Archive for the ‘Reef Chemistry’ Category
Believe it or not, STD’s in the ocean
With the finger often pointing towards aquarium keepers destroying the reefs, people tend to look past some of the natural problems these fragile ecosystems face. Yes, we do agree there are people out there that could care less if they are harming ocean life as long as they have money in their pocket, just like [...]
Ways to Improve the Saltwater Aquarium Industry
With all of the talk in Hawaii from the anti-aquarium activists, we’re constantly exploring new ways to make our hobby better and more responsible. Before I proceed, I should make it clear that this is not an admission on my part that the aquarium industry is doing anything wrong. Rather, it is merely an exploration [...]
Tip of the Day – 2/12/2011
Contrary to popular belief, not all pH calibration fluids are the same. When purchasing pH calibration fluid, try to stick to major brand names such as Pinpoint, Hanna, and Milwaukee. A comparison done by Randy Holmes-Farley showed a huge discrepancy in several different brands. In one case a pH4 calibration fluid measured pH6! Bad calibration [...]
Elos Potassium Test Kit Review
Elos recently released two test kits under their new “expert” test kit line. These are the Phosphate and Potassium test kits, of which we have reviewed the Potassium kit. Here we take an up-close look at it, and throw it up against a more popular potassium test kit, the KZ Kalium testkit. Potassium dosing is [...]
Peeing in Our Tanks to Jump Start the Cycle
I came across a very interesting thread on one of the forums discussing the act of urinating in a newly set up marine aquarium in an attempt to jump start the nitrogen cycle. The basic premise behind the theory is that ammonia in the urine won’t have to come from decaying organic matter typically found [...]
Can Aquarium Water Be Too Pure?
With aquarium filtration becoming more advanced, a lot of reef aquariums are beginning to run extremely low nitrate and phosphate levels. Protein skimmers, bio pellets, chemical additives, and large/frequent water changes are doing what they are intended to do (e.g. remove dissolved organics), but are some aquarists going too far? Natural seawater does have detectable [...]
The Awesome Power of ZEOvit
A short time back I was wanting something more from my reef tank. I saw all of the spectacular coral colors that people using ZEOvit and other amino acid additives were getting and I wanted to get in on the action. I researched and read about all of the different user guides and reviews of [...]
NP BioPellets at Aquarium Specialty
Aquarium Specialty has secured exclusive distributorship of NP BioPellets for the United States. Dubbed “solid vodka”, NP BioPellets are composed of biodegradable polymers than can be placed virtually anywhere in the aquarium. These BioPellets will allow aerobic bacteria to use the carbon source provided by the pellet, allowing the bacteria population to grow. Bacterial growth [...]
Phosphates in Your Reef Aquarium – Part 2
Phosphates in Your Reef Aquarium – Part 2 (Part 2 is a follow-up of Phosphates in Your Reef Aquarium – Part 1) Sources of Phosphate Phosphates come from a wide variety of sources. They can show up in fish and coral foods, fish waste, decaying or uneaten food, aquarium salts, pH and kH buffers, filter [...]
Phosphates in Your Reef Aquarium – Part 1
Phosphates in Your Reef Aquarium – Part 1 (This is Part 1 of a Multiple Part Article. So, stay tuned for the remainder.) Why Phosphates are a Bad Thing Phosphates, although a major component of natural sea water, can wreak havoc on a closed aquarium system. Even in low concentrations, phosphates can spur algae growth [...]
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