BioTek Marine Releases Tek Edition Red
BioTek Marine Tek 44 Edition Red As of this past Friday BioTek Marine has released a new color option for the Tek Series product line called the Tek Edition Red. The Tek Edition Red includes 30″, 36″, 44″ sumps, 5 and 10 gallon ATO water tanks and other than the color, they are identical to the Tek Blue & Grey versions. The Tek Red was produced in red and white to complement some of the other protein skimmer and reactor product lines that use a combination of red and white acrylic and/or white PVC. Pictured above is the 44″ x 17″ x 16″ sump that includes 2 x 1/2″ returns and an inclosed 2 x 7″ filter sock compartment. Enclosing the return section eliminates annoying salt creep and dramatically reduces noiseThreadfin Cardinalfish: Peaceful and Most Impressive in Numbers
Threadfin Cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha)Walk by an LFS sales tank containing a few specimens of threadfin cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacantha), and you might not give them a second glance. Chromatically speaking, this species isn’t exactly a showstopper compared to some, especially when viewed in your average LFS environment. But don’t let this cardinal’s unassuming appearance fool you; it can make for an impressive display species when kept in groups. Physical traitsZ. leptacantha is a diminutive fish, reaching only about 2.5 inches in total length. It’s laterally compressed and has two dorsal fins, the first fairly elongated relative to the second. As mentioned, this species’ color is nothing to write home about (in case you’re one of those types who like to write home about the colors of fish). It’s semi-transparent to yellowish-silver overall with iridescent blue around the eyes as well as blue and yellow accents on the anterior portion of the body.Testing: Nano-Bubbles
Recently, the folks in my area got enamored with the topic of “nano‐bubbles” for the reef tank. Being a curious engineer and avid tinkerer of tanks, I jumped right in to test it for myself.So what are nano‐bubbles and what is the concept being prescribed? Well, there are many sources online that talk about the benefits of nano‐bubbles in various applications, from water and food processing to cleaning applications such as wastewater treatment. But with respect to our hobby, one site, Elegant Corals LLC, had been promoting the benefits of running “micro‐scrubbing bubbles” in the reef tank for some time. You can check out their Facebook page for the claimed benefits. Process The basic process, in short, is to produce the smallest bubbles possible and inject them into the main tank via the return pump. Wooden airstones are placed just before the inlet of the sump return pump, and the amount of bubbles is controlled by adjusting the distance from the airstone to the inlet.Reef Threads Podcast #275
Much has changed in this hobby in 5 yrs. But some things are still constant. Listen this week to learn what’s what.
The big question this week is: Do 5-yr.-old tips still hold up? Some do. Some don’t. Listen to learn more. Download the podcast here, or subscribe to our podcasts at iTunes. Also, follow us on Twitter at reefthreads.—Gary and ChristineSponsor: Rod’s Food
Rod’s Food website
Poland Union Schools reef tank
Watch the reef tank at the Poland Union school. Use the password: gobulldogs
Poland Union’s reef tank
Reefs In Decline
Kauai, Hawaii coastline taken during a helicopter tourI have been lucky in my life to have had the opportunity to dive in some of the prettiest and most diverse underwater habitats on earth. Without exception, the nicest dive sites are far from civilization, which stands to reason. But today I want to talk about the places that are in trouble biologically speaking. The outer Hawaiian IslandsLast year, I went to some of the outer Hawaiian Islands for a nice vacation and, of course, to dive. My wife and I went to Hawaii on our wedding anniversary 44 years ago, and I dove then too, so I had an opportunity to assess the place decades later. The diving then was good, plenty of varied life with a smattering of sharks.
