Archive for October 2008
The Green Chromis or the Blue Green Chromis, Chromis viridis, is a species of damselfish. Individuals tend to be iridescent apple-green and light blue, and reach a length of about 3 in (8 cm).
The species is found in the Indo-Pacific. They live in large aggregations above Acropora corals in sheltered areas such as lagoons and reef flats and feed on phytoplankton. Juveniles live closely tied to individual coral heads.
C. viridis spawn over sand and rubble. The male prepares the nest which is shared with several females. The large number of eggs will hatch in 2-3 days. The male guards the nest, ventilating it with its fins and feeding on those eggs that do not hatch.
In a marine aquarium, schools should be kept in small groups of odd numbers. The Green Chromis is often considered an ideal starter fish for the saltwater aquarium novice and is a peaceful and hardy species.
The Green Chromis should not be housed with larger predatory fish, as they may become food themselves. Groupers, lionfish, and eels all present an element of danger for this peaceful species.
Buy at saltwaterfish.com.
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Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
NEW FROM SEACHEM!
Vitality™ is a comprehensive vitamin, amino acid, and trace element supplement developed to address nutritional requirements commonly associated with long term closed system housing of marine ornamental fish. Vitality™ contains ascorbic acid in a heavy base of spirulina and chlorella. Ascorbic acid is a cofactor in the hydroxylation of proline and lysine to components of procollagen, the precursor of collagen, necessary for the formation of connective tissues, scar tissue in wound repair, and bone matrix. * Both spirulina and chlorella contain a rich assortment of amino acids and vitamins. Vitality™ can be used on freshwater ornamental fish; however, it is specifically designed for marine fish.
Sizes: 50 mL, 100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 2 L, 4 L, 20 L
Why It’s Different
Vitality’s™ formulation is based on the most scientifically current information on fish nutrient requirements (National Academy of Science) while addressing specific requirements of marine fish. Vitality™ contains ascorbic acid in a heavy base of spirulina and chlorella (see above for the unique benfits of spirulina and chlorella).
The Orbicular Batfish (Platax orbicularis) is a popular aquarium fish endemic to tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Its body is almost disc-shaped, and very thin; the tail, about 20% of the body length, is fan-shaped and taller than it is long. Males can grow to up to 50cm in length, though aquarium specimens are generally much shorter. In the wild, the Orbicular Batfish is found in brackish or marine waters, usually around reefs, at depths from 5 to 30 metres. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa in the east to the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia in the west, and from southern Japan in the north to northern Australia and New Caledonia. It has been recorded off the coast of Florida, though this may be the result of dumping of aquarium specimens.
Juvenile fish are solitary or live in small groups, among mangroves or other inner sheltered lagoons. Adults are found in more open waters and at greater depth.
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Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
NEW I-5 Series Solaris LED Illumination System
The Solaris is the first LED System designed to replace Metal Halide and Fluorescent lighting for the Aquarium Reef Tanks. PFO Lighting started shipping the original G series in September of 2006.
In September 2008 they completely redesigned the entire fixture and moved manufacturing from China to USA.
Primary Design Changes between the Chinese made G, H4, early I-4 models:
- Made in USA with LEDs produced from Phillips Lumileds that are manufactured in Malaysia.
- LEDS were changed from 25 K2 driven at 1000ma to 30 Rebels driven at 800 ma.
- Drive circuit has been changed to monitor and control both current and voltage. (Patent Pending).
- Power Supply Manufacturer has been changed and installed in a larger enclosure and drives at 24V DC.
- All Chinese hand soldered control board, distribution boards, and LED boards have been changed to surface mount machine wave soldered in USA.
- All mounting hardware has been changed to black oxide covered Stainless Steel.
- Fan Guards are now cut into end plates for a better look and eliminate rust potential.
- LCD display has been updated and has a blue background.
- All wiring is contained in internal wire holder.
- Acrylic Lens is designed for easy removal for cleaning.
- USA designed packaging for UPS approved shipping.
- All units are UPC labeled.
- All circuit boards have latching quick disconnects for easy assembly and secure connections when shipping.
- 100% testing and burn in for 48 hours.
The new I5 series produces PAR light output levels equal to a 400W MH 15k. It uses 40% less energy than the 400W MH 15k fixtures it replaces. The life of the LEDs is approximately 50,000 hours, so it almost eliminates metal halide and fluorescent bulb replacements. All heat is radiated up and away from the tank; therefore, it does not heat the water like Metal Halides or Fluorescents. This eliminates the need for Chillers. The room air conditioner needs to work ½ as much since the light fixture produces only ½ the heat of Metal Halides which saves even more energy over traditional lighting methods.
There is a built in microprocessor that controls the I5 series Solaris. This not only eliminates timers, but it allows the unit to dim the actinic blue LEDs, white LEDs, Lunar actinic blue LEDs and Lunar White LEDs independently from 0-100%. This dimming capability opens many opportunities. The light can be adjusted from 6.5K to 22K, or anywhere in between, to set the ideal color temperature. Sunrise, Daylight, Cloud Cover, Sunset, and the lunar cycle, can all be set independently.
Coral Growth has been outstanding with the new lights. There is excellent water penetration of the light.
See more at www.solarisled.com
The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is a small tropical cardinalfish (family Apogonidae). This attractive fish is popular in the aquarium trade.
In the wild, Lembeh Straits, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.This species is restricted to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. This species has an extremely limited geographic range (5,500 km²) and small total population size (estimated at 2.4 million). The Banggai cardinalfish is composed of isolated populations concentrated around the shallows of 17 large and 10 small islands within the Banggai Archipelago. A small population also occurs off Central Sulawesi, within Luwuk harbor. One additional population has become established in the Lembeh Strait (North Sulawesi), 400 km north of the natural area of the species distribution, following introduction by aquarium fish traders in 2000.
This species grows up to 8 centimetres (3 in) total length. It has a distinctive contrasting pattern of black and light bars with white spots. This species is easily differentiated from all other cardinalfish by its tasseled first dorsal fin, elongate anal and second dorsal fin rays, deeply forked caudal fin, and color pattern consisting of three black bars across the head and body and prominent black anterior edges on the anal and second dorsal fin. Males can be differentiated from females by a conspicuous enlarged oral cavity, which is apparent only when they are brooding.
Buy at saltwaterfish.com.
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Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
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