In this Fish Tank Kings video, Francis helps out Tennessee Aquarium curator Thom Demas with an Giant Octopus Emergency. A giant pacific octopus was extremely unhappy in it’s exhibit, and had to be moved to a small holding tank. After close inspection, the rock in the octopus exhibit was almost “sponge-like.” A sample of the rock was sent to the lab and PBA was found in the epoxy used, and later on in the water. The toxic chemical, commonly found in hard plastics and some water bottles, used in the epoxy of the artificial rock, can have extremely harmful effects if it leeches out.
In this case, the endocrine system of the Giant Octopus was poisoned by the PBA in the exhibit. Fish Tank Kings decided to build a new Pacific Northwest exhibit with no epoxy-based rock. Look out for future updates from National Geographic where we will show you the results.
Kessil has finally released some info about a few long-anticipated new products, the Kessil A350 and the Kessil A350W Tuna Blue LED Aquarium Pendants.
Ever since the splash of the Kessil A150W, reef enthusiasts have been waiting to see what Kessil is going to do next. The Kessil A350 provides more than twice the light, of the A150W and is rated at 90W. The A350 models, use Kessil’s dense LED matrix to provide the combined output of many LED chips in a compact form factor. Additionally, this new aquarium LED pendant uses the vapor phase change cooling element to provide long LED life and cooler running temperature.
The A350 and A350W utilize 2 control knobs; the first control’s Kessil’s proprietary “Sky Blue” spectrum, while the second controls another one of Kessil’s proprietary spectrum “Ocean Blue.” Since each is independently controlled, each hobbyist, can achieve the color spectrum they feel is best for their setup.
Here is a comparison of the two lights:
The A350 LED is designed for tanks deeper than 24 inches, or where corals require more intense lighting. The A350W LED model, offers wider spread for tanks of up to 24 inches in depth.
Kessil will be releasing the A350 towards the end of April, and the A350W towards the end of May 2012, each for a retail price of $399.
We wanted to get the word out as soon as possible. Get 10% off your next purchase at Live Aquaria (www.liveaquaria.com), Drs. Fosters and Smith (www.drsfostersmith.com). Use this Live Aquaria Coupon to get 10% off some new corals and fish, or use the Drs Fosters and Smith coupon to get 10% off salt, heaters, reef supplements, aquariums, and practically anything else for your reef tank or other pets. Use coupon code 365/8659.
This summer, CoralVue will be releasing a 4 stage 100 GPD controllable product-to-waste water ratio RO/DI unit. This sleek RO/DI unit is currently being tested by CoralVue for safety, efficiency, reliability and ease of use. This RO/DI unit comes with a system controller, and a digital TDS monitor which shows your the TDS of the output water. The RO membrane gets flushed each time the system is shut down, which helps prolong the life of the membrane. The unit will auto-shutoff when the reservoir gets full, which results in a completely automated system. The system is reported by CoralVue to have been tested to produce a ratio of ~1:2 Product/Waste water. A high-efficiency pressure pump ensures water is being moved through the unit at optimal pressure.
Here is a complete list of features and technical data for this new RO/DI unit.
System Features
Easy to use system controller
Fully-Automated water management
Accurate Digital TDS readings of outgoing product water
Automatic membrane flush system prevents TDS creep Cyclic Membrane Flush (Full Membrane Flush upon shutdown to help prevent membrane scaling)
Back-pressure electronic shut-off for reservoir use
High and low pressure safety kill switches (For pump protection and full system automation)
Audible Alarm
Filter change notifications
Water temperature read out
Tested to obtain ~1:2 Product/Waste water ratio (source water temperature dependent)
Over-sized oil-filled pressure gauge
High efficiency booster pump
Clear filter canisters with silicone o-ring seals
Rugged metal frame for convenient free-standing placement or for space saving wall mounting
Technical Data
Footprint 14.75″ x 9″
Height 17.5″
1 100 GPD membrane
1 µ polypropylene sediment cartridge
5 µ carbon block cartridge
1 refillable DI cartridge with high capacity color changing resin
Quiet booster pump (located lost pre-filtration for extended pump life)
Includes canister & membrane wrench, detailed instructions, installation connection fittings, RO tubing and accessories.
All standard 10” canisters, cartridges and ¼””push-connect fittings
The Aquatic Warehouse, located in San Diego, CA made the jump from high output T5s and halides to LED lighting 6 months ago. They are running a variety of Ecoxotic Cannon 100W Elliptical Pendants. The coral systems are equipped with several pairs of pendants, one 12K white and one 255nm Royal Blue. The descriptions states the 12k pendants are set at 40% intensity making way for the Royal Blues to show case the corals. The video is of exceptional quality showing coral colonies and frags, which creates an great sales pitch without words.
Reef Life Support Systems (RLSS) has released a video showing their new DC-5000 adjustable DC Pump in action on the R8-U Protein Skimmer. The R8-U is also manufactured by RLSS. Here are some specs on the R8-U:
• Measurement: 400mm x 310mm x 550mm
• Power Input: 100-240V, 50-60hz AC convert to DC
• Power: 40W max.
• Air intake: 900-1800L/H
• Size Tank: 1000L to 2000L tanks
In a short post in the Explores Journal, Enric Sala of Nation Geographic tells of a pristine reef found during a four day dive expedition in the Ducie Atoll. Enric briefly describes the reef stating it contains up to 90% live coral cover and a very large biomass of fish. He also noted a healthy abundance of predator fish like sharks, groupers and jacks. It’s nice to finally read something with a positive twist. Enric’s post expressed the dire need to protect these reefs as they are found. The post can be found on the National Geographic Newswatch site.
Scientists are reporting that 70% of the 6,000 hectares of coral reefs off the coast of Bontang are critically damaged. 70% equates to 4,200 hectares of damaged reef. The reports are placing the blame on the growing local industries inland of the reefs, domestic and commercial waste dumping. Those factors coupled with the practice of using explosives by the fisherman and the locals who have been removing chunks of coral reefs to use as construction materials for their homes. Time will tell how this will effect coral exports for the aquarium industry. You may read the full story for more details found on the Jakarta Globe.
Marine Depot posted a tutorial video on YouTube showing how to install a JBJ NanoZapp. UV Sterilizers are a popular way to keep the water column sterile in a fish only system. UV Sterilizers are not recommended by most reef hobbyist to use in a coral system.
Photo Credit: John J. Boling 2005-11-10 - Airport-Data.com
A petition is being circulated online to request President Obama to help protect the shoreline coral reefs around the Marshall Islands. From what Reef Tools has been able to gather, expansion of the Majuro Airport is close to breaking ground. The construction of the airport expansion is funded by the U.S. Government and the work is being performed by local contractors. It is stated that the FAA turns its head as the contractors wreak havoc on the native coral reefs by miming the coral for use as fill. The petition states there is an abundance of useable fill that could be used away from the coral reefs.
The petition also points out that in 2008 a fire station was constructed on the Marshall Islands using fill from a large reef in the area of the construction site. President Clinton signed an executive order (Order 13089) protecting coral reefs outside of the U.S. The petition is asking President Obama to push the local EPA and FAA to adhere to the order.
The petition is sponsored by Dean Jacobson, Ph.D., coral ecologist and can be found here.
