Mastering Alkalinity: Key to Thriving Corals and a Balanced Aquarium

Alkalinity: Essential for Coral Health and Aquarium Stability In aquarium keeping, water chemistry plays a vital role in the health and stability of your aquatic environment. One key component is alkalinity, or carbonate hardness (KH), which refers to the water’s buffering capacity—its ability to resist changes in pH. This stability is especially important in both freshwater and marine tanks, as sudden pH shifts can harm fish, plants, and corals, which thrive in consistent conditions. Ideal KH levels vary based on aquarium type: for reef aquariums, KH should range between 7 and 11 dKH, with 8-9 dKH often recommended, while freshwater tanks do best around 4-8 dKH, with species-specific needs such as lower KH for Amazonian fish (1-4 dKH) and higher KH for livebearers (4-8 dKH). While alkalinity and KH are often used interchangeably, they aren’t exactly the same. For a deeper understanding, check the explanation at the end of this…

The Science Behind Coral Fluorescence: Understanding the “Wide-Band-Blue”

Fluorescent Proteins and the Ideal Spectrum for Vibrant Coral Colors Have you ever wondered why corals glow with such vibrant, otherworldly colors under aquarium lights? The secret lies in coral fluorescence, a fascinating process that involves special proteins that absorb and re-emit light in stunning hues. Whether you’re a hobbyist, coral breeder, or professional, understanding how this phenomenon works is key to maintaining vibrant, healthy corals in your system. Coral fluorescence is driven by proteins such as blue fluorescent proteins (BFPs), cyan fluorescent proteins (CFPs), green fluorescent proteins (GFPs), and red fluorescent proteins (RFPs). These proteins absorb specific light wavelengths and re-emit light at longer wavelengths, giving corals their striking colors. Each protein is excited by different wavelengths of light, which is why lighting plays a critical role in bringing out the full spectrum of coral fluorescence. For example, BFPs and CFPs require UV light in the range of 400–420…

The Benefits of Automatic Fish Feeders for Aquariums

Simplifying fish care while promoting a healthy aquarium environment Keeping an aquarium comes with the responsibility of maintaining a consistent feeding schedule, which can be difficult for busy aquarists or frequent travelers. Automatic fish feeders provide a convenient solution that ensures fish are fed regularly, promoting their health and stabilizing the aquarium environment. But what are the benefits of an automatic fish feeder? Consistent Feeding for Healthy Fish Automatic fish feeders offer precise, regular feeding schedules that reduce fish stress and prevent health issues caused by overfeeding or underfeeding. Overfeeding leads to waste accumulation, harming water quality and promoting algae growth, while underfeeding can lead to malnutrition. By delivering the right portions at consistent times, automatic feeders help maintain a balanced, healthy aquarium. Maintaining Water Quality Overfeeding can lead to decaying food in the water, which destabilizes water parameters and promotes algae. Automatic feeders prevent this by dispensing controlled portions,…

A Deep Dive into Automatic Water Changes in Aquariums

Aquarium enthusiasts know the importance of maintaining pristine water quality to ensure the health and vitality of their aquatic life. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through regular water changes. While manual water changes are a traditional approach, they can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to inconsistency. This is where automatic water changes come into play, offering a host of benefits and convenience to hobbyists. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of automatic water changes, explain why they are useful, and provide guidance on using the GHL Doser Maxi as a standalone device or in conjunction with a GHL ProfiLux aquarium controller. Why Automatic Water Changes Are Useful Water changes are essential for removing excess nutrients, toxins, and organic waste that accumulate in the aquarium over time. Without regular water changes, nitrate levels can rise, leading to algae blooms and other harmful conditions that…

It’s here: Automatic Fish Feeder for ProfiLux!

It took a bit longer, but … … it is here now! We are pleased to announce the release of a long-awaited product: The GHL Auto Fish Feeder. Shipments start June 24, 2024, orders are accepted from today on! One of the most frequent requests from our customers was an automatic feeder that works with our ProfiLux aquarium computer – and now it’s here! Buy nowHighlights For ProfiLux 4 and Mini/Light WiFi Extremely quiet and reliable Operation via app, cloud and web interface Flexible programming Food level warning Feeding can be coordinated with other activities and tasks in Your aquarium, e.g. shut down pumps during feeding. More features Several automatic feeders can be controlled independently by one ProfiLux 4 incl. large additional container Food remains protected from moisture Feed quantity can be regulated using 3 different inserts and adjustable feed cycles Manual feeding possible Flexible installation: horizontal or vertical clamp…

NEW Mitras LX7500 Coral Pop

Introductory offer For the launch, all Mitras LX7 luminaires and LX7 accessories are offered with a 15% discount. In the GHL Store and at all participating retailers. The introductory offer ends on May 27, 2024. Buy now Watch your corals in colors like never before Introductory discount – Retrofit existing lights – Features Mitras LX7504 and LX7506 are the latest additions to the Mitras LX7 series. They integrate new LED clusters with a spectral focus in the UVA and blue range and a slight white component. The complete and uniform spectrum achieves a balance between wonderful natural colors and unmatched fluorescence. Features Of course, the new LX75xx lights have the same features as the rest of the LX7 family: High power density up to 195W Quiet operation thanks to controlled fans and efficient cooling system WiFi and USB: operation via app, cloud service and PC software Special reflectors with almost…

GHL at Interzoo 2024

???? Exciting News from GHL at Interzoo 2024! ???? We’re thrilled to announce that GHL is exhibiting at Interzoo, one of the most prestigious events in the pet industry! From May 7th to May 10th, you can find us at booth 4A-112 in Hall 4A in Nuremberg, Germany. Visit our booth at Interzoo 2024 and witness our groundbreaking innovations in action! Experience our newest products, including the Mitras Lightbar 3 and Mitras IL, firsthand. The Mitras Lightbar 3 sets new standards in LED aquarium lighting, offering an unbeatable combination of performance and versatility. With precise adjustment of the light spectrum and intensity, it’s the perfect choice for discerning aquarium enthusiasts. But that’s not all. We are introducing the Mitras IL, part of our Industrial Line Products specifically crafted to meet the demands of professional environments and designed for professional applications in aquatics. The Mitras IL is equipped with esteemed innovative…

Mitras Lightbar 3 Launch

Prepare to be captivated by the brilliance of the GHL Mitras Lightbar 3 – the ultimate solution for unparalleled light performance in your aquarium. We are thrilled to announce the brand new Mitras Lightbar 3 Buy now Whether you’re a experienced enthusiast or new to the hobby, the Mitras Lightbar 3 promises to exceed your expectations with its exceptional features: Unmatched Light Performance: Experience the true beauty of your aquatic world with the Mitras Lightbar 3’s unparalleled light output, ensuring vibrant colors and incredible growth for your aquatic plants and corals. Tailored Spectrums: Achieve perfect lighting for all applications with fully customizable spectrums (7 independent LED color channels), meticulously designed to meet the unique needs of your aquarium inhabitants. See your corals, fishes and plants in colors as never before. Outstanding Energy Efficiency: Say goodbye to wasted energy and hello to cost-effective lighting solutions. The Mitras Lightbar 3 harnesses advanced…

Aquarium Showcase Contest Winners

????✨ Congratulations to the winners of our aquarium showcase contest! ???????? ???? Taking the top spot is Sarafaris_shrimps with their breathtaking aquatic masterpiece! Your creativity and dedication truly shine through. ???? Claiming second place is Schmitt_reef! Your aquarium display captivated us all with its professionalism and uniqueness. ???? And a special shoutout to our 4 !!! third-place winners: Smija_Aquaristik, Aquascaping_paris, joshosreef, and viking_reefing! Your exceptional videos wowed us so much that we had to recognize all of you! Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their stunning aquariums with us. Stay tuned for more exciting contests and events! ???????? #AquariumShowcase #Winners #Congratulations

Versia Aquarium Pumps – Seamless Integration into any Aquarium Setup

The Versia pumps and Versia Controller from GHL are designed to create realistic flow conditions in aquariums. The Versia Stream is a compact, powerful stream pump that is quiet and versatile, fitting seamlessly into any aquarium setup. The Versia Flow is a robust and energy-efficient return pump suitable for both marine and freshwater systems. These pumps can be integrated with the Versia Controller, which allows control via the ProfiLux 4 aquarium controller, supporting various natural flow programs and synchronization with other aquarium functions like lighting and feeding schedules. For more details, you can visit their product page. Get any stream pattern you want. Adjust all pump settings quickly and comfortable with GHL Connect or GHL Control Center.