Deal$ and Special$ - VOL I

While browsing the net from time to time I come across good deals, and thought I should start sharing them with you! Today I present two deals: one on live stock, and one on dry goods (and pet supplies).

Livestock:
Interested in getting some rare and unique coral? Maybe you love Zoas but are looking for some unique colors and patters? Check our Marine Depot Live! I was just cursing their webpage browsing their selection of coral and was greeted with a pleasant surprise: a 10% coupon for signing up for their mailing list. Done!

Sign up for the mailing list when prompted to save 10% on your next order.

MarineDepotLive (MDL) offers flat rate shipping for $24.99 and even Saturday delivery (for an additional charge). They guarantee their livestock for 14 days under their Arrive Alive Guarantee, so you know you're covered!

Dry Goods and Pet Supplies:

Looking for dry goods for your aquarium (lighting, filtration, skimmers, media, etc...)? PetStore.com has extended their sale for 10% off. Use the coupon as much as you want to save on aquarium Supplies AND pet supplies. The code again is VIPCHRIS. This code will save you 10% off your subtotal*, and orders over $75 ship for free.

(*Some restrictions apply. This coupon is not valid on MAP pricing items such as those from Ecotech, Aqua Illumination,  Maxspect, Reef Octopus...)

Just head on over to PetStore.com and enter VIPCHRIS at checkout!

Go now and save some cash! I hope everyone has a great 3-day weekend relaxing or working on their aquariums. Until next time...

May 2013 Aquarium Update

My aquarium is filling up quicker than ever. I owe a lot of the health to simple consistent maintenance... And my good friend, Kalkwasser.

The biopellets seem to be doing a great job at keeping nutrients down. Nitrates are still 0, and I've noticed almost no algae growing on the glass. I have also completely rid the tank of hair algae and cyano, so things are sitting pretty.

My only issues seem to be the loss or bleaching of SPS at the top of my rock. I lost two separate colonies of Green Slimer, my Pink and Damicornus isn't looking great, and my bird's nest is starting to show signs of bleaching. At this time I'm attributing it to the new Maxspect Razor (lighting system), and my attempts to increase the output past 50%. I have since reduced it back to the high 30's. Fingers: crossed.

More images after the jump...

Skimmer Overflowing? Try the Rem's Reef Method!!

Collection cup fitted with ball valve.

I had a mild but persistent Cyano (red slime) problem a few months back. While water changes kept the problem somewhat at bay, there were still a few spots where the red slime was clinging on. I had some cyano remover left over from a previous treatment, so I figured I would give it a try again.

Everything went well; the cyano went away, nothing perished. Good times. I did my 20% water change, replaced carbon, and in kicked on the skimmer. The skimmer overflowed. The annoying white clear foam rose through the skimmer's collection cup like a volcano... Not a real one, more like a papermache volcano from a science fair... but sill fiercely annoying! I removed the collection cup to let it do its thing. It overflowed.

I added more carbon and did another water change. It. Well... Overflowed. I let it run for a day and night. Guess what? It just kept overflowing. BLAST! I've used the product before and it usually got better on its own. This time- my skimmer continued to overflow.

Product Review: Maxspect Razor

I posted a "sneak peak" of the Maxspect Razor when it was first released last year which proved to be quite the popular article (Sneak Peak - Maxspect Razor R420R LED!). Months later, I've been toying with the idea of replacing my T5 fixture with an LED fixture. When I was offered the opportunity to put the Maxspect Razor on my aquarium to see if I liked it, I jumped at it.

The box

I've now created a second review after having my hands on this for a while... More pictures after the jump.

IMPORTANT: Our Hobby Needs Us NOW!

Big Money - "Save the reef!"

I try not to simply re-post or direct link to other sites material, but this is too important not to feature.

Several of the species of coral that we keep in our own aquariums could soon be placed on the Endangered Species List. Murray W. Camp, a respected hobbyist and reef expert is helping to lead the fight and get the word out. Please visit the following links for further information on how we can help.

• AI Lighting: 
• We need your help!
• Reefbuilders.com: 
• Reef Hobby needs YOU: call for comments regarding ESA coral listing

Most hobbyists are responsible and eco-conscious individuals. We would often prefer to propogate our own coral and purchase tank raised specimens whenever possible. While intentions to save the reefs are noble, this legislation appears to go too far. This could harm our hobby and the industry that employs so many people.

Hopefully our voice will be heard! Let's keep reefing.

Product Review: AquaMaxx EcoMaxx 100 (EM100) Protein Skimmer

Sometimes being an early adapter of a product can scare some people off, but not this reef nerd. "AquaMaxx has a new skimmer design with a new pump?! Count me in!"

(As you can tell by my video, it's difficult to take good images of anything in my sump. Sorry.)

A handful of my fellow reefing buddies (reef nerds) have been running the AquaMaxx AM series in sump protein skimmers, and we have a HOB-1 (hang on back) on the 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube. I had heard great things about these AquaMaxx protein skimmers and seen great results from fellow reef nerds. When I was setting up my system and purchasing my first in-sump skimmer, I hit a snag: I only had 23" of height to work with in my tank stand. The coveted AquaMaxx skimmer I wanted would have to wait for another day.

Editorial note: I was reluctant to post my review for this skimmer as I was too excited/lazy to document the assembly and install process. The skimmer has now been in my sump for over 6 months, and I have yet to take any photos of the skimmer for my review. That said, I did imbed a quick YouTube video above so see it after it had been in my system for a month or so, and I'll update this post in the future if I take some photos.

(Follow the link to read more...)