by AquaNerd | May 30, 2014 | Science, Tanks
We’ve got news of another product that will make its debut at the upcoming Interzoo. Skimz Singapore has announced that they will be displaying a pair of small DC powered protein skimmers under the Mini Monzter moniker. These two new skimmers feature the smallest DC pump on the market which is crammed into a tiny footprint, along with plenty of other features like bubble plates and gently transitioning cone shapes. Like most of the DC pumps currently out there, the Monzter Mini’s pump will have six preset speeds and a feed timer, allowing for precise control over water level and bubble content within the skimmer body. Despite their minuscule size, however, the Monzter Mini skimmers pack quite a punch. The smallest model, the Skimz SN123 Monzter Mini, has a tank rating of 500L (approximately 131 USgal) and the larger model, the SN143, can handle tanks up to 900L (approximately 237 USgal). Skimz SN123 Monzter Mini protein skimmer specs: Dimension: L163 x D187 x H490 (mm) Body Diameter: 120mm Pump: Skimz VSC1200 DC Air Intake: 120 – 360 L/h Total Watts: 6 – 12W For Aquarium: up to 500L Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini protein skimmer: Dimension: L188 x D196 x H490 (mm) Body Diameter: 140mm Pump: Skimz VSC2000 DC Air Intake: 240 – 660 L/h Total Watts: 9 – 18W For Aquarium: up to 900L Pricing and availability will most likely be announced at Interzoo. by Admin | May 15, 2014 | Conservation, Fish, Science, Tanks
Figure 1. A 35 day old milletseed butterflyfish larva with morepronounced dorsal spines. During this recent trial, larvae displayedgreater development in a shorter period of time.It’s been a while since our last milletseed butterflyfish post but, not to worry, I’ve been very busy conducting a variety of replicated experiments to better understand their larval requirements. From those experiments, I’ve learned several important things about raising the milletseed butterflyfish. From our previous examinations we knew that nauplii of the copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris could be used as a first feed, however, in clear water only about 50% of larvae were feeding. After exploring the literature, I decided to test a variety of parameters including algal turbidity, prey density, prey selectivity, tank size, light intensity, and stocking density in order to increase feeding performance. Figure 2. A 35 day old milletseed butterflyfish larva with less dorsal spine development and more elongate shape.From these studies I initially learned that the milletseed butterflyfish do not identify rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) as prey throughout larval development. Additionally, testing revealed that different stocking densities, light intensities, and tanks sizes didn’t have a significant effect on feeding incidence or performance of the larvae. However, what did enhance feeding was the addition of algae (T-ISO) to the tank; which increased the feeding incidence to about 90%. Another interesting result was that feeding incidence was the same at 1 individual/mL as at prey densities up to 20 individuals/mL. While the rearing of milletseed butterflyfish to the juvenile phase has not been accomplished yet, this information is crucial for the optimization of culture methods of the milletseed butterflyfish. By improving early larval feeding we can increase early larval survival and promote development, increasing the likelihood of rearing larvae to settlement. by AquaNerd | May 13, 2014 | Science, Tanks
The RoboSnail has long been one of those dream devices that would help aquarists automate those daily, mundane activities that make maintenance a total drag. Since its release to the general public at MACNA 2012, however, it has been limited to folks with just average sized aquariums. The entry level model, dubbed the RSV1A, was only good for tanks with glass up to 0.40″ (10mm) thick. This limited the RoboSnail to pretty much everything with 3/8″ glass or less, a common glass thickness for most standard sized aquariums of 100-gallons and less. But what about those with larger tanks? Fortunately, for the big boys on the block, the RSV1A.5 was just announced. This new model differs from the original only in the fact that it can clean tanks with 1/2″ thick glass. And while that tiny little quarter of an inch may not seem like much, it opens up a whole new world for the RoboSnail. We’re talking about aquariums well over 200-gallons, in most cases by AquaNerd | May 7, 2014 | Equipment, Industry, Tanks, Technology
Innovative Marine is back with another ground breaking product for the world of all-in-one marine aquaria. Announced just yesterday, and in a far too subtle fashion in our opinions, the SkimMate Ghost is a new protein skimmer that looks to bring serious performance to IM’s AUQA GADGET lineup. The SkimMate Ghost is a drop-in skimmer that will be available in three distinct sizes, each of which will fit nicely into the rear chambers of the NUVO aquariums whose name they bare. For example, the SkimMate Ghost DeskTop skimmer is designed to function seamlessly with the DeskTop model of the NUVO aquariums, and so on. In terms of features, the Ghost will sport a compact design that recirculates bubbles passively to increase dwell time. Additionally, the skimmer has an enlarged inline air silencer box, a bubble diffusing plate, an adjustable air valve, and a needle wheel impeller. The design keeps the air line tubing neat and kink free, and the collection cup design isn’t all too different from other popular drop-in skimmers that have been around for a while. by Admin | Mar 25, 2014 | Conservation, Fish, Science, Tanks
Day 60 yellow tang larvae. Photo credit: Dean Kline.Since we last wrote at Day 50, we’ve observed a lot of interesting things with our yellow tang larvae. Probably the most important thing we observed is their very inefficient feeding capability. At their size (~1cm), newly hatched Artemia nauplii should have been easy prey, but time and time again we’d watch them strike and miss, or partially catch one only to spit it out. Artemia nauplii definitely don’t seem to be adequate to sustain yellow tang at this stage in development. Likewise enriched Artemia were all but rejected. Also, at this stage, the fish seem to rely on their large pectoral fins for propulsion and were very awkward moving around the tank. We would frequently observe them floundering about and then suddenly right themselves and swim on quite normally. This seemed to require a lot of energy, which in their compromised nutritional state, likely lead to some additional stress. They also tended to gravitate to the tank walls, and appeared to sometimes be grazing or picking things from the walls. Although we included live rock, macroalgae and other substrate in the tanks at this point, we did not observe any sign of the fish wanting to be near the bottom. Settlement seemed to be a long way off. Day 83 yellow tang larvae (Lucky). Photo credit: Chad Callan. From Day 50-60 we continued to lose fish daily; which seemed to be stuck in metamorphosis and were not advancing through this particular stage. We quickly realized that yellow tangs probably have some rather specific nutritional and/or environmental requirements that we were not meeting. We had only ~25 fish at day 60 and were down to 3 fish by Day 65. It seemed we were at the end of this run. However, some hope remained as our sole surviving fish, “Lucky”, refused to succumb to the fate of his tank-mates. We were surprised daily to see him swimming each morning from Day 67 onward. He seemed to be growing and his dorsal spine was definitely shrinking (a sign that this stage might be ending). Unfortunately, this “lucky streak” ended on Day 83. From the pictures you can certainly see that “Lucky’s” body was beginning to complete this stage of metamorphosis, with his dorsal spine nearly gone and head shape transforming. If we had only had a few more days with him! We learned a lot during this trial and will continue to work towards resolving these late-stage challenges in future attempts. We already have more larvae in the hatchery and will work our way back to this point again! In the meantime, Emma will continue to update you on her thesis research as she works to resolve some of their early mortality issues. So much still to learn!
