Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Prop Pumps and In-Tank Reef Aquarium Water Motion: A Step Backwards?

Rather recently, the hobby has seen an explosion in 'prop' or other in-tank water pumps designed to produce a 'reef friendly' wide or variable current, rather than a laminar stream.  Models abound, with the most popular being Hydor's Koralia series, EcoTech Marine's Vortech line, and the Tunze Stream models.  While certainly better than the power head, all of these pumps are just that: a pump, with all associated hazards to motile invertebrate life, inside the aquarium.

It seems the term 'closed loop', once considered by hobbyists (and still considered by anyone that has a vested interest in their system such as public aquariums, hatcheries, and aquaculture facilities) to be the ultimate form of random, turbulent water motion is slowly but surely losing popularity.  This is too bad, because the internal pumps still have several drawbacks: harm to invertebrate life (think how many anemones have been shredded!), heat transfer, electrocution risk, inefficiency, and let's face it: they're ugly, and a giant pain to move around/adjust/clean.  I feel that there are several reasons closed loops/dump buckets/other types of more 'quality' water motion have lost popularity in favor of these internal pumps, which I'd like to discuss individually.

Video of the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Leak

I think most of the world is aware of the Deepwater Horizon oil leak now, estimated to be leaking 1-4 million gallons of crude a day into the Gulf of Mexico, and making multiple stratification layers miles long and wide, and several hundred feet thick.  All fishing from the Gulf has already been suspended, and whatever the impact is of this spill, it won't be good.  The oceans produce more than 50% of the O2 for this planet - if the ocean ecosystems were to die off, so would we. 

Video of the leak, as well as underwater footage:

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New CPR AeroForce Recirculating HOB Skimmer

CPR Aquatics has recently announced their latest skimmer - the AeroForce hang-on-back skimmer.  I'm a fan of CPR products, so I'm excited about this new skimmer.  Features include:

- Recirculating, double body system
- Efficient, uses only 8 watts
- Sponge microbubble trap
- Effective for aquariums up to 75 gallons

I'm hoping to get my hands on a review unit soon, but in the meanwhile check out the video below to see it in action:

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Reef Aquarium Lighting: Introducing the Lighting Lab

Introducing our latest feature: the Lighting Lab!  Lighting is one of the most discussed, yet the least understood aspects of the reef aquarium hobby.  Misplaced "which lighting is best?" questions abound on aquarium forums everywhere, so I've started a column (as well as question and answer, so ask away in the comments section!) to lay out some science and help dispel some of the untruths, misconceptions, and plain unknowns that reef aquarists may have about lighting.  The introductory topic will be a quick and basic coverage of visible light. 

Picoreefs.com Custom Pico Aquarium Review

So, we're back to catching up with reviews.  Our visitors love nano and pico reefs and aquariums, so I decided to review this spiffy all-in-one 3 gallon pico aquarium sent to me by picoaquariums.com as a first of many reviews to come shortly!

Pico Aquarium's 3 gallon wide all-in-one

We're Back!

Yes, I know - we took a bit of a hiatus.  But...we're back!  Myself, Merritt, and Dennis will once again be posting regularly!  We still have a pile of goods to review, and a backlog of articles, and an exclusive of our visit to Red Sea's national warehouse (and our patented 'tell-it-like-it-is review' of the Red Sea Max coming this month!).  Don't go away, and sign up for our free RSS feed and newsletter to keep in touch!  

Oh and SIGN UP TO WIN FREE STUFF!  We're STILL in the process of moving the business and haven't had a chance to award/ship out any prizes, so I'm extending the contest into a summer giveaway!  We're going to have a stack of goodies to give out, even more than is listed!  Go sign up!

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© Captive Aquatics™ | CA Blog | Sponsor Info | Review Info