by AquaNerd | Sep 11, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
Neptune Systems was a big player at MACNA once again, and it wasn’t just new hardware that they were rolling out. Their biggest news is the release of their Fusion dashboard, which is a brand new interface that allows aquarium control freaks to access and modify the settings on their Apex controller via the cloud through all sorts of different Internet capable devices. Oooohhh, the cloooouuuud. The benefit to the Apex Fusion is that it is located entirely on the Neptune System servers, which not only gives more firepower to the software, but also streamlines the entire user experience in the process. This streamlining will be primarily accomplished through the use of wizards, such as the Lighting Wizard on display at the show, and by taking away some of the programming barriers that make wireless connection a challenge for those not well versed in programming and network design. Neptune Systems designed the Fusion dashboard with a mobile first mentality. This means that it was built specifically for mobile devices before making its way onto the computer. It’s an approach that is becoming far more common as our population continues its push towards mobility, and something we can truly appreciate as reef keepers constantly on the go. Neptune Systems promises that there are no differences in features between mobile platforms and the computer versions, meaning that the mobile dashboard isn’t some watered down version of the full platform by AquaNerd | Sep 10, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, Tanks
Innovative Marine is about to make swapping out filtration media in their Nuvo Aquariums a whole lot easier. They’re set to release a new AuqaGadget, called the CustomCaddy, which comes in three sizes and has removable shelves that can accommodate a variety of filter media or can even be converted into a refugium. The acrylic media holders also have a built-in arm that secure it in place within the rear chamber of an aquarium, with holes in each of the dividers to allow for ample water flow through the media. The CustomCaddy will be offered in three different sizes, with each targeting different Nuvo Aquariums. The CustomCaddy 38 fits the Nuvo Micro30 and Mini38, while the CustomCaddy 24 is designed for the Nuvo 24, and the CustomCaddy 16 for the Nuvo Pico4, Nano8 and Nano16 tanks. The price breakdown for the media caddies is $40, $30, and $20 respectively. Innovative Marine expects the CustomCaddy to start selling from authorized retailers next week. by AquaNerd | Sep 10, 2013 | Equipment, Fish, Industry
Neptune Systems had quite the busy MACNA weekend. Besides their day one user workshop and the announcement of wireless Radion support, AI wireless support (more on that later), and Apex Fusion, they also released their new Automatic Feeding System (AFS). The AFS is the first controllable automatic fish feeder to make it to the aquarium industry, and with all of the safeguards and control functions built into the Apex controller, it will likely be the easiest and safest to use. On top of that, the feeder can be programmed to add food to the tank not only on a frequency interval, but also based on various water parameters, really eliminating the possibilities of feeding at the wrong time. The Neptune Systems AFS can handle various types of dry foods, including pellets or flakes, which can be dosed in varying amounts and frequency. You can feed as little as zero times up to as many as you’d like. Additionally, because the feeder is controlled, it can be programmed to skip a feeding if a certain water parameter is out of whack, and water pumps and skimmers can automatically be shut off during the feeding time if necessary. It truly is one of the last pieces to full aquarium automation, and a welcome site for hobbyists who vacation frequently or just want to set up a fully controlled system. The AFS connects via the Apex AquaBus-mini Cable and is compatible with the Apex, Apex Lite, and Apex Jr. by AquaNerd | Sep 5, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
Maxspect has a brand new LED hitting the show here at MACNA, and it’s their smallest yet. Their new Celestial LED pendant will be available in three models, and all sport a five channel multichip LED. The fixture is smaller than most of today’s camcorders, to give you a sense of scale, and it looks great over the tanks here at the show. The Celestial sports the same on-board controller and interface seen on the Razor fixtures, allowing users to navigate through the settings with a simple push and twist of the button. A 30, 60, and 70 watt model will be available, though we don’t have a firm timeframe just yet. We are expecting more information from Maxspect later this evening, but haven’t gotten the full details since the lights show up at MACNA just this morning. by AquaNerd | Sep 5, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
The E-X-T canister filter from Cobalt Aquatics isn’t exactly new to the aquarium scene, but it’s so unique that it is certainly worth a mention. While it does push water through a series of contained media packets, as with any other canister filter, it is different in that it uses an externally located inline pump. Instead of using a pump built into a big, gaudy canister body, the E-X-T uses a tiny little pump that is plumbed inline with the tubing. Locating the pump externally allows for two things, more room for media and the ability to remove/replace the pump without tearing into the equipment and breaking a bunch of stuff. And it doesn’t even matter where in the plumbing you place the pump. It can stay near the body of the filter, or you can move up near the top where water is sucked in. Either way works just as well. Like with most canister filters and media reactors, water is brought to the bottom of the chamber and allowed to flow upward through the media by AquaNerd | Sep 4, 2013 | Fish, Industry, MACNA
How, as a vendor, do you make a big splash at a massive aquarium show like MACNA? How about bringing an extremely rare Polynesian Sunset Wrasse (Pseudojuloides atavai), of which there are only three in captivity and only one in the US? Well, that’s exactly what Pacific East Aquaculture did, and that gem of a fish is such a gorgeous specimen. We even heard that the fish seriously caught the attention of Chingchai, whose world famous aquarium is full of extraordinarily rare fish. The Atavai wrasse has a sticker price of $1200, which consider its rarity, is basically spot on if not a little on the low side. This rare wrasse is accompanied by a few other rare fish at the Pacific East booth, including a Flame Tail Hawkfish and some stunning Scott’s Fairy Wrasses
