by AquaNerd | Nov 20, 2013 | Fish, Science
At MACNA this year, we were introduced to the aquarium hobby’s first controller friendly automatic fish feeder with Neptune Systems’ Automatic Feeding System. The AFS was a big hit at the conference, and priced at $99, this Apex accessory is a welcome sight for those ultimate aquarium control freaks looking to automate and customize their feeding process. And thankfully the wait for the Apex AFS is finally over. We just got word from Neptune Systems that it will start shipping out to retailers starting today. Probably the safest and easiest fish feeder to use, the AFS is compatible with the Apex, Apex Lite, and Apex Jr. AquaControllers and communicates via the AquaBus-mini. The feeder can handle various types of dry foods, such as pellets and flakes, and both the amount and frequency of the feeding activity can be adjusted to better suit your aquarium inhabitants’ needs. In addition to that, the food is stored in a “Stay Dry” system that keeps the moisture out the food as fresh as possible. by AquaNerd | Nov 18, 2013 | Corals, Fish, Invertebrates, Photography, Science
As an aquarium hobbyist who is also fairly passionate about photography, I am always looking to capture those unique moments when I’m at a fish store or some other venue where fish, corals, and invertebrates take center stage. Often times, I’ll have my camera in hand and I can snap off a few decent shots here and there. More often though, I’ll be without my DSLR and have to rely on my smartphone, which isn’t exactly the most ideal option. The phone of choice for me has been the iPhone, with the 5s being my most current option. For those of you familiar, this phone can actually take decent pictures. Unfortunately, the pitfall for the on-board camera, like with most cameras, is blue LEDs. Thankfully, I stumbled upon this cheap little hack that can get you photos that are closer to what we see with the human eye. by AquaNerd | Nov 11, 2013 | Fish, Science
Photo Credit: AquaSD via Reef2Reef The Dr. Seuss Soapfish (Belonoperca pylei) is one of the rarest and most unique looking fish to ever enter the aquarium trade. The odd shaped head and bright coloration really make the species stand apart from just about everything else. Only a handful have trickled into the hobby over the past few years, and the crew at AquaSD has a pair in stock right now. Recently posted on their forum over on Reef2Reef, the fish have been in the United States for a little more than a week and both have been treated like rock stars. They have each been given dips (we presume freshwater to kill any potential parasites), and they are both reportedly eating like little piggies. To further ensure their longevity, AquaSD won’t actually let either go until they are comfortable that the two fish are in the best health and have adapted fully to the captive life. Even though the fish will be staying in San Diego a little longer, the line of potential buyers for the Dr. Seuss Soapfish will undoubtedly grow significantly as the days go by by Reef To Rainforest | Nov 11, 2013 | Fish, Photography, Science
CORAL Magazine’s REEF LIFE Calendar, a perennial favorite of marine aquarists since 1999. Stay amazed. Stay inspired. NOW SHIPPING Order the REEF LIFE 2014 Wall Calendar today! With images by renowned underwater photographers Denise Nielsen Tackett and Larry Tackett, the 2014 Reef Life Calendar brings a dazzling profusion of world-class reef images that will fuel the enthusiasm of any marine reefkeeper. The perfect gift for all reef and marine aquarists on your gift list and you get FREE SHIPPING (to U.S. Addresses). 9″ x 9″ (9″ x 18″ open) Full color photography throughout Just $10.95 each Special Offer: $8 each for 2 or more Reef Life — Live it 365 in 2014! CLICK TO ORDER TODAY Free Shipping! REEF LIFE Back Cover showing all 12 glorious monthly images. Click to enlarge. by AquaNerd | Nov 7, 2013 | Corals, DIY, Equipment, Fish, Industry, Science, Tanks
For years, all-in-one aquariums have been limited to small volumes and insufficient out-of-the-box features. Most of tanks that saw mainstream success stayed around 30-gallons or less, with just about all of them coming with inadequate filtration for a fully functional reef aquarium. Even adding extra equipment proved to be difficult, as the rear chambers of these tanks were often too small and the built-in lid limited what you could put in the back. Innovative Marine changed all that when they introduced their NUVO line of aquariums. The sleek, open-top aquariums had huge rear chambers for additional equipment, and they even made solid performing protein skimmers and media reactors that could easily fit. After a couple of very successful years, IM has expanded their initial lineup to include the all new Shallow Reef (SR) series, which was designed specifically from a hobbyist standpoint. The new SR tanks come in three beefy sizes of 60, 80 and 120 gallons
