Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

We weren’t kidding when we told you that AquaticLife was bringing it’s A-game to the reef aquarium party. Not only does their new flagship light fixture include T5, LED and a halide, the format of their G12 socket HID spotlight is one which is more familiar to European and Asian aquarists than it is here in North America. Some potential buyers will worry that they will not be able to find this new type of bulb at the LFS butmore intrepid aquarists will see this as an oportunity to experiment with G12 bulb types such as those which were discussed at Glassbox this week. Furthermore, the halide spotlights are adjustable from side to side (not front to back) as you can see in the gallery below. Other innovations include an all digital timer fro controlling all the lights and ballasts which are located within th efixture itself. Having the ballasts in the fixture precludes the need to place your ballasts under the stand or elsewhere and it will allow the heat to rise up and away from the aquarium for efficient heat management. The combo light fixture comes in 3, 4, and 6 foot models with 1, 2 and 3 spotlights although we’re told that the 3 foot version doesn’t produce the best light coverage with only a single concentrated spotlight. We’ll report back on pricin deets as soon as we get them.

We are getting reports that the Red Sea Max 250, the 65 gallon all in one aquarium will be ready for a release date in Novemeber. If your wondering why it has taken it so long to come across the pond, it seems the Germans loved the Red Sea Max 250 so much at Interzoo 2008 when we reported it that Red Sea has been busy making units for that country while leaving us out to dry. Thankfully production levels have caught up and we should see the Red Sea Max 250 begin arriving at local retailers. We aren’t sure if this unit will be sold on online due to the shipping charges involved but if we had to bet on it we would say yes. The price of $1499 is still holding up and we will let you know if that chnages.

Those new and powerful Hydor Koralia Magnum powerheads finally got priced. They were rumored to hit in August and that they did. The Koralia Magnum 5 which is rated for up to 1650GPH lands at $130, while the Koralia Magnum 6 which pushes 2200GPH is only $10 more at $140. The Koralia Magnum 7 which moves 2800 GPH is still unexpensive at $160. Finally the Koralia Magnum 8 which blows your tank away with 3250GPH lands in the US market for $170. Hydor likes to release non-controllable units first, then come back and release controllable units. At least thats what they have been doing and we see no reason for them to stop. Hopefully these units will be avaiable at Macna to get a better look at by us.

In the Pacific ocean, some reefs are being covered with a thick seaweed. So thick in fact that algae grazing fish like Tangs aren’t touching the stuff. The seaweed settles in the reefs crevices driving all signs of life away. The two types of seaweed are “Kappaphycus alvarezii is most desirable because of its high carrageenan content; Eucheuma denticulatum is less valuable but easier to cultivate.” What is needed for a solution? Foreign aid would help the locals want to harvest the crop. Prices are so low that most don’t see the need to harvest it, also per local tradition “there is also “pubusi,” (pronounced poo-boo-SEE) the local tradition in which one person can ask another for pretty much anything,” so with that, it makes most people not really into getting money.

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We’ve seen fake rock before, you know that rock that looks like rock but really isn’t rock. However this French company named Aqua Roche wants to change the perception of fake rock (base rock). Using a clay material, shapes are formed then baked and incredibly high temperatures to create “rock”. We have got to admit that these are very good looking pieces of rock and some of the best “fake” rock we’ve seen. Sadly France is under control of the Euro which means most of the world gets hammered. How much you ask? To do a complete reef setup depending on your aquarium size would run you between $95 to $215.

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So after surviving the latest new aquarium gadgets to hit the industry, we thought it would be nice to do a recap of everything related to Interzoo 2008 that we covered.

Limulus’ new Caelum LED pendant

Limulus’ new full RGB LED pendant named Lyra

Tropic Marine V2 nano protein skimmer

Tropic Marine Centre AquaRay LED lighting

Fauna Marin Ultra Breed Rock commith

Fauna Marin Ultra AlgeaX released

Korallen-Zucht’s Revolution Mini Hang On Skimmer released

Preis Aquaristik new coral glue

Waterlife new test kits (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH)

Ocean Nutrition Nano Reef Fish Food pellets

Ocean Nutrition Nano Reef Coral Food

Ocean Nutrition Freshly hatched baby brine shrimp food

AquaCare introduces phosphate reactor

Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon II in the wild

Royal Exclusiv drops adjustable brushless DC skimmer pump

Azoo new Ecodesk Aquariums (think coffee tables)

Grotech Alge Natur Leaves (Algae Sheets)

Red Sea Max 250 - 66 gallon aquarium

Sfiligoi new Stealth line LEDs + T5’s

Sfiligoi new Zenith HQI and T5 Wagon Light

Sfiligoi from Italy introduces updated Stealth light units

Elos e-power pendants with optional e-lite LED’s

Elos NS 100 protein skimmer

Elos NS 2000 Protein Skimmer

Tunze Nanobox announced

Tunze Needlewheel skimmer 9410 with new pumps

Tunze Multicontroller 7096 due November 2008

Tunze announces TURBELLE® Stream 2 powerhead available late summer 2008

Coral Energizer is a special blend made just for Ricordea, Zoanthids, soft corals (Alcyonacea) and leather corals (Sarcophyton sp.) Coral Energizer contains a high-quality mixture of nutrients and minerals, various marine algae, bio-polymers, proteinogenic amino acids such as arginine, glycine, leucine, niacin, riboflavin, omega-3 fatty acids and Cyclop-Eeze with at least 3000 ppm Astaxanthene, vital minerals and anhydrous trace elements. Available in Europe only of course. Shipping can’t be that bad can it?

Preis released a nano starter kit which includes sea salt, gravel material, starter for bacterial colonization and minerals for nano aquariums of up to 65 litters (17 Gallons). No idea on price, but your most likely going to have to live in Germany or Europe to get this product. Another picture after the jump!

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We got a sliver of an update for UK dwellers that are interested in Red Sea’s new Red Sea Max 250 66 gallon aquarium. It should hit your country by the end of 2008. Still no word on when the US will see this new all in one unit. This is the first picture we have seen that encompasses the new stand and we must say we think they could have designed a better looking stand. Still we are eagerly awaiting this to hit US shores.

The eco-Tec built-in pumps are excellent for use in connection with brooks, waterfalls, to operate filter systems and for water circulation, for example at koi ponds and swimming ponds. Especially designed for dry set-up, for example in pump chambers or next to the pond. But let’s not forget that it can be used for a master pump for your sump system. More information avaiable on their website.

Waterlife’s recently launched ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH test kit range has proved extremely popular within the aquatic trade. The bold new packaging makes the products stand out on the shelf and different colour coding helps with easy identification. A concise explanation of the purpose of each product is given on the front of the box and detailed instructions are enclosed within. The back of the test kit carton shows in pictogram format how to use the test. Using the latest techniques, it is possible to obtain colour readings within just a few minutes of completing the test. The colour comparator chart displayed on the back, instantly alerts the user to any problems and makes repeat use of the kit quick and easy. Each test parameter yields between 50 & 75 test, the tests can be used in all types of water - seawater, tropical freshwater and coldwater.

These new Ocean Nutrition pellets are full of “natural attractants to ensure prompt acceptance”. Contains spirulina which helps with fish color and Garlic to ward off disease among other things. High HUFA content, rich in vitamins. The pellet is said to be soft and moist which gains acceptance for most fishes, including smaller ones. Available Now.

Aquacare has released a new phosphate reactor. Should be avaiable in the US soon. Blurb from Aquacare: “The new AquaCare Phosphate-minus-Reactor PMR is filled with Phosphate-X-globuli and works with the most effective moving bed system. Blocking of the material is not possible. The X-globuli have an even size, will not produce dust and will not emit any colour or salts.”

Royal Exclsuiv has confirmed working on the Supermarines 300, a new skimmer for tanks up to 5000 liters (1320 gallons). This new skimmer will use two pumps, taking a line from computers and main or master pump and also a slave pump. Their reasoning is so we can find the best performance for our particular tank (makes sense). No word on pricing or release date.

Royal Exclusiv’s new SelfCleaning Head Aquadriver was released at Interzoo 2008. This unit fits all Bubble Kings from the Mini 160 to BK 500. Should be available late 2008. Hit the read link for a video!

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