The 9.000-Liter Coral Reef Aquarium

A Coral Reef in South Tyrol?

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Where today the Dolomites stand majestically, a shallow, tropical sea replete with coral reefs consisting of algae, sponges, and corals could be found during the Triassic Period (approx. 230-220 million years ago). Over the course of millions of years, the calcareous housings of these organisms accumulated to form the Dolomites. In order to provide visitors with a vivid picture of a tropical Triassic sea, a living coral reef aquarium was established in the Museum's first story.

Special article in the journal hydra [PDF-Download 6,20 MB]

Technical Specifications on the Aquarium

  • Year built: 1997
  • Dimensions: 320 x 150 x 120 cm (LxDxH) with approx. 6,000 liters of gross volume (a total of 9,000 liters of seawater circulate between the aquarium, filters, and reserve tanks)
  • Building materials: Plywood, completely lined with PVC plates on the inside. The aquarium glass wall is 40 mm thick.
  • Installation: approx. 1,000 kg of limestone rocks, 50 kg living rock, polyurethane foam. Depending upon the given zone, the base is covered by 1cm of Halimeda sand
  • Filter system: There is a biological filter system located in the Museum's basement, with 400 kg of illuminated living rock and large foam eliminators. Occasionally, the seawater is filtered using activated carbon for 48 hours.
  • Lighting: Three 1000-watt HQI lamps, 6,000-Kelvin Osram TD lamps, and 18 58-watt blue neon tubes.
  • Water agitation: A total of 80,000 liters/hour are circulated, with imitation tides
  • Tanks: In the basement, there is a collection tank with four tanks for raising and incubation.
  • Water exchange: On the average, 15% per month
  • Temperature monitoring: Cooling plant and fans. Water temperature: 25-27 °C
  • Addition of lime: Lime reactor with carbon dioxide and daily addition of 50 liters of Milk of Lime (saturated suspension of calcium hydroxide)
  • Addition of trace elements: none
Section of the filter  

Section of the filter plant with the 3-meter-tall protein foam eliminator

 

The Biological Community:

  • Species of "Stone Coral": Acropora, Euphyllia, Favia, Favites, Fungia, Galaxea, Heliopora, Lobophyllia, Millepora, Montipora, Pavona, Platygyra
  • Species of "Soft Coral": Lobophytum, Nephthea, Pachyclavularia, Protopalythoa, Rhodactis, Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Xenia
  • Other invertebrates: Entacmea quadricolor, Lysmata debelius, L. amboinensis, Stichodactyla haddoni, Tridacna crocea, T. derasa, T. squamosa
  • Fishes: Acanthurus leucosternon, A. sohal, Acreichthys tomentosus, Amphiprion clarki, A. melanopus, Chromis viridis, Naso lituratus, Paracanthurus hepatus, Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, P. squamipinnis, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, Pterapogon kauderni, Salarias fasciatus, Siganus vulpinus, Synchiropus splendidus, S. stellatus, Zebrasoma flavescens, Z. xanthurum

Synchiropus splendidus  Synchiropus splendidus – Mandarin Dragonet

Pseudoanthias pleurotaenia Pseudanthias pleurotaenia – Squareback Anthias


Amphiprion clarkii  Amphiprion clarkii – Clark's Anemone Fish