Equipment

Reverse Osmosis and Deionization explained

When I was growing up, we were actually taught computer programming in school using punch cards that needed to be inserted into the computer. It was extremely rudimentary and slow, but it did teach me one valuable lesson: garbage in,…

Why Flow is So Critical in a Reef Aquarium

If you shut off your skimmer for a day or two there is usually no problem. I have also shut off all my lights for four days to kill algae and again there was no issue with the corals. But…

What to do about rusty cabinet hinges

Throughout our reefing lives, there are some issues that have a habit of repeating themselves, and one of those is a propensity for cabinet hinges to rust. The marine hobby has come a long way, but in order to get…

Beginners: Frequently Asked Questions on Wavemakers 

It’s that time again when we answer all of the questions that get fired at us on a particular subject, even the most basic ones. Here are our answers to all the most basic questions we’re asked each week on…

AquaEl Opti Set aquarium can house up to nine LED light strips

The marine conversion market is considerable and few freshwater aquarium sets scream out for some saltwater fun like this one from Polish manufacturer AquaEl.

DIY: Tool Maintenance

When you get into this hobby there are certain tools that go along with maintaining the aquarium system. Using the correct tools and keeping them in top shape will make you job easier. Unfortunately most tools are taken for granted…

The quest for improved pH levels: Heat/Energy Recovery Ventilators

PH is one of the most important parameters governing the growth and calcification of corals in the wild and in our reef tanks. However keeping aquarium pH water within a desirable range can be difficult with elevated indoor carbon dioxide…

First Impressions: CoralVue Hydros

Innovation is key for any industry to survive. As a product developer in the real world I can truly appreciate what it takes to bring a product to market. But as a 23 year hobbyist I have probably seen and…

Plan for an Accessible Saltwater Aquarium

There’s a lot to consider when planning a new saltwater aquarium system—where to site the tank in your home, what sort of livestock you’d like to keep, what equipment will serve your needs best, how to gaslight your significant other…

Diving into Underwater Cameras

This article is a bit of a departure from the typical reef aquarium topics I cover. Photography is a big part of Tidal Gardens, and sometimes we like to take the camera underwater. To do that, we need an underwater…