Aiptasia-X is formulated to target glass anemones, which can quickly reach plague proportions in marine aquaria with a devastating effect on corals and other livestock. According to the company, Aiptasia-X consists of natural components that form a thick adhesive material, which makes the application of the material easy and seals the anemone’s mouth. What’s unique about this formula is instead of causing the anemone to feel threatened, it is perceived as food by the anemone, stimulating the anemone to expand and ingest the food. Our tester, a longtime reef keeper, raved about this treatment. “It was so fun to watch this work,” he says. “Within minutes the anemone breaks down. It just eats the stuff up and collapses.”

800-RED-SEA9
www.redseafish.com

The Kitt-In Box, a compact desk-side cat perch, is designed to keep pets up to 20 pounds close at hand while maintaining distance between paws and keyboard or important papers. It features walls for nesting, a cushion with machine-washable cover, and felt pads to protect the desk, as well as a clamp for mounting and non-marring feet for desktop placement. “It’s rather attractive,” says our tester, who has eight cats. “Lulu, who loves to chase the mouse cursor on my computer screen, took to it right away. I love that she can still bat at the monitor without me having to shoo her off my bills every second. It’s brilliant!” Kitt-In Box is available in three stain finishes: cherry, birch and mahogany.

201-379-7697
www.therefinedfeline.com

The Exo-Terra Rainforest and Desert Habitat Kits aim to simplify the often-daunting process of setting up a starter terrarium. Available in small and medium sizes, each kit includes a glass terrarium, front-window ventilation, metal screen top ventilation, a natural-looking background, a lighting system, decorative items and functional accessories, substrate, a water dish and a care guide. Both kits were a hit with our novice reptile-owning testers. “It was ridiculously easy to assemble,” says one tester. “And it’s actually very fashionable.” We especially like the double swing-out doors in front—anything to make cleaning and handling easier!

www.hagen.com

Marina Betta Kits aren’t just for desks; users can mount them their walls! Not only is this exciting for the pet owner but the retailer, as well. The small size and mounting ability makes them easy to display for sale. Our tester, who is new to betta ownership, opted for the Zen Marina Betta Kit. “It’s very modern and a little more spacious than some other betta bowls I’ve seen,” she says. “And it’s very calming. I keep it on my desk and look at it all the time.” Each kit includes a half-gallon plastic tank with background, gravel, betta food and water conditioner. Four varieties are available with interchangeable décor.

www.hagen.com

The Aqua-Fur Bowl may look simple (and it is—one reason why we love it), but there’s more to it than meets the eye. First of all, the travel bowl is dishwasher-safe and impervious to hot or cold and the company guarantees that it will never leak. That said, what we find particularly thrilling is the material and the way it folds for easier storage. “I never would have thought a product could be tough and foldable,” says our tester, who has a Labrador retriever. “Many shove-into-your-pocket products are cheaply made. I can tell this travel bowl is a wise investment.” Aqua-Fur is available in blue, green, red or orange.

www.tazlab.com

The Whisper EX, a series of freshwater aquarium filtration systems, is designed to allow consumers to more easily and intuitively maintain clearer and healthier aquarium environments. It’s sleek, quiet and efficient, and very user friendly. There’s virtually no assembly and the filter primes itself. Perhaps the most convenient element is the Timestrip technology, which gives users a visual reminder of how long the filter has been in use. “I love that it’s ready to go straight out of the box,” says our tester, who has a 30-gallon freshwater aquarium. “All I had to do was adjust the intake tube, put the filter on and plug it in.” Also noteworthy is a filter carrier that reduces the need to touch the filter cartridge. It features point-and-drop technology that guides the filter into place, as well as a rounded design that allows for faster drainage and reduced dripping.

800-526-0650
www.tetra-fish.com

Though we’re fond of the company’s grooming formulas, what really made an impact on us in the last year was its incorporation of eco-friendly packaging. The 20-ounce bottles are made from corn instead of petroleum-based ingredients associated with many plastic containers. They’re biodegradable, as is the sleeve, according to the company. Shampoo products sporting this responsible packaging include Aloe Moist, Awapuhi White, Berry Clean, Kava, Neem Citrus, Oatmeal & Tea Tree, Puppy & Kitten and Papaya Plus, as well as Kiwi Conditioner. We commend Tropiclean for setting a terrific example to pet owners and others in the industry.

800-542-7387
www.tropiclean.net

The Gentle Trainer Series Wireless Remote Training System features 15 levels of vibration as well as electrical stimulation and includes a choice of three waterproof models that work from 2 feet up to ½ mile. The dog always receives a quick on-off reminder, allowing the dog’s response to determine whether to continue with vibration or electrical stimulation. Our tester, who has a chow chow, first tried the e-stimulation on her fingertips. “The tingle was intense enough to shock me but there was zero pain,” she says. Though Lacey didn’t need much more than moderate vibration—and she’s a stubborn dog—the e-stimulation option was put to use. “Lacey is a car chaser. I like knowing that if she runs toward traffic, which is both annoying and dangerous, that one quick e-zap will stop her in her tracks.” This system, which really is gentle, does a great job of evading the shock collar stigma. We hope to see a size for tiny dogs soon.

866-795-7387
www.unleashedtechnology.com

Each ZeroEdge aquarium features the visual effect of water extending and vanishing at its edge. The design and overflowing water provide the ultimate viewing experience, as well as a tranquil, trickling sound. There are no visible cords or pumps and no bulky canopy. It’s user-friendly, too. The pre-plumbing includes quick disconnects and click clamps and a simple ball valve allows for flow adjustment. This is an aquarium that’s absolutely stunning and worth looking at for hours.

847-464-0914
www.zeroedgeaquarium.com

The Tortoise Play Pen is designed to allow tortoises to feed on beneficial grass outdoors and absorb UVB rays from sunlight. We don’t remember ever having seen a play pen for tortoises until this one, but we think it’s a terrific idea. It features a private sleeping area and comes knocked down for easy assembly. A complementing tortoise house is also available.

888-496-6633
www.zoomed.com

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