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Aquariums & Technology

  • Aquariums & Technology

    June 2016

    Advances in technology are often quickly integrated into the aquarium hobby. One may say that the increasing popularity of the aquarium hobby is due to these technological advancements. Technology is allowing aquarists to take the hobby to a new level by making the ongoing care of custom built aquariums much easier.

    Some of our favourite gadgets for custom built aquariums are:

    1. Neptune Apex

    These days aquarium computers have become a key component in most high end aquarium setups. Systems of old were often extremely complicated and involved a steep learning curve for early adopters. User friendly systems such as the Apex, they are rightly finding their way onto more and more entry level systems as well.

    The Apex seems to have succeeded in being all things to all people. From a simple plug and play option for those wanting basic monitoring and control of their aquarium; to a fully kitted-out professional system with all the bells and whistles you can imagine.

    There is little that the system doesn’t offer. Password controlled access for multiple users, inputs using 3rd party switches and buttons, leak detection, auto feeders, web cam integration, PAR monitoring, dissolved oxygen and salinity, as well as the usual ORP, temp and pH, with much more to come in the future.

    However the biggest selling point is how easy it is to get up and running. In 10 minutes you are ready to get online and monitor the essential parameters of you r aquarium.
    The cloud based “Fusion Control Centre” is the hub of the system, and from where you control and program the computer (though there is an on-board option also). For more basic needs one can use the wizards to get things going. But it’s getting into the “advanced” setup when things get a little more interesting and the scope of the system becomes really apparent.
    Whilst it can take a fair bit of reading and a little trial and error, once you have your head around how the commands work, it’s not too bad at all. And if you struggle… there’s great technical support and a fantastic online community all able to lend a hand.

    All in all, the value of a system like this far exceeds its cost. Whether it’s simply to tell you your temperature is fluctuating, to shut off your auto top-off if a leak is detected, or to control every aspect of a 40’000 litre reef tank, this thing is worth its weight in gold. Following the unveiling of the latest generation of Apex controllers at Interzoo 2016, we expect the love for this particular gadget to continue to grow.

    1. Hydra HyperDrive

    LED lighting is essential for any marine set up. It provides amazing colour and shimmer effects, emphasising the beauty of your tank while maintaining the inhabitants healthy.

    LED lighting for aquarium has experienced some major technological developments in the last few years and the new Hydra 26 and 52 HD are the top end reef lights available.

    These lights have Wi-Fi on-board and will connect directly to your network or mobile device giving you the option to control the lights anywhere in the world.

    The new Hydra HD Series also brings you more power and colour where you want it, giving you the most vivid spectrum your tank has ever seen. While most LED lights have a maximum power output and a maximum power level for each channel, the new Hydra HD series can redistribute the available power from the colours that you don’t use to the colours that you do want, sending them into “overdrive”.

    Furthermore, the lights can produce a limitless number of spectral combinations to fit your aquarium’s exact need.

    1. Web Cam

    What can be more exciting than having the ability to see your tank at any time of the day, no matter where you are?

    One of the most fun aquarium monitoring tools is a web cam. We often recommend the Nest Cam for live video of your tank 24/7. The camera can use your phone’s location to know when you are away. So when you leave the house, Nest Cam will know to turn on automatically. You can also save, download and share clips over email, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

    1. New protein skimmers

    Any Marine enthusiast will tell you a skimmer is a must have piece of equipment. However, they will also mention how noisy these pieces of filtration are…until now! Deltec have come up with a real winner here, their range of ever improving SC skimmers now come with a low voltage DC pump. With the option of adding a 6 stage controller and a feed timer, you can control the skimmer to slow during feeding time or for a whisper like quietness at night.

    For anyone in the market for a top quality, well designed QUIET! Skimmer then the SC range would be our recommendation.

    1. Maxspect gyre

    Maxspect’s Gyre Generator Pump, reimagines how water is moved within the reef aquarium. Typical powerheads project the water outwards in a cone shaped pattern while the new gyre creates a rotation flow (crossflow) that claims to have no dead spots. As with other products on the market the Gyre enables different flow modes such as constant, pulse and feeding etc. With the simplistic controller it is easy to switch between modes and amend the time duration between pulses.

    Visually the gyre is a real treat, slim line and easily hidden this would be a great choice for any aquarium. Held onto the aquarium with magnets makes for easy mounting and adjustment, the only disadvantage is that the cable comes from the gyre itself. For a Wireless in tank look, check out Ecotech Marine Vortech range of pumps.

    In pulse mode there is a slight humming noise during the ramp up and ramp down measuring at approximately 47 decibels, whilst noticeable in a silent room this certainly isn’t a reason to be put off. For the power conscious hobbyist there are 10 power settings to switch between, with 10 being the highest output setting the gyre xf150 produces a fair 48W.

    With a very different flow pattern to anything else on the market and being very slim line, Maxspect really did a good job with this market defining product.

    If you need more information on custom built aquariums and the technology that you can use please contact our team here.

Aquariums & Technology

Advances in technology are often quickly integrated into the aquarium hobby. One may say that the increasing popularity of the aquarium hobby is due to these technological advancements. Technology is allowing aquarists to take the hobby to a new level by making the ongoing care of custom built aquariums much easier.

Some of our favourite gadgets for custom built aquariums are:

  1. Neptune Apex

These days aquarium computers have become a key component in most high end aquarium setups. Systems of old were often extremely complicated and involved a steep learning curve for early adopters. User friendly systems such as the Apex, they are rightly finding their way onto more and more entry level systems as well.

The Apex seems to have succeeded in being all things to all people. From a simple plug and play option for those wanting basic monitoring and control of their aquarium; to a fully kitted-out professional system with all the bells and whistles you can imagine.

There is little that the system doesn’t offer. Password controlled access for multiple users, inputs using 3rd party switches and buttons, leak detection, auto feeders, web cam integration, PAR monitoring, dissolved oxygen and salinity, as well as the usual ORP, temp and pH, with much more to come in the future.

However the biggest selling point is how easy it is to get up and running. In 10 minutes you are ready to get online and monitor the essential parameters of you r aquarium.
The cloud based “Fusion Control Centre” is the hub of the system, and from where you control and program the computer (though there is an on-board option also). For more basic needs one can use the wizards to get things going. But it’s getting into the “advanced” setup when things get a little more interesting and the scope of the system becomes really apparent.
Whilst it can take a fair bit of reading and a little trial and error, once you have your head around how the commands work, it’s not too bad at all. And if you struggle… there’s great technical support and a fantastic online community all able to lend a hand.

All in all, the value of a system like this far exceeds its cost. Whether it’s simply to tell you your temperature is fluctuating, to shut off your auto top-off if a leak is detected, or to control every aspect of a 40’000 litre reef tank, this thing is worth its weight in gold. Following the unveiling of the latest generation of Apex controllers at Interzoo 2016, we expect the love for this particular gadget to continue to grow.

  1. Hydra HyperDrive

LED lighting is essential for any marine set up. It provides amazing colour and shimmer effects, emphasising the beauty of your tank while maintaining the inhabitants healthy.

LED lighting for aquarium has experienced some major technological developments in the last few years and the new Hydra 26 and 52 HD are the top end reef lights available.

These lights have Wi-Fi on-board and will connect directly to your network or mobile device giving you the option to control the lights anywhere in the world.

The new Hydra HD Series also brings you more power and colour where you want it, giving you the most vivid spectrum your tank has ever seen. While most LED lights have a maximum power output and a maximum power level for each channel, the new Hydra HD series can redistribute the available power from the colours that you don’t use to the colours that you do want, sending them into “overdrive”.

Furthermore, the lights can produce a limitless number of spectral combinations to fit your aquarium’s exact need.

  1. Web Cam

What can be more exciting than having the ability to see your tank at any time of the day, no matter where you are?

One of the most fun aquarium monitoring tools is a web cam. We often recommend the Nest Cam for live video of your tank 24/7. The camera can use your phone’s location to know when you are away. So when you leave the house, Nest Cam will know to turn on automatically. You can also save, download and share clips over email, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

  1. New protein skimmers

Any Marine enthusiast will tell you a skimmer is a must have piece of equipment. However, they will also mention how noisy these pieces of filtration are…until now! Deltec have come up with a real winner here, their range of ever improving SC skimmers now come with a low voltage DC pump. With the option of adding a 6 stage controller and a feed timer, you can control the skimmer to slow during feeding time or for a whisper like quietness at night.

For anyone in the market for a top quality, well designed QUIET! Skimmer then the SC range would be our recommendation.

  1. Maxspect gyre

Maxspect’s Gyre Generator Pump, reimagines how water is moved within the reef aquarium. Typical powerheads project the water outwards in a cone shaped pattern while the new gyre creates a rotation flow (crossflow) that claims to have no dead spots. As with other products on the market the Gyre enables different flow modes such as constant, pulse and feeding etc. With the simplistic controller it is easy to switch between modes and amend the time duration between pulses.

Visually the gyre is a real treat, slim line and easily hidden this would be a great choice for any aquarium. Held onto the aquarium with magnets makes for easy mounting and adjustment, the only disadvantage is that the cable comes from the gyre itself. For a Wireless in tank look, check out Ecotech Marine Vortech range of pumps.

In pulse mode there is a slight humming noise during the ramp up and ramp down measuring at approximately 47 decibels, whilst noticeable in a silent room this certainly isn’t a reason to be put off. For the power conscious hobbyist there are 10 power settings to switch between, with 10 being the highest output setting the gyre xf150 produces a fair 48W.

With a very different flow pattern to anything else on the market and being very slim line, Maxspect really did a good job with this market defining product.

If you need more information on custom built aquariums and the technology that you can use please contact our team here.