Harlequinmania

This could mean that your tank cycling is not completed yet. Just wait for a few more day and test again.

You can try Madpetz at sin Ming.

It's brown in color, need to give it a quick wash before putting into the water.

Click through to see the images. August 25, 2012 schedule of events: 11:00 Open 11-30-1:30 Food will be available 12:00 Scott Fellman “Aquascaping for the Aesthetically Challenged” 1:30 Tony Vargas “Wrasses” 3:00 Jake Adams “LED, practical knowledge and applications” 4:30 Sanjay Joshi “Aquarium Lighting” 6:00 Close All of the speakers will available throughout the day for visitors to meet and talk. August 26, 2012 schedule of events: 11:00 Open 1:00 Mitch Carl “Aquarium Pests” 2:30-3:00 “Q&A with the experts” 6:00 Close Nebraska Aquatic Supply is located at 4014 south 108th St, Omaha, NE 68137 (402-934-8206). View the full article

Click through to see the images. It means that the pillar coral colonies, Dendrogyra cylindricus, are strong and healthy as they have enough energy to invest in producing eggs and sperm for sexual reproduction. While these corals can reproduce by fragmentation, broadcast spawning has the added advantage of increasing the genetic diversity of the population as well as their range. Of particular interest to the scientists was the discovery of female coral among the males (pictured above): “We were so excited to see the girls,” said Kate Lunz, research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “We were kind of wondering if there were any girls here. But they all sort of mixed together with multiple coral colonies going off — sometimes twice.” This species of coral never had a large population in Florida waters due to its slow growth. The curio trade in the 1950's and 1960's hurt the population even more as these corals were in demand for decoration. Fortunately now that its collection is banned, pillar coral is making a comeback. (via The Miami Herald) View the full article

Click through to see the images. Incidentally if you want to build your own higher end underwater ROV, check out our blog post on the OpenROV project. (via Make) View the full article

Click through to see the images. Radion TIR Lens kits now available increasing peak output by up to 45% Since their unveiling at Interzoo, you have been asking how you can get your hands on a TIR Lens upgrade for your Radion. We are pleased to announce that the TIR lens upgrade kits are now available! What is TIR? TIR stands for Total Internal Reflection. By redirecting more of each LED cluster’s output in a usable direction (in your tank), TIR lenses are able to boost peak PAR levels by up to 45% and total (average) PAR levels by up to 23% beneath the fixture without sacrificing spread[1] or consuming additional power. Put Your PAR Where Your Tank Is On the Left is a Radion using the current lens and reflector. On the Right is a Radion using the the new TIR lens kit. Readings where taken over a 30x30 inch area at 12 inches from the light. As Promised… While many make claims - EcoTech delivers. The TIR lens incorporates EcoTech’s ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement for the benefit of its customers. A modular upgrade for a truly modular fixture makes the Radion an ever brighter solution for aquarium lighting. How Do I get Them? TIR Lens kits (2x TIR lenses 2x wire ties) are available for $30 (MSRP) from your local fish store or from EcoTech Marine’s part store. For a map of EcoTech dealers please visit: http://ecotechmarine.com/find-retailers/retailers/ For EcoTech’s parts store please visit: http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/ [1] in a 20x20 inch area View the full article

Click through to see the images. Radion TIR Lens kits now available increasing peak output by up to 45% Since their unveiling at Interzoo, you have been asking how you can get your hands on a TIR Lens upgrade for your Radion. We are pleased to announce that the TIR lens upgrade kits are now available! What is TIR? TIR stands for Total Internal Reflection. By redirecting more of each LED cluster’s output in a usable direction (in your tank), TIR lenses are able to boost peak PAR levels by up to 45% and total (average) PAR levels by up to 23% beneath the fixture without sacrificing spread[1] or consuming additional power. Put Your PAR Where Your Tank Is On the Left is a Radion using the current lens and reflector. On the Right is a Radion using the the new TIR lens kit. Readings where taken over a 30x30 inch area at 12 inches from the light. As Promised… While many make claims - EcoTech delivers. The TIR lens incorporates EcoTech’s ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement for the benefit of its customers. A modular upgrade for a truly modular fixture makes the Radion an ever brighter solution for aquarium lighting. How Do I get Them? TIR Lens kits (2x TIR lenses 2x wire ties) are available for $30 (MSRP) from your local fish store or from EcoTech Marine’s part store. For a map of EcoTech dealers please visit: http://ecotechmarine.com/find-retailers/retailers/ For EcoTech’s parts store please visit: http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/ [1] in a 20x20 inch area View the full article

Click through to see the images. The art and science of reefkeeping continues its steady progression with introductions of equipment that we only dreamed about in the hobby's early days. Early on, it was recognized that lighting was critical while water motion received relatively little attention. Since the reef hobby was such a tiny fraction of the aquarium trade, few manufacturers were catering to the needs of reefers so hobbyists were forced to improvise. Serious hobbyists were handcrafting dump buckets and siphon-based Carlson Surge Devices. One dedicated aquarist, Jimmy Chen, modified a Little Giantâ„¢ pump by adding a model boat propeller. This ingenious concept would have far-reaching ramifications and eventually revolutionized the way we move water in reef aquaria. After years of sitting on the sidelines, Marineland finally decided to get into the propeller pump business and now offers Maxi-Jets in three configurations: Propeller Pump, Powerhead, and Utility Pump, all available in a single package marketed under the name of Maxi-Jet Pro. These new designs and configurations call for another in-depth look at their performance. How will the New Maxi-Jets compare against the old? Marineland Aquarium Products' Maxi-Jet pumps have been around for quite some time. These pumps, with their epoxy-encapsulated motors proved to be highly reliable and became workhorses within the hobby. Recently, their design changed as well as their country of manufacture. The original Maxi-Jets were imported from Italy; they are now made in the Peoples' Republic of China. Although similar in appearance, the new pumps are slightly different and parts are not interchangeable between the new and old designs. The manufacturer promises relatively high performance while offering them at very modest prices. Is this a case of 'you get what you pay for' or are they a true value? Manufacturers' Specifications These specifications are current at the time of this writing: Maxi-Jet Powerheads Maxi-Jet 400 Pro Powerhead Advertised Flow (gallons per hour/liters per hour): 110/416 Impeller Diameter: ~13/16" (21mm), 6 vanes, tan plastic impeller Discharge Diameter: ~1/2" (12mm) Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Powerhead Advertised Flow (gallons per hour/liters per hour): 160/606 Impeller Diameter: 1-1/8" (29mm), 6 vanes, red plastic impeller Discharge Diameter: ~1/2" (12mm) Maxi-Jet 900 Pro Powerhead Advertised Flow (gallons per hour/liters per hour): 230/871 Impeller Diameter: 1" (25mm), 6 vanes, yellow plastic impeller Discharge Diameter: ~1/2" (12mm) Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Power head Advertised Flow (gallons per hour/liters per hour): 295/1,117 Impeller Diameter: 1-3/8" (35mm), 6 vanes, purple plastic impeller Discharge Diameter: ~1/2" (12mm) Maxi-Jet Propeller Pumps Maxi-Jet 400 Pro Propeller Advertised Flow (gallons per hour): 500 Number of Blades: 2 (gray plastic) Propeller Diameter: 1-1/4" (33mm) Discharge Diameter: 1-11/16" (43mm) Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Propeller Advertised Flow (gallons per hour): 750 Number of Blades: 2 (white plastic) Propeller Diameter: 1-3/8" (43mm) Discharge Diameter: 1-11/16" (43mm) Maxi-Jet 900 Pro Propeller Advertised Flow (gallons per hour): 1,000 Number of Blades: 3 (gray plastic) Propeller Diameter: 1-7/16" (37mm) Discharge Diameter: 1-13/16" (47mm) Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Propeller Advertised Flow (gallons per hour): 1,300 Number of Blades: 3 (white plastic) Propeller Diameter: 1-1/2" (39mm) Discharge Diameter: 1-13/16" (47mm) Flow Rates - Advertised versus Actual How much water pumps move is often a prime factor when considering a purchase. Tests were performed according to methods listing in Testing Protocols (below). How do these pumps' advertised flow rates stack? See Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 1. The 'new' Maxi-Jet models 400, 600, and 900 powerheads pump more water than advertised. The 1200 pumps almost exactly what the manufacturer claims. Figure 2. The 'new' models 600, 900, and 1200 Maxi-Jets pump more than the older design. Figure 3. Advertised flows were exceeded by all models except for the Maxi-Jet 1200. Flow Attenuation The weakening (attenuation) of flow over distance is an important, but often overlooked, concern. Simply looking at the number of gallons pumped per hour or discharge velocities fails to tell the whole story. Knowing at what distance the flow drops below a certain point is valuable information when decided how many pumps to use. On a natural coral reef here in Hawaii, flow velocity is normally about 4 inches (0.25 feet) per second, hence we'll use that figure as a cutoff point. As Figure 4 shows, flow velocity drops below 4 inches per second at a distance of about 17-18 inches from the Maxi-Jet 400 pump's discharge. Figure 4. Flow velocities as a function of distance. Figure 5 shows us a Maxi-Jet 1200 propeller pump can push water at a velocity of 4 inches per second about 24 inches from the pump's discharge. Figure 5. Velocity attenuation of the maxi-Jet 1200 propeller pump. Power Consumption: Powerheads, New & Old, and Prop Pumps Reefkeeping is not known as a particularly inexpensive hobby. After initial setup and livestock purchases, there are monthly maintenance costs to consider. Power consumption is usually tops the list of routine expenses. See Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6. See comments on power consumption in the 'Comments' section below. Figure 7. Power consumption of Maxi-Jet's four models. Powerhead Power Consumption - Old versus New The new Maxi-Jet powerheads (made in China) draw more power than the old powerheads (Italian made). See Figure 8. Figure 8. Power consumption of the new and old Maxi-Jets. Power consumption is only part of the story. To be objective, efficiency must be estimated. In order to do this, amount of water pumped was divided by watts. See Figure 9. Figure 9. New and Old Powerhead Efficiencies. The 'old' Maxi-Jet 400 powerhead was not tested. Mounting Hardware The Maxi-Jet Pro box comes packed with various pieces for the three different pump configurations. One of these - a mount with suction cups - can be used with all three. When used to mount the pump to the floor of an aquarium, it will work just fine. Using the suction cups on a vertical surface is a different story. It is only a matter of time before the suction cups lose their grip and allow the pump to fall. Another piece included is a hanger with articulated joint called an omni-directional mount. I found the ball-and-socket friction fit to be sloppy and it would not keep the pump in position. There is an inexpensive fix - once the desired position is determined, a drop of Super Glue on the ball-and-socket joint will weld it in place. I would personally prefer that the new joints were as tight as the old ones. Obviously a flexible joint allows a lot of latitude. Compatible with Sure Grip Magnets The new Maxi-Jet omni-directional holder design is compatible with Sure Grip magnets. The magnets are expensive relative to the cost of the pump, they're a good investment considering the investment you've got in livestock. Noise Pump & At Start-Up Maxi-Jet pumps operate on alternating current (AC) and this presents some engineering challenges for the propeller pumps. The propeller must spin in the proper direction to push flow into the aquarium. This is a problem with alternating current - at start up, the prop may or may not spin in the correct rotation. To overcome this issue, engineers have incorporated a ratchet-like device at the end of the propeller's axial shaft. If the prop turns the wrong way, it pushes itself into this ratchet stop and once movement is arrested, it should start to spin correctly and pushes itself away from the stop device. Simple and usually effective but there is a downside - when the prop engages the stop, it makes a chattering noise until it begins to rotate correctly. This is one of the reasons why propeller pumps operating on alternating current are not recommended for use with wavemakers (there is also the possibility of damage to the prop assembly). Noise is not much of an issue when the Maxi-Jet is used in the powerhead or utility pump configurations. The impeller can spin in either direction and still push water. Powerheads can be used on wavemakers. As mentioned, the propeller volute is held on the motor housing by friction fit. There is a chance that vibration will make a low humming noise if the volute is not properly fitted to the housing. Are New & Old Parts Interchangeable? No. Parts of the old and new design are not interchangeable. Any post-market propeller modifications will not work with the new design. Electrical Cord Length The four pumps examined here have a cord length of 72 inches (~1.83 meters). Although this detail may seem trivial, it is not. Generous cord lengths (as we have here) are a plus when used with larger aquaria or when dealing with distant power outlets. It is especially important in making 'drip loops' to prevent water from migrating to an electrical outlet. Comments Likes: Price. If you can't afford these pumps, you should consider a hobby other than reefkeeping. Flexibility. These pumps can meet many demands - they can run reactors, small skimmers, and can mix smaller batches of artificial seawater, plus move enough water in smaller reef tanks. Marineland's advertising claims generally underestimate their products' performances. The 400, 600, and 900 powerhead models exceed advertised pump rate claims and the 1200 almost exactly matches their flow estimate. These new models pump more than the older Italian-made units so it is not surprising that these 'new' Maxi-Jets consume more power. The propeller pumps also exceed the amount of water pumped as claimed by the manufacturer. These pumps are listed by Underwriter's Laboratories. The new 1200 powerhead is more energy efficient than the older (Italian) model. Mounting hardware is compatible with at least one post-market magnet (such as Sure Grip). Dislikes: The friction fit of the omni-directional mount is sloppy and does not hold the powerhead/prop pump in position. Although a fix is simple (a drop of Super Glue will fix the mount in place), I'd rather see tighter tolerances to allow on-going latitude in positioning. The shroud for the propeller pump must be carefully placed to allow proper alignment with the propeller assembly's axial shaft. There will be vibration if there is a lot of misalignment. I have heard reports of the propeller housing coming loose and 'blowing off'. I didn't see this during testing and feel the friction fit of the housing to the pump motor is enough to hold it in place. It is possible that misalignment and resulting vibration could be to blame for the housing coming off. If misalignment is relatively minor, no vibration is apparent and it's possible that flow output will be reduced. I had problems getting proper alignment on the 1200 and reduced flow was not apparent unless I checked the power draw with a watt meter, or determined flow velocity with an electronic water velocity meter. Suction cup mount for vertical surfaces. These invariably become detached. The new 600 and 900 model powerheads are less energy efficient than the older model powerheads. No foam covers to keep foreign particles from entering the prop pumps are offered. Recommendations Based on flow attenuation data presented above, two or more of the propeller pumps should be adequate for smaller reef aquaria (up to ~20 gallons). More should be used for larger tanks. Do not use the propeller pumps with fishes that 'pick' such as Chelmon butterflies (or any of the longnose butterflies) - they whirling motion of the moving prop attracts their attention. Disaster awaits when their snouts meet the propeller. These pumps are not perfect and the propeller versions suffer from some design issues, however, they perform as advertised or better, and the price makes them attractive to budget-minded hobbyists sensitive to the cost of the pump. Warranty Marineland Aquarium Products warranties these pumps for 2 years after date of purchase, and will repair or replace defective parts at their option. See www.marineland.com for details. Testing Protocol All pumps were tested in a 240-gallon test tank (6'x2'x2') filled with saltwater at a specific gravity of 1.025. Water velocity was measured with an electronic water velocity meter (FloMate 2000 made by Marsh-McBirney, Frederick, Maryland, USA). Velocity was plugged into this formula (Flow=Velocity x Area) in order to determine flow rate of gallons per hour. Electricity consumption was monitored by a Kill-A-Watt power meter made by P3, International. View the full article

Click through to see the images. I have blogged about how 3D printing could change the game for the saltwater aquarium hobby with my series on using 3D printers to design and develop products at home inexpensively for use with aquariums. 3D printers like the Makerbot and Reprap extrude a hot noodle of plastic and build a part layer-by-layer. This project diverges from that aspect and instead sprays a soil / binder mixture three dimensionally using a robot to build a shape. The project is called Stone Spray. The Stone Spray project is a new technology developed by architects Petr Novikov, Inder Shergill and Anna Kulik in conjunction with the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, supervised by Marta Male-Alemany, Jordi Portell and Miquel Lloveras. As mentioned, a robot sprays a soil / binder mix into a three-dimensional shape and then dries in place. The technology is reportedly ecologically friendly using very little energy to function and can run off of solar power. The group also has an ebook explaining the project in more detail. Take a look at some of the shapes that the project has created: The Sand Wall experiment showed that the the system can be aplied in the architectural scale. The result represents a part of the wall. It is structurally strong and can support not only itself but even bear a load. Size: 500 mm x 150 mm x 400 mm. The Sand Tree experiment explored the possibilities of multi directional spraying without the scaffolding. As a result the rules of length to angle proportions were created. Size: 200 mm x 200 mm x 400 mm. This stool is replicating the the first model done with formwork, but in this case the metal wire is not used. The structure holds itself without any support material, the only materials used are sand and soil-solidifier. As well the size of the stool was increased. Size: 400 mm x 400 mm x 400 mm. This stool was made using a Stone Spray nozzle and wire scaffolding. It took only 3 hours to make it and 1 hour for it to solidify completely. Size: 200 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm. (via Ponoko) View the full article

Running Refugium = Low running cost since you do not need to replace any filter media. However, it take time for the refugium to settle and take effect, and it might not be as effective as running FR to remove P04 and N03. If possible. I will have have both running if i have the space for it. Happy reefing..

Maybe you can also Try Rowa ..

Did you wash the media Before putting into the tank? If not it will take some time to clear, and if it doesn't maybe you can try adding carbon and extra filter sponge. Phosguard is to remove p04 to prevent algae bloom , but it will not remove those algae already in your tank. You will have to remove it manually, and low p04 will helps prevent it from coming back again.

Click through to see the images. In my last installment, I asked for ideas of things to 3D print for saltwater reef aquariums. Kevin Erickson, Vice President of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America, threw out the challenge of 3D printing a venturi injector for a protein skimmer. Kent Marine Black Turbo Venturi - 3/4 inch, available from Marine Depot for $20. Venturi injectors, when coupled with a good pressure pump and air source, are a good way to inject fine bubbles of air into the reaction chamber of a protein skimmer. The way they work is a high pressure jet of liquid is forced through a small orifice in the injector. Just past this small orifice is an air source that allows air to flow into the injector. When the high pressure jet of liquid shoots past this air source, it pulls some of the air in as the liquid shoots past the hole. Tuned just right, this leads to a very fine bubble size within the protein skimmer reaction body. Air being sucked into a venturi/injector - notice the thousands of small bubbles present after the suction port. From ozoneapplications.com. A quick search of Thingiverse yielded two venturi injectors. One was for steam injection and the other one was for air injection but needed printed in three parts. The pipe for the steam injection model was too narrow in diameter so that one was excluded. My preference is to design something so it doesn't require multiple parts and is parametric, meaning I can change a variable and the model adjusts itself accordingly, thus I decide to design my own. It just so happened I had an old Red Sea Berlin protein skimmer modded years ago with a 3/4-inch Kent Marine Black Turbo Venturi powered by a Mag7 submersible aquarium pump. I had purchased this venturi injector from Marine Depot as at the time they were the only store that carried it. This mod worked rather well on my 30 gallon aquarium before I took the tank down three years ago. I pulled the Kent venturi off the skimmer, took some measurements, and went to work in my modeling software. 30 minutes later, here was the result: A model of the venturi injector. The part is oriented vertically in the direction that it will print on a 3D printer. The venturi injector was pretty easy to model all things considered. When one thinks about it, a venturi injector is nothing more than a series of hollow cones and cylinders. Combine them in the right way and you have a venturi injector. Some of you may wonder what the rectanglar piece is under the air port. This is support material for the air port which is printed sticking straight out from the injector. Without this support, the air port would not print properly and when printed this piece is cut away from the part. One of the problem areas I have with 3D printing is printing narrow pipe threads due to my particular model of 3D printer. While I can print pipe threads, they are messy to clean up and sometimes problematic to seal properly from water leakage. I opted instead to use off-the-shelf 3/4-inch PVC threaded couplings for attaching the venturi injector to the pump and protein skimmer. I used one 1/2-inch slip (F) to 3/4-threaded (M) and one 1/2-inch slip (F) to 3/4-threaded (F) which cost me ~ $2.50 at my local hardware store. I then 3D printed the venturi injector on my Makerbot Cupcake: The unassembled venturi with PVC fittings ready for gluing. Assembly was simple. Add PVC cement to the couplings and slip the venturi into them and wait. The fit was very snug into the slip fittings and the PVC cement worked well at joining the parts. The assembled venturi injector ready to screw into the skimmer and Mag7 pump. The weight after printing was 14.1 grams. With ABS cost at $53 per 2 kg, the part ended up costing me $0.37 not including electricity. The retail Kent venturi available from Marine Depot costs $20 before shipping yielding a net savings of $17-$20 if I factor in shipping. Here is the final result completely plumbed together: The assembled skimmer, venturi injector, and Mag7 pump. I have not yet tried it on a complete saltwater reef aquarium so I cannot speak to its effectiveness compared to the Kent version. However, I have tried it in a bucket and it works well at injecting air, which proves proof-of-concept. For those of you that have a 3D printer at your disposal, I have published the design on Thingiverse for others to use in their projects. Print and enjoy! In addition, here is a link to all of my other 3D printing articles in case you would like to check out what I have already designed and printed. In my next installment, I will talk about a 3D printing challenge I received while at the Marine Breeding Initiative Workshop two weekends ago. Give me a challenge: what would you like to see me print? I want your ideas! View the full article

Saw that Fish channel is also carrying REDSEA salt now..

I feel for a energy saving sustainable setup, equipment selection is important. I look at the wattage consumption of all my pump when i make purchase and i tried to have my pump placed outside of the sump tank to avoid adding heat into the water another important equipment to consider is chiller and lighting which take up majority of the energy consumption of the tank. Try to go for a Drop in coil compressor chiller and LED lighting as you will be surprise how much it save you on your electricity bill each month.

Click through to see the images. The authors of the study have found that pollution and overfishing on reef systems have an ecological cascading effect -- the proliferation of microbes, sponges, and worms -- that further degrade corals, a discovery that underlines the complexity of reefs and possible solutions. The study appears in the online edition of Marine Ecology Progress Series. The authors include M. Carreiro-Silva of the Center of IMAR of the University of Azores and Tim McClanahan of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The paper examines how human activities can create unexpected complications in coral reef recovery and management. For instance, recent experimental studies by Carreiro-Silva and colleagues in Belize and Kenya demonstrated that a higher nutrient content in coral reefs associated with growing agriculture activity and urbanization increased the rate at which reefs eroded from microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, as well as larger animals like sponges and worms. While the study cites previous work suggesting a faster erosion of reef calcium carbonate with high pollution levels, the experimental manipulations and use of reefs experiencing different levels of fishing and pollution strongly supports those previous conclusions. An entirely new finding from this research is that worms are major eroders of reefs where fishing is heavy, while sponges play this same role in unfished reefs of the kind found in marine parks. This suggests that it is not only nutrients and pollution that are eroding the reef substratum. Marine consumers like fish and sea-urchins also appear to be influencing species that erode the reef substratum. In heavily fished reefs, sea-urchins are the dominant grazers, and their grazing activity is so intense that only fast-growing early colonist species such as worms are able to grow inside the reef substratum. The lack of fish may also make these holes a safe haven for worms. In this scenario, worms then take over the role that sponges usually play. "This change in the roles of worms and sponges shows how the affects of fishing can cascade down even into the hidden crevices of coral reefs," said Dr. Carreiro-Silva of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries at the University of the Azores in Portugal and the lead author of the study. In areas impacted with high levels of runoff and drainage from land, such as some of the oldest marine parks in Kenya, researchers have found the highest levels of reef decay; in these instances, the increased pollution produces an abundance of sponges that live in and erode reef cavities. Dr. Tim McClanahan, senior conservationist for the Wildlife Conservation Society and co-author of the study added: "This problem is outside of the usual control of park managers and shows the importance of maintaining clean waters if reefs are to grow and keep up with the rise in sea levels." The study authors are concerned about the cascading effects of pollution and overfishing on already stressed coral reef systems. Intensive erosion of carbonates has the potential to undermine reef growth and diminish reef structure over time, an increasing challenge as ocean temperatures and sea levels rise. The authors point out that reducing pollution, the influence of run-off, drainage of highlands and wetlands, and other sources of non-point pollution and land development in coastal areas are critical in conserving the ecological services provided by coral reefs. Dr. Carreiro-Silva speculates that one unstudied but looming problem is the increased acidification of the ocean that will add to the growing intensity of impacts. Acidification created by increased emissions of carbon dioxide weakens coral skeletons and creates opportunities for species that like to live in hidden crevices and further dissolve the reef structure. "Ultimately, the synergy between these different impacts may lead to the deterioration and eventual collapse of the reefs unless greater efforts are made to reduce the many sources of pollution and excessive use of coral reefs as fisheries," she added. via Wildlife Conservation Society (via EurekAlert!) Journal Reference: Carreiro-Silva M, McClanahan TR, Kiene WE. Effects of inorganic nutrients and organic matter on microbial euendolithic community composition and microbioerosion rates. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2012 View the full article

marine life should still have these as well.

Are you using RO/DI for your salt mix during water change? Did you check your p04 and N03 level ? Try to find the root cause of your problem so that you can solve it.

Click through to see the images. Led by the University of Exeter, the study by an international team of scientists is published today (1 August 2012) in the journal Geology. Middle Reef is located just 4 km off the mainland coast near Townsville, Australia, on the inner Great Barrier Reef shelf. Unlike the clear waters in which most reefs grow, Middle Reef grows in water that is persistently 'muddy'. The sediment comes from waves churning up the muddy sea floor and from seasonal river flood plumes. The Queensland coast has changed significantly since European settlement, with natural vegetation cleared for agricultural use increasing sediment runoff. High levels of sediment result in poor water quality, which is believed to have a detrimental effect on marine biodiversity. The research team collected cores through the structure of Middle Reef to analyse how it had grown. They used radiocarbon dating to map out the precise growth rate of the reef. Results show that the reef started to grow only about 700 years ago but that it has subsequently grown rapidly towards sea level at rates averaging nearly 1 cm per year. These rates are significantly higher than those measured on most clear water reefs on the Great Barrier Reef and elsewhere. Most intriguingly, the periods of most rapid growth – averaging 1.3 cm a year – occurred when the accumulation rates of land-derived sediment within the reef structure were also at their peak. They discovered that, while the reef faced high sediment levels after the European settlers arrived in the 1800s, these same conditions were also part of the long-term environmental regime under which the reef grew. Although there is evidence that other reefs have suffered degradation from high levels of sediment, these findings suggest that in some cases reefs can adapt to these conditions and thrive. For Middle Reef, rapid rates of vertical reef growth have, paradoxically, probably been aided by the high sedimentation rates. The team believe this is because the accumulating sediment rapidly covers the coral skeletons after their death, preventing their destruction by fish, urchins and other biological eroders, thus promoting coral framework preservation and rapid reef growth. Professor Chris Perry of Geography at the University of Exeter said: "Our research challenges the long-held assumption that high sedimentation rates are necessarily bad news in terms of coral reef growth. It is exciting to discover that Middle Reef has in fact thrived in these unpromising conditions. It is, however, important to remain cautious when considering what this means for other reefs. Middle Reef includes corals adapted to deal with high sedimentation and low light conditions. Other reefs where corals and various other reef organisms are less well adapted may not do so well if sediment inputs increased. "Our research calls for a rethink on some of the classic models of reef growth. At a time when these delicate and unique ecosystems are under threat from climate change and ocean acidification, a view endorsed in a recent consensus statement from many of the World's coral reef scientists, it is more important than ever that we understand how, when and where reefs can grow and thrive." (press release EurekAlert) View the full article

Click through to see the images. Air-Mailed Live Fish, Canada-style! Jan Bailey observed a big golden fish mysteriously falling from their backyard cedar tree. When her husband went out to investigate the strange occurrence, he discovered something even more bizarre; The fish - a large 25cm (10 inch) midas cichlid - was still alive! The Baileys quickly placed the fish in a water and contacted their friend Lynda Taylor (an aquarist), who is currently tending for the fish in a 30 gallon aquarium while they attempt to to locate the owner of this heaven-sent cichlid affectionately named "Lucky." How might this have happened? The popular theory is a large bird such as a heron snatched the pet fish but accidentally dropped its meal in flight. The tree likely broke the cichlid's fall, allowing it to survive the harrowing experience. So if you're looking for your lost midas cichlid, there are Canadian women you should talk to. [via Leader-Post /North Shore News] View the full article

Happy National day Singapore.. Holiday shopping this week ?

A shallow tank is preferred, and i think your 10W LED is not bright enough for growth. I used to use PAR38 LED and the result is satisfactory.

Click through to see the images. #10: Pixar announces Finding Nemo 2 Pixar has confirmed plans for a sequel to their popular 2003 animated feature film, 'Finding Nemo.' 'Finding Nemo 2' is tentatively scheduled for a 2016 release. As we have previously reported, Pixar is also re-releasing the original 'Finding Nemo' in 3D on September 14, 2012. Read more... #9: Insanely awesome steampunk 3D printed octopus vehicle For the last several weeks I have talked about different things one can build with a 3D printer. The items I printed pale in comparison to this work of art by Sean Charlesworth who designed and printed this robotic beauty over the course of two semesters for his thesis in 3D modeling and animation. Read more... #8: A Personifer, a Clownfish and their Carpet Anemones 3reef.com member 'zumaboy' tells one of the craziest fish stories we've read about the unlikely friendship between a Personifer Angelfish, a Madagascar Clownfish, and the Carpet Anemones they call home. Read more... #7: The world's biggest pearl? United Kingdom: A fisherman inadvertently dredged a 145 million year old mega-oyster that just might contain the world's biggest pearl. MRI scans reveal a golf-ball-sized round object inside the fossilized oyster. Read more... #6: AquaSD bringing the heat this summer with some sizzling hot coral California retailer AquaSD has shown us some amazing livestock photos we had to showcase. The colors rival the most spectacular July Fourth fireworks. Hyperbole? Judge for yourself. Read more... #5: The Genetic Possibilities behind the "Lightning" trait in PNG White Stripe Maroon Clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus Baby Lightning Maroons suggest an answer to the questionable genetic basis for this fantastic Maroon Clownfish variant from PNG, but the answer spawns new questions. How does general genetic understandings, particularly when viewed through the example of freshwater Angelfish breeding, frame the potential explanations behind what we now see, how we should talk about it, and where the Lightning Maroon will push designer clownfish breeding going forward? Read more... #4: The strange case of a woman and the squid that tried to inseminate her mouth We are filing this story in the "What the heck?!" folder. Read more... #3: Manage your power cords with DJ power switchers Who among us would like to be able to just switch their equipment on and off from a central switch system? I know I would. In the past people have wired light switches to individual power outlets and this tip completely negates this old-school method of controlling equipment. It is more compact and in the long run costs much less. Read more... #2: How to determine the sex of Banggai cardinalfish Banggai cardinalfish, Pteragon kauderni, are the referred to as the "guppies" of the marine fish breeding world. However, determining their sex in order to form pairs is sometimes problematic. Read more... #1: Asia's largest public aquarium opens today The new Aqua Planet Jeju at Seogwipo (South Korea) takes the crown from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Japan). With a combined water volume of 10,800 tons, Aqua Planet Jeju is now Asia's largest public aquarium. Read more... View the full article

More watt usually mean greater brightness however some LED has similar PAR output with fluorescent tube but with consuming lesser wattageThis which is also why LED is commonly call green lighting.