Excited to get your new tank up and running but are wondering when you can add your lobsters? Or maybe you’re looking at different tank options and have some questions about the differences between maintaining capacity and max capacity. If so, the following information may help. These guidelines are standard and apply to all of our tanks.
Maximum and Maintaining Capacities
Maximum Capacity – A “one to one” ratio of pounds of animals to gallons. Your tank’s gallon listing (on our site) is correct as long as you are keeping the water level to its maximum level (not less or not over). If you use less water, then the capacity is less. If you overfill, then water in the sump will overflow the screen and baffle. Along with the water will be solid debris which can clog the impeller. Maximum capacity is for a short period of time like 24 hours, then drop the capacity below the maintaining capacity. Load below the maximum capacity.
Maintaining Capacity – This is one-half lbs of animals to 1 gallon. 1/2 – 1 ration. This is your cruise control capacity. Keeping a maintaining capacity on a regular basis will help keep the beneficial bacteria healthy. If you leave your tank empty for months, the bacteria will die off. This often happens when the user carries only one species and the tank sits empty during closed seasons.
Note – Crabs are much dirtier than lobsters so although the capacity is the same, The maintenance will require more attention.
Guidelines for Adding Animals
Once you have stabilized the salinity level, added Bacteria, and the water temperature is down to 55F, you may introduce the lobsters to their new tank. For an “adding schedule” which details the amount of animals you may add per week for the first 6 weeks, locate your model in Operation Manuals and scroll down to “part 3 – adding animals.”
Note – Your “living” bio-filter is brand new, and is not vet capable of handling large loads. It needs a “break-in” period of 6 weeks at 55f to allow sufficient numbers of Bacteria to cover the available surface area of the Filter Bed.
CAUTION! This process CANNOT be rushed! For this reason. we recommend very light loads for the first few weeks.