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Category Archives: Industry
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SpectraPure Introduces Their Own Dual Chamber Media Reactor
Aquarium hobbyists have long known the benefits of activated carbon and granular ferric oxide (GFO) as major parts of the filtration system, and for the most part, the two have been used conjunction with with each other. While one took up dissolved organic material, the other absorbed photphate and silcates, both polishing and cleaning the water in the process. The immense benefit of both of these filter media products of course prompted aquarists to use multiple reactors, oftentimes with multiple pumps. Thankfully, the aquarium industry responded to the demand with dual stage reactors from the likes of Bulk Reef Supply, and now the other water filtration specialists at SpectraPure have their own version as well. While the SpectraPure Dual Chamber Media Reactor may appear remarkably similar to the BRS model, it differs in one very distinctive way. Where the BRS model has two chambers plumbed inline, the SpectraPure version has them plumbed up separately. Instead of flowing from one chamber to the next, the water line feeding the reactor splits off to independently feed both chambers simultaneously. While keeping the two separate in this manner may or may not be important isn’t even the point. What’s important here are the valves that can be used to regulate the flow rates through each chamber. GFO requires low flow speeds, as it is not desirable to tumble this media. If the grains do tumble, they could break apart and find their way back into the aquarium. Carbon, on the other hand, can have high or low flow rates, it really doesn’t matter much. Lower flow rates improve contact time, while higher rates move more water through the media. Getting back on track, another benefit to this layout is the fact that you could take one of the canisters offline, with the other still filtering water. This is ideal if say the GFO is exhausted before the carbon, or if there is some other issue. The retail price for the SpectraPure Dual Chamber Media reactor is set at $74.99, though it is currently on sale for $69.99. This is about $10 more than the BRS version, but given the fact that you can independently control the flow of each chamber, it’s well worth the extra green. MORE: SpectraPure Introduces Their Own Dual Chamber Media Reactor… More:
Posted in Industry, Uncategorized
Tagged aquarium equipment, immense benefit, industry, media reactor, spectrapure
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Buckeye Field Supply Announces New 3-Probe Inline TDS Meter
Buckeye Field Supply has just announced the availability of a 3-probe inline TDS meter for reverse osmsis equipment, called the HM Digital TRM-1. While the industry has been full of TDS meters from various manufacturers, this is the only inline TDS meter to feature three different probes. Like it’s dual probe and single probe siblings, this new TRM-1 will sport the widely used John Guest fittings, is factory calibrated with a 342 ppm NaCl solution, and can be recalibrated with a mini screwdriver. Buckeye is currently fielding pre-orders at a special introductory price of $49.99 for the three probe meter, which are expected to be in stock by mid-July. Water purity is of the utmost importance for reef keeping aquarists these days, and the best way to deliver that water is to use reverse osmosis filtration. But even the best RO filters need regular maintenance and cartridge replacements, and the only way to determine when those are due is to use TDS meters, which ultimately measure how effectively the filters are removing contaminants from the incoming tap water. For the really serious aquarium keepers, the standard two probe inline TDS meters became the industry standard, as they can be plumbed into the filter tubing to measure incoming and outgoing water purity. While this has been adequate for many years, it isn’t exactly ideal, and users needing to measure the effectiveness of specific filters have often utilized multiple dual probe meters. In most cases, however, four probes is a bit excessive, making it hard to justify the extra costs for two meters. We have a feeling that the three probe meter will be welcomed into the hobby with open arms, and we are already fans of the concept based of our own experiences. MORE: Buckeye Field Supply Announces New 3-Probe Inline TDS Meter… More:
Posted in Equipment, Industry, Uncategorized
Tagged aquarium equipment, buckey field supply, Equipment, HM digital, industry, RO/DI, tds
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Amazing Paracentropyge multifasciatus x venustus Hybrid Angelfish Shows Up in Japan
Paracentropyge multifasciata x venustus Hybrid Angelfish We have a special place in our hearts for hybrid fish of all varieties, but this amazing hybrid angelfish featured on the LSS Laboratory blog really just makes us smile. The 6cm long angelfish looks amazing with its vibrant coloration and insane patterns, as it takes the best features from both of its parents and blends them together in a such a way that it elevates the look altogether. For the hybrid offspring to be significantly more beautiful than either of the parents isn’t exactly common. This Philippine beauty is cross between a MORE: Amazing Paracentropyge multifasciatus x venustus Hybrid Angelfish Shows Up in Japan… More:
The Inside Scoop on Fish Tank Kings Season 2 on Nat Geo
Last year, episodes of the series Fish Tank Kings aired on Nat Geo WILD providing viewers with insights into what it takes to build amazing aquariums. We got glimpses of some very unique places, including collecting deep water fish on a submarine in the Caribbean and a behind the scenes look of what it takes to transport a large shark.
For the new season of Fish Tank Kings, we have taken the best elements from the first season, like the cool trips to exotic locations, underwater expeditions and remarkable feats of aquarium construction, and amplified them on a grand scale while reducing the less popular elements. Even non-aquarium enthusiasts will find it hard not to be impressed by some of the extreme builds, like turning a Volkswagen Minibus into a functional aquarium, creating a zoo exhibit for the near-extinct Panamanian Golden Frog or a display to help rehabilitate injured Sea Turtles.… More:
Posted in Industry, Opinion, Tanks
Tagged fish tank, live corals, remarkable feats, volkswagen minibus, water fish
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Mega Home Aquariums in the Middle East Part 1
Have you ever wanted a 500,000 gallon shark tank complete with a huge acrylic tunnel in your living room? Perhaps something a little smaller like a giant reef tank on board your mega yacht? While these immense and hugely expensive aquariums sound like fantasy, they are in fact very real and thriving aquatic systems in the Middle East! I had the pleasure of designing and managing many such private super-aquariums during my tenure as Director of Operations and Corporate Curator from 2004 to 2009 at Issham Aquatics , one of the Middle East’s largest public and commercial aquarium construction and management company. These mega home aquariums are designed
, built and staffed better than many modern public aquariums. They use the highest quality construction materials and are even staffed by experienced “western” marine biologists. One of the largest residential aquariums on the planet is over 500,000 gallons in volume and is located in a royal palace in the middle of the Saudi desert, a thousand miles from any source of saltwater. The aquarium houses dozens of sharks and rays; some of which were captive bred at Issham’s headquarters and R&D facility on the Red Sea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The immense aquarium took over 2 years to complete and is staffed by seven full-time aquarists and LSS techs as well as an experienced aquarium curator from England. One of my personal favorite shopping trips included chartering an ex-military… More:
Posted in Industry, Tanks, Uncategorized
Tagged gallon shark tank, home aquariums, marine fish, saltwater lagoon, tiger sharks
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Reefs Get Some Digital Love in New Call of Duty: Ghosts Trailer
The aquarium hobby often competes with video games for the attention of today’s youthful aquarists. So, it should come as no surprise that we are glad to see somewhat of an inclusion of reef life into one of the most popular video game series that the gaming industry has ever seen. The reveal trailer of the upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts has one very beautiful and lifelike scene of a wild reef, complete with push corals, a powder blue tang, and a heniochus butterflyfish. According to the trailer, the action heats up on said reef, as the playable character in the game fights opposing forces. A large jet fighter appears to crash in the previously tranquil reef scene. Obviously the game will have a ton of intense action sequences, and the digital reef makes for a great backdrop. We just hope that some of those reef animals are interactive and add some details to the storyline. Image originally shared on the Pacific Island Aquatics Facebook page. MORE: Reefs Get Some Digital Love in New Call of Duty: Ghosts Trailer… More:
Posted in Corals, Fish, Industry, Uncategorized
Tagged aquarium hobby, butterflyfish, corals, heniochus, reef animals
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Giesemann Updates Matrixx T5HO with Stylish New Look
When it comes to stylishly functional lighting, there are few that hold a candle to Giesemann. They’ve introduced some of the best looking light fixtures that the aquarium industry has seen, and in recent years they’ve only added to their allure with products like the Teszla and Futura LED. In keeping with the same styling cues that made those too fixtures so darn beautiful to look at, Giesemann has revamped their Matrixx T5HO fixture, giving it a very similar look. Appropriately dubbed the Matrixx-II, this T5HO fixtures has a body made of heavy duty extruded and formed aluminum alloy that comes either coated in an anti-corrosion anodized silver finish or painted in a high gloss white. But the corrosion protection doesn’t stop just there. Each item that makes up the outer body of the light fixture (e.g. all joints, faces, internal faces, etc.) receive the same treatment and are either anodized or painted prior to the production of the fixture. While still on the topic of the fixture’s externals, a rather snazzy looking glass panel adorns the top of the Matrixx-II and, as we sort of mentioned, the bodywork is borrowed directly from Giesemann’s flagship LED fixtures, the Futura LED. Getting into the internals, the Matrixx-II doesn’t MORE: Giesemann Updates Matrixx T5HO with Stylish New Look… More:
Posted in Equipment, Industry, Uncategorized
Tagged aquarium equipment, aquarium lighting, Equipment, giesemann, industry, matrixx ii, t5ho
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PIJAC Launches New Advocacy Website
Screen capture of the new PIJAC.org website. May 9, 2013 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) is pleased to announce the launch of their new, advocacy-based website. The interactive website reflects the organization’s mission to provide members and concerned pet owners with a voice in legislative issues effecting pets and pet ownership. “Our new website is a strong advocacy tool, highlighting issues requiring immediate industry action,” states Mike Canning, PIJAC’s President and CEO. “Providing quick and easy access to essential information, the new PIJAC website ensures that the industry has a say in its future,” added Canning. The new design raises awareness and fosters engagement on issues, legislation, and PIJAC activities that affect the industry. New website features include: Highlighted action items so all pet professionals can have their voice heard at the legislative level A user-friendly legislative map, making it easy to find important legislation in every state Enhanced search features making it easy to find the issues that matter most to you and your business The PIJAC blog , fostering discussion on issues of importance to the industry The new PIJAC program, The Pet Effect, highlighting socially-responsible pet companies that go above and beyond by doing good things for pets in need An integrated conference site for the Pet Industry’s Top2Top Conference “Designed by the top advocacy website designer in Washington, D.C., the new PIJAC website will engage our members and the industry to proactively address the issues that affect their bottom line with legislators around the country,” stated Mike Canning. To keep up with pet issues across the country check the PIJAC website, www.pijac.org, regularly for updates. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) is a national watchdog organization that acts proactively to fight industry damaging legislation. PIJAC continuously raises the standards of animal care excellence through effective legislation and educational programs, and promotes responsible pet ownership for all types of pets. ### PET INDUSTRY JOINT ADVISORY COUNCIL 1146 19th Street, N.W., Suite 350 / Washington, D.C. 20036 / 202-452-1525 www.pijac.org MORE: PIJAC Launches New Advocacy Website… More:
Posted in Fish, Industry, Uncategorized
Tagged advocacy tool, easy access, legislative level, pet professionals, website features
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Can unusual suspects reform the aquarium livestock trade?
Opinion By Ret Talbot Excerpt from CORAL, May/June 2013 I was having a conversation last night with a person who knows his way around the marine aquarium livestock trade and hobby. We were discussing the future of both trade and hobby in light of the increasing number of potential restrictions to keeping fishes and other marine animals. Any of these—the current NOAA proposal to list 66 species of coral under the Endangered Species Act or the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act, recently reintroduced in the U.S. Congress, for example—could end the aquarium trade as we know it. So could recent, well-funded efforts by, amongst others, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Defenders of Wildlife. I suppose the stunned outrage and anger with which some aquarists have responded to these threats—real and perceived—on social media and in online forums is understandable, but should we really be stunned or outraged? MORE: Can unusual suspects reform the aquarium livestock trade?… More:
Posted in Conservation, Fish, Industry, Opinion, Uncategorized
Tagged advanced aquarist, banggai, coral excerpt, image, marine, project, public aquariums, world
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Orphek Atlantik Shines Bright at SWFMAS 6th Annual Reef Conference
There is no doubt that LED lighting is one of 2013’s hottest topics. That shined true this past weekend for Orphek’s latest release, the Atlantik LED aquarium lighting fixture. With its sleek European design, unsurpassed clean, crisp lines and enough power for any reef aquarium, the Atlantik’s turned quite a few heads this last weekend at the South West Florida Marine Aquarium’s 6th annual reef conference.
Frag Junky displayed Orphek’s flagship lights over their frag tanks at the reefing event and had this to say about the lights: “The power and color that these lights produce along with the easy controllability of these lights are incredible. We are so excited to … More:
Posted in Corals, Events, Eye Candy, Fish, Industry, Invertebrates, Opinion, Tanks, Uncategorized
Tagged custom leds, florida marine, lighting fixture, marine-aquarium, Zoas
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Comments on Endangered Species Act and Corals
16 Apr, 2013 Re: Listing of 66 Reef-Building Coral Species; Reclassification of Elkhorn Acropora palmata and Staghorn Acropora cervicornis I had been following the proposed listing for several years. It was not until the proposed rule was published that I had time to fully read the Biological Review Team’s (BRT) Status Review Report (SRR). I must admit I made the assumption that NMFS would do a fine job reviewing the topic at hand. It become apparent in my review of the BRT’s assessment that they had little to no knowledge of one of the key areas upon which the SRR is based, namely the trade in corals (including those for home aquariums, as well as dried curio items). I am writing to; 1) provide additional background and information on the trade in corals, noting some dramatic changes particularly regarding live specimens, that has been omitted from this review, 2) to question and express my concern over listing of species as endangered with almost a complete lack of any data or information. While it cannot be understated, this process is an enormous task for any agency to undertake. Reviewing the status of 82 species with ranges cover two vast regions of the World’s oceans presents challenges the authors of the ESA likely never envisioned. Corals are often not discrete populations and thus some of the petitioned “species” are of questionable status. Our current understanding of the topic is lacking and this lack of understanding makes it nearly impossible for anyone to determine with a level of certainty what a population, species or hybrid is. Our knowledge of Pacific corals is so limited that the MORE: Comments on Endangered Species Act and Corals… More:
Posted in Conservation, Corals, Fish, Industry, Invertebrates, Opinion, Science, Uncategorized
Tagged corals, curio, impa, key areas, reclassification
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Product Review: Doser One Evolution Automatic Dosing Pumps
Keeping short polyped stony corals (SPS) requires dedication and knowledge to maintain the fine balance those invertebrates demand to flourish. Besides excellent water clarity, optimal temperature range and pH values, hard corals secrete skeletons of calcium carbonate in order to grow and therefore need to be supplemented on regular basis. There are several methods of dosing Calcium, Carbonate, Magnesium and optional trace elements with two being most popular in recent years- the so called 2-part dosing regime and an original Balling method (or it’s variation called “Balling light”, that came from Europe and is named after a man who developed and published it, a great German reefer, Hans-Werner Balling). Whichever you choose (and they are quite similar to each other) to keep your SPS corals happy and growing in your aquarium, they both require dosing liquid solutions of Calcium, Alkalinity (Carbonate) and Magnesium on a daily basis. In order to maintain ionic balance in a reef tank, the key with dosing liquid solution is to add small amounts throughout the day rather than 1-2 large doses daily. Unfortunately, most of us cannot babysit our reefs all day long and need a little bit of automation in the dosing department. Here’s where dosing pumps come to play…… More:
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