Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

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!

Deep Sea Aquatics Neo Nano Aquarium Review

I purchased one of these cascade shallow rimless tanks back in February. On my build threads from various forums, I have had many questions about the quality of the tank, the pros and cons, and mainly the question “Would you buy one again if you started another tank?”

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.

Tropic Marin Bio Actif Aquarium Salt Mix Review

Editor's Note: this post introduces Ryan Burdios, a Philippino native, biologist and  our latest contributing author!

Tropic Marin salt (the salt used by every major wholesaler in the US) released their  newest sea salt mix formula dubbed Bio-Actif last year.  They sent a bucket to us here at Captive Aquatics, and I have recently switched to this new(er) sea salt mix. I purchased my second box after I was impressed with the first bucket!  Tropic Marin suggests that changing up to 15% weekly will improve the overall health of the tank, and also boost colors, so we'll see if they're right in this review.

CoralVue T5/LED Fixture Review

Coralvue, makers of Octopus skimmers and other aquarium products, has forayed into the field of reef aquarium lighting.  They were nice enough to send over their new 6 bulb T5/LED fixture for review, so let's get to it!

 

Ecoxotic PAR38 LED Spotlight Review

Ecoxotic was nice enough to send over their PAR38 spotlight for review.  LED Lighting, especially for reef aquariums and nature aquariums is definitely a step in the right direction, so I'm excited to be able to review another LED aquarium lighting option!

Sustainable Aquatics Benefits the Hobby, the Environment, and Local Peoples

We're a big fan of anyone that practices sustainable ecological principles in this hobby, and none more than Sustainable Aquatics.  Offering a variety of captive bred clownfish species and morphs, Sustainable Aquatics takes things one step further with their Sustainable Islands project. 

AquaRay's AquaBeam 500 LED Reef Aquarium Light Strip Review

American Aquarium Products (a US distributor of TMC Aquarium Products) sent over the AquaBeam 500, a wide angle aquarium LED light strip for review - and I'm impressed.  The latest generation of Cree LEDs (the XR-E and XR-G emitters) and are now viable (and excellent) LED options for reef aquarium lighting and nature aquarium lighting!

On to the review!

Unboxing the X-Inout Reef Aquarium Overflow and Wavemaker

Xaqua's X-inout was first introduced at this year's Interzoo, and although we got our hands on one a little while ago, I just now finally found time to take a few pics for everyone to see.  I still haven't gotten a chance to break out the acrylic hole saw and install it, but here's what I have so far! 

The X-inout device looks promising, and it's actually very simple.  A built in, completely redesigned overflow system that's nice and compact (about 4x3x2 inches), while your existing return pump line (up to 2000 lph) snugs onto the barbed return connector.  The device creates a ripple, or wave effect, that not only affects the surface, but surges gently through the entire aquarium, creating a very nice looking effect.  Given the inferiority of in tank water pumps, and the fact that most aquariums are set up with inadequate plumbing for proper water motion, I'm excited about this new device.  We'll see how it affects reef aquarium water motion, so keep checking back for a video of the X-inout in action on one of our holding tanks in the coming weeks!

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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