We didn’t notice this until today, but Neptune Systems has quietly dropped the price of the Aqua Controller 3 pro’s retail price to $499, from $799 previously. This is most likely because of the impending release of the new Reef Keeper elite or a new pro model in the works? We for one, welcome competition.
Tired of cleaning your round aquarium glass? Bummed because there isn’t a mag-float for the job? Worry no more. The Mag-Float 20 is sure to cure your round glass needs. Just like the normal mag-float, this sweet tool is made for round aquariums. Retail is about $10 and available now at most LFS and online. For all round/fishbowl tank sizes having a maximum surface thickness of 3/8″. Safe on glass or acrylic. Measures 2″ diameter x 1-1/2″.
Marineland finally enters the reef world with the release of the Marineland Marine Series Advanced In-Sump Skimmers. With two models to choose from ranging from 100 gallon capacity to 300 gallon capacity these skimmers use the tried and tested needlewheel design, they claim that these are easy to adjust. Retail is $199, and $299 respectively. Can marineland compete with the likes of Euro Reef, Deltec or others? We don’t think so, Spectrum Brands (the mother company that owns Marineland) would do better to launch a new premium reef brand.
The Coral Triangle which straddles the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and East Timor, is said to have the most marine life in the world, and most diverse. However, excessive fishing and the use of cyanide and dynamite, has destroyed large areas of coral reef. “David McCauley, ADB senior environmental economist, said the reefs of the Coral Triangle underpin fisheries and tourism industries worth more than $5 billion annually.”
Ecotech Marine released the MP20, the MP40’s smaller brother. Designed for 70 gallons or less, the MP20 is clearly aimed at the Tunze Nanostreams, mainly the 6055 series. Quickly glancing over the specs reaches us to the Maximum Motor Tempature of 50-60 Celsius which translates into: 122F-140F degress. Yikes! That is hot! We are very interested to see how much this translates into warming your tank up, you might be able to throw out your heaters. The MP20 eats up 18 watts (which is very good) when its blowing your tank around with 2000GPH. Folow the jump for the full press release.
Update: Tim, from Ecotech, stated that the thermal output cutoff is 140F, but the normal operation temperature is 80°-90°F, (something worth noting in your specs we might add). Thanks Tim!
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.
Ecosystem got into the all in one nano aquarium game by releasing a all in one reef nano unit. The base models come in two sizes, 14 Gallon and 24 Gallon. Metal Halide and T5 lighting options are available, although it looks like the main unit will come without a lighting option and if you opt for the T5 lighting or Metal Halide then you’ll need to lay down a few more dollars. Other options include: Refugium only model, Protein skimmer only model, Hybrid - skimmer/refugium model, UV Filter option (internal). The Metal Halide and T5 lightings systems are made in Italy, most likely an OEM. No word on availability yet, but we guess to say less than 2 months and you should start to see these at your local fish store or online.
Digital Aqutatics did an update on their status of taking pre-orders for their popular reefkeeper elite with the following comment: ” We’ve been getting a lot of emails about the pending pre-orders. Know that we’re working hard to get things in place so that we can start taking pre-orders; however there are a number of critical parts that are out of our hands. Once we get them in place we will be able to commit to a shipping date and release the final post on pre-orders. Also, we should have manuals up soon for several of the modules. Note that the RK Elite system guide is still being worked on and will follow shortly after (at least in a draft version.)”
Great, so not word yet on pre-orders. It is April 2nd, and if you wanted to pre-order your going to have to wait who knows how long to just be able to pre-order, let alone receive the actual product.
H&S has jumped on the needle-wheel bandwagon, or should we say, new needle-wheel bandwagon. If you happen to have an external H&S unit then your in luck, this upgrade should be available starting April 15th at most H&S dealers. We are seeing so many needle wheel designs that most are starting to look very similar, or identical.
The title says it all, which is better? The tried and tested German pumps, or the newcomer from Pennsylvania that is ecotech marine. They both use the propeller style design, for the record the Tunze was the first aquarium powerhead to utilize this efficient propeller design, however the vortech powerhead might have improved on this a bit by doing away with the motor directly submerged in the water. We want you to tell us which you prefer, Tunze or Vortech? Respond in comments. Also we left out hydor’s for a future article series. -ed