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The Tampa Bay Saltwater Experience
I’ve been a Tampa Bay Saltwater customer for more than a decade now and have started at least half a dozen saltwater reef aquariums using their rock, sand, and clean-up crew. TBS is an amazing asset and resource for hobbyists in the USA. In this article, I hope to offer some insight into their product/service, take you on a little journey, and show you what it’s like to purchase “The Package”. Who is Tampa Bay Saltwater? Tampa Bay Saltwater (TBS) is a small family-run outfit based in Tampa, Florida that was started nearly 40 years ago by Richard Londeree, who recently handed the reigns over to two young Florida-native siblings,…
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Best Value Mirrorless Cameras I love in 2022
It’s been a while since I’ve talked about camera equipment. Although the basics may stay the same, technology keeps moving at a rapid pace. Below I will offer some suggestions on what I feel are the best VALUES in mirrorless cameras today. Not the least expensive, but the ones I feel offer great performance at a fair price. If you feel that you are (or will be) at all serious about your photography, get something that will work for you long term, but without buying into features you won’t really need. So let’s take a look at what is out there today and what I feel are the best value…
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Tank, Lights, Action!
Well, not much action yet, but at least we have a tank and lights! GHL Mitras LX7 The lights went up first. I needed access to the back of the stand and it is a whole lot easier to move the stand WITHOUT a large glass aquarium sitting on top. I went with the GHL Mitras LX7. These are the new 4-cluster units and the leds are selected specifically for freshwater planted. The model is 7004. I’ve used the saltwater version over my reef tanks in the past and have always been very pleased. Here is an unboxing video that shows the light and what comes with it, as well…
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Building the Waterbox Clear Pro Stand
We found the perfect spot for the new Waterbox Clear Pro aquarium, so now it’s time to build the stand! The stand is from Waterbox and it’s designed to fit the new Waterbox Clear Pro 6025 tank perfectly. Gathering the pieces: Here is the hardware as supplied from Waterbox Aquariums. Next we had to bring all the pieces in from the garage. And there was a lot! Let’s build! You start with the base. There are A LOT of leveling feet.The instructions are bit lacking. They are illustrated steps, nice and clear but almost zero mention of any of the hardware.If you’ve put IKEA together before, it shouldn’t be a…
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The Elos Experience
Automobiles, Cigars, Fashion, Food, Wine… One thing these all have in common is they all have a product that seems to be the pinnacle in their category. Your daily driver may be a Honda Accord but you dream about owning a classic 60’s Ferrari GTO Spyder. Your faux leather purse gets the job done but you drool over your best friend’s Coach handbag. In the aquarium world, there are a couple of brands of aquariums that are regarded as best in class. Some just appreciate them from afar, some strive to create the look of them, but what is it like to actually own one? Read on for my personal…
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The GHL Mitras LX7 LED Light for Reef Aquariums – Review
Full disclosure before we get into this review. I’m a HUGE fan of the Metal Halide/T5 Combo when it comes to saltwater reef lighting, especially when the goal is to grow vibrant healthy SPS coral. I’ve always considered it king, and LED just wasn’t up to “par”. Come on… you have to allow me at least ONE lighting joke in a lighting review. 😉 Enter the GHL Mitras LX7. When I received the GHL Mitras LX7 it was going to replace a Reefbrite MH fixture. Less heat, lower power consumption, and more control. The question was how would my coral react? And how does this light stand up to other…
