Above is a video of the Xaqua X-Inout from Fins Reef that we introduced yesterday. The video displays two of the wavemaker’s creating a nice wave action in an SPS dominated reef. Though the video doesn’t show it, the wave action is effective all the way to the bottom of the aquarium. Other footage covering Interzoo 2010 shows the corals near the bottom of the aquarium pulsing back and forth in the current created Xaqua X-Inout. This device could help eliminate the need for extra pumps to create waves in a reef tank, thereby reducing the amount of energy your aquarium requires. The Xaqua X-Inout is currently available to reef keepers in the US, to the tune of $180.

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40wES

We were finally able to get our hands on the EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w with the new EcoSmart controller, and we must say we are impressed. The propeller assembly (both wet and dry sides of the pump) seems to be unchanged, but the big change comes in the form of the pump controller. The new EcoSmart driver features improved wireless range, an on/off button, wave auto-tune mode, two new flow modes (Nutrient Transport Mode and Tidal Swell Mode), improved feed and night modes, a battery backup power meter, and an improved casing. See below for more pictures and pricing information.

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w with Ecosmart

Here’s a breakdown of the prices for the new VorTechs and the EcoSmart drivers:

• VorTech MP10 ES – $219.99
• VorTech MP10wES – $264.99
• VorTech MP40wES – $444.99

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w Ecosmart

VorTech MP40w Ecosmart Specifications

Ecoxotic PAR 38 LED

Our good friends, and AquaNerd sponsor, Ecoxotic are releasing a new LED lamp, their very own PAR38 lamp. This new screw-in lamp will fit into any standard E26/E27 sockets and will feature five high powered Cree LED bulbs and lenses, as well as an integrated ballast. Additionally, these lamps will come in two varieties, 12K white and 455nm Royal Blue. The 12K white lamp will have three white bulbs and two 455nm bulbs to give a very balanced light color. The 455nm PAR38 will ideally be used as actinic supplementation or for those aquarium keepers who really like the blue look. Each lamp will use 21watts of energy, transferring little to no heat to your aquarium, while still delivering a lot of light output and the highly sought after “shimmer effect” traditionally seen with metal halides. The retail prices for these lamps will be just under $120. See more product information and pictures below.

Ecoxotic PAR38 LED Lamp

Here’s a little more information from Ecoxotic:

There’s nothing like adding cool lighting effects to your aquarium, and now you can do by adding far less to your electric bill. These powerful spotlights not only focus light energy, they will bring out colors and produce ripples you’ve never seen before.

Each lamp features 5 high power Cree LEDs with focusing lenses, allowing light to penetrate deeper in depth while producing stunning color and shimmer effects. Now you can deliver light into your aquarium only where needed, reducing wasted light and lowering your energy costs.

Ecoxotic 12K PAR38 LED

Ecoxotic 455nm PAR38 LED Lamp

To see more Ecoxotic products, check out our product reviews on the Panorama LED Module and the Stunner Strips.

Direct Aquarium

We would like to proudly announce our newest sponsor to the AquaNerd Blog, Direct Aquarium. Direct Aquarium offers both freshwater and saltwater aquarium equipment, as well as pond equipment, so they can pretty much cover all of your aquatic needs.

Frag Tank with Sublaze

Wow, I’ve had such a busy weekend. I ordered a bunch of stuff from Premium Aquatics last week and they finally arrived on Friday. So, I cracked those boxes open and assembled my new Sunlight Supply Sunblaze 48 T5HO light fixture. This is the light that will go over the Frag Tank I’m currently in the middle of building. In addition to the new light, several other items came in, including the new Hydor Koralia Evolution pump. It’s not for me unfortunately, as several of my local hobbyist went in on a group buy with me, but I was allowed to tinker with the pump and see what all of the new features are (more on this later!). To wrap the weekend up, I attended the MARSH Frag Swap/Picnic and hung the new light over the frag tank. We’ll have plenty more information on all of these things, but the weekend has me to exhausted to go into too much detail at the moment. We’ll update you throughout the week.

Hydor Korala Evolution

Frag Tank and Stand

I had a very busy weekend and started setting up a new frag tank. The aquarium is 48″L x 24″D x 16″T, for a total of about 80 gallons. A friend built the aquarium out of acrylic and added an external overflow box, which is really nice for those of you who haven’t had one, as well as a eurobrace. After having the aquarium sit in a spare bedroom for about two weeks, I finally started building the stand. I didn’t intend to finish out the project, but I got into a groove and wound up getting the stand completely finished, paint and all. I’m not 100% sure what I’m going to do equipment-wise for this setup, but I’ve already got a Tunze 6105 powerhead, a Mag 9.5 return pump, Euro Reef RS250 protein skimmer, and either a GEO 618 or Deltec PF601 calcium reactor on standby. Most of that equipment is overkill for a setup this small, but it’s all that I had left over from a previous aquarium breakdown. More pictures available below.

EcoTech VorTech Ecosmart Driver

Continuing on with our update of the new EcoSmart drivers from EcoTech Marine, we focus now on the new flow modes. The new EcoSmart driver introduces us to two brand new modes, the EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode and the EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode, each with very detail descriptions and visualizations below. In addition to the new modes, all of the older modes are retained. The older modes being Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes.

EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode

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

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

VorTech Reef Crest and Lagoonal 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.

EcoSmart Operational Modes

EcoSmart Operational Modes

The EcoSmart Driver sports many new modes and features, including:

• Improved Wireless Range
• On/Off Button
• Wave Auto-Tune Mode
• EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
• EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
• Auto-Dim 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