August 2018 – Page 2 – Aquarium POC

Juwel Trigon 350 Aquarium Review

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

There are plenty of, possibilities when it comes to purchasing a new tropical fish tank or aquarium (some terrific, some bad and some best forgotten!) When I came to find a new aquarium for my living area the choices were a little bit more limited as, because of a recent spate of decorating as well as some new furniture We had to take a look at corner fish tanks.

Fortunately, We have some good size corners around my living room! After a lot of indecision I finally decided on the Juwel Trigon 350 (the big brother of the Juwel Trigon 190.) The Trigon 350 is actually a complete affair in so much as included in the package is lighting, a filter, a pump and also a heater. Information of the precise specifications are listed further down in this posting.

The unit is manufactured with a suspended base which eliminates the the demand for polystyrene -stackers’ between your aquarium and the base unit.

The aquarium itself, as the name suggests, holds a notable 350 litres of water. You can use it as a tropical fish tank, marine fish tank or for cold water fish. There is no question that it is a good size piece of equipment however manages to look stylish without looking too bulky. The straight glass sides measure 87 cm each with the fantastic looking curved glass front section being approximately 123 cm. The height of the aquarium is 65 cm. The base unit/cupboard has matching length and breadth dimensions but stands at a height of 73 cm. Black silicone is employed throughout which adds to the stylish quality look of the whole ensemble. It’s worth pointing out at this point that although the base unit/cupboard is very practical (the open back allows for all of your cables and pipes to be nicely hidden from view and there is plenty of storage space for all of your fishkeeping bits and bats!) and looks tidy enough it isn’t going to raise the heartbeats of any antique dealers!

The standard package is made up of the following:-

Juwel Biflow 1000 pump, Juwel 300 watt heater, Juwel High Lite light unit (+ 2 x 24w tubes – 1 day and 1 nature), Juwel High Lite light unit (+ 2 x 45w tubes – 1 day and 1 nature), Juwel Bioflow 8.0 Jumbo Filter, Filter Media

I bought my Trigon via Aquarium House (http://aquariumhouse.co.uk) so in addition to the standard package I also received the following:-

Fish Net, Water Conditioner, Gravel – Natural x 60Kg Aquarium Backing (Japanese Driftwood)

To summarise, I looked at a lot of fish tanks for sale but I am very happy with my purchase (by the way the RRP is 1,296.92 but you should be looking to pay around the 950 mark). It looks fantastic in the corner of my newly decorated living room. The only thing that I am looking to change is the filter (internal, submerged filters aren’t really my thing so I will look to replace this with a decent external filter soon but that’s just my preference and not a criticism of tank set up). Compare and buy Corner Fish Tanks, Juwel Trigon 350 Aquariums, Tropical Fish Tanks, Fish Tanks For Sale and quality Aquatic Supplies from http://www.aquariumhouse.co.uk

Early Freshwater Aquarium History

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

If archeological records are true, the history of freshwater aquarium can be considered to coincide with the dawning of mankind’s true civilization way back some 2,500 to 3,000 years ago in Sumer, Mesopotamia.

Fish keeping, then, were more for economic reasons (food source) rather than entertainment, although it cannot be discounted that the royals and their children did engage in such activities as keeping fish as pets.

Moreover, the ancient Egyptian paintings (and carvings) depicting fishes among the other animals would imply their admiration for the beauty (in color and shapes) of these finned creatures. Adding credibility to this would be the fact that ancient Romans were also known to have traded live fish as commodities in their marketplaces.

The many ancient drawings, carvings and pictures of aquariums from places in antiquity like Eqypt and Sumeria show us that these past peoples knew the beauty of the tanks and they also desired to maintain that beauty and pass on the secrets of these creatures. The ancient Romans were also known to have traded live fish as commodities in their agoras (markets).

Goldfish and Koifish

In another part of the world, the art of selective breeding began in China around 2,000 years ago. They had been known to produce the now-famous goldfish developed from the regular carp. By the 18th century, goldfish as an ornamental fish was common in Europe and later became popular in America.

Cultured live koi that familiar fish with the red, white and black colorations was already a commercial item in the old trade routes that spanned China, Japan and Europe around the 16th century. Later, its reputation also grew and became very popular. Much later, it was also exported to Europe and America.

Crude Beginnings

In the early 19th century, aquarium-keeping began. England, Germany and France all vied to top themselves in mounting exhibits of public aquariums. It did not get a good reception as many were appaulled by it.

At that time, there was very poor understanding yet on the various roles of water chemistry, the nitrogen cycle, filtration and aeration. The size of the tanks was also limited by the holding power of the construction materials then.

The First Aquarium

In 1850, a Mr. Harrington declared through a paper he wrote for the Chemical Society of London that he had successfully maintained a stable aquarium. Fish-keeping suddenly became a popular hobby.

Three years after, the London Zoological Society had built and opened the first public aquarium, followed by another. Soon, public aquaria were all over the major European cities patronized by eager but intrigued visitors.

Household Items

It was not long after when the aquarium became a fashionable household item in Victorian England. Curiously, there were no tanks for sale then, although there were various books and other how-to manuals already available for constructing aquariums.

In the early days of fish tanks, the first tanks were more for entertainment value that functional value and it was a detriment to the fish and the care takers of the fish. Most early designs featured a glass front and three wooden sides (They were sometimes constructed from slate). They were coated in pitch to make them watertight.

Tank Basics

Soon, these construction problems were overcome little by little. There was a real breakthrough with the development of silicon sealants.

It became possible now to manufacture an all-glass aquarium in all sizes and shapes. Bulky steel frames became obsolete and tanks can now be moved without the danger of breaking the seal.

Understanding Technology

At around this time, better understanding on the needs of the tank’s fish inhabitants led to the invention of the heater and the thermostat, as postulated by a Mr. Humphreys. In maintaining fish, this person would be the one to mention the signifigance of the tanks chemistry toward the safety of the fish.

With a deeper understanding on water chemistry and other related matters, filtration and lighting were soon recognized as additional important elements to the total upkeep of the fish in the aquarium.

The Modern Aquarium

Today’s modern aquariums are made mostly of glass. However, more and more units are being made from acrylic instead of glass. This is because acrylic is pliable and can be used to manufacture unusual shapes. (Acrylic aquariums are mostly used in big showrooms in business and office buildings today.)

Nowadays, aquaria made of acrylics are regarded as the lightweight alternatives to those made of glass. This is especially true now that manufacturers had produced harder and scratch-resistant plastics. Perhaps, they would replace the unwieldy glass in the future.

Improved Technology

Also, there had been such long strides made in the improvement of the accompanying technology related to aquarium keeping: heating, lighting, filtration, and aeration among others.

Apart from the technology, there is now a better understanding of marine life and ecology that pushed the hobby into what it is today. Taking together both marine and freshwater aquarium varieties, the simple hobby of keeping a living fish in a bowl had become the world’s 2nd most popular hobby. (Gardening is number one.)

The Future Of The Aquarium

There is now a growing number of fish varieties available for keeping in aquariums and the size and shape of aquarium tanks have evolved, too.

However, according to experts, the future of the hobby is still focused on the next advances in water purification, nutrition, lighting and other related matters. Fish breeding is still limited to the good old natural selection and mutation. (Genetic manipulation is still frowned upon.)

Whatever direction the hobby is moving into, today’s hobbyists are reminded that they are part of a thousand-year-old freshwater aquarium history as they tinker their aquariums and feed their aquatic pets.

The Top Shopping Districts You Must Visit In Korea

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

BARGAIN SHOPPING IN GANGBUK AREA
Namdaemun Market, which has been around for over 600 years, is a place for people to purchase various types of products at bargain prices. Within walking distance of the market is Myeong-dong, the busiest shopping district in Seoul. Because of its convenient location and popularity among international travelers, the Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong district have together become an international center for shopping. The Dongdaemun Market offers a totally different scene from Namdaemun: open from evening till dawn, the market offers a unique shopping experience unfound anywhere else. Here, visitors will find both local markets and large shopping malls where they can buy anything from fabric and lace to ready-made clothing and accessories.

Namdaemun Market
The largest market in Korea, with 600 years of history
Opened in 1964, the Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with various goods in store. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as a wholesale market.

Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market opens from 11:00pm to 3:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy Koreans bustling around th market, creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. The Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationary, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng and imported goods.

Myeong-dong
Myeong-dong is a massive shopping district. Myeong-dong Street is around 1km long and extends from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) to Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. All kinds of brand name shops and department stores are clustered along the streets and alleyways. You can purchase various products such as clothes, shoes, and accessories. Compared to Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many good-quality brands are sold in Myeong-dong. Such stores include Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. You can purchase good-quality products at the department stores or other fashionable products at reasonable prices at Migliore or Myeong-dong Clothes.. Moreover, all kinds of brand shops are densely located along the main street and lanes.

Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, and Korean, Western and Japanese food. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in pork cutlet and kalguksu (noodles). Other than restaurants, there are many convenient facilities such as hair salons, banks and theaters. Myeong-dong Catholic Church is also a famous tourist attraction. It is the first and main church ofCatholicism in Korea and was built in the Gothic style. Behind the church is a space where you can relax from long hours of touring.

Dongdaemun Market
The Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most representative markets and was founded on December 23, 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia. In December in 1985, the Dongdaemun Shopping Town was established, and now the area encompasses five buildings in total (A, B, C, D and the Shopping Town). There are over 5,000 shops located in this district, selling various fabrics, materials, accessories, wedding products, and more. The fabric and clothing here are of the latest fashion trends in the world. Inventory is imported and exported in real time, making Dongdaemun a must-visit fashion market for everyone.

HIGH-END SHOPPING IN GANGNAM AREA
The Gangnam area is usually associated with high-end shopping. The districts of Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong-dong, and Cheongdam-dong are lined with designer brand fashion stores catering to the rich and famous. Garosugil in Sinsa-dong has a distinct, trendy ambience and is lined with charming cafs, restaurants, stores, and galleries. It is a great place to shop or just take a walk and look around. The fashion streets in Rodeo, Apgujeong-dong cater to those who are very serious about fashion and beauty. The area is lined with department stores featuring luxury designer brands and famous local and international designer shops. With luck, visitors can even spot Korean celebrities shopping in the area.

Sinsa-dong Garosugil Street
As the Korean name implies (Garosugil means “tree-lined street”), this street is famous for the trees, which line both sides of the 700m-long promenade. In summer, the trees’ luscious green leaves provide welcome shade for shoppers, and in autumn these ginkgo trees turn golden. This sophisticated, up-and-coming street is flanked with all sorts of trendy shops and European-style cafes. You can stroll along shopping at your own leisurely pace and then relax on caf terraces with coffee and a tasty desert.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street
The center for the latest fashion trends, luxury designer brands, and hair shops
Apgujeong Rodeo Street is the leading fashion mecca, formed as a cultural zone with a high propensity for consumption. It creates leading fashion trends, customer friendly shops, foreign brand name shops with high-quality goods, reasonably priced hip hop fashion shops, and accessory shops. There are many cafes with unique interior designs, as well as many Korean, Thai and Japanese restaurants. Beauty clinics are clustered on the streets and due to this atmosphere, Rodeo Street attracts many youngsters.
Recently, many theaters have moved from Chungmuro to the vicinity of “Rodeo Street,” which is emerging as a new theater space as well. Along with the opening of Multi-Plex Cine-City, more theaters such as Cinehouse, Cineplus, and Nanta Theater (non-speaking performances) have moved into the area, and it is now a full-blown cultural zone for youngsters. If you get lucky, you may meet famous Korean celebrities as they make frequent visits to the area.

COEX Mall
COEX Mall is the largest underground shopping center in Asia. It is located in the basement of the Korea World Trade Center, located in Samseong-dong in the Gangnam-gu area of Seoul. The colossal shopping center stretches from Samseong station (subway line 2) in the south all the way to Bongeunsa temple in the north, and is considered to be the best shopping and entertainment complex in the area.

The complex’s entertaining design takes the theme of Water Journey, and its main route is divided into the Summit Walk, Forest Walk, Lake Walk, Waterfall Walk, Canyon Walk, Riverside Walk, Tropic Walk and Ocean Walk. Despite the complex’s huge size, visitors need not worry about getting lost. By simply following the main route you will reach most parts of the complex, and there are also signs in English.

Along the main route, visitors will find the Lake food court with 16 restaurants (Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Western-style), the event court (where concerts and performances are staged), the Bandi & Luni’s bookstore (where you can find English books on Korean culture and history), and plenty of brand name stores. Visitors can find major international brands of leisure and sports clothing in a section of COEX mall that is operated by Hyundai Department Store.

There are also plenty of attractions for those visitors looking for a break from shopping. The Game Champ video arcade has 100 of the latest game devices, while the Megabox Cineplex has 16 theaters screening a wide selection of movies. Other popular attractions include the COEX Aquarium, with its water tunnel, and the Kimchi Museum, where visitors can learn everything they need to know about Korea’s favorite food, and even try some of it.