25lt $17.95 EACH jellyfish and octopus. These are Great for water collection made from a type of silicon and and storage. are very lifelike, to the point that many NATURAL SEA WATER ALSO customers think the squid in the AVAILABLE 30 CENTS PER LITRE tank is real! If placed in the water current they move around most realistically. Great fun for freshwater and marine aquariums. $15.95 each.

DID YOU KNOW??? 1 Imperial (Australian) Gallon is Are you registered for our equal to approximately 4.5 litres. newsletter? 1 U.S.A. Gallon is equal to 3.78 litres If not, send us an email to so if using American products [email protected] adjust your dosage accordingly. or register next time you are in the store.

www.nielsensmarine mates.com.au Ph 3801 4222