melev

While visiting the Atlanta Reef Club last week, I had the opportunity to visit Southeast Aquariums, a higher end store for those that appreciate only the best gear and livestock. The aim of this business is to cater to those that seek quality - and they didn't let me down.



Sea Atlanta is spacious and clean, meticulously thought out. When you first walk in, to the right is a 50% in-wall reef tank, and to the left is a built-in tank filled with Lookdown fish.





The reef tank is 48" front to back with a full-width coast to coast overflow that hides the plumbing behind.


An interesting story about this acrylic aquarium... it was built for a customer per design specs, and upon installation the paper backing was peeled away to reveal the final beautiful display. However, embedded in the 1" thick acrylic front panel, a small bug was forever encased like the mosquito from Jurassic Park. The tank was loaded up and taken back to the shop and a new one had to be built. Crazy, right?






The look downs are fed silversides. A hidden compartment along the back wall permits the fish to swim behind if they feel threatened and desire shelter.



The sales floor allows for comfortable browsing while permitting eye contact and easy conversation.


Equipment includes products by MRC (My Reef Creations) and SeaSystems, as well as other companies.







The coral troughs were clean and showcased various species like jewels. Check out the bagging station and in-counter sink.


The black sand provides that velvet backdrop, and the 2" thick acrylic walls of each tank proclaim a level of opulence that is impossible to ignore. Flow is provided by closed loop.


Speaking of acrylic, everything in the store is made of it. Even these two lighting pendants. This first one houses LEDs in a clean vented pendant...


... and this second one houses hammered reflectors using metal halide bulbs.


The live rock bins are set up with a weighing station that keeps the water where it belongs.




The sales counter area showcases popular items behind glass.



Even the refrigerated products are neatly tucked into the wall to maintain the spacious feel of the store. The door to the left permits access to the backside of the reef tank.




The fish and invertebrates section sparkles from end to end. Small video screens rotates through current items and pricing. Prints add decor.









Behind the sales floor, a section is set up for quarantine. All fish go through a 60-day quarantine period to assure no disease will be passed on to customers' tanks.





This giant batfish came from a customer since it had outgrown their tank. The PVC in the foreground is 2" diameter pipe. It was enormous.




How would you like a Life Support room like this one?


I love to see how things work, and Jeremy was happy to give me a tour. This huge sump runs around 330g of water at all times, but could probably hold nearly 500g to the top. It filters all the water going to the display tanks, and by twisting a few valves water changes as well. Water is pumped straight to a drain without hoses or lifting of buckets.



Filter socks trap particulates.



A cooling fan blows down on a media section. This sump's careful design is possible because of CNC routing. Each lid fits into a matching lipped opening.



Twin pumps move water. They stay primed with check valves (beneath inside the sump).


These plastic bio-wheels are fully submerged and tumbling, driven with air stones.




A calcium and carbon reactor maintain water quality.


The Apex controller provides real-time data. Beneath it, a UV-reactor holds four UV bulbs to keep parasites at bay.


What filtration isn't complete without a big skimmer? The skimmer has a large waste collector to the right (not pictured), which uses carbon to keep the smell under control and a submersible pump to empty it as needed. We got to see the multiple spray wash assembly flush the collection cup and riser for a few seconds, operated with a small built-in computer controller.


Now that I look at my images, I don't even know what this sump was for. Maybe the live rock vats.



Their site is www.seaatlanta.com , which includes their mission statement, pictures, videos and what else they offer.

If you are in Atlanta, I'd definitely put this store on your must-visit list:
SEA Atlanta
10305 Medlock Bridge Rd Suite B1
John's Creek, GA 30097
770-813-3207