In the constant search for the perfect standalone MH bulb, I’m giving a new bulb a try – the Iwasaki 50,000K metal halide lamp. The initial color is a bit purple, maybe from the 50K’s nice little spike there in the 420nm range. First impression is pretty positive, though we know how that goes with [...]
May 23, 2008
Due to a case of spring fever, a common affliction for many Chicagoans as we finally get regular temperatures above 50 or 60*F, there is quite a lack of updates on StonyReef. Aside from daily kH checks, I haven’t tested my water since early April, nor have I done so much as a water change [...]
May 1, 2008
I’m a total sucker for little items that make my life easier or make something less annoying. I’ve had fish tanks around most of my life, fresh or salt, and not once have I seen a suction cup last more than 6 months before it’s falling off the glass. Stumbled across these Zoo Med Mag [...]
April 22, 2008
Today is Earth Day. Perfect time to do the “3 days of lights out” on the tank. It’s a also a good time to think about the impact we, as individuals, have on the world around us. At home, we try to be as prudent as possible in regards to the environment, but when it [...]
April 15, 2008
Against what may be considered better judgment on my part, I’ve been picking up a few azooxanthellate corals as of late. Having recently plumbed in an additional display area to the main tank, it needed to be filled with something. Some of the current resources available (articles / info from Stottlemire, Kallmeyer, Torsten, [...]
April 4, 2008
I got results from sending in my water samples to AWT… and… the review is mixed. Mixed enough that I’m going to buy a couple more mail in packages, but enough that I am with others in questioning the procedures used and results received from aquariumwatertesting.com. Last Sunday I sat down and ran a whole battery [...]
March 18, 2008
Despite it being a major element of natural sea water, as an element in our reef tanks, Potassium (K), is often overlooked. From what I’ve read in articles and discussions, regular water changes should be sufficient enough to keep it moderately maintained, albeit less than NSW levels of K. And, I’m not sure whether [...]
March 12, 2008
I always think it’s interesting to see the animals we keep in our aquariums in their natural habitat. Here are some photos I took diving & snorkeling in Kauai last summer. More photos can be seen here. There’s an obvious difference in quality of photos from rental camera from diving and cheap underwater camera from the [...]
February 25, 2008
A few weeks ago I added Fauna Marin’s Ultra-Life water purification power to my FM regimen. It’s a very fine powder that can be used to assist in delivery of the amino acids (UltraMin S, UltraAMIN, etc.) to the animals and to help skimming, in that pollutants will bind to the Ultra-Life (which I believe [...]
February 14, 2008
“This six-gill shark (Hexanchus) was filmed during a submersible dive off the northeast coast of Molokai at a depth of 1000m (3280ft). The 2 red laser dots are 6 inches apart, resulting in a length of about 18 ft for the shark. Great ecstatic live commentary by University of Hawaii Oceanography Professor Jeff Drazen! Many [...]
February 11, 2008
I haven’t yet had a chance to mail in a sample of my water to AWT (aquariumwatertesting.com), but will be doing so shortly. However, of interest to anyone keeping a reef, AWT recently tested a whole slew of different salt brands, and their results can be found here. Very interesting, I’m now really looking forward [...]
February 8, 2008
I am always on the hunt for new products, whether it be something for reek tank maintenance or aquarium organization, or one of those niche items that makes my life easier. Some of the best investments I’ve made for my reef are the LiterMeter III & the Aquacontroller 3, but those are ‘big ticket’ items. [...]
January 22, 2008
A few weeks ago I received a kit for having water tested by AquariumWaterTesting.com. You pay a basic flat fee and they send you this little kit with 2 sample containers and a pre-paid USPS Priority Mail Package. Just fill the samples, and send them in when you’re ready. According to their website, you should [...]
Elos E-lite LED |
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Ecotech Vortech MP20 |
Elos Skimmer |
Eheim Return |
GFO Reactor |
Heater 1 |
Heater 2 |
Litermeter III |
Email Alarm |
June 26, 2008