Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

Current is known for making good products. With smash hits like the Nova Extreme, satellite lighting, and soon to be Solana aquarium, we are used to getting quality products from this beast. However, what needs to be yanked off the market is the Fission Nano Skimmer. The design of this skimmer is poor, and thus it does not skim correctly. Granted it is by far the smallest skimmer on the market and that generally is why they have been selling a few only to be hated. One of the biggest mistakes was naming it part of their “Fission” line of protein skimmers. Their other line of Fission skimmers are actually very good, but by putting it in their with the Fission line, consumers like us are now suspect to the Fission name. Current needs to get a Tunze nano skimmer and study it.

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Neptune Systems introduced the Aqua Controller Jr to a lot of fan fare. After all, it was one of the first controllers on the market that the average reef keeper could afford. However it wasn’t until later that Neptune Systems realized that customers preferred the “coolness” of the Reef keepers 2 in order for them to change the style.  One look of the old style of the Aqua Controller Jr gives most people horrors. Thankfully they did a refresh, but it our opinion the Reef keeper 2 still looks better. Click the read link to see more photo’s.

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Soon oil will probably break $100/barrel, the economy seems to be slowing. Is the reef industry in peril because of this? After all it is a hobby right? One of the first things to go after eating out is hobbies or is that a bit harsh?

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Don Robinette used to sell aquariums from his store in Duluth. But last March, he closed up shop to run the business from home and turn his attention to clients who want elaborate, custom-made aquariums. “It’s better to focus on high-end clients,” he said.

Fish tanks, blue and entrancing, have long been decorative staples in doctors’ waiting rooms, restaurants and corporate offices. But in the Atlanta area, specialty aquarium sellers say the market for high-end tanks has begun to grow, in large part because of the popularity of the Georgia Aquarium. “They go down there and they get inspired to get a tank,” said Kevin Rogers, manager of Marine Fish & Reef in east Cobb County. “The Georgia Aquarium definitely helps us out business-wise.” People usually start with smaller tanks, Rogers said, but may move to high-end aquariums as they become familiar with fish. These aquariums, which can hold hundreds of gallons of water, are often custom-made to match furniture and are loaded with features — special lighting for corals, themed decorations and even computers that alert maintenance workers if the water’s pH drops.

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By: RICHARD HARKER

The November 1997 issue of Aquarium Frontiers Online included an article entitled, “What are Natural Reef Salinities and Temperatures…Really…and Does It Matter?” (Shimek 1997). In the article, the author argued that hobbyists maintain reef tanks at artificially low temperatures and, “forcing animals to ’live on the edge’ of physiological disaster is doubtless the cause of many unnecessary deaths.” While the logic of the article appeared sound, the author’s conclusions are demonstrably false, and can be refuted by examination of his own references.

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By: CRAIG BINGMAN, Ph.D.

For some aquarists, one of the advantages to having a reef aquarium is that one gets to play the role of a minor god. The fate of a mesocosm of organisms is in your hands, as you control how the system is constructed and populated. All inputs and outputs of the system are under your influence, if not complete control.

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Andy over at Elder Reef can’t seem to get his aquascaping right, or at least he thinks so. Aquascaping is by far one of the most challenging things in running a saltwater aquarium. We all want that perfect look, and depending on our live rock shipments we receive or our LFS collection that can vary. I just re did the rock work on my aquarium as well - and unlike Andy I am not too happy about it. This is of course knowing that we really shouldn’t be moving the rock around, we should set it and be done with it. It could be easier to have 600 gallons of aquarium landscaping to play with. Ha! We only wish! Who knew live rock was so tricky?

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If you love tropical fish, then finding quality livestock for your aquarium is important. Most pet stores buy their fish from wholesalers, who get their fish and other animals from fish farms around the world. The world of a wholesale fish dealer is fascinating, and in very large scale.

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It’s the holiday weekend, and while most of you are enjoying your holiday weekend have you thought about a backup plan for your saltwater aquarium? I mean for example that if you go on vacation who is going to watch it? What if they electricity goes out? Is someone going to take care of your saltwater aquarium while your gone?
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I recently read an article about how Doctors are the third leading cause of death for humans. Which if you think about that for a second is astounding. No a car accident won’t kill you but your family doctor will. Makes me like homeopathic treatment even more. That got me to thinking, what is the leading cause of death for saltwater animals?

We didn’t research enough about that one particular coral or fish. We saw it at the LFS (Local Fish Store) and just had to have it. We fell victim to another problem with marine aquarists: “Buying something because it looked pretty”. Granted if your a guy you fell victim to something equally as deadly: “Buying something because it looked cool.” No we didn’t take the time to research. We opened up our wallet grabbed our plastic credit card and slapped it down.

Recently I got an email from an alert reader which went to the LFS and bought a new addition. I swear I am not making this up. Our reader, whose name shall remain anonymous, purchased a Cat shark for her home aquarium. She mentioned that he was about 7 inches long and seemed to get along with the other fish in the aquarium. Wait. There are other fish in the aquarium? I am sure they larger fish that will not fit in the mouth of the friendly Cat shark, right? Our reader continues: “Well, I put the shark in which I named ’sharky’ and the next morning I could find any of my other fish, I looked and looked but could not find them. I even looked in my sump and filters. They didn’t jump out, as I didn’t find them on the floor anywhere. Any idea of where they went?”

You might want to rename your friendly shark to “Mr. Hungry”. Sharks are generally not friendly.

At least our reader knew that a shark needed a much larger tank to live in. Sadly, research was not spent on what can be kept with sharks. (water and rocks) Before you buy anything, always research before you do, your fish (or corals) will greatly appreciate it.

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