When MACNA 2019 was announced for Orlando, Florida, we had visions of sunshine, world-class coral vendors, exciting new product launches, and perhaps even a quick trip to Disneyland.
The sunshine certainly delivered.
The corals definitely delivered.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian had other plans.
A Hurricane Looms Over MACNA
As exhibitors and visitors arrived in Orlando, news of Hurricane Dorian dominated conversations. The storm was moving up through the Caribbean and threatening Florida’s east coast. Once airports began announcing planned closures, many exhibitors and attendees made the difficult decision to leave the event early.
Unfortunately, we were among them.
While the approaching hurricane shortened our time at the show and disrupted many exhibitors’ plans, MACNA still delivered plenty of exciting new products, innovative technology, and incredible livestock displays.
Neptune Systems Trident Steals the Show
One of the products we were most excited to see was the highly anticipated Neptune Systems Trident.
For many reef keepers, automated testing has long been considered the next major step in aquarium automation, and Neptune appears to have delivered exactly that.
The Trident automatically tests the three key reef parameters:
- Alkalinity
- Calcium
- Magnesium
For reef hobbyists already using the Neptune Apex ecosystem, the Trident offers a seamless way to monitor and maintain stability without the need for constant manual testing.
Automated testing is rapidly becoming one of the biggest trends in reef keeping, and the Trident is helping to lead that charge.
At the time of the show, Neptune expected UK stock to arrive before the end of the year, and it was already clear that demand would be extremely high.
Reef Octopus Introduces the Blade Powerhead
Another major launch at MACNA came from Reef Octopus, who unveiled their innovative new Blade Powerhead.
Many reef keepers immediately noticed similarities to gyre-style pumps, and at first glance, that comparison seems fair.
However, the Blade has a unique twist.
Instead of operating as a traditional gyre pump with a single motor driving both sides, each blade section can operate independently.
This allows hobbyists to:
- Run the pump as a traditional gyre
- Separate flow sections across the aquarium
- Create highly customised flow patterns
- Optimise circulation for different aquascapes
Combined with WiFi control and impressive flow rates, the Blade looked like one of the most exciting circulation products at the show.
Kessil Previews New Lighting Developments
Kessil was also showcasing several exciting developments.
Most notably, they displayed a prototype successor to the popular AP700 LED fixture.
Although still in development, the new light promised:
- Increased output
- A slimmer profile
- Improved aesthetics
- Enhanced performance
Equally exciting was the introduction of the new Kessil WiFi Dongle.
For years, hobbyists had requested improved wireless control for Kessil lighting systems.
The new dongle allows users to:
- Connect directly to the Kessil app
- Control multiple lights from a single interface
- Program schedules wirelessly
- Fine-tune lighting settings remotely
This development brings Kessil’s control options much closer to some of the most advanced lighting systems currently available.
Ecotech Marine Unveils the Versa Utility Pump
One of the most talked-about launches at MACNA 2019 was undoubtedly the Ecotech Marine Versa.
At first glance, it might appear to be a dosing pump.
However, Ecotech had much bigger ambitions.
The Versa is designed as a true utility pump capable of moving significantly larger volumes of water than traditional dosing systems.
Potential applications include:
- Dosing supplements
- Automatic top-off systems
- Automated water changes
- Reactor feeding
- Continuous nutrient management
The flexibility of the Versa opens up countless possibilities for reef automation.
Even more exciting, the Versa was designed to operate through Ecotech’s brand-new Mobius platform, bringing wireless control to the entire Ecotech ecosystem.
Mobius: The Future of Ecotech Control
The new Mobius platform generated almost as much excitement as the Versa itself.
Designed to wirelessly control Ecotech equipment, Mobius promises to unify products such as:
- Vortech pumps
- Vectra return pumps
- Radion lighting
- Versa utility pumps
under a single control platform.
The potential for seamless integration and simplified aquarium management makes Mobius one of the most important developments in modern reef keeping.
Real Reef Rock Expands Its Range
As longtime fans of Real Reef Rock, we were delighted to see some exciting additions to their range.
Their MACNA display featured stunning new:
- Branching structures
- Shelf formations
- Aquascaping pieces
- Natural-looking reef-building elements
These additions make it easier than ever for hobbyists to create unique and visually striking aquascapes while benefiting from Real Reef’s environmentally conscious approach to reef rock production.
The new pieces looked fantastic and were among the most impressive aquascaping products on display.
Plenty More Reef Innovations on Display
As always, MACNA showcased a huge variety of products from manufacturers across the hobby.
Companies including:
- Rossmont
- Seneye
- Blue Life USA
were all displaying new products and future developments.
It’s clear that reef aquarium technology continues to move rapidly towards greater automation, smarter monitoring, and improved user experiences.
The Coral Displays Were Incredible
Of course, no MACNA trip would be complete without talking about the corals.
Florida is home to some of the most famous coral vendors in the world, including:
- World Wide Corals
- Top Shelf Aquatics
Alongside them were many of the industry’s most respected coral growers and collectors, including the legendary Jason Fox.
The coral selection was simply breathtaking.
Visitors were treated to:
- Rare Zoanthids
- Rainbow Scolymia
- Gold Torch Corals
- Designer Acropora
- High-end LPS corals
- Exotic colour morphs
For any reef keeper, it was both inspiring and slightly frustrating—especially when you have an empty aquarium at home waiting to be filled!
Visiting World Wide Corals & Top Shelf Aquatics
Despite our shortened trip, we still managed to visit both World Wide Corals and Top Shelf Aquatics while in Florida.
Seeing these iconic coral facilities in person was an incredible experience and gave us a glimpse into the scale and quality of coral farming taking place in the United States.
A Shortened MACNA, But Still an Amazing Experience
Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian forced us to leave Orlando early on Sunday morning to avoid potential travel disruption.
While this meant less coverage than we had originally planned, both on the website and through Charterhouse TV, we were still able to see some of the industry’s most exciting product launches and innovations.
MACNA continues to be one of the most important events in the reef aquarium calendar, and 2019 certainly didn’t disappoint.
Looking Ahead
While Hurricane Dorian may have cut our trip short, it couldn’t dampen the excitement surrounding the future of reef keeping.
From automated testing and intelligent dosing systems to smarter lighting and fully integrated control platforms, the reef aquarium hobby continues to evolve at an incredible pace.
We can’t wait to see what comes next.
And with MACNA 2020 scheduled for Arizona, hopefully we’ll have a much lower chance of being chased home by a hurricane!
Final Thoughts
MACNA 2019 showcased some of the most exciting developments we’ve seen in years. Products like the Neptune Trident, Ecotech Versa, Reef Octopus Blade, and Kessil’s new wireless control solutions highlight a clear trend towards smarter, more automated reef aquariums.
As these products become available in the UK, reef keepers will have access to more tools than ever before to simplify maintenance, improve stability, and create thriving marine ecosystems.
If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned in this article, our team at Charterhouse Aquatics will be happy to help.
