Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

A Documentary Showcases Our Hobby

 

A new documentary showcasing our hobby was just released by Scion Magazine, and it's really good!  It includes interviews with Richard, Dr. Bob and myself (yay), and really shows why we love this hobby so deeply.  With environmental groups putting out so much misinformation and so many flat-out lies about this hobby, it's nice to have something show what it's really all about.

Species Spotlight Video: Warty Frogfish

Starry Puffer in HD Video

A species not often seen in captivity, the starry puffer (Arothron stellatus) simply grows too large for most aquariums.  As Merritt and I are big puffer fans, we have an entire room for large systems for the three largest puffer species (A. stellatus, A. mappa, and T. mbu).  Here is a video of our A. stellatus, dedicated to all you puffer fans!  Want to know more?  Check out our guide to caring for saltwater puffers here.

For more information on puffers, see our care guide to large marine pufferfish!

Apogee MQ-200 Aquarium PAR Meter Video Review

Today Merritt and I will be reviewing an affordable and easy to use PAR quantum light meter: the Apogee Instruments MQ-200 digital Quantum Meter with waterproof probe.  Whitney at Apogee Instruments was kind enough to send over the latest MQ-200, complete with data recording features.  We had some fun playing with it in a few of our coral and invert holding tanks - check out the results, pictures, and video below!

Species Spotlight Video: Zebra Moray Eel

Zebra Moray, Gymnomuraena zebra
Max size: 60 inches
Fish safe: Yes
Reef safe: Yes, excepting crustaceans
Minimum tank size: 125 gallons

The beautiful zebra moray is a striking eel for the large home aquarium, being docile towards fishes and invertebrates, except crustaceans.  This large eel adapts readily to captivity, and has a very unique pattern of alternating black, brown, and white vertical stripes.

Genesis Reef Systems Storm Pro Aquarium Auto-Topoff Controller: Hands-On Photos and Video

Genesis Reef Systems has recently released what they claim is the most advanced aquarium auto-topoff controller on the market for home aquariums today - and they're right.  With it's ability to control six float switches, your RO unit, and monitor your aquarium, freshwater resorvoir, and sump water level by the second, this is not your grandma's auto-topoff controller!

 

New Sea Turtle Exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's new green sea turtle exhibit opened last month, and they've put up a short but fun video of green sea turtles being released into the exhibit.  They are just a few from a clutch laid at Sea World in San Diego, most of which were released into the wild under the supervision of the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  Check out the video below!

 

CoralSky Versa SL II Hands-On Photos and Videos

CoralSky's new SL II LED reef aquarium lighting retrofit kits are out, and the latest SL II version features a wide-angle version without the spotlight optics of the original SL and intial configuration of the SL II. Jeff at CoralSky was nice enough to send over two review units, and I've had both kits sitting in my review pile for a few weeks now.  My day job of installing aquarium hardware is keeping me from reviewing it!  However, I've finally gotten around to taking some pics and videos of these (incredibly bright) aquarium LED lighting retrofits.

Fluval Chi Aquarium Video

 

A nice video overview of the Fluval Chi from the Fluval Blog.  I like the Fluval Chi aquarium design - I've seen one in person, and it's very tranquil, with a unique cube design.  The Chi is perfect for a nano nature or betta aquarium! 

Check out more aquarium videos here, subscribe to our free RSS updates, or free weekly newsletter for updates about the Fluval Chi!

 

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The Underwater River World of San Marcos, Texas

Take a video tour through the crystal clear spring-fed waters of the San Marcos River, home to the endangered Fountain Darter, Texas Blind Salamander, and Texas Wild Rice.  The stable Edwards Aquifer keeps the river water at a rock-solid 72 degrees, even while the ambient (environmental) temperature swings as much as 80.  Cool temperatures and critters make it a summertime refuge for local college students and tourists alike.

If you're lucky enough to spot them while exploring, you'll more than likely find that the Fountain Darters are as curious about you as you are them...

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