Reef Builders | The Reef Aquarium Blog

Reef Stock at the Denver Downtown aquarium Tomorrow

Ryan Gripp — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:49:38 +0000

Reef Builders is here live at the Denver Aquarium for the annual Reef Stock Event. The coral vendors have just about finished setting their displays up and getting cozy to their new one day homes. There are so many amazing corals here that you’d better get here early in line before they all get snapped up. But likely no single buyer will be able to purchase them all, seriously there is that many. Did we mention there are new products here? Some that we haven’t covered on the site before ever! Not just new LEDs either, although we haven’t seen so many different new LED products crammed into such a venue. For all the details about Reef Stock visit the Reef Stock site, and remember bring at least $10 cash to get in tomorrow morning. We highly recommend to bring a lot more. You’ll want to have it for all the new stuff that is here.

Win a Free Willy DVD/Blu Ray from Marine Depot

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:10:19 +0000

Marine Depot has teamed up with Warner Brothers to promote the DVD/Blu-Ray release of Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove. The movie should be enjoyed of aquarium hobbyists of all ages, especially kids. You can win your own copy of the movie by entering Marine Depot’s giveaway by signing up to their newsletter between today and March 30th. Plus, not only can you win a copy of the Free Willy DVD/Blu-Ray but there are other prizes like a flat panel TV or even a Blu-Ray player. Click the read link for more details

via [Marine Depot]

More Details about Marine Depot’s Giveaway

1. First prize is a 32” flat screen TV and a DVD copy of Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove

2. Second prize is a Blu-Ray Player and a copy of Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove in the Blu-Ray format

3. 9 Third prize winners will receive DVD copies of Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove

EcoSmart Driver Pricing and upgrade paths for MP10, MP20, MP40 Vortech pumps

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:53:53 +0000

The EcoSmart Driver is scheduled to be released at the end of this Month by retailers in the United States. However, what about those folks in other countries such as the United Kingdom or European Union? The UK should get a release date by Mid April at the latest with Europe following soon thereafter. Because of Ecotech Marine US based manufacturer facilities it does take some time to get over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans respectively. Here is how US pricing is laid out and for our International readers don’t forget to factor in VAT. Hopefully this guide will clear up all the confusion that our readers we’re having.

MP40
Full price for the MP40w EcoSmart upgrade is $100
(This is discounted to $75 for all customers until April 30th)

MP20
You need to purchase a MP40 Power Supply $50
MP40w EcoSmart upgrade is $100
(remember the this is discounted to $75 until April 30th)

MP10
Full price for the MP10 EcoSmart upgrade $85
(no discount)

Don’t forget about the EcoSmart Driver Rebate program.

Sea Dwelling Creatures gets hooked on Reef Nutrition

Brian Blank — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:05:45 +0000

Two of our favorite companies have teamed up — and not in a cage match Battle Royale either. Wholesaler Sea Dwelling Creatures is now distributing Reef Nutrition products making it much easier to not only get some great fish and corals shipped to your favorite local fish store but some great products to feed your tank. The products are shipped farm fresh to Sea Dwelling Creatures from Reef Nutrition ensuring only the freshest product is getting sent out. Having quality foods like this to a nice list of other non-livestock items at SDC is great, helping to cut down on shipping costs and streamlining the store’s invoicing…it’s a win-win on both sides. So ask your favorite fish merchant to pick up some great Tigger Pods, Oyster Feast, Phyto Feast or other fresh, “nummy” concoction next time they place an order…your fish and coral will thank you.

Video: Wave Auto Tune on EcoSmart Driver

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:55:59 +0000

Besides the new modes of EcoTech Marine’s EcoSmart driver the interface gets a much needed overhall. The original controller was long due for a refresh and we are glad EcoTech decided to gives us more features. However, because the driver has been updated you’ll need to re-learn the programming steps of the controller. In the video above you’ll learn how to Auto Tune a wave on your EcoSmart driver. The auto tune function doesn’t look to hard and hats off to Ecotech for providing a video that we all can follow and learn from.

EcoSmart Driver rebate for Vortech MP40 owners

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:36:21 +0000

The new Vortech Ecosmart driver has quite a few new modes and features. However, what happens to those that already have a Vortech with old generation drivers? Not to worry. Ecotech Marine has released an upgrade rebate route that is fairly simple. For those of you who purchased a VorTech MP40w pump in 2010 you can download the rebate, mail it back in and receive a $25 rebate by mail. The covet here is that you had to purchase your pump in 2010, which leaves the rest of us who purchased before then out in the dark and forced to buy the ecosmart driver for full price $100. Of course we all could keep our water flow going cheerfully with our plain-boring drivers that work. But who wants to use last years tech?

At EcoTech, we are committed to our customers. As a result, EcoTech is offering a manufacturer’s rebate to our US customer base for all VorTech MP40w pumps purchased in 2010 if they upgrade to the new EcoSmart Driver.

All customers who qualify will receive a $25 mail in rebate on new EcoSmart Upgrade kits. To qualify, the following conditions need to be met.

Download the rebate form here –> EcoSmart Rebate

You must have purchased the MP40w between 1/1/10 and 4/30/10
You must provide a receipt from an authorized retailer and the UPC from the MP40w box
You must have purchased the EcoSmart Upgrade kit from the EcoTech Marine Parts Store before 4/30/2010
You must provide a receipt from the EcoTech Marine Parts Store
You must postmark the rebate packet within 30 days of purchase of the EcoSmart Upgrade kit

EcoSmart Driver for Vortech pumps from Ecotech Marine

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:18:10 +0000

Ecotech Marine released the EcoSmart Driver today. This is an upgrade for the existing Wireless Wave Driver or WWD and will be included on all new EcoTech vortech pumps. The new driver has improved wirless range new “EcoSmart” wave modes, Auto Tune mode, and additional features. “The wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers has been significantly increased. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations.”

The EcoSmart Driver features many new modes including:

Improved Wireless Range
On/Off Button
Wave Auto-Tune Mode
EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
Dark Mode
New and Improved Night Mode, Feed Mode, Battery Backup Power Meter
The Classic Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes are still included
A new more water resistant driver case

Hit the read more link to read the full scoop off what this driver has to offer.

So, what IS the EcoSmart Driver?

The EcoSmart driver is an upgrade for our existing Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) and will be included on all new EcoTech pumps. This driver has a new and improved wireless range, new “EcoSmart” wave modes, Auto Tune mode, and much much more.

With the introduction of the new EcoSmart driver to the market, we will be offering a wireless version of the MP10 which gives the discerning aquarist much more control over their small or medium size reef aquarium.

In addition to exciting new modes such as Wave Auto Tune and the EcoSmart multi pump modes, the wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers has been significantly increased. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations.

EcoSmart Product Features and Sales Information

The new EcoSmart drivers are NOT a standalone product
The EcoSmart driver is available as an upgrade for existing wireless and non-wireless pumps.
The new EcoTech MP40w and MP10 lines will only be available with the new EcoSmart drivers.

The EcoSmart Driver features many new modes including:

Improved Wireless Range
On/Off Button
Wave Auto-Tune Mode
EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
Dark Mode
New and Improved Night Mode, Feed Mode, Battery Backup Power Meter
The Classic Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes are still included
A new more water resistant driver case
A description of the modes can be found here

EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
In this EcoSmart mode water is circulated to create a harmonic balance in your aquarium reminiscent of the changing flow conditions that would be found in nature. Over the course of several hours, the flow pattern will go from very chaotic with an emphasis on left to right flow direction to an emphasis on right to left flow direction, all the while experiencing calm period in between and followed by a great surge of flow at the very end of the cycle. Adjusting the dial changes the maximum speed achieved at any time during this mode. Slave pumps should be positioned opposite the master and on the back of the tank to take full advantage of the EcoSmart modes.

EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
In this EcoSmart mode, water is circulated in a two phase program consisting of wave motion to stir up detritus and surging motion to move the detritus into your overflow where it can be skimmed out. This effect promotes maximum health and nutrient export, as well as increased growth for sensitive corals such as SPS. Adjusting the dial changes the maximum speed achieved at any time during this mode. Slave pumps should be positioned opposite the master and on the back of the tank to take full advantage of the EcoSmart modes.

Classic Reef-Crest and Lagoonal Random Modes
In random mode you can toggle between two different modes, Reef-Crest and Lagoonal. When a pump is in Lagoonal Random Mode, the dial is used to set the maximum operational speed, and the driver will automatically randomize the pumps output to simulate either a high (Reef-Crest) or low (Lagoonal) energy reef environment. If this pump is a master, the associated slave pumps will replicate the master in sync or anti-sync modes.

New EcoSmart Models

All new MP10 pumps purchased from EcoTech Marine will be available for purchase in both wireless and non wireless models:

MP10 ES
MP10w ES
Non-wireless MP10 ES drivers can purchase the RF Module to upgrade to the wireless version

All new MP40w pumps purchased from EcoTech Marine will only be available in the wireless version:

MP40w ES

All Wireless EcoSmart drivers will be backwards compatible with the MP40w wireless pumps.

Reef Circulator powerhead by Aquael from Poland

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:53:24 +0000

Poland has a newish pump on the market called Reef Circulator that is made by Aquael which is a polish company. The model we keep finding is the 2600 version that is said to pump 2600 liters/hour and use only 4 watts. The pump is a curious one at that, with a tear down of the pump revealing a unique design. The magnet that attaches to the glass has a rubber ring around it so that any vibrations caused by the pump are minimal reducing noise. Only the AC version pump is available for purchase at the moment in the UK and Europe for around 60 euro. However, Aquael is said to be working on a brushless DC powered pump that is still in the prototype phases. Now that is something we are definitely interested in.

[via TPC]

ReefCirculator pump is designed to circulate water in reef aquariums. It consists of miniature body fi tted on a magnetic hanger. Precise and almost unrestricted setting of the output direction is allowed by an articulated joint of the pump body with the hanger, furthermore specially designed amortization system eliminates any potential vibrations. Small size of the device facilitate its easy concealment among rocks and other decorative elements inside the tank.
- provides ideal circulation of water in aquarium
- low power consumption
- does not increase water temperature
- exceptionally quiet
- very efficient

No Related

Aquascaped wonder Cube aquarium lit by LEDs

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:45:35 +0000

Reef Stock is just lesss than 48 hours away while I’m writing this. And if this is any indication of what it is in store for the Aquascaping competition then whoa! The 20-ish gallon 18″ cube aquarium uses a very unique aquascaping rock work designed by John Ciotti. The tank receives 50% water changes two times a week with feedings throughout the day and carbon and purigen is run on the tank 24/7. You’ll see various livestock specifically 7 cardinals and two gobies which were all tank bred. Also of note, we do talk a lot about LEDs on Reef Builders and this tank is lit by a panorama LED unit by Ecoxotic. You’ll be able to see more awesome stuff like this at Reef Stock.

Quick ‘n Dirty hands-on with the last Beta of the Seashine light

Jake Adams — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:00:43 +0000

One of the big attractions at this weekend’s ReefStock is the first public viewing of the production level Seashine lights from Stray Light Optical. As we hustle to finalize all the last minute details of ReefStock, we still had time to fire up the final Beta level Seashine light that we are beginning to review. This post is just about throwing light on a wall but for all the nitty gritty details of this light, see our previous coverage. Hit the read link for our raw first impressions of the Seashine lighting up a wall.

First of all, you should never, Ever, NEVER handle a light while it is turned on, especially when the innards recreate the surface of the sun; we are professionally trained bloggers and at least I was wearing an oven mitt, and a fancy one at that. The images were made with the white balance adjusted to a flat white surface while the Seashine was at 100% power intensity. The wall it is lighting up is semi-gloss and a shade between eggshell-white and cream-white. In the image above we are holding the light about 8″ away from the wall at full brightness. The image below is still full intensity but now the pendant is about 20″/50cm from the wall. The neat square projection of light from the Seashine is very different from the uneven spread we are used to from halide pendants.

In this image the light is about 50% intensity and ~10″ from the wall. At this power level the light coloration has definitely shifted to a cool white shade.
The image below is still 50% intensity and about 20″ from the wall.

At the minimum power level of 20% the Plasma Arc light becomes very blue. It’s not quite the deepest 20,000K radium blue but we would compare it to the color of a well driven 14-15,000K halide lamp.

Reef Builders | The Reef Aquarium Blog

Reef Stock at the Denver Downtown aquarium Tomorrow

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