Los Angeles - 

As of January 20th, US consumers can have their water tested and results uploaded within as little as 48HRS!

The grand opening of our long awaited TRITON Lab at Unique Corals in Los Angeles has finally arrived. Customers can enjoy water analysis results and TRITON’s unique AI recommendations within 48 hours of samples being received at our Los Angeles lab.

Along with rapid results and recommendations, all samples will now ship FREE back to the TRITON US Lab via USPS.  A first class return postage label is included in every testing kit. 

Simply peel off the label, affix it onto the box, drop it off in any mailbox or give it to your mailman.  Depending on your geographical location, the test will arrive at the lab within 1-3  working days.

The TRITON ICP-OES water analysis is not only about testing 36 aquarium parameters, more importantly, it is about providing customers with a deeper understanding of how these parameters affect their reef aquariums. With TRITON US Lab testing customers will receive analysis derived from the most qualified aquarium experts, with highest quality of service and advice. Triton testing is based on information derived from the world’s biggest and fastest growing database of aquarium lab analysis. TRITON’s unique recommendation system provides the user with easy-to-follow solutions based on test results, prioritized based on level of importance. Drop down tabs let you choose between habitats and problems commonly encountered to ensure that suggestions and solutions are far more customized for each client. Armed with knowledge, users can take informed and immediate action.

  

If you require further help our expert support team at the TRITON Help Desk (Hello@triton.de) is available to help you with any questions.

Effective December 29, 2019, UPS made the following changes:

• The rates for UPS^® Ground, UPS Air and International services will increase an average net 4.9%. 
• A Rebill fee will be assessed for each request to change the billing account for a shipment. 
• A Prohibited Item fee will apply to packages containing prohibited articles or restricted articles not in compliance with all UPS policies and procedures and applicable laws and regulations if found in the UPS system. 
• Value-added services and other charges will apply to undeliverable packages returned to the shipper. 
• UPS reserves the right to assess a late payment fee in an amount set forth in the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service if an invoice is not paid in full by the invoice due date. 
• The weight threshold for applying an Additional Handling surcharge will be lowered from 70 pounds to 50 pounds actual weight for UPS Ground and UPS Air services.
• The list of ZIP codes to which Delivery Area Surcharges and Extended Area Surcharges apply will change. See updated zip code listings below (under 2020 Preview Rates) for more information.
• A processing fee will apply to each request to file a single entry under Entry Type 86 for a shipment that normally qualifies for U.S. customs clearance under a consolidated manifest.
• The rates for certain value-added services and other charges will increase.

All shipping carriers including UPS and FedEx increased their rates for 2020.

Shipping costs have gone up on average 4.9%, and in some cases more, due to weight threshold lowered from 70lb to 50lb, and Saturday Delivery fee increasing, etc.

At UniqueCorals.com, we value our customers, and we want you to have the best online shopping experience. There are many variables at play when it comes to shipping, such as weather, hub delays, delivery driver delays, and other unpredictable mishaps. 99% of the time it is due to the carrier and we cannot control the transit process. We very much appreciate you trusting us to do everything in our power to get your animal to you safe and sound, and also working with us to ameliorate any shipper issues. THANK YOU!

UniqueCorals will absorb the increases and not raise shipping prices to show our gratitude. We hope you will continue to shop with us in the coming year and beyond.

 

These Belgium made Calcium Reactors have been the Go-To reactors for the world’s most demanding reefers for over a decade.  Utilizing an ultra reliable mechanical float to maintain constant Co2 saturation within the unit, DaStaCo’s have effectively removed the need for the bubble counter, flow meter and ph Probe found in conventional units.  

Mineral output is precisely dialed in by a single supplied controller that allows more CaRx effluent to discharge to the sump with the turn of a dial.  The recommend marble media dissolves perfectly at the Co2 saturation pH of 6.0.  Using pure dense limestone instead of crushed coral skeletons not only allows the user to go much longer between media additions but it also results in super steady Alk levels.  Easily connects to an Apex to receive alerts.  For the ultimate in Alk control, combine the unit with an Alkatronic from Focustronic.   

DaStaCo calcium reactor is an indispensable tool to take your reefing to the next level.  We use these units on our raceways at UniqueCorals. They are on sale for a limited time.

Ever wondered why some people can have a super enjoyable reefing experience, while others huff and puff, and labor through it all?  The process makes all the difference!

Joe is going to expound his knowledge in this area, and give step by step instructions on how to start and maintain an "ultra low maintenance" reef tank.

This one is not to be missed.  If you cannot personally attend Reefapalooza Chicago, don't worry.  BRS.tv will be recording the entire thing and will share it on Youtube.

 

Great article on the Vitamini lights by ReefBuilders

https://reefbuilders.com/…/new-illumagic-vitamini-led-supe…/

"

Available now in 36" size and 42" size, both comes with 1 pair of arms so you'll have everything you need to get these up and running right away.

After 10 years of development, the best way to run a reef system DIY. Years ago, when we developed Core7, we started down a modular path by creating two versions - Core7 Base Elements and Core7 Reef Supplements. Core7 Base Elements for the 100% TRITON Method, containing a mix of elements and other beneficial substances matching the TRITON framework, bringing users the success that TRITON is known for. Core7 Reef Supplements made for customers not using the TRITON Method but still wanting the benefits of running the most concentrated and quality controlled product on the market without dilution agents or other sources of organic carbon. Infusion is now taking this modular approach to the next level. The proven TRITON mix of elements and other beneficial substances, that were originally only available in the base elements, is now accessible for the users that don’t want to use Core7 for macro element supplementation (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulfur, Bromide, etc….) Infusion contains all traces and other beneficial substances, and their chelators, to keep them biologically available for example Iodine, Manganese, Vanadium, zinc, etc… while macro elements like Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulfur, Bromide, etc… would need to be supplied through the aquarist’s preferred macro element supplementation. Infusion makes it possible for the aquarist to run the TRITON Method and enjoy all of its benefits, success and knowledge. It allows users to avoid water changes and access the world’s largest knowledge base, while still using a calcium reactor (CaRX calcium media) or Balling salts / two part / three part.

Official Rules: https://uniquecorals.com/pages/uc-big-giveaway-contest
 

Hello all,
welcome to the #UCgrowout contest. Its always exciting to bring home that new gem with major potential. This competition will highlight a sweet tenuis that has started to already show some real potential. Hints of pinks, oranges and yellows are already beginning to show!!!!!
Rules:
-The contest will begin the first week of September. Final judging will commence the first week of May 2020. 
-Each frag will be purchased ahead of time and delivered on the customer's requested delivery date.
-Different sized frags will be available to purchase at different price points- ( Please note the contest is not based on final size but final overall growth from each frags first photo to last. Purchasing a larger frag does not mean you will have an advantage.) 
-Frags will go on sale Saturday August 10th at 12pm pst. They will be first come first serve on our website. Please search "ucgrowout" to find them on our website.
- Each contestant will be required to post a picture of their frag by the first Sunday of each month or they will be disqualified. 
-The pictures are to be taken in the same spot of the tank from month to month so there is a reference for overall growth. We do however encourage additional pictures showing off color and growth from different angles as well and additional videos. 
- One photo in actinics and one photo in whites is required each month. We suggest using a polyp lab lens for actinic photos. 
-The frags will be judged on overall growth and overall color. 
-There will be a winner for the most overall growth and one for the best overall growth and color.
-A $25 shipping module will need to be purchased for the frag at the time of purchase. You are welcome to add it to any UC order that qualifies for free shipping for no additional charge. 
-Please share with hashtag #UCgrowout
-Please sign up for Contest List below

Post details of your tank with your first picture for the month of September.
Please list the following:
1. What lights you are using?
2. Are you using a doser or CaRx?
3. Do you dose aminos or use any other supplements?

Prizes:

First Place: Winner will submit a name for this new upcoming UC Signature Piece, UC Jd Jr. frag, Polyp lab food, and 3 UC Signature Acro Frags! WOW! Retail value of $1400+
Best overall growth: Polyp lab food, 4 Pc Acropora frag pack. Retail value of $500+

 

 

Good luck, and have fun out there!

DALUA Australia enters the US market with the new skimmer: Detailed Review.

The question that always makes me concerned is the cleanliness of the water in my reef tank. So in my article today I would really like to answer the question of how it is possible to keep the tank clean from food and other organic waste that can cause the harmful environment for the corals and fish. As you know I’m a big fan of the water changes and you can check my full article on this subject here - Clear Advice – Exploring Reef Tank Water Changes. I replace at least 10% of the water in my reef tanks every week. When only water changes are enough to keep your nutrients in check for low stocked tanks, for larger and heavily stocked aquariums a right filtration system is crucial for the organic waste that is constantly growing in your tank. You might choose using only biological filtration to deal with this problem, but experienced reefers are using a protein skimmer because it has a range of advantages that will be revealed in my article below. For now I will just say that it is worth considering for those who have a saltwater aquarium.

Author:

As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.

Let’s get down to business, are protein skimmers necessary?

Skimmer cleans the water in the tank by removing organic waste from the water before it has a chance to break down and release nitrogen compounds back into your reef tank, which will affect your nutrients levels. This device makes your aquarium a healthier place for its inhabitants because parasites and other harmful microorganisms prefer to live in a dirty environment. So the main benefit of using a skimmer is that it could reduce the number of diseases among your aquarium creatures by keeping your nutrients levels in check. Click here to earn more about Nutrient Export Method Hack and How To Choose Your Ideal Method.

Secondly, skimmer helps you in a battle with algae that can really destroy all your efforts to keep your reef clean and thriving. And also, as a positive side effect, more light will pass through your aquarium, providing corals growth, and in prospect, corals will have more intense color.

Finally, organic compounds floating in the water can change the pH level. Unstable pH level is one of the factors that make a bad influence on life in your tank.

So what’s the secret, how does the skimmer work to prevent pollution of your reef?

As you know, as an engineer I love technical things, investigating how they work and making some scientific research. I am always amazed by protein skimmers, how effective and easy to use they are. Simply put, protein skimmers clean the water by the attraction of organic molecules to the thousands of air bubbles, which then move to the waste container. It’s easy isn’t it?

The liquid then becomes dark and dirty - it is called skimmate and should be emptied before it has a chance to overflow back into your tank. Can you imagine that all this was in the tank but invisible to eyes? I am sure, every reef aquarium will benefit from a quality protein skimmer. I don’t know a better way to remove organic waste from the tank. For instance, a mechanical filter can trap some visible particles, but if it has not been cleaned, in time all the nutrients will release back into the aquarium. Instead, protein skimmer pulls the waste out the water and you only need to clean the container. If we continue to compare protein skimmer with chemical filters, we will also find some further advantages of the skimmer. These two methods have a similar aim - to keep your reef tank nutrients levels in check. A chemical filter absorbs waste into chemical media, and when it is filled up it should be replaced. If you forget to do it, all pollutants can leach back into the tank.

A protein skimmer, on the contrary, has an endless surface to absorb waste due to the constant generation of air bubbles, all you need to do is to keep an eye on the collection cup. Protein skimmer is crucial for marine aquariums with sensitive reefs and heavily stocked aquariums.

So what’s it all mean?

Protein skimmer prevents your inhabitants from different diseases, stops aggressive growth of algae, cleans the water from visible and invisible toxic compounds and makes the saltwater clear and your corals flourish. OK, I know what you’re thinking ...

What protein skimmer should i get?

There are a lot of quality products in a category of protein skimmers and one of the remarkable models which worth your attention is the Skimmer Model GW-10 by Dalua Australia. For a very long time, I wanted to get in hands this skimmer for a test and finally, my dreams come true.

Dalua Australia is famous for its filtrating and LED lighting systems. At first, I saw this company at one aquarium exhibition, where they presented their products. Sometimes it is important not only to see the logo of the brand but also get to know, who stands behind the product. The team of this company consists of passionate manufacturers, who find the best solutions to make great quality products. They even called their new model of skimmer - Great White. The background story of developing this skimmer was just amazing. Can you imagine that these guys have simply used a standard skimmer model for their research with the hope to improve it and make it more user-friendly? With so much passion, there is no surprise that they succeeded in that. Together with changing technological and design features for the new model, they also put an extra effort to make it upgradable, which means that Co2 scrubbers and lanthanum chloride drips can be added directly into the venturi. If to forget about skimmers for a short while, their overall product range combines great quality with attractive design. I know, that this brand is new in the USA but I believe that soon it would be well-known among reef-lovers. 

Now let’s take a closer look...

Benefits of Skimmer Model GW-10 by Dalua Australia.

Great White Skimmer includes 55W Italian made AC Eden pump, which provides strong skimming power to produce an enormous amount of air bubbles every second. On top of all the technical advantages of this skimmer, the thing that I appreciate a lot is that it is super quite. My test showed only 52 decibels rating which is a very nice result for a skimmer of that size. Moving closer to its capacities, it is able to filtrate up to 500-1,000 liters (up to 260 gallons) of water with an impressive air intake of 400-750lph.

This brand provides post-sale assistance and professional customer support service, ready to answer all your questions even in social media and reef forums like Reef2Reef.com, which also adds proses to this particular brand. Along with I have to mention that the quality makes me believe it will be trustworthy and long-lasting as the main part of the skimmer is made from high-quality acrylic. What also I like about this skimmer is that here is employed in my opinion the most convenient mechanism for water level regulation. To raise the water level you should rotate regulator in the minus direction - it will restrict water from leaving. On contrary screwing regulator in the plus direction will drop the water level. It is very simple and standard mechanism that allows you to make precise water regulation without any difficulties.

What else? After purchase, you get it in separate parts but it is very easy to assemble. You don’t need any hand tools. Every detail is developed that way that it is suitable for screwing by hand. So the setup of this device is pretty easy even for those who have never done it before. But I'd like to see a connector/stand for the pump in the next versions of this skimmer, this would be much easier to align the pump inside the air chamber. At this moment it's just standing on the bottom of the skimmer on rubber feet and you need to make sure that the bubble diffuser plate is aligned well on the center before you start using it.

Naturally, for a passionate reefers not only the technical side of the product matters but also the design. My new GW-10 skimmer is quite similar to other skimmers of the class - it has a conical body, which makes it compact and a good fit for even very tight space. Along with, the cup is large and it is very easy to clean it. However, there is one visual feature of this skimmer that makes it remarkable among other skimmers - it is an uncommon design of bubble diffuser plate. In contrast to other skimmers, it has holes along all perimeter of the plate, while the most common design is to have holes on the top. Overall, the design of the skimmer looks excellent to satisfy enthusiastic reefers.

You can buy this skimmer from our friends at Unique Corals by clicking here.

From Australia with Love, Skimmer Model GW-10 - Final Thoughts.

In closing, I want to summarize that this skimmer is a great choice for an affordable price. It delivers constant cleaning to your aquarium and due to its capacity, it can be adjusted to the tanks of different sizes. It does everything it was bought for. So my first experience with a new brand in the USA market - Dalua Australia was great and I can’t wait to see more products released by them.

Be sure to follow their Facebook Page, and while you’re at it, send us a message with any questions you may have. Although mastering the artform of reefing is a lifelong journey, you aren’t alone! As always,

Happy Reefing! by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.

ReefHacks.com

 

  

 

Until Next Episode...

It was an event for the books.  For 2 days, 10 - 6 each day, we cranked out flash sale items like nobody's business.  The Reef2reef community was lit up with excitement. Everyone came away happy and fulfilled.

 

Congratulations to our lucky winners!  See you at our next LiveSale May 11th!

Winners announced! 

Brynn Arego- Illumagic Blaze X Mini LED light - fresh or marine 
Anthony Domingo- MarcoRocks aquascape - Joe will design you a 'scape up to 200g 
Paul Rock- PolypLab Coral View Lens + CPL polarized lens attachment pack
Zach Bryant- PolypLab Coral View Lens + CPL polarized lens attachment pack
Steve Visser- PolypLab Reef-Roids coral food, large size 120g
Arthur Valijan- PolypLab Reef-Roids coral food, large size 120g
Anton Nguyen- A UC Bounce Mushroom
Brian Martin - UC LPS premium fragpack
Pong Bunnalai- Triton ICP and N-DOC water analysis kit pack
Theo Dennis- Triton ICP and N-DOC water analysis kit pack
-Plus every coral order will receive a free PolypLab Premium Coral Glue! * (while quantities last)

(All prizes will ship for free, or combine with your purchase)

"Chatting Bounce Mushrooms with Unique Corals’ Joe Caparatta"

Bounce Mushrooms captivate the minds of reefkeepers and coral farmers alike, and the trend has had a bit of staying power. I can’t say that many corals have inspired a road trip halfway across the country in hopes of maybe finding one.

Such is the story of my last-minute attendance at MACNA 2017, when I wound up hitching a ride to New Orleans with a much younger Minnesotan reef aquarist who was making the road trip. The purchase of corals was one of the main motivations to make the nearly 24-hour drive each way.

During our time there, my traveling companion shared his excitement over the quarter-sized Bounce Mushroom he had purchased on the show floor, one of his few really “must-have” corals that had inspired the road trip in the first place. It was the coral he had been hoping to find. No doubt it cost him several hundred dollars and was babied in a temporary aquarium set up just for the event, before being carefully transported back to Minnesota. Even now in 2019, the Bounce Mushrooms offered by retailers are still demanding price tags of several hundred dollars.

The recent revelation of an incredible Bounce Electus Mushroom, discovered and shared with CORAL readers by Thinh Vu of Mythical Corals in the Rarities column of the March/April 2019 issue of CORAL, demanded a fresh round of discussion regarding the “Bounce” phenomenon, and what it all means for coral keepers. Joseph Caparatta (Joe), the man behind Unique Corals, answered our call for more opinions.

CORAL: Joe, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. What’s your take on the bounce shroom phenom?

Unique Corals: My take as a businessman and entrepreneur is that there’s obviously a lot of financial reward. Bounce mushrooms can be immediately sliced (propagated) with minimal risk, and this yields a great amount of money. It’s a no-brainer for me.

My personal viewpoint? I think they’re really cool. I love the “OG,” the “Biohazard,” the “Sunkist” with the orange…those are some of the best old-school varieties.

The ones that have been coming in as of late don’t seem to have the same response in captivity that the original ones did. It’s kind of a tightly kept secret—[spoiler alert!]—I think they [the original foundation corals] all came out of Vietnam, but I never saw anything like the original ones World Wide Corals (WWC) got. Vic [Victor Fornari, WWC co-founder] was savvy enough to jump on them, and under their lighting, they created those inflated vesicles. But they are coming in now, just regular Rhodactis with vesicles that are slightly inflated, and it seems in certain conditions they’ll respond and get inflated even more.

People are still chasing the original strains thinking that newly-imported Rhodactis will turn into original ones, but there doesn’t seem to be any that will match the original Bounce Shrooms that started this craze.

I think Bounce Mushrooms get a lot of heat as an “overpriced Rhodactis,” but I don’t see anything else with the morphology and color of a Bounce Mushroom. We’re living in a supply and demand world, and the asking price is determined by what people are willing to pay.

CORAL: You reportedly have sold some Bounce Mushrooms for up to $6000?

Unique Corals: Yes, it was a WWC Biohazard that was very yellowish-orange and quite large, 3 inches across on a 4-inch disk. It sold at a Reefapalooza NY in 2015 and it got quite a bit of publicity. A humorous side note: Joe Yauillo [of the Long Island Aquarium, Riverhead, NY] took a picture of that coral during RAP. His birthday is always a couple of days after RAP, and he joked that I had given it to him for his birthday—everyone fell for it.

CORAL: What does it take to keep a Bounce Mushroom happy?

Unique Corals: Bounce Mushrooms prefer gentle flow, low flow; they don’t like to be pounded. They benefit from strong blue lighting, with PAR levels around 100. LED seems to trigger a better “bounce” response [the formation of the swollen vesicles]. These Rhodactis, like all others, benefit from feeding. They have a pretty pronounced oral disk, and they will take fine foods and mysis shrimp. They are not too picky in terms of water parameters; stability is key. I’d suggest a temperature range of 75-78F.

CORAL: Do you think that bouncing [the formation of swollen vessicles] is a negative response on the part of the coral?

Unique Corals: No, it doesn’t appear to be. The animal grows, and it doesn’t display traditional signs of stress (slowly deteriorating, tissue recession, discoloration). These vesicles become more pronounced as the animal grows and gets more colorful. It’s a really weird response when you think about it, particularly if it’s not happening in the wild. Is it a surface area response [a change in morphology to accommodate some need for more surface area, whether for light or gas exchange or some other unknown factor]?

CORAL: Do you ever see these corals losing their “bounce” vesicles?

Unique Corals: No, I haven’t seen them lose their bounce, their bubbles. I’ve seen them deteriorate (they’ll just melt away), but they’re usually very hardy. If a Bounce Mushroom fails to thrive, the mortality would likely be caused by a pollutant or nipping (e.g., inverts that prey on soft corals that go undetected, hidden in the rockwork during the day). While a Bounce Mushroom can be an intimidating investment for some reef hobbyists, they are ordinarily pretty resilient corals.

Coral Magazine Article