by AquaNerd | Sep 13, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
As we’ve said plenty of times this week and last, Neptune Systems was working overtime for MACNA, showing off several new products that only add to the already immense level of control that their Apex aquarium controllers bring to the hobby. One of the newest items on the list is the AquaIllumination Wireless Module (AWM), which serves as the first ever wireless control interface between the Apex controller and several AI wireless products. With this new module, not only can hobbyists control the lights wirelessly, but they can also control each and every one of the numerous color channels through all sorts of mobile devices or remotely located computers. With the rising popularity of AI’s LED products, including the release of several products with dedicated wireless communication in recent years, it was only a matter of time before Neptune Systems would take advantage of these features. The AWM can communicate with the AI Vega, Hydra, and the brand new Hydra FiftyTwo, but will not be able to control the AI Sol or Nano modules whose abilities have been augmented with wireless dongle. The AWM connects to the controller via the AquaBus, and a 3′ long cable is included. The expected retail price on the AWM is $124.95 with a proposed release date sometime in November of this year. « Previous post
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by Josh Saul | Sep 13, 2013 | Aquaculture, Fish, Industry, Sustainability
Congratulations to ORA on their 10th MILLION fish raised. With their ongoing success supplying such a wide variety of fish (not to mention their named corals), it is obvious to all that ORA has truly moved the hobby forward more than any other ornamental... by Reef To Rainforest | Sep 13, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, Tanks
Orphek Helix 3000 Skimmer – image courtesy Orphek From the Orphek Newsletter – “Orphek’s newest addition, the HELIX 3000 skimmer is now available for shipping. With it’s included controllable DC pump, small footprint and attractive pricing this skimmer is sure to be one of the hottest on the market.” New product information from the Helix 3000 web page: “The Helix design vastly improves contact time in the reaction chamber while producing an enormous amount of very small micro bubbles. The increased amount of micro bubbles results in more waste being collected per hour than any other conventional protein skimmer on the market. This results in less space used in the sump as large bulky skimmers are not required. The high rpm controllable DC pump with an improved needle wheel moves large volumes of bubble enriched water into the reaction chamber.This creates a high speed cylindrical water motion which increases contact time in the reaction chamber.” Orphek’s controllable DC pump for the Helix 3000 Protein Skimmer – Image courtesy Orphek The helix disc creates a 360 degree turbulent flow of water in the enclosed reaction chamber. The flow exits the helix in a spiral like fashion which creates a spinning motion thereby increasing contact time with the waste. From the reaction chamber, the waste laden bubbles rise into the cone shaped body and up into the collection cup. Needle Wheel pump and Helix Disc for the new Orphek Helix 3000 Protein Skimmer – image courtesy Orphek. The cone shaped design proportionately concentrates the froth into a smaller area to increase the efficiency of transporting the waste into the collection cup.  The white base, pump and trim dictate the same purity as the water it produces. Visit the Orphek Website for more information and technical specifications on the Helix 3000 Protein Skimmer. by AquaNerd | Sep 12, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
Tunze had some news for us at MACNA this year, and while it may not be ground breaking, it certainly is telling about what’s possibly in store for the future. The German pump makers quietly announced that their LED strip lights will receive an infusion of graphite, upping the percentage to around 75%. The remaining percentage is made up of plastic, keeping the fixture waterproof. This move is mostly due to heat dissipation, as the higher graphite percentage comes pretty close to the dissipating abilities of aluminum. While the improved efficiency of the cooling is good news, it’s the possibilities for future fixtures that have us more interested. As the cooling ability improves, Tunze can now up the intensity of the strips, and possibly even incorporate larger models. The Tunze LED should start seeing the higher graphite models later this year, or possibly even at the beginning of next year. by AquaNerd | Sep 12, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, MACNA
After a few years of development, the Hydor Smart Level Controller is finally ready to hit the aquarium equipment marketplace. The automatic top-off unit uses the same form factor as their popular Koralia Wave Controller, but instead of controlling pulsing powerheads, it monitors the water level of a sump or aquarium and starts a top-off pump when necessary. The Smart Level controller can handle pumps up to 50 watts, though for top-off situations, that is a bit excessive. The Smart Level probe has three ports that indicate a maximum and minimum water level, as well as an alarm level, all of which have indicator LEDs. It operates on temperature changes that occur when water fills the probe chamber, causing it to turn the top-off pump on or off as needed. The probe has a magnet/suction cup hybrid mounting system, with additional cable clamps to keep the probe horizontally positioned. The magnet can handle a wall thickness of 10mm or less. The Smart Level controller will see a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $105.95, with minimum advertise prices falling somewhere in the mid-$80 range. by AquaNerd | Sep 11, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, Technology
The Radion has been one of the most popular LED fixtures on the market, just as the Apex has been one of the most popular aquarium controllers. But for the first two years of coexistence in the aquarium equipment marketplace, the two weren’t exactly a match made in heaven, despite the fact that Neptune Systems has heavily supported EcoTech Marine products. The Apex controller worked relatively well with the Radion from the onset, but the lack of wireless control was always a big issue for aquarium keepers. Fortunately, through continued development of wireless communications in the aquarium industry and the release of the new Apex Fusion dashboard, the Radion and the Apex can now work hand in hand without requiring the use of unsightly wires. Announced at MACNA 2013 just a week ago, Neptune Systems has finally broken through the previously mentioned wireless barrier for the Radion, and for users of VorTech wireless pumps, it may not cost them any extra. The WXM module, which has been around almost as long as the pumps with the wireless drivers, can now communicate with the Radion and allow users to implement all sorts of LED control with the Apex Fusion dashboard and the associated lighting wizards.
