The Vertex Illumina Two is the first real major revision to the LED Light from Vertex Aquaristik since it was introduced more than four years ago. In some ways the Vertex Illumina has been the dark horse of LED reef…
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The Role of Magnesium in Marine Aquarium Chemistry
One of the big differences in moving from freshwater systems to saltwater systems is a greater emphasis on water chemistry. There is a pretty steep learning curve to get a handle on all the different chemical parameters, and it can…
Adventures in fluorescent photography in the Flores Sea
On our recent diving marathon during the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition, we brought with us many different tools for sampling and observing the natural reef environment. One particularly special device which we came into possession just in time for our travel…
Ecsenius bathi, the blenny from Komodo and the Flores Sea
Among blennies the genus Ecsenius includes some of the most colorful, personable and aquarium-suitable species. Species like Midas and Bicolor blennies are part of the mainstay of marine aquarium fishes while others like Ecsenius pictus, Ecsenius tigris and Ecsenius oculus are…
Convict chalice Echinophyllia documented in its natural habitat
Convict chalice corals are specimens of Echinophyllia plating colonies with a very distinctive series of stripes running usually from the edge of the oral disc (mouth) to the colonie’s edges. The lines of convict chalice corals can be very dark, or…
Navigobius dewa is the undisputed queen of dart fishes
The pseudo-legendary Navigobius dewa weaved its way into the hearts of rare fish lovers alike back in 2009 when it was described, with its scintillating, almost alien-techno-raver-laser pink and purple coloration. Since then, very few pieces have entered the trade,…
5 Ways Hobbyists Misuse Grazing Marine Snails
Of all the fascinating invertebrates available to marine aquarists, grazing snails are perhaps the most misused. Too often we treat them like expendable little lawnmowers, plopping them in our tanks with the express purpose of preventing or eradicating algae and…
Protecting this fish can save Caribbean reefs
Caribbean reefs could be wiped out in as little as 20 years unless reef grazers, such as parrotfish and urchins, are protected. A recent report is showing it’s not just the threat of global warming causing corals to bleach out…
Get ready for lots of exciting stories from the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition
We’re back from the Flores Sea with loads of exciting observations and documentation on the reefs of this part of Indonesia. With support from Fluval Sea and no less than nine months of planning, we succeeded in diving and surveying and…
Calcium: A Critical Element in Reef Aquariums
The stony corals, crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms in our marine aquariums depend on it to build their skeletons/shells/tests. Soft corals use it to build supportive structures, called sclerites, in their tissues. Of course, without it, you’ll never get a nice…
