Baby Banggai Fry: Why DHA and Vitamins Are Essential Beyond Live Artemia
In the past (2014), in the initial phase of rearing Banggai cardinalfish fry as an amateur aquaculturist, I repeated a common mistake made by amateurs or novices in rearing aquatic organisms. This mistake involved the use of live feeds consisting of freshly hatched live Artemia provided multiple times a day and the assumption that “live”…
Bryopsis pennata : Understanding, identifying, and managing an opportunistic algae
Amongst the algae that may appear in our reef tanks and belong to the green algae category; Bryopsis pennata is considered to be a challenging alga not necessarily because it is aggressive, but because it is capable of taking advantage of a certain imbalance in a normal aquarium system. In my own tank, it represents…
Understanding the N:P Ratio in Reef Aquariums
Where modern reef aquariums are concerned, nutrient control becomes a simple mathematical calculation. It is now possible to test for nitrate (NO3) and phosphate (PO4) contents and then compare these results with what is considered optimal levels, with both reduced to their lowest possible amount. On the surface, this method appears sound and even comforting.…
How Corals Learn Through Epigenetic Adaptation to Survive
In this hobby, I’ve often been amazed at how the corals will delight those who research and care for them for years. Gazing at my reef aquarium, it occurred to me that endurance of the corals the ability to withstand little stress and accommodate change appears at times to be larger than can be attributable…
Dissolved Organic Matter in Marine Aquariums: Structure, Biogeochemical Role, and Strategic Management
Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) is an essential and multi-faceted component of marine aquarium biogeochemistry. Through the control of microbial productivity, the alteration of the nutrient flux, and the exercise of significant control over the general stability of the ecosystem, DOM has an unavoidable role. For all that DOM is constantly cycled through natural reefs by…
Essential Water Parameters in a Reef Aquarium
I have found over the years that it takes more than technology or high cost equipment to build a healthy reef tank, it takes managing the sensitive chemistry on which all life relies. Corals, fish, and invertebrates are not mere travelers in our tanks; they are part of a very sensitive system reliant on stability,…
Setting Up and Maturing a Reef Aquarium with the DSB Method
To begin a marine reef aquarium using the Deep Sand Bed (DSB) technique is perhaps one of the most captivating and gratifying experiences for the serious marine aquarium hobbyist. For me personally, the DSB technique has always represented the closest to reproducing natural marine communities as is possible. In the course of this paper, I…
Combining Dry and Live Rock: Maximizing Reef Aquarium Health with CaribSea Primo Reef Rock
CaribSea Primo Reef Rock is the marine hobbyist’s preferred choice for the ecological utility and decorative sophistication of a substrate. Built primarily from natural aragonite, Primo Reef Rock has a realistic and complex morphology similar to actual reefs, with a range of different forms, textures, and cavities maximizing visual fidelity and utility in reef tanks.…
The Benefits of Incorporating a Refugium
As I was going through some old photo backups, I stumbled upon picture of the refugium I used in my marine aquarium back in 2010 (sorry for the pic quality). Seeing this photo brought back a flood of memories and sparked my interest in sharing my experience. In this article, I want to share my…
Iron in Marine Aquariums: Benefits, Dosage, Monitoring, and Risks
Iron is an essential nutrient for marine organisms. SPS corals utilize iron in the process of photosynthesis. Borneman, Eric H. “Aquarium Corals; Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History” (TFH Publications, 2001). Iron plays a crucial role in chlorophyll production. Chlorophyll, a pigment found in the zooxanthellae, is responsible for capturing light energy during photosynthesis. It has…
