Reef HQ quintuples freshwater pump servicing its main coral reef aquarium

Cutting-class custom-made water purifiers are set to ensure the future of the world’s largest coral reef exhibit.

• Federal Government commits $26.9 million to revamp ageing Reef HQ
• Reef HQ in a ‘critical’ state of disrepair, will shut for 12 months for $26.9 million upgrade

CUTTING-class custom-made water purifiers are set to ensure the future of the world’s largest coral reef exhibit.

Reef HQ is now home to two brand new osmosis machines installed in December.

A reverse osmosis machine pumps freshwater out of salt water to maintain an optimal salt level.

During the yearly Townsville summer wet season, freshwater is dumped in Reef HQ’s main three million litre coral aquarium as it is open to the elements.

So far the tank has received 622ml of rain and freshwater intake since Boxing Day.

Curatorial supervisor Chris Benstead said the reverse osmosis machines were working perfectly.

“Corals are quite sensitive to changes in the water and we need to maintain a constant 35 parts per thousand salidination,” he said.

“Thankfully with our new units we have only seen a difference of one part per thousand during this rain event which is fantastic.”

The previous reverse osmosis machine could only pump 9000 litres of water per day but the two new machines are able to pump 44,000L per day.

During the February 2019 floods, 980,000 litres of fresh rainwater entered the main aquarium tank.

The staff at Reef HQ were required to physically pour 25 tonnes of salt into the tank to counteract the fresh water.

Reef HQ welcomes 140,000 visitors per year and will undergo a face-lift with works starting at the end of the month.

Originally published as Reef HQ quintuples freshwater pump servicing its main coral reef aquarium