Top Notch T5 Marine Aquarium Lighting

 

One of the biggest factors in success with a marine aquarium is the amount and quality of light (of course beside water quality, movement, etc.…).

The line of Powermodule lighting from ATI is top notch equipment. They even have a dimmable version! I really like these ATI Powermodules and am now offering them on the site at www.SaltwaterEddies.com .

The ATI Powermodule is the perfect merger of world-class
engineering, elegant design and high-end components producing a
fixture that is truly second to none. Featuring Miro-Silver reflectors
and an active cooling system for unbeatable performance and long
lamp life in a stylish, heavy-duty curved housing that gives it a sleek,
professional look. This is truly a fixture for the serious hobbyist.
Unbeatable Performance: Superior design and high-end
components produce 50% more light than most other equally sized
T5 fixtures. Active cooling system allows bulbs to run at a more
optimal temperature improving bulb life.
Energy Efficient: Produces up to 50% more light than most
other equally sized T5 fixtures without using more energy.
Stylish European Design: Sleek, heavy-duty silver colored
body is durable, rust-proof and only 2.3” high. All components
including the T5 ballasts are enclosed inside the fixture housing.
The only items external to the fixture are a small junction box,
2 power-cords and an AC-DC Adapter to power the fans.
Independent Lamp Control: Fixture is wired with 2 bulbs
on one power-cord and the other bulbs on the other allowing for
independent control and dawn-dusk simulation.
Quiet, Cool Operation: They Run cool and produce nearly no noise.

Coral Inserts and Artificial Reef Tank Corals Available From Living Color…Stunning

  Many people enjoy “fish only with live rock” aquariums (FOWL), and don’t need to concern themselves with super bright hot lights, Chillers and all the equipment needed to keep a reef tank thriving. However there is always the desire for a beautiful coral reef tank in the home or office.

 Saltwater Eddies LLC is now carrying the full line of artificial coral products, coral inserts, replicas and even some artificial invertebrates from Living Color, INC. These pieces are of museum quality, and definitely worth checking out if you would like to add color and colorful maintenance free replicas to your saltwater (or freshwater) fish tanks.

 

Caring for your Chaeto

Chaetomorpha Algae removes both phosphates and nitrates from the water. To increase the amount of nutrients this algae exports, use moderate to high lighting and keep it in an area of high water flow. It should ideally be tumbled in an algae filter. This algae is sold by the bag and will arrive in a dense mat. Spaghetti algae, though not palatable to many herbivorous species, is popular in reef aquariums for its ability to remove nitrates, assist in buffering pH, uptake carbon dioxide producing oxygen, and assist in balancing trace elements. It also provides hiding spaces for small creatures. To increase the amount of nutrients this algae exports, keep in an area of high water flow.

Also, it is often overlooked that the chaeto also acts like a filter floss of sorts, and will trap small particles of detritus and unprocessed foods and such. Because of this, it is a good practice to “rinse” your chaetomorpha macro algae from time to time. At least rinse it well with each water change you do; Pull out up to 5 gallons of water (that is to be replaced in a water change) depending on how much chaeto you are rinsing , and save it in a 5 gallon bucket or similar container. Before you dump the old saltwater, use it to rinse out the chaeto first. You will be amazed at how ugly that bucket of water will get.

When you are done rinsing your chaeto, and have put it back in the refugium, decant the 5 gallon bucket for a few minutes before slowly pouring it out, and stop when there is about 2-3” of water left and look for brittle stars, hard stars and critters to be rescued before dumping out the last of the old dirty saltwater.

I hope this helps with folks who are having any trouble keeping their Chaeto thriving and productive.

-Greg

Saltwater Eddies gets an award for their Blog

OnlineBiologyDegree.com

 

 

Thanks to the folks at Online Biology for the Blog recognition.

Here is why they chose the blog:

“As a website dedicated to help those consider a career in biology, we only

provide the best information available. Whether it's a resource that helps

understand the habits of bees, or provides insight on the best aquariums

around, we provide them for those seeking to obtain this information. This

is why we've featured your blog, as it is one of the best to teach our

readers.”

-Online Biology Degrees

 

You can see our blog and others at:

www.onlinebiologydegree.com/features/aquarium/

Top Notch T5 Marine Aquarium Lighting

Top Notch T5 Marine Aquarium Lighting

Coral Inserts and Artificial Reef Tank Corals Available From Living Color…Stunning

Coral Inserts and Artificial Reef Tank Corals Available From Living Color…Stunning

Saltwater Eddies on Monday Night Football

Saltwater Eddies on Monday Night Football

Saltwater Eddies LLC now offers RO-DI units of all sizes and custom configurations.

Saltwater Eddies LLC now offers RO-DI units of all sizes and custom configurations.

Introducing Live Rock to Marine Reef Tanks or Saltwater Fish Aquariums

 

    Marine live rock is an essential element for success in most any

saltwater reef tank or saltwater fish tank. Live rock acts as an extremely

efficient biological filter system breaking down wastes to less toxic

compounds quickly. Their importance should not be overlooked or

underestimated, especially when setting up a new tank for the nitrogen cycle,

or for adding to old tanks that need a fresh influx of the nitrifying bacteria

and coralline algae.

    Whenever buying new live rock, it is a good idea to cure it completely

before putting it into your main tank, as there is usually still some "die

off" which can create an ammonia spike in your marine tank. After your live

rock has been cleaned of all die off, and is ready for the main tank, it will

still not be completely "cured" for about 6 weeks.

    Therefore the best practice for introducing new live rock into your

marine aquaria is to first treat it by putting it in a large tub of saltwater

with a circulating pump and a good protein skimmer. Measure the ammonia

concentration daily, and do water changes in the tub if high or discolored, to

be sure that the live organisms have good quality water. Once ammonia levels

stop rising, it is time for the display tank!

http://www.saltwatereddies.com/content-categories/cat-509/live_rock.html

Technorati Tags: live rock,reef tanks,saltwater aquariums,marine fish tank filtration,biological filtration

Some good beginning corals

Galaxia as a hard coral is pretty easy, but needs room because of it’s stinging runners.

Technorati Tags: saltwater aquariums,reef tanks additives

Most of the SOFT corals seen along with this Galaxia are all pretty easy corals to grow.

I the video blow you can get an idea of how much space this guy needs. He has killed a nice spherical area of everything around it!

Pulsing Anthelia is a good beginner coral. Easy to grow and prune

Pulsing Anthelia is a good beginner coral. Easy to grow and prune

 

In general, invertebrates are harder to keep than coral or fish and should be tried only after a reef tank is cycled AND established.. It is very important to acclimate new invertebrates to the salinity of their new tank.