Stark SLS-175 CURVE User manual

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 1
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
LOBSTER TANK
MODEL: SLS-175 CURVE
INSTALLATION
1) Floor drain, electrical and refrigeration stub-ups should be made compatible
with drawing prior to setting in place. Floor drain location is critical.
(Refrigeration stub-ups are for remote refrigeration).
2) Make certain that all light bulbs are set securely in their sockets as they can
potentially loosen during shipping and disconnect from the contacts. This
will cause arcing.
3) Connect all services.
4) Attach the bottom stainless steel skirts into the pre-tapped supports and seal
if required (see assembly instructions).
5) A Stark representative will set up the tank once electrical power and drains
are connected. Please call to confirm.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 2
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
1) Never use any abrasive or ammoniated cleaners or sponges on acrylic parts.
They will scratch. Do not tape signs to the face. Do not use razor blades to
clean the face. Clean only with soft, damp paper towels.
2) Do not spray water on lights. They are connected to GFI circuitry to protect
against electric shock. If lights go off, there is a red reset button inside the
cabinet. Press it in to re-activate the lights.
3) Use stainless steel cleaners on stainless steel faces.
LOBSTER TANK
The lobster tank provides an environment that closely simulates the natural
ocean waters in which lobsters thrive. As a result, Stark Lobster Tanks keep more
pounds of lobsters alive for a longer period than any other closed system available
today. Proper care and attention will result in a tank that requires minimal water
changes, bio-gravel changes or chemical testing. However, it is important to
remember that the tank is an aquatic life-support system, which must be monitored
on a regular basis, even if no actual maintenance needs to be performed.
OPERATION
LOADING SCHEDULE: This Low-Maintenance system should never need a
water change, however, you must adhere to the loading schedule for six (6) to
eight (8) weeks! Lobsters excrete ammonia, which at certain levels, becomes toxic
and kills them. Therefore, it is extremely important to allow time for healthy
bacteria growth while increasing your lobster load. Bacteria are the single-most
important biological component of the tank, since its primarypurpose is to consume
the life-threatening ammonia.
Lobsters must be healthy and not kept in a cooler.
Intentional overloads causing lobsters to die will necessitate a service call, and will
NOT be covered by your warranty.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 3
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
BREAK-IN PERIOD: One of the key components of the Stark Filtration System
is the biological filter bed. During the initial installation and start-up process, the
Activated Sand for the sand filter will be introduced into the system. This will
commence the process of building up the level bacteria necessary for a solid
biological filter. We recommend that the following schedule be followed so that
the bed will be built up properly.
Week #1.......................30% of total product capacity in tank
Week #2.......................50% of total product capacity in tank
Week #3.......................75% of total product capacity in tank
Week #4.......................100% of total product capacity in tank
HANDLING OF THE LOBSTERS: Before putting new lobsters in the tank, they
should be purged if they have traveled over night in a dry pack. DO NOT place
hands into the tank, or handle the lobsters, after having washed hands with any type
of soap. Doing so will actually create a toxic environment for the lobsters and
ultimately kill them.
Purging Instructions: Use SALT WATER from the tank instead of preparing a
special cold salt water solution. Place small batches of lobsters into this solution for
no more than 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them and immediately put them into the
tank. Repeat this process, until all lobsters have been purged.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 4
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
WATER LEVELS INDICATE HOW TANK IS PERFORMING
Water levels should be checked on a daily basis. The tank has 3 blue marks (I, II,
and III, respectively), which indicate various water levels. This will tell you how
the tank is performing (i.e... when to add salt water or change the filter).
MARK I - TANK WATER LEVEL
Located outside the tank, the salt water level must be maintained at
this mark. When the water level drops below one, add salt water to bring the
level back up. The filtration system will not work properly if the level of
water is below this mark. Pre-mix salt water as follows: Add 1 lb. (16 oz.) of
Stark Marine Crystals to 4 gallons of cold water. Mix well, and add slowly to
tank.
MARK II - FILTER WATER LEVEL
Located inside the window, behind the pullout filter. When the water
level drops down to the mark, this indicates that the filter is dirty and needs to
be either washed or replaced (filter must be replaced after the third washing).
The red warning turn on. Monitor this level diligently, as the filtration
system will be compromised if the water is allowed to go way below this
mark.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 5
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
MARK III - PROTEIN SKIMMER WATER LEVEL
Located in the window behind the skimmer. The protein skimmer
removes the foamy protein lobster waste products found in the water.
Through this filtration process, the tank will lose water and the water level
will drop.
FLUIDIZED BED SAND FILTER
The lobster tank is shipped from the factory with sand, gravel, and the
water flow valve set at halfway. Adjust the valve until you see very slow
movement of sand, approximately ¾ full in the cylinder. The valve’s position
should NOT be changed. If the valve is opened too much, the sand will blow
out into the main tank area.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 6
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
SKIMMER
WARNING! Do Not Use the valve marked "Service Only" to adjust
the Skimmer. This valve is to be used is to used by a service technician only.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 7
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
CLEANING: An effective means of keeping algae from accumulating on
the interior walls of the tank is to wipe the interior of the clear acrylic with a
clean, soft sponge. Periodic cleaning of the protein skimmer housing with a
baby bottle brush will prevent an accumulation of dry foam from blocking
the outlet pipe. The clear acrylic exterior display area should be cleaned with
a Plexiglas cleaner. NEVER USE WINDEX OR CLEANERS OF A
SIMILAR TYPE. Lemon Pledge or simply warm water is recommended. It
is also recommended that the LED display lights be turned off at night in
order to minimize the growth of algae. Stark has algae removing products...
call to order.
WARRANTY: Stark provides a one-year warranty on all mechanical parts
of the tank. During the term of the warranty, Stark will replace mechanical
parts deemed to be defective from the manufacturing process at no cost.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 8
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
HELPFUL HINTS
SALINITY READING: The hydrometer should float with the surface of the
water in the top area that is shaded green. Too much salt in the tank will
cause the hydrometer to rise so that the green area is out of the water
completely. Too little salt in the tanks causes the green area to sink
completely below the top of the water.
SALT: Only the use of Stark Marine salt is recommended. Lesser quality
salts do not dissolve as well and do not contain all of the essential trace
elements that are necessary for the proper operation of Stark Tanks. Other
salts can cause erratic salinity in the water, burn the lobsters and bind the
pumps. In addition, too much salt may be added because the undisclosed
crystal of poorer quality salts will not show on the hydrometer reading.
When the salt eventually dissolves, the salinity level of the tank will rise, and
the skimmer will pump out more of the poor quality water. The water level
will drop, requiring additional water and salt to be added.
CLEAN the skimmer every week using a baby bottle brush. To clean inside
the chamber, open top white screw cap to gain access.
IF LOBSTERS MUST BE KEPT IN A COOLER, wash the lobsters in
salt water from the tank for three (3) minutes and cover lobsters with a salt
water soaked apron to seal them off from cold air blower. If lobsters have
been in cooler for more than 2 days, DO NOT put them into the tank.
USE ONLY the proper size pre-cut exact fit Stark Filter Pads, Marine Salt
Crystals and Carbon.
KEEP FILTER SCREENS FREE OF CLOGGING DEBRIS (the
screens are cone-shaped black plastic and are screwed into the bottom of the
filter box). Test these screens periodically for good suction.
CHANGE ACTIVATED CARBON approximately every four (4) weeks to
remove yellow color from the water. Frequency may vary.
NEVER add salt directly to the tank. Always dissolve salt well in a bucket (1
lb to 4 gallons of water) and add slowly to the tank.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 9
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
SALINITY should be 1.022 - 1.025 as indicated on the hydrometer (Do not
allow salinity above 1.030).
TEMPERATURE of water for proper operation should be 46°F to 48°F.
ULTRA-VIOLET STERILIZER should be plugged in during set up and
bulb should be changed every 10-12 months. Stark stocks replacement
bulbs... call to order.
CLEAN OR VACUUM THE COMPRESSOR CONDENSING COIL if
your unit has one (in front of the compressor fan) every two months to
remove dust and dirt. Clean the exterior stainless steel register as well.
CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE CLEAR ACRYLIC TANK with
non-abrasive cleaners such as Lemon Pledge, warm water, etc. Clean the
interior with a clean cloth weekly. DO NOT USE ANY CLEANERS
INSIDE THE TANK UNDER ANY CONDITION.
IN CASE OF A POWER FAILURE, remove lobsters from the tank and
place them in a cooler with a salt water soaked apron over them, to seal off
from the cold air blower. Once power is restored, allow the tank to reach
operating temperature of 46ºF - 48ºF before replacing lobsters.
NEVER DRAIN THE WATER FROM THE TANK. This system does
not require any water changes. Only in case of emergency (after talking with
Stark) would we recommend a water change. If necessary, use salt water (1
lb salt to 4 gallons of water) to fill the tank.
Stark ships a 1 lb jar of chlorAm-x, which is used for start-up to keep the
ammonia level low until the biological system can handle the bio-load.
Add 4 oz to the tank water at start-up and 2 oz per week for four (4) weeks
for the typical 100-150 gallon tank.
Stark has included a package of algone to prevent the growth of green
algae in the tank. Add one (1) package every two (2) weeks in the filter
box. See instructions on the algone box.

Operating Instructions –Stark Lobster Tank
SOI-SLS175
Page 10
STARK Products Co., Inc.
Tel. [phone]
2/21/2020
DAILY CHECK LIST
1) If the water level in the sump tank is below the #1 line (it is normal for the
tank to lose salt water through the skimmer cleaning system), add salt water.
Mix in a bucket: 1 lb of Stark Marine Salt with 4 gallons of water, then pour
into the tank. NOTE: Never add undissolved salt or a large amount of
fresh water directly into the tank. It will harm the biological filter.
2) After the main water level is up to the MARK I line, check the filter box
level. If the water is at or below the MARK II line, or if the red light is on,
clean or replace the filter pad. Be sure filter completely covers the filter
pull... NO GAPS.
3) Check the water salinity. The hydrometer should float so that the top surface
of the water is in the top green area of the hydrometer. If the hydrometer is
floating too low (the top green line is below the water), add salt. If the
hydrometer is floating too high (the top green line is above the water), add
fresh water.
4) Check that the temperature is between 46ºF and 48ºF.
5) Clean and purge lobsters immediately after receiving them by putting some
of them in a five (5) gallon container of salt water from the tank for no more
than three (3) to five (5) minutes before putting them in the tank. Use water
from the tank to fill the container. Discard the purging water when finished;
DO NOT put back into the tank. Add salt water to the tank as necessary to
return the water level to the MARK I line.
6) Remove dead lobsters and lobster parts immediately. Never feed anything to
the lobsters.
7) Never wash or change the gravel/sand in the biological filter.