by AquaNerd | Aug 11, 2014 | Science, Tanks
Hey, you got Atlantik in my DIF. No! You got DIF on my Atlantik. Does anyone else remember those Reeses Peanut Butter Cup commercials or am I just a bit too nostalgic? Well, as the metaphor implies, Orphek is blending their lighting technologies, cramming the LEDs from their flagship Atlantik fixture into their DIF pendant. Now, users can have the same power and flexibility of the Atlantik v2.1 but in a much smaller form factor. The light will replace the DIF, which is being discontinued, and it will feature the same wireless controllability that is channeled through an on-board WiFi module and Orphek’s free Android app. Similar to the Atlantik fixture, the pendant will enjoy controllability across four different channels, allowing users to fine tune colors and intensities to get the right look with the right amount of light by AquaNerd | Aug 5, 2014 | Science
GHL Dosing Pump GHL has a nifty new dower hitting the market next month, and while we don’t know all of the juicy details, we do know that it will feature some very useful wireless communication features that could lead to some serious mobile friendly aquarium supplementation. The new GHL Doser 2 will use WiFi technology, which will allow for options like cloud based controls and compatibility with smartphones and apps. In addition to the WiFi, the new dower will also have ports for connecting magnetic stirrers that will help mix up supplements before they’re added to the tank, as well as a port for connecting the new GHL Control Pad. Rounding out the feature list, the doser will have 24v stepper motors, the ability to measure temperatures and respond with an alarm when they’re out of range, auto top-off and auto water change modes with a pair of water level sensors, and expandability up to 16 pumps with slave units. More details are said to be available next week, along with pricing for North America. That said, prices for Europe are as follows: GHL Doser 2 unit with: -2 pumps: 285 € + tax -3 pumps: 336 € + tax -4 pumps: 386 € + tax Preorders will start later this month and the units will land the last week of September. Please note that the dosing pump pictured above is the previous model of the GHL Doser. by AquaNerd | Jul 31, 2014 | Opinion, Science
Ever since EcoTech Marine introduced their Radion XR30 LED fixture at MACNA in 2011, aquarium keepers have been on the hunt for the best solution to mounting them on or hanging them above their aquariums. Since aesthetics are so, so important in the appeal of an aquarium, there’s really no surprise that the hunt has been never ending for some. Fortunately, that search may be over, as BioTek Marine has (in our humble opinions) the best looking tank mounts for the Radion XR30 light fixtures. The light mounts, which are distributed through Aquarium Specialty, are made from solid cast acrylic and have been machined and polished to give a mirror like finish. They mount simply to the aquarium, using discretely placed thumbscrews, and additional hardware keeps the cords from the light fixtures hidden from view. For the Radion, there are two models available, an 18-20″ mount and a 24″ arm. They are each priced at $209. If you’re in the market for a mounting arm such as this, but don’t have a Radion, there are other models available form BioTek that accommodate the AquaIllumination Hydra and Hydra FiftyTwo LED fixtures. Eventually, models for the Hydra TwentySix and Radion XR15w Pro will be available by AquaNerd | Jul 28, 2014 | Equipment, Fish, Industry, Science, Tanks
Innovative Marine is living up to their namesake this week with the announcement of the most well-equipped all-in-one nano aquariums on the market. They are bolstering their Nuvo Fusion lineup, going a little smaller to target those hobbyists who enjoy a beautiful yet insanely functional desktop sized aquarium. The new models will include the Fusion Nano 10 and 20, and despite their size, they will enjoy all of the same features of their larger brethren. That means a 10 and 20 gallon tank with low iron glass (an industry first as far as we know), mesh screen top to keep fish in, built-in overflows, a rubber leveling mat, and some impressive rear chamber filtration. And you know what the real shocker is…the tanks start at just $99. But the fun doesn’t stop there. As IM has done in the past with other aquariums, the lineup has been given access to some really awesome third-party upgrades. by AquaNerd | Jul 25, 2014 | Equipment, Events, Science
The IceCap brand is continuing its expansion with the release of their new single channel dosing pump. Based on the popular peristaltic pump design, the IceCap Liquid Dosing Pump is great for adding all sorts of supplements to your aquarium, including two-part supplements, kalkwasser solutions, top off water, and pretty much any other type of liquid. The pump will be offered in the form of a master unit, seen above, and a slave unit that presumably lacks the onboard controls. Instead of those controls, it will receive all of its operating instructions from the master unit, and up to four units can be linked together. The Liquid Dosing Pump can dose anywhere from 1-99ml of solution per cycle, with a maximum of one cycle per hour and a minimum of one per nine days. As for other features, the dosing pumps have a Delayed Mode Operation which prevents the dispersal of liquid whenever the unit loses power, being especially useful when more than one dosed is being used. Additionally, the doser can be calibrated in order to keep up with its accuracy and it even has a service door latch that makes maintenance quick and easy.
