Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

Drs. Foster and Smith, the large mail order company out of Wisconsin has released the 25 gallon EcoCube aquarium, sure to please your eyes. We would wager to say this is an OEM from another aquarium manufactuer. Besides offering the usual built in filter, it does come with a protein skimmer (venturi), auto top off system (nice!) and you do get the rimless tank. However, don’t jump the gun to fast, lights aren’t included and that will set you back a cool $130 just for the compact fluorescent pendant. Metal halides are of course extra at $270. For the price of $480 you get the aquarium minus lights, opt for the metal halide option and it will set you back a stiff $750. They won us over by the rimless design, we are all huge fans over here. Red Sea are you watching? Your Red Sea max has some stiff competition.

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If you haven’t looked at Bart’s 600 gallon display, then you should get a look at it.  He is a RB member and the whole system of course is 1300 gallons, and if that doesn’t make you sick with envy he has over a 1 ton chiller keeping his whole system nice and cool. Your going to want to read the thread. Be sure to bring a drool plate in front of your computer, your going to need it.

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A quick browse onto Aqua Illumnations LED light system and we find this question: “How does your fixture compare PFO’s Solaris 250W (G) and the ‘400W’ (H/I4) LED systems? We are using the highest output, single-die white LED for the market combined with a high output blue LED to produce an unbeatable combination. We are significantly more powerful than the Luxeon III LED combination (as used in the Solaris G) as well as the Luxeon K2 combination (based on released data, as used in the Solaris H/I).” Reef Geek offers the Aqua Illuminations system direct on their website. This thing is a beast as we reported earlier.

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Seems Current USA doesn’t appreciate JBJ or Red Sea pushing out these “other” nano aquariums. Sure this nano aquarium has your usual everything is built into the back setup, including skimmer. However, there is one thing that Current USA got smart and added…an auto top off system. Quick Specs: 34 Gallons, 20″ x 20″ x 20″. Click the read link for all the info.

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Are you digging the LED lighting that is being released lately but dissin’ the cost? The Galilieo fixture from PFO is a great alternative. The Galileo fixture is designed for “soft corals, planted tanks, and fish only tanks that want the 20K look of metal halides and shimmer effect without the heat and other issues associated with metal halides.” Not to shabby, and with prices starting at around $650 for a 24″ inch unit, this is looking like an up and up. So how do they reduce the cost of this unit? By not building in a light controller/timer which each lighting type: Actinic Blue, Day White, and Moon lights getting their own plug for power (3 plugs). “Consumer grade” PFO claims. Hmm, RB will stick with their Metal Halides thank you very much.

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Have a cube aquarium light? Then you totally need the Reefflex Lighting system. The magnetic ballasts that our made for double-ended metal halides are extremely well ventilated. This picture is for the ballasts, the actually lighting product hasn’t been released yet by Aqua Medic. Seems they are trying to create a “wow you” campaign.

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I ordered the Red Sea Max aquarium to hold my corals and fish while I take down my 75 Gallon aquarium. I am doing this because the sump is leaking, and it has affected the stand it is on. I unwrapped the shrink wrap that was around the aquarium and took a quick snap as I went along. After I put it together (which took less than 15mins, and includes putting filter mesh in, skimmer assembly and pumps) I turned on the T5 lights, powerful enough I thought for SPS corals, as long as they are close to the top. I have a few SPS corals in my 75 gallon right now. I am now just worried if I can get it cycled fast enough. I’ve included another picture with the lights on after the jump!

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This was written by one of our own RB members, this is a step by step guide on how to setup a reef tank. Enjoy!

The best words I have to describe a coral reef is a “lush wasteland.” By this I mean many extremely different types of life inhabit a coral reef, yet it is incredibly nutrient poor. Reefs rely on powerful sunlight as an energy source and lifeforms concentrate in a very complex web. All the nutrients in a coral reef are tied up in the living biomass of the inhabitants. Since a reef aquarium is an enclosed system it has only the capability to mimic the biofilter of a reef, and is by definition a micro-habitat. We are unable to mimic the flow of millions of gallons of water flushing and refilling a coral reef. We can only create “reef soup”. However, this should not allow you to become discouraged. Through knowledge of what you are trying to mimic we can do an amazing job of allowing a captive reef to thrive and flourish. I hope my tiny guide helps anyone get interested in this fantastic hobby and allows you to be at ease with a little knowledge about how to prepare. With that let’s get our hands wet. I have written this set-up guide with the understanding the reader understands the nitrogen cycle (cycling) and other such beginning concepts.

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BY RICHARD HARKER

It’s easy to find the reefkeeper in any neighborhood. It’s usually the house with the strange intense light streaming from it into the street. It is a rare reefkeeper who is able to illuminate a reef tank without brightly lighting the room, a large part of the house and often the neighbors’ houses as well. Unfortunately, while the light falling outside the tank may be cutting down on crime in the neighborhood, it is not serving the purpose for which it was intended — to benefit the photosynthetic animals in the tank. Because of the loss of light, the high cost of reef tank lighting, from the bulbs, fixtures and ballasts to the electricity, ends up even higher than if the hobbyist could direct all the light into the tank. Reflectors play a central role in directing this light into the tank.

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T5 high-output fluorescent retrofit kit complete with Sunlight Supply Tek 2 individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from 96% reflective German-made aluminum, electronic ballast with color-coded wire bundle, power-cord, moisture proof end-caps, standoffs and choice of bulbs from any of our current selection of high-quality lamps. Kit sold complete except for mounting screws. Some assembly required. Ballast engineered specifically to run T5 high-output bulbs for optimal performance and longer lamp life. (Don’t settle for inferior T5 electronic ballasts, like the Workhorse, that are commonly sold with other T5 retrofit kits.) Runs cool and produces virtually no noise. Warranty: 1 year.

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