MARINELAND ML-44 (01) PDF Document

The specifications for the MARINELAND ML-44 are as follows:

Dimensions: 50″ L x 50″ w x 53″ H

Capacity: 230 gallons

Recommended Load:

150-200 lbs. of lobster

70 lbs. of trout

100-110 lbs. of catfish

The power requirements for the MARINELAND ML-44 are 20 AMPS, 115V, 60 Hz.

The electric supply needed is 115 VAC., 60 Hz, 15 AMP. The recommendation is to use a 20 AMP Dedicated Circuit.

The following simple steps are required to get your system up and operational:

1. Locate unit near a 110–120 volt grounded outlet with a 15 amp dedicated circuit.

WARNING: Do not attempt to operate unit on extension cord or non-grounded circuit. Do not handle or connect plug with wet hands.

2. Make sure Vented Panel is not obstructed. These panels allow cooling air to reach compressor. They also provide access to filters, thermostat, on/off switch, drains and other components.

3. Unpack all accessories, supplies and Upper False Bottom from tank.

4. Remove front Side Panels. Make sure system components are plugged into junction box.

5. Set thermostat 55°F. Leave it at that setting for 6 weeks to allow for bacterial growth. Then reset the temperature to 45°F.

Prior to system startup, follow these steps to set up the filter bed:

1. Pour 1 inch of Biological Filter Material #2 (dolomite) over Lower False Bottom and spread evenly over entire surface.

2. Add Biological Filter Material #1 covering top layer of dolomite completely.

3. Add more Biological Filter Material #2 until the top layer of dolomite is within one inch from the top of the filtration well. Make certain that all carbon is covered and the top layer is level.

4. Place blue Bottom Filter Pad over top layer.

5. Open Drain Valve and run cold, clean water through the filter bed to flush out all dolomite dust. Be careful not to expose any carbon – it will float until saturated. NOTE: To avoid spillage, position System Drain over a floor drain. Close Drain Valve when finished.

6. Place Upper False Bottom over Prefilter Pad. Make sure that the bottom fits securely under locking tabs and that no pad edges protrude.

7. Remove Carbon Box Lid. Unwrap Carbon Box and place inside Carbon Filter Box Holder. NOTE: Before installing, gently shake cartridge to distribute carbon. Be sure to rinse Carbon thoroughly in cold, clean water until water runs clear.

For Saltwater Systems Only: Add the required amount of powdered sea salt mix to the tank. Save the remainder to adjust salinity at a later time.

Salt Required (approximate) for the MARINELAND ML-44 is 60 lbs.

NOTE: When filling tank, run cold water through salt to dissolve it faster.

1. Make sure Drain Valve is closed.

2. Fill display tank half full.

3. Start system. Plug power cord into 110-120v dedicated outlet and turn switch on. Never attempt to plug in unit unless hands and plug are absolutely dry.

4. Fill remainder of tank to within one inch of the bottom of the top frame. Carbon and dolomite dust may cause some cloudiness. This will clear in a few hours. NOTE: Never allow water level to go below Water Level Line on side glass.

After your system has been running for about two hours and water is clear, follow these steps to measure the tank’s salt level:

1. Remove Hydrometer from plastic tube.

2. Rinse plastic tube and fill it with water from tank.

3. Place Hydrometer in tube and tap tube lightly so that hydrometer floats. NOTE: You may also float Hydrometer in tank.

4. Read scale on tube. Reading should be between 1.020 and 1.025. If the reading is below 1.020, add salt; above 1.025, drain some water and replace with fresh water. 1.022 is ideal.

When replacing water lost due to evaporation, simply add cold, clean tap water.

If water is removed for a specific purpose, e.g. to dip lobsters or clean tank, new salt and water will be needed.

Never pour new salt into tank if lobsters are present. Use a clean container to dissolve salt (approximately 1.5 lbs of salt to every 5 gallons of water).

Always wait for salt to dissolve before taking Hydrometer reading.

1. After the tank has been running for an hour or two and your hydrometer reads between 1.020 and 1.025, pour 4 ounces (1/2 bottle) of liquid bacteria (Marineland Beneficial Bacteria) into the filled tank. Wait 15 minutes before introducing animals.

NOTE: Bacteria require a food source to grow. Lobster waste (ammonia) is their food source. The break-in period begins when lobsters are placed into the system.

2. Add an additional ounce of liquid bacteria every third day during your break-in period until the bottle is empty.

NOTE: You may occasionally need to add an extra tablespoon of liquid bacteria to your system. This may be necessary after a complete water change or extreme fluctuation in loading, e.g. adding a heavy load after a sellout.

Your biological filter requires a 6 week “break-in” period for the bacteria to develop. Exceeding initial recommended capacity can lead to ammonia overload within 7-14 days.

RECOMMENDED LOADING SCHEDULE:

Week 1: no more than 25% capacity

Week 2: no more than 25% capacity

Week 3: no more than 30% capacity

Week 4: no more than 50% capacity

Week 5: no more than 75% capacity

Week 6: 100% capacity

In Case of Ammonia Overload…change 100% of water only.

DO NOT change pads or carbon. DO NOT wash gravel. DO NOT turn system off.

1. Set salinity. Adjust water temperature (55°F for systems break-in; 45°F following break-in).

2. Before introducing new lobsters into the system, dip each lobster and rinse it thoroughly in a bucket of saltwater. Dipping removes accumulated shipping debris and prevents lobsters from fouling tank.

Never use freshwater for lobster dips…it will kill them. For best results, rinse water should be taken from the established display tank, discarded after use and replenished.

NOTE: Recommended temperature setting is for American Lobster (Homarus Americanus) and trout. When using tanks for other species of lobster, adjust temperature as necessary for that particular species.

Because fin fish are susceptible to temperature shock, it is important to avoid placing new fish in water much colder than that in which they were shipped.

One day prior to the arrival of new fish, water in the display tank should be set to the expected temperature of the water in the delivery vehicle. After fish are added, reset the thermostat and bring water temperature down to proper setting of 50°F

NOTE: Due to water conditions in some areas, it may be necessary to perform weekly water changes for freshwater tanks.

Recommended temperature setting is for trout. When using tanks for other species of fin fish (bass, catfish, etc.) adjust temperature as necessary for that particular species.

Daily maintenance procedures:

Check tank for fatalities and weak or damaged stock. Remove immediately.

Remove foam. Check your system for foam every morning. Foam forms on the surface of the water when there is a dead or wounded animal in the tank or when organic contaminants are introduced into the system. These contaminants can enter the system via unrinsed lobsters. They can also come from feeding the lobsters.

NEVER feed lobsters. The food will foul the tank, and lobsters kept at 45°F can go without eating for over a month with no ill effects.

When foam is present, remove it with a piece of clean cardboard or other semi-rigid material. Then determine the cause and remove the source. Never attempt to eliminate the foam with a de-foaming agent. This only puts the contaminants back into the water, which will stress the animals and cause tank water to cloud up.

NOTE: Lobsters with missing claws or feet are a constant source of foam. Always remove these animals immediately to avoid contaminating the system.

The Carbon Filter Pad and carbon should be changed Every Two Weeks.

To change carbon, follow the steps below:

1. Remove Carbon Box.

2. Discard used carbon and Carbon Filter Pad. Rinse out Carbon Box. Tear or cut a new Carbon Filter Pad in half to fit the Carbon Box.

3. Tuck new Carbon Filter Pad into Carbon Box – blue side down. Pad should cover bottom, sides and back with enough left on top to fold over the newly added carbon. Pour 8 ounces of Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon in to padded tray.

4. Cover new carbon with top of Carbon Filter Pad and tuck pad under lip of Carbon Box. Reinstall Carbon Box.

Wipe down all exterior casing surfaces.

A vinegar/water solution (3 tablespoons vinegar to a pint of water) may be used with a clean rag or paper towel. Never use chemicals, soaps, detergents or harsh abrasives on any part of the system. Do not use cleaners inside or near the system at any time.

Warning: Never spray insecticides within 20 feet of your system. The resulting contamination could kill your product and destroy your biological filter. If you must use insecticides, be careful to turn off and cover the system with plastic tarp until the odor has cleared from the area completely. Then don’t forget to turn the system back on.

Inspect the display tank and sump for algae growth.

To remove algae, simply wipe inside tank surface with a cloth, algae scraper or acrylic cleaning pad. NEVER use soap or metal scouring pads. Keep a dedicated cloth for cleaning the inside viewing area surfaces. It should be kept clean and isolated from other departments so that it does not get contaminated by multiple task use.

Airstones should be replaced Every Month to Six Months, and all of them must be changed at the same time when they become clogged.

To change airstones, follow the steps below:

1. With the system pump running, remove the Carbon Box Lid. Each Air Stack contains a white rigid tube attached to a length of flexible connector tubing. Disconnect the tubes and tubing in each Air Stack and remove the white rigid tubes with airstones attached.

2. Test for clogs by blowing through each white rigid tube. Air should pass easily through the stones. If you find yourself blowing too hard, the airstones are clogged and need to be replaced.

3. Pull the clogged airstones off the “Y” Connector at the end of each rigid white tube.

4. Place the new airstones on each open end of each “Y” connector. NOTE: We recommend you use only Marineland airstones. They last longer and provide more bubbles for aeration.

5. With a rubber band, wrap each pair of airstones together.

6. Re-insert white rigid tubes into Air Stacks and reattach flexible connector tubes. Do not push airstones all the way to the bottom of the tank.

To determine if your filter bed is restricted, follow these steps (while pump is running):

1. Remove Carbon Box Lid and Carbon Box.

2. In one Air Stack, disconnect flexible tubing from white rigid tube. Bubbles will stop in the disconnected stack and will either stop or be greatly reduced in the other.

3. Noting the water level within the disconnected Air Stack, cover the air outlet in the disconnected Stack with your finger so that all bubbling is limited to the other Stack. Water level in the disconnected Air Stack will drop. The more it drops, the more restricted the filter is. NOTE: If the water drops more than four inches, the filter bed is completely restricted.

NOTE: This condition can also result from clogged airstones and blocked air pump filters, so be sure to check for these conditions first.

If the filter bed is restricted, but the animals appear normal and water is not hazy, you have caught the problem in time. A complete tank breakdown is not necessary. You must, however, change the bottom filter pad to increase the flow through the filter bed.

To Change the Bottom Filter Pad…

1. Remove animals. Place lobsters in box and put box in cooler. Place fin fish in clean container which has been filled with water from the tank. Aerate water with white rigid tube and airstones from tank.

2. Slowly remove Upper False Bottom.

3. Gently roll up Bottom Filter Pad. Try to keep as much dirt as possible in the pad as you roll. Remove and discard.

4. Agitate Filter Bed by hand or with a clean tool. This will open up any blockage.

5. Place new pad in tank. NOTE: To prevent air bubbles from being trapped in pad, “snake” pad over edge of tank…or roll pad up underwater and wring out air bubbles before covering Filter Bed.

6. Replace Upper False Bottom.

The External Air Filter is the brown muffler-like appendage sticking out from the top of the pump. To clean, first cut off the yellow shipping straps and unscrew the filter from the pump head. Then rinse it in warm water (no soap).

There are three internal foam air filters located under the round plate on top of the pump. To remove the plate and gasket, unscrew the five top screws. The three filters are in the internal air chambers of the pump. To clean, simply lift out the three foam filters and rinse them in warm water (no soap). After cleaning, replace the filters, gaskets and top.

To guard against overheating and system failure, the Refrigeration Condenser Intake Screen should be brushed or vacuumed clean. This eliminates accumulated dust and prevents clogging.

IMPORTANT: This process, although vital to the health of your filter bed, can be very detrimental to your filter if done incorrectly. Pay particular attention to the do’s and don’ts at the end of this section.

1. Remove animals. Place lobsters in box and put box in cooler. Place fin fish in clean container which has been filled with water from the tank. Aerate water with white rigid tube and airstones from tank.

2. Drain tank using drain hose in side of tank.

3. Remove Upper False Bottom and Bottom Filter Pad.

4. Wash gravel bed by agitating with a strong, hard stream of cold water. Try to penetrate the gravel with the stream to dislodge any accumulated debris.

5. Move gravel to one end of tank, exposing half of the bottom grid. Hose the grid to flush out any particles trapped in the holes. Repeat the process for the other half of the grid. When done, spread gravel back evenly over the entire grid.

CAUTION: Do not use soap, cleaners or hot water. Do not permanently remove gravel from tank. These actions will destroy the bacteria in your filter.

6. After hosing out filter bed, immediately fill tank. For lobster, add salt and water immediately as directed in Preparation Section.

IMPORTANT: The entire “washout” procedure should take no longer than 10-15 minutes. In lobster tanks, the saltwater bacteria must not be exposed to freshwater for more that five minutes or they will start to die.

NOTE: In areas where the tap water is over 70°F, it is recommended that ice be used when refilling the tank.

7. Put fresh carbon in the Carbon Box to eliminate any chlorine in the newly changed water. Check salinity and temperature. Allow tank to operate for one hour before reintroducing animals.

NEVER overload your system.

NEVER wash gravel with hot water.

NEVER wash gravel with soap or cleaners.

NEVER remove gravel from tank.

NEVER allow gravel to dry out.

NEVER expose lobster tank gravel to fresh water for more than 5 minutes.

NEVER turn off system (even when temporarily out of animals).

NEVER feed animals.

NEVER use insecticides near system.

If the entire system abruptly shuts down:

Reset circuit breaker in main electrical panel.

Check to make sure unit is plugged in.

Make sure Master Switch is turned on.

If water turns yellow or odors develop:

Replace Carbon Filter Pad and carbon.

If water flow from Air Stack Tubes is reduced:

Inspect airstones for blockage. Change if necessary.

Make sure air pump filter is not obstructed. Clean if necessary.

If water temperature is too low or too high:

Check Thermostat setting. NOTE: Thermostat reading may differ from measured Holding Tank temperature… adjust Thermostat as required and monitor Holding Tank temperature with thermometer, allowing 3-4 hours for temperature to stabilize before checking again.

Make sure that power cord to Refrigeration Unit is plugged into proper outlet.

See that Thermostat is at desired temperature setting and is not damaged.

Inspect Intake Vents and Condensing Screen. Clean if necessary.

If you experience product loss shortly after arrival:

Don’t panic. Remove dead product from tank.

Check water salinity. Adjust if necessary.

Monitor water temperature. Adjust if necessary

If fish roll, spin, swim belly up, behave erratically:

Adjust water temperature to match that in which they are already accustomed (shipped in). Keep at this temperature for 24 hours, then lower to 50°F.

If a large number of animals die and water is clear:

Change water and replace carbon immediately.

Remove any metal objects that may have been introduced into system, e.g. pennies, brass, etc.

Make sure that insecticides or other industrial poisons are not being used near the aquarium.

If a large number of animals die and water is hazy:

Check for restricted bio-filter. If restricted, take appropriate measures. Change water and clean BIO-Filter.

Reduce load (if exceeds recommended capacity).

Make sure water temperature is not too high. Adjust Thermostat as required and monitor Tank temperature with thermometer allowing 3-4 hours for temperature to stabilize before checking again.

Check for fish caught under Upper False Bottom.

Make sure system is operating in accordance with recommended six-week loading schedule.

Inspect airstones for blockage. Change if necessary.

Make sure air pump filter is not obstructed. Clean if necessary.