by AquaNerd | Jun 28, 2013 | Equipment, Industry, Technology
Aquarium controllers are becoming increasingly mobile friendly, allowing users to access controls and view data, such as water parameters, through web servers that can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world. The biggest driving force behind this push toward mobility has been one of safety and disaster prevention, as aquarists traveling abroad are soothed by the idea of being able to check water parameters and even make adjustments to various items associated with the controller without missing a beat on their vacation or business trip. But up until recently, all of that data has been sort of without a face, meaning that hobbyists checking in on their aquarium were limited to just a handful of numbers and graphs. Thankfully, the ever evolving technology has allowed webcam access to the world of aquarium controllers, with the latest such updates finding their way into the ProfiLux line of controllers. Through new firmware and software updates, the ProfiLux aquarium controllers are following suit with the Neptune Systems Aquacontroller and allowing for communications with webcams, giving users the ability to actually see their aquarium instead of just of disembodied numbers. This means that aquarium keepers can actually see if the lights are on, instead of relying on the controller to tell them that they are on. The webcam will also allow hobbyists to see disasters as they are happening, which may not bode well for travel plans but it certainly helps with mitigating the hazards. In addition to the webcam support, GHL also recently announced the opening of a new USA warehouse that will allow them to further develop their brand here in the states. This new facility is located in Ogdensburg, New York, and it is said that the immediate benefit will be a reduction in shipping costs up to 80% and improved turnaround times for orders. « Previous post
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by AquaNerd | May 15, 2013 | Equipment, Industry
When it comes to features and capabilities, there are few LED fixtures that can compare with the GHL Mitras. Even at more than a year old, the sleek looking fixture is still ahead of the game in terms of what all it offers, and it will be years before some of the other LED brands catch up. But GHL isn’t going to sit idly by while the competition closes those gaps. In addition to working on the Mitras LED strip lights, they are also releasing a new model of the Mitras, the LX 6200 HV. Little will change for the new Mitras with regard to the fixture housing or even the overall functionality. Where the changes are coming, however, are the spectra of the LEDs. Due to popular demand, the Mitras LX 6200 HV will shift its color pallet to the bluer side by offering 9 separately dimmable colors. The resulting look has a more intense blue peak, which yields higher PAR values. As for the LEDs, the LX 6200 HV is just oozing with colors. It has12 x Cree XP-E blue, 12 x Cree XT-E cool white, 12 x Cree XT-E royal blue, 6 x Cree XT-E neutral white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL true green, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL sky white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL blue white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL hyperred, and 6 x hyper violet 425 nm emitters. This layout differs from the Mitras LX 6100 HV (aka the original) by ditching the Osram Oslon SSL yellow and red LEDs and replacing them with Osram Oslon SSL sky white and blue white diodes. In terms of pricing, the new Mitras LX 6200 HV will be priced the exact same as its predecessor at $1199. Additionally, upgrade kits can be purchased that will convert your 6100 into a 6200, and those will run $299.
