We’re up and running in Nuremberg, Germany for Interzoo 2012.  For those that have never attended this event, it is the world’s largest pet expo, with thousands of exhibitors showing off the latest and greatest in pet care.  In addition to a lot of different types of dog beds and bones, we’re expecting a wide range of new product announcements from all of the major drygood manufacturers.  Stay tuned for our updates as the event gets underway.

 Master photographer Christopher Paparo of the Long Island Aquarium has just posted some never before seen macro images of my Liopropoma larvae on the facebook page for his photography site, fishguyphotos.com.  Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=397754423602363&set=a.188498194527988.45747.140298802681261&type=1&theater Also, you may want to brace yourself for an eventful week in basslet aquaculture news here on Reefs.com.

I keep reading about corals and fish dying all over the place and people can’t keep mandarins, bubble coral, twin spot gobies and armadillos but I don’t think we are really addressing the root of the problem. The first thing everyone asks are what are your parameters? How much water do you change?  Do you quarantine?  How old is the tank?  Is your sister good looking? If most of your corals and fish are doing well, guess what?  Your parameters are good.  If, like many people, you change water every 5 minutes, then again, your parameters are good. I feel that the biggest problem with almost all of these creature deaths is food. If you dive and look closely you will see tiny “stuff” floating by. That stuff is almost all Continue reading →

This incredible illustration was created by Ashley Claypool in a paper mosaic style.  Check out her portfolio on Deviantart for more mosaic themed pieces.

                                           There isn’t a great deal of information available at present, though from these newly released images, the Kauderni looks superb. What we do know is that it’s a self-contained system, with filtration built into the back of the tank in the same fashion as Aqua Medic’s previous tanks such as the recently released Yasha, the Blenny and of course the very well-regarded Percula. The Kauderni uses the Continue reading →

Today, Pacific Sun was showing off their newest modular fixture, this time named TRITON.  This multi-channel system is rocking every recent flavor of Cree: Technical Data:
Size: 14.5” x 8” x 2.5”
Power: 175W.
Coverage each: 30” x 24”
LEDs: 10 different LEDs on 8 Channels of Control
(12) Cree Xlamp XM-L 180lm/W ((8) Cool White & (4) Neutral White)
(6) Cree Xlamp XT-E 450nm 575mW/W
(6) Cree Xlamp XT-E 465nm 575mW/W
(2) Cree Xlamp XP-E 475nm
(1) Cree Xlamp XP-E Orange 610nm
(4) Cree Xlamp XP-E Green 525nm
(1) Cree Xlamp XP-E Red 630nm
(5) UV-A 400 & 420nm This focus on blending color is great to see, as some people are still very finicky about whether or not LEDs will ever completely replicate the warm even blend you get from legacy metal halide and T5 bulbs.  These new units can connect via Bluetooth or Wifi, and you can c0ntrol them with your existing GHL.  Price not yet announced, preorders begin immediately.  More photos below:

 I am very sorry to report that we have lost another cherished member of our community this week. Arline Addison, who in Bill’s own words, was the great woman behind all of his successes.  When they told me two years ago that Arline had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and the doctors were giving her six months to live, my first thought (after the initial shock and sadness) was: “How will Bill survive without her?” They had been together for 60 years. They did everything together.  They had the most beautiful marriage I have ever seen.  When we lost Bill three months ago and Arline was still doing remarkably well, I knew that she had been holding on for his sake and I was thankful that he never needed to know a life without her.  That was just the kind of woman she was – one of the most considerate and nurturing people I have ever known.  She was the kind of person who, when you call her to console her about the passing of her husband, she is more interested in apologizing for your late birthday card. Arline lost her battle with cancer Saturday evening, surrounded by her family. At the request of Bill and Arline, there will be no service.  They asked to be cremated and to have their ashes mixed together and released into two of their favorite spots: a mountain pass in Wyoming where Bill did some of his first mineral prospecting, and in the ocean, off the coast of Roatan, Honduras. Their daughter, Katy will continue to operate C-quest marine ornamental fish hatchery from its new location in Wheatland, Wyoming.  If there is anything to look forward to after this life, then we can be sure that Bill and Arline are reunited, probably walking hand-in-hand down the shores of some exotic Island, probably Roatan.

 Panasonic decided to show off their LED technology during Tokyo’s Firefly festival last week by releasing over 100,000 LED pods on the Sumida river.  The lights are solar powered and were scooped out of the river at the end of the event, just in case you were wondering how they minimized the eco footprint.  The LEDs were to honor the fireflies as well as the Japanese tradition of floating candles on the river.

             UK based, Tropical Marine Centre has added a new colour spectrum to its popular LED based Aquaray lighting range.  Continue reading →

Our friends at Unique Corals sent us these photos of their new aquaculture facility in Los Angeles to give us some sense of their plans to offer a new import option for aquarists.  Joe Caparatta, owner of Unique Corals, Manhattan Aquariums, and NY Aquarium Service recently added long time reef superstars Scott Fellman and John Ciotti to his crew who are working night and day to get these systems up and running.  The word is that Unique will be providing some incredible livestock in just a few short months and these photos give you some idea of how serious they are about doing things right from the start.  Check out the additional photos below and stay tuned for the relaunch of Unique Corals’ website.