Recent News

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

Photo by Enric Sala

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.

Photo Credit: Kevin Moses/AP

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.