In this postmodern, internet-based hobby world, it seems that the venerable local fish store (“LFS”) is under constant attack. E-tailers, hobbyist’ garage based start-ups, group buys, eBay, Craigslist, and even frag swaps are but a few of the challenges facing the brick-and-mortar fish store. Our hobby changes constantly and quickly. What was hot 3 months [...]

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The false shepard hybrid angelfish is a unique Centropyge that occurs with some regularity near ornamental marine fish collection sites in the Phillipines. Less than two years ago when the false shepard hybrid angelfish first started becoming available it was initially identified as a true Mango angelfish, Centropyge shepardi. At IMAC West 2009 John Coppolino [...]

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The LumenAqua LED Nano 200 and 300 are some new small aquarium LED fixtures which don’t even waste any time pretending to be original. We know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the Mame Eco-Light is the clear recipient of the design rip off, but LumenAqua didn’t even think about what it is [...]

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Ecotech Marine just fired off a newsletter email that has some pretty unambiguous wording about a new pump they will be releasing at MACNA next week. Ecotech said in the newsletter to “get pumped for something new” and to stop by the Ecotech Marine booth “to take a look at our exciting new product, and [...]

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Marineland just released information on their new Reef capable LED lighting fixtures to the masses. We first reported the Reef Capable light back in March and it looks like Marineland is finally ready to get this LED light to production. This new Reef Capable line still uses the slim stylized lighting profile of their double [...]

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Inexpensive LED grow lights starting to hit the market for orchid growers and hydroponic gardeners are a great investment for a refugium, low light marine aquarium or better yet for a planted freshwater tank. For the reef purist not paying attention to other semi-related hobbies, you are missing out on some great deals and cross-utilization [...]

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When Avast Marine asked us to review their new and affordable Swabbie automatic neck cleaner for protein skimmers, we thought we’d give them a little bit a challenge. Instead of sending us a po-dunk little skimmer neck cleaner we tasked Avast with custom building a ginormous neck cleaner for the nearly six inch diameter neck [...]

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We find it odd that the race for LED lights started at the top with everyone vying for having the best or brightest reef light. Companies are still aiming to grow mini reef corals with LEDs but now it seems like the LED makers have caught on to supplemental, accent, twilight and moonlight LED strips [...]

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