New ideas for aquariums

The launch of its new aquarium collection could not have gone better for Tetra. The sets, marketed under the "AquaArt" label, picked up the international IF Design Award 2006 in the Leisure/ Lifestyle category for their attractive appearance. The aquariums, which come in two sizes, 30 l and 60 l, also carry the TÜV seal, guaranteeing safe operation. Included in the set is a generous starter pack that comprises food, water conditioner and an information brochure plus DVD. The core element, according to Tetra, is the newly developed "Tetratec EasyCrystal" filter system, which is cleaned simply by changing the filter cartridge. This cuts out the tedious work of washing out the filter medium, so tank owners don't even have to get their hands wet. The company states that the filter guarantees intensive mechanical, biological and chemical filtering. Tetra says that its meticulous attention to other details ranging from the flexible cable routing via the especially large opening flaps for feeding and equipment to the filter technology already mentioned makes operation child's play. Tetra exhibited two different sizes of the "Tetratec EasyCrystal" filter system at Interzoo, one for tanks with a capacity of 15 to 40 l (EasyCrystal Filter 250) and one for a capacity of 40 l to 60 l (EasyCrystal FilterBox 300). A powerful magnetic turbine sucks the aquarium water in and transports it to the filter chamber, where it passes first through a coarse prefilter and then through the small-pored fine filter of the FilterPack. During this mechanical filtering, the double-layer filter wool reliably removes even the smallest suspended particles. The active carbon in the filter pack ensures chemical filtering and absorbs unpleasant odours and discolouration in the aquarium water. The extra-large surface of the biological filter sponge is colonised by useful bacteria that filter the water biologically before it is returned to the aquarium. In the "EasyCrystal FilterBox", the large surface of additional bio-filter balls also acts as a colonisation surface for bacteria. As well as the "EasyCrystal" filter, the "EasyCrystal FilterBox" also incorporates a practical compartment for the heater and the bio-filter balls. Another spectacular new product Tetra has brought onto the market is "Tetra Aqua Safe Start". Before a newly set-up aquarium can be populated with fish, a waiting period of three to four weeks should be allowed for. The aquarium needs this time to become biologically…