Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

SOPA Is Back. Stop it.

A new bill with all of the internet-breaking features of SOPA plus the complete removal of privacy from the internet.  If you took steps to ensure privacy on the internet...you'd be breaking the law if CISPA passes.  Spread the word and stop CISPA now!

How bad is it? It's bad: "Under Rep. Mike Rogers’ Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011 (CISPA),and Sen. John McCain’s SECURE IT Act, there are almost no restrictions on what information can be spied upon and how it can be used. That means a company like Google, Facebook, Twitter, or AT&T could intercept your emails and text messages, send copies to one another and to the government, and modify those communications or prevent them from reaching their destination if it fits into their plan to stop “cybersecurity” threats."

It's simple to send a letter to your representative using this site:  Electronic Frontier Foundation

Teszla LED Light Preview - Geisemann's (Excellent) Compromise

Geisemann Aquaristic is known internationally for their uncompromising and high quality products as per european consumer standards, dominating the 'best of the best' niche in lighting fixtures for decades.  However, this dedication has met an impasse in reef aquarium LED lighting:  american consumers don't want premium quality at a premium price, and american aquarists make up over 90% of the aquarium LED market currently.  What's Geisemann's answer?

Interested in Lighting? Check out the latest Marine Habitat issue!

I've penned a feature on lighting for the March-April issue of Marine Habitat Magazine.  I've featured Marine Habitat before because I'm a big fan of the mag's dual purpose, covering both the hobby and ocean/reef ecology. 

If you're wanting to know more about lighting, photosynthesis, and what lighting methods are "best", pick up the issue - or better yet, subscribe! 

New LEDs Turn Heat Into Light

 

While I'm usually quietly behind the scenes consulting for the next generation of aquarium LED lights, I had to share this breakthrough by Dr. Santhanam and his team that was recently published in Physical Review Letters: LEDs that actually cool their surroundings, turning heat energy into visible light energy!  And just as incredibly, have an efficiency of over 200%. 

Pause for a moment to let that sink in.

 

 

Research & Relocation...

Things have been hectic due to my relocation (to the coast and a large reef - can you guess which one?).  Ever since the research I performed in the Belize Barrier Reef I've wanted to live on a reef again, so I've taken an opportunity that arose. 

As my activities shift away from the hobby and more towards actual hands on ecological participation, photography, and writing on an reef location, the blog will shift as well.  Pics, video, and ecology info about actual reefs rather than glass boxes coming soon!

X-Aqua Reef Aquarium LED Light Teaser Pics

Here are some pics of X-Aqua's newest/upcoming reef aquarium LED lights, both behind the scenes and a finished product.  Full review when I have the time, but they're looking good!

 

Goodbye Internet?

Click here to prevent internet censorship

The Government Could Block Your Favorite Websites

Such as twitter, facebook, YouTube, and many other sites if the "Internet Blacklist Bill" (so politically correctly called the "Stop Online Piracy" Act) passes, websites like this, or any other site The Man doesn't like could be yanked.  The bill's purpose is supposedly to stop sites like The Pirate Bay which have been a thorn in the RIAA's side for years.  The solution? Pass a law saying any site with objectionable content or hosting objectionable content could be blocked.

What you Need to Know About Photosynthesis

 Photosynthesis is an incredibly complex process, but luckily for most aquarists only a basic understanding is required, but the time should be taken to understand that basic definition.  Photosynthesis is the “synthesizing by organisms of organic chemical compounds (Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [1997]), mainly carbohydrates, from carbon dioxide using energy obtained by light rather than the oxidation of chemical compounds”. Instead of consuming carbohydrates like we do for energy, photosynthesis can create carbohydrates for invertebrates and plants.  More simply, this means that plant cells can use energy gathered from light to produce cellular chemical energy (ATP) and carbon products (carbohydrates) when combined with carbon dioxide.  

Earthquake in Indonesia!

An earthquake has hit off the Indonesian Island of Bali early Thursday morning causing many injuries and property damage throughout the island.

 

The U.S geological survey said the earthquake was a 6.0-magnitude and hit about 62 miles southwest of Bali.

 

So far 50 people have been taken to local hospitals with only five suffering from major injuries. 

 

Indonesia is located on the "Ring of Fire" which is a arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin.  This makes the area prone to earthquakes from the constant motion of the faults moving on each other.  In fact, Indonesia suffered a 9.1-magnitude earthquake that occured underwater and caused a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in 2004.

 

For this earthquake the U.S Geological Survey has issued no stunami alert and hopefully those who have suffered will recover soon.

 

Picture from www.worldwidehomestay.com