Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Great Coral ID Resource Unveiled by SDMAS

Remember the AIMS coral ID site?  It's an amazing yet relatively untapped online representation of JEN Veron's Corals of the World books.  I say "relatively untapped" because it's nearly unuseable - navigating and searching AIMS is about as user friendly as this intersection.  You'll notice the AIMS link is to an Acro valida, because after 15 minutes I still couldn't find the index page for that site.

Well, fortunately for us the good people at SDMAS said "no more!", and through an incredible amount of work they put together a hobbyist-friendly version of the AIMS site.  The link is right here, enjoy!

Review: Plusrite Metal Halide Bulbs

 

Introduction:

As with every hobby, there are the name brand products, and the poorly constructed knock offs.  Products that are a fair combination of practicality and cost are few and far between.  Yet, the cheaply made products often draw us in with their exorbitantly low prices.  Affordableaquatic.com was generous enough to send me a lamp, and let me try it for myself.

 

Refractometer Calibration: the Myth and Risks of using RO/DI Water

I recently got a new refractometer over the holidays, and immediately after my first water change my tank began having problems.  Well, to be fair my wallet was what immediately had a problem being that those have gotten ridiculously expensive in my area, especially when combined with California's seemingly 3,000% sales tax these days.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong, I mean, my water was at 1.025-1.026, my refractometer came with instructions that said to zero it out with distilled water, and they wouldn't give out bad information would they?  Turns out yes, yes they would.

An Aquarium as a Christmas Present! Now What?

Christmas is one of the best times to purchase an aquarium for any interested hobbyist.  Especially since many aquarium providers offer special deals on entire aquarium packages that are a great start for any hobbyist to be able to geat into the magnificent aquarium hobby.  But, once having all the materials to setup an aquarium can be overwhelming especially if you are not complely sure how it all works.  Well, lets clear up that confusion and I will add some tips too!

 

Bob Fenner Creates 'The Professional Aquarist's Association'

Already owner and founder of WetWebMedia (the best source of ornamental aquatics info  online!), my friend Bob Fenner has started a new venue for those of us who make a living from this hobby and other related aquatic endeavors.  Dubbed 'The Professional Aquarists Association', the website aims to be a meeting and information sharing outlet for those active in the industry.  If that's you, go register today!

PicoAquariums.com New Models Now Available - In Starphire!

  Chris Delicanth of PicOAquariums.com has opened shop again with more pico, and new nanos!  Dubbed the 'Deep Blue' series, two new designs in three different volumes are now available.  Also new is the starphire glass option  and beveled edges on all pico and nano models, and who wouldn't want that?  Check out the pics and specs below, or the review of the original PicO aquarium: