Do It Yourself
Product Review: Apogee Instruments' MQ-500 Quantum Meter with Notes on Why Measuring Light Intensity is Important
Dana reviews Apogee's premium MQ-500 Quantum (PAR) Meter and explains why reefkeepers should measure the light levels in their aquariums. Apogee has also introduced a new quantum meter specifically designed for underwater aquarium use.
Product Review: Tunze Turbelle Nanostream 6020 and 6040 Propeller Pumps
From flow to power consumption, noise levels to heat transfer, Dana Riddle puts the Tunze Turbelle Nanostream propeller pumps through their paces in his extensive review.
Product Review: Apogee Instruments' PAR Meter (Model MQ-200) and Software
The Apogee MQ-200 Quantum Meter offers many advantages to aquarium hobbyists. The meter is relatively inexpensive (as quantum meters go) and the submersible sensor is small and allows measurements to be made in tight spots. Hobbyists should take a careful look and see if this PAR meter is for them.
Aquarium Equipment: PAR Meters and LEDs - How Accurate are the Measurements? A Comparison of Three Meters and Lux to PAR Conversion Factors for LEDs
How do PAR meters stack up to one another? Dana delves into the data comparing and contrasting three light meters and gives us his take on the results.
Product Review: EcoTech Marine MP60 Propeller Pump
This review will report on operational issues of a MP60 that has seen over a year of service. How well did the pump hold up? What problems, if any, encountered? These questions and others will be answered below.
Aquarium Setup: Atlantic Biotopes
Often overlooked and underappreciated, the Atlantic biotopes are amazing aquariums. Sustainable inhabitants are here in our own backyards and ready for hobbyists to create new and interesting aquariums. Much can be learned about these animals from captive systems and hobbyists have a remarkable opportunity in front of them to participate in the process and progress.
Product Review: Maxi-Jet Pro Series Pumps
Marineland Aquarium Products' Maxi-Jet pumps have been around for quite some time. Recently, their design changed as well as their country of manufacture. The manufacturer promises relatively high performance while offering them at very modest prices. Is this a case of 'you get what you pay for' or are they a true value?
Aquarium Chemistry: An Attempt to Test Test Kits
James Fatherree and Dr. David Flanigan asked hobbyists to test samples of the same water with multiple test kits. The results were interesting, with important lessons learned for both hobbyists and testing manufacturers.
Equipment Review: Getting the Most from Your T-5 Lights: A Look at Reflectors and More
It is imperative that you use reflectors with T-5 bulbs, and individual reflectors do a better job of sending light into a tank than a single reflector. Bulb temperature and even an aquarium's background has a measurable effect on lighting performance.
Feature Article: Building a Plywood Aquarium
The internet is generally a good resource of information but I did find some sites containing DIY tips for building plywood tanks that presented outdated or inaccurate information. This article will attempt to correct that information and detail the trials and tribulations of plywood aquarium construction along with updated information as well as construction time, a cost breakout and lessons learned.
Feature Aquarium: The Aquarium of Craig Bagby
Craig shares his 335 gallon reef system with us this month. His 247 gallon peninsula-style main display - with elegantly minimalistic aquascaping - and frag tank are home to an impressive assortment of vibrant corals and fishes
AmericanReef Video Podcast: Tank Tour with Dr. Sanjay Joshi of the 500 Gallon Penn State Reef Tank - Part One
AmericanReef.com visits with Dr. Sanjay Joshi at Penn State University to discuss his large 500 gallon aquarium.
Open Discussion: What's your thought on the state of water circulation?
How do you provide circulation for the critters under your care?
Feature Article: The Innovative Aquarium Products of InterZoo 2010
Jake highlights numerous products seen at InterZoo 2010.
Feature Aquarium: EcoReef One: A New Kind of Nano Reef
The description of this tanks sounds like a list of things not to do when setting up a reef tank: it has no live rock, no live sand, minimal filtration, no additives, the water is never tested, 100% water changes and yet this 5 gallon glass box is one of the most attractive, successful and least demanding reef tanks that I have ever set up.
Aquarist Courses: Marine Aquarist Courses Online (MACO) is proud to announce the first of 2010's offerings!
Classes include Marine Reef Fish Husbandry and Aquarium Photography!
Product Review: Reefing like it's 1999: How Reef Aquarium Flow and Lighting has Changed Over the Past Decade
Jake takes a walk down memory lane recounting how lighting and water flow has changed over the last ten years in the reef aquarium hobby.
Feature Article: Potential Dangers of Water Changes
Here, we report the effects observed before and after two monthly water exchanges and discussion the results' implications.
Freshwater Aquariums: How to Overhaul a Planted Tank
In any case, a planted tank occasionally needs to be bushwhacked and replanted and there a few things the aquarist can do to make the rebirth of their aquarium go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Do It Yourself: A Guide to Making Gadgets for Your Aquarium, Part Two
Dana details different techniques and items you can use to make various devices for your next aquarium project.
