Skimz Monzter SM207DC protein skimmer features a low wattage DC needlewheel pump.Skimz SM207DC draws an air intake of 1,800 litres per hour and is suitable for aquariums up to 2,000 litres.Skimmer Specification:• Footprint: 280 x 270mm (11" x 10 5/8")• Total height: 580mm (22 13/16")• Body diameter: 200mm (7 7/8")• Recommended sump water height: 180 - 240mm (7 1/16" to 9 7/16")• Installation: Designed for in-sump usePump: 1 Skimz QPS6.0 with six preset RPMs and food shutter timerAir Intake: 900 - 1,800 l/hTotal Watts: 13 - 35WFor Aquarium: up to 2,000 l
The Pajama Cardinalfish, scientifically known as Sphaeramia nematoptera, is a popular saltwater aquarium fish known for its vibrant colors and peaceful nature. It features a greenish-yellow face, bright orange eyes, and a silver body with a bold black band across the midsection. The posterior part of its body is adorned with orange polka dots. These fish are relatively small, typically reaching a maximum size of 3 inches (8 cm).
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Coloration:
The Pajama Cardinal has a striking appearance with a greenish-yellow face, bright orange eyes, and a silver body.
Markings:
A prominent black band runs across the midsection, and the posterior of the body is dotted with orange polka dots. These dots are black in juveniles and turn red as they mature.
Fins:
The fish has distinctive tail fins.
Size:
They are relatively small, typically reaching a maximum length of 3 inches (8 cm).
Behavior:
Peaceful:
Pajama Cardinals are known for their peaceful nature and are suitable for community saltwater aquariums.
Schooling:
They thrive in small groups or schools within a larger aquarium.
Hierarchy:
While they establish dominance hierarchies when kept in groups, they don't typically rely on aggression to assert their position.
Nocturnal:
They are most active during twilight hours and during the night, when they disperse to hunt.
Care:
Reef-safe:
Pajama Cardinals are generally considered reef-safe and do not harm corals or invertebrates.
Diet:
They are omnivores and readily accept a variety of high-quality frozen foods, pellets, and live foods.
Tank Size:
A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for a small group of Pajama Cardinals.
Compatibility:
They should be housed with other peaceful tankmates to avoid any aggression.
Additional Facts:
Mouth Brooders: Like other cardinalfish, they are mouth brooders, with the males incubating the eggs in their mouths.
Difficult to Sex: It's difficult to distinguish between males and females based on appearance alone.
Origin: They are found in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Strombus dentatus, or toothed conch, is a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, known for its distinctive shell. It's a relatively small conch, with a shell length ranging from about 22 to 52mm. The shell has a flaring outer lip with a notch near the anterior end, and is characterized by three pointed projections near the opening. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, typically at low tide marks.
Here's a more detailed description:
Shell Shape and Size: The shell is relatively small, with a maximum size of 6 cm (male/unsexed). It is elongate and moderately large.
Outer Lip: The outer lip is flared and features a stromboid notch, a key characteristic of the Strombidae family. It also has three pointed projections near the anterior end.
Color: The shell can be cream, orange, or salmon-pink.
Surface: It has a relatively smooth surface, though it can have spines on the body whorl.
Spire: The spire is short and pointed.
Habitat: Strombus dentatus is typically found in shallow, sandy waters, sometimes buried in sand or rubble, on seaward reefs at depths of 5 to 25m.
Distribution: They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean
Stylophora pistillata, commonly called smooth cauliflower coral or hood coral, is a species of stony coral in the Indo-Pacific region. It has a branching growth form, with blunt-ended branches that thicken and become more massive as the colony matures. Corallites (the individual polyps' stony cups) are conical or hooded and partially submerged in the coenosteum (the stony framework of the colony). These corallites have a prominent, solid columella (the central column) and may have six primary and sometimes six secondary septa (stony plates forming the corallite wall). The coenosteum is covered in fine spinules. Colonies can be cream, pink, bluish, or green.
Key features of Stylophora pistillata:
Growth Form: Branching, with branches becoming thick and submassive.
Corallites: Conical or hooded, with a prominent columella and septa.
Colony Size: Up to 50 cm in diameter.
Color: Cream, pink, bluish, or green.
Habitat: Shallow water reef environments exposed to strong wave action.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific region
Symphyllia is a genus of large polyp stony (LPS) corals, characterized by their massive, dome-shaped or flat colonies with meandroid (brain-like) corallites. These corals are known for their diverse colors and patterns, often with contrasting colors between valley floors and walls. While the genus name Symphyllia is no longer taxonomically valid, with most species now classified under Lobophyllia, it's still used for CITES purposes.
Key characteristics of Symphyllia:
Colony Shape: Typically massive, dome-shaped, or flat, with meandroid valleys.
Corallites: Flabello-meandroid (brain-like), with ridges separating valleys, often with contrasting colors.
Polyps: Each corallite houses multiple polyps, indicated by the many mouth openings.
Color: Wide range of colors, often mottled, with contrasting colors between valley floors and walls.
Tentacles: They have long sweeper tentacles that can extend to sting other corals.
Habitat: Found on reef slopes and in protected areas of reefs.
Taxonomy: While the genus Symphyllia is no longer valid, it's still used for CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) purposes, and many species have been reassigned to Lobophyllia.
Examples of Symphyllia species:
Symphyllia valenciennesi (now often classified under Lobophyllia), Symphyllia wilsoni (now often classified under Australophyllia), Symphyllia radians, Symphyllia agaricia, and Symphyllia recta.
Distinguishing Symphyllia from Lobophyllia:
Corallite Size and Structure:
Symphyllia species generally have larger, more branched corallites with more mouth openings compared to Lobophyllia.
Valley Ridges:
Symphyllia corallites often exhibit ridges dividing the interior surface (like a brain coral), while Lobophyllia corallites are often more separated.
Synchiropus sycorax, also known as the Ruby red dragonet, is a small, brightly colored fish with a distinct appearance. It features a bright red body and head, yellow belly and pelvic fins, and is adorned with white spots. The first dorsal fin of mature males is large and sail-like. These fish are known for their vibrant colors, unique behavior, and reef-safe nature.
Detailed Description:
Coloration: The head and body are bright red with prominent white spots. The belly and pelvic fins are yellow, and the pelvic-pectoral membrane of males may have a bluish or greenish-grey to black band.
Body Shape: It has a large head, top-mounted eyes, and a small, pointed mouth.
Fin Structure: The first dorsal fin of mature males is large and sail-like. The dorsal fin has well-defined stripes and short filaments.
Spot Pattern: The body has three rows of white spots: one along the lateral line, another above the anal fin, and a middle row extending from above the pectoral fin.
Size: Synchiropus sycorax is a relatively small fish.
Additional Information:
Synchiropus sycorax is a popular aquarium fish due to its vibrant colors, interesting behavior, and reef-safe nature.
They are known to be slow-moving, deliberate feeders and should not have to compete for food.
Their diet includes bloodworms, glassworms, and small invertebrates.
Tectus snails, often called turban snails or pyrmaid snails, are marine gastropods known for their distinctive, conical shells. They are found in various parts of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and are a common sight in saltwater aquariums.
Here's a more detailed description:
Shell:
Shape: Conical, sometimes with a pyramidal or turreted appearance.
Color: Typically whitish, grayish, or yellowish, often mottled or marbled with green or brown.
Surface: May have fine oblique wrinkles, spiral rows of beads, or radiating tubercles (rounded protuberances).
Base: Flat and often lirate (marked with concentric ridges).
Aperture: Transverse and rhomboidal (diamond-shaped).
Whorls: Can have 9-14 whorls, which are the spirals of the shell.
Size: Varies between 17 mm and 50 mm,
Other features:
Columella:
A short, vertical structure with a spiral fold, which is a thickening of the shell on the inner wall.
Habitat:
Live in the intertidal zone and shallower waters, often found in holes and crevices of reefs.
Diet:
Herbivorous, feeding on algae and biofilms on rocks and coral reefs.
In aquariums:
Useful for algae control, especially for cleaning live rock and aquarium glass.
Variations:
Different species of Tectus snails exhibit variations in shell color, surface texture, and other features
Trachyphyllia, commonly known as the open brain coral, is a free-living coral species in the Merulinidae family. They are large polyp stony corals (LPS) characterized by a flabello-meandroid growth form, meaning they have distinct valley regions separated by walls, resembling an inverted brain. These corals are often brightly colored and found in inter-reef environments and on soft substrates around continental islands.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance and Features:
Shape: Trachyphyllia are free-living, meaning they can move around and are not anchored to rocks. They have a flabello-meandroid growth pattern, with distinct valleys separated by walls.
Size: They are relatively small corals, typically not exceeding 20 cm in diameter.
Color: Trachyphyllia come in a wide variety of colors, including yellow, brown, blue, green, and red.
Tentacles: They have short tentacles that are often extended during feeding.
Mouth: They have one to three separate mouths within their valleys.
Habitat and Distribution:
Location: Trachyphyllia are found in inter-reef environments and on soft substrates around continental islands.
Substrate: They prefer to rest on soft substrates like sandbeds.
Water Conditions: They thrive in moderate to strong lighting and moderate water currents.
Care and Maintenance:
Lighting:
They generally prefer moderate lighting (100-150 PAR), but can tolerate lower light conditions.
Water Flow:
They do not like strong currents and should have moderate, indirect water flow.
Feeding:
They are voracious feeders and can be supplemented with various foods like brine shrimp and mysis, according to Tidal Gardens.
Placement:
They should be placed on the sand or substrate bed, allowing for proper movement and feeding.
Aggression:
Trachyphyllia can be a bit aggressive and should be placed with ample space from other corals
Trachyphyllia, commonly known as the open brain coral, is a free-living coral species in the Merulinidae family. They are large polyp stony corals (LPS) characterized by a flabello-meandroid growth form, meaning they have distinct valley regions separated by walls, resembling an inverted brain. These corals are often brightly colored and found in inter-reef environments and on soft substrates around continental islands.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance and Features:
Shape: Trachyphyllia are free-living, meaning they can move around and are not anchored to rocks. They have a flabello-meandroid growth pattern, with distinct valleys separated by walls.
Size: They are relatively small corals, typically not exceeding 20 cm in diameter.
Color: Trachyphyllia come in a wide variety of colors, including yellow, brown, blue, green, and red.
Tentacles: They have short tentacles that are often extended during feeding.
Mouth: They have one to three separate mouths within their valleys.
Habitat and Distribution:
Location: Trachyphyllia are found in inter-reef environments and on soft substrates around continental islands.
Substrate: They prefer to rest on soft substrates like sandbeds.
Water Conditions: They thrive in moderate to strong lighting and moderate water currents.
Care and Maintenance:
Lighting:
They generally prefer moderate lighting (100-150 PAR), but can tolerate lower light conditions.
Water Flow:
They do not like strong currents and should have moderate, indirect water flow.
Feeding:
They are voracious feeders and can be supplemented with various foods like brine shrimp and mysis, according to Tidal Gardens.
Placement:
They should be placed on the sand or substrate bed, allowing for proper movement and feeding.
Aggression:
Trachyphyllia can be a bit aggressive and should be placed with ample space from other corals
The Trochus histrio, commonly known as the Banded Trochus Snail, is a marine snail with a pale gray, pyramid-shaped shell adorned with maroon bands. It's a popular choice for reef aquariums due to its algae-eating habits and peaceful nature. These snails are reef-safe, coexisting well with most marine species, and are particularly effective at controlling film, diatom, and hair algae.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Shell: The shell is pale gray, pyramid-shaped, and often has maroon bands or stripes.
Size: They are relatively small, typically reaching up to 1.5 inches in length.
Foot: The foot is black, and the underside is off-white/tan.
Behavior and Diet:
Algae-eating:
Trochus histrio snails are herbivores, primarily feeding on various types of algae, including brown, green, hair, and filamentous algae.
Cleaning:
They actively forage for algae on live rocks, glass, and other surfaces, helping to maintain a clean aquarium environment.
Peaceful:
They are peaceful snails and coexist well with most reef aquarium inhabitants.
Supplementation:
In aquariums with limited algae, it's beneficial to supplement their diet with algae wafers or nori sheets.
Care and Maintenance:
Water Parameters:
Maintain stable water conditions with temperatures between 72-78°F (23-26°C), pH levels of 8.1-8.4, and salinity around 1.023-1.025.
Acclimation:
Introduce them to the aquarium gradually using a slow drip acclimation process over 1-2 hours.
Tank Size:
They are suitable for nano tanks or larger setups, with a sandy substrate and rockwork for grazing.
Compatibility:
They are reef-safe and generally compatible with most marine species, but should be avoided with predatory creatures like pufferfish, triggerfish, or aggressive wrasses
Turbinaria is a genus encompassing both brown algae and stony corals, each with distinct characteristics. Brown algae (like Turbinaria ornata) are marine organisms with an upright, tough thallus resembling a pinecone. They are often found in tropical waters, attached to rocks or coral heads, and can be invasive in some areas. Stony corals (like Turbinaria peltata) form colonies with corallites, which are the skeletal structures where polyps reside. They can be disc-shaped, vase-shaped, or plate-like, and are commonly found in reef environments.
Brown Algae (Turbinaria):
Appearance: Erect, radially branched, with blades or "laterals" that can be turbinate or peltate. The overall structure resembles a long pinecone.
Habitat: Primarily found in tropical marine environments, especially coral reefs.
Growth: Can be invasive in some areas, colonizing reefs and outcompeting other species.
Examples: Turbinaria ornata (Crowded or Crowned Sea Bells)
Stony Corals (Turbinaria):
Appearance: Colonial, with corallites (skeletal structures) arranged in various forms like discs, vases, or plates.
Habitat: Coral reefs in various depths and water conditions.
Growth: Can form large colonies, sometimes dominating reef ecosystems.
Examples: Turbinaria peltata (Disc Coral), Turbinaria mesenterina
Key Differences:
Structure:
Brown algae have a thallus (non-animal tissue) with blades, while stony corals have a skeletal structure with corallites.
Growth:
Brown algae can fragment and reproduce vegetatively, while stony corals reproduce sexually.
Invasiveness:
Some brown algae species are considered invasive, while stony corals are generally not considered invasive.
The Turbo fluctuosa, commonly called the Mexican Turbo Snail or Super Turbo Snail, is a marine gastropod mollusk known for its unique, top-shaped shell and its effectiveness at consuming algae. These snails are popular in reef aquariums due to their ability to quickly remove nuisance algae, including hair algae, from live rock and aquarium glass.
Key characteristics:
Shell: The Turbo fluctuosa has a thick, top-shaped shell with an iridescent interior. The shell can be olivaceous, green, brown, or grayish, with white longitudinal stripes or spots.
Diet: It's a herbivore that feeds primarily on algae, including hair algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms. It is also known to consume Asparagopsis algae, which can be problematic in reef aquariums.
Behavior: These snails are active both day and night and move slowly over surfaces, grazing on algae. They can bulldoze loose rocks in search of food, so aquariums with well-secured rockwork are recommended.
Aquarium Care: Turbo fluctuosa snails thrive in well-established tanks with plenty of live rock and are compatible with most reef aquarium inhabitants. Adequate calcium levels are needed for shell growth, and supplemental feedings with dried seaweed may be necessary if algae levels are low.
Origin: They are native to the Gulf of California, off the coast of Mexico.
Size: They can grow up to 2 inches in diameter
