Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article Index

Feature Article: Coral Reproduction, Part Three: Stony Coral Sexuality, Reproduction Modes, Puberty Size, Sex Ratios and Life Spans

Information on the reproductive habits of over 300 stony coral species (in almost 100 genera) is presented. It is the most complete single-source reference currently available.

Posted on 2008-09-15

Feature Article: Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and the Reef Aquarium: an Initial Survey, Part II

Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Ken and Kelly continue to report on their work on Total Organic Carbon and how it relates to the reef aquarium.

Posted on 2008-09-15

Feature Article: Micro-Ecosystems

When experimenting with these small scale closed systems, it is vitally important to be backed up by your already solidly operating typical marine aquariums, so that you are better prepared to ultimately succeed with these experimental closed mini eco-systems.

Posted on 2008-09-15

Feature Article: Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and the Reef Aquarium: an Initial Survey, Part I

Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Ken and Kelly report on their work on Total Organic Carbon and how it relates to the reef aquarium.

Posted on 2008-08-15

Feature Article: Coral Reproduction, Part Two: Asexual Reproductive Modes of Captive Corals and Anemones

As we shall see, almost every detail of the captive breeding system must be deliberately engineered to consistently and reliably obtain the desired results.

Posted on 2008-08-15

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of 150 Watt DE Lamps: Giesmann, Icecap, Iwasaki and Elos

Sanjay continues his analysis of the 150 Watt DE Lamps.

Posted on 2008-08-15

Feature Article: Metal Halide Lamps - Aging Over Time: XM, EVC and Giesmann Coral 400W Mogul Lamps

The study presented some very interesting data on the life of metal halide lamps. It reinforced the view that the spectral qualities change over time resulting in the change of the CCT of the lamps to lower values.

Posted on 2008-07-15

Feature Article: Coral Reproduction, Part One: A Natural Coral Spawning in Hawai'i, The Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora meandrina)

Witnessing a coral spawning, especially in the daytime, is an unusual and memorable event. We have much to learn about coral reproduction.

Posted on 2008-07-15

Feature Article: Google SketchUp for Aquarium Applications, Part II

In this second part, Shane digs a bit deeper into using SketchUp for modeling aquarium projects. You will learn a bit about using scripts to automate tasks as well as to add new functionality to SketchUp while building a kalkwasser reactor.

Posted on 2008-06-15

Feature Article: West Atlantic Stony Corals, Part 3: Large Polyp and Fire Corals

Jake continues his West Atlantic Stony Coral series with Meandrinids, Mussids, Oculiniids, Caryophillidae, Hydrocorals, and others.

Posted on 2008-05-15

Feature Article: Home Fumigation - Do I Really Have To Remove My Aquarium?

Dana's limited experiences suggest you and your aquarium will make it through just fine.

Posted on 2008-05-15

Feature Article: Top Down Photographing Techniques and Equipment for Corals in a Reef Aquarium

This article will explore some of the cheaper options that will allow an aquarist to take stunning top down pictures of corals in the home aquarium with both simple point and shoot cameras and the more expensive SLR cameras.

Posted on 2008-05-15

Feature Article: Emergency Protocols for Home Aquariums

While this article cannot solve every aquarium emergency, it hopefully gives some ideas that can be implemented with little cost which may pay big dividends in saving the lives of aquarium animals.

Posted on 2008-04-15

Feature Article: Super Corals - Montipora undata

This coral will grow very quickly when conditions are correct. Specimens can double in size in just a few months.

Posted on 2008-03-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration and Incident Light: A Photographic Essay

Departments of Chemistry and Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802

Posted on 2008-03-15

Feature Article: West Atlantic Stony Corals Part 2: SPS Corals Continued and Faviid Corals

Jake continues his series on Atlantic stony corals.

Posted on 2008-02-15

Feature Article: Super Corals - Superman Montipora

The following article will examine some husbandry techniques for this exotic coral.

Posted on 2008-02-15

Feature Article: Algae: Sometimes Both Beautiful and Useful

Too often marine macro algae are only considered to be part of an aquarium's filtration system.

Posted on 2008-02-15

Feature Article: Granular Activated Carbon, Part 2: Modeling of Operational Parameters for Dissolved Organic Carbon Removal from Marine Aquaria

Chemistry Department, The Pennsylvania State University. In Part 2, the authors will discuss the results of their research and make some recommendations to the aquarist on its usage.

Posted on 2008-02-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 9: Tridacna and Other Photosynthetic Clam Coloration, With Observations on Possible Functions

This month, we will continue our observations of marine invertebrate coloration with a slightly different subject - that of the impressive appearance of photosynthetic clams.

Posted on 2008-01-15

Feature Article: Montipora digitata: A Stony Coral for All Hobbyists

These animals are generally hardy in captivity and can grow rather quickly, making them attractive to beginning and intermediate reefkeepers.

Posted on 2008-01-15

Feature Article: Granular Activated Carbon, Part 1: Modeling of Operational Parameters for Dissolved Organic Carbon Removal from Marine Aquaria

Chemistry Department, The Pennsylvania State University. In this first part of a two part series, the authors will introduce granular activated carbon and explain the experimental goals and mathematical models used in their research.

Posted on 2008-01-15

Feature Article: Tropical West Atlantic Corals, Part 1: General Information and Atlantic SPS Corals

By illustrating West Atlantic corals through close-up photography and relating the species to well-known Pacific species, this article introduces West Atlantic corals in a perspective which is familiar and informative for aquarists as well as divers.

Posted on 2007-12-15

Feature Article: Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

Posted on 2007-12-15

Feature Article: Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

They are considered the most beautiful creatures of the sea and as they move very slowly, they are very popular among submarine photographers.

Posted on 2007-11-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 8: Blue and Green Coral Fluorescence: Environmental Factors Affecting Fluorescent Pigmentation

For our purposes, we'll say that blue and green fluorescent pigments are in the range of 400nm to 565nm.

Posted on 2007-11-15

Feature Article: Identifying Parasitic Diseases in Marine Aquarium Fish - A Hobbyist’s Guide to Identifying Some Common Marine Aquarium Parasites

Awareness of the symptoms and treatments for other common parasites can save aquarists from disappointing setbacks, unnecessary expenses and the loss of livestock.

Posted on 2007-10-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration - Part 7: Coral Reflectance, Chromoproteins and Environmental Factors Affecting Non-fluorescent Pigmentation

All the information presented in the previous six installments of this series has been only a precursor to this article, where we identified coral pigments as described in scientific literature.

Posted on 2007-10-15

Feature Article: Stony Coral Identification Primer for Aquarists, Part One

If you’ve been in the reef keeping hobby for a while, you’ve probably outgrown the use of common coral names.

Posted on 2007-09-15

Feature Article: Toxins, Venoms and Inhibitory Chemicals in Marine Organisms

Competition and the requirement to kill prey quickly means that venoms in marine species are far more powerful than similar venoms in terrestrial organisms.

Posted on 2007-09-15

Feature Article: Effects of Interspecific Interactions on the Growth and Morphology of Cultured Acropora pulchra and Porites cylindrica

This experiment is another step towards refining culturing techniques that will lead ultimately towards the reduction of harvesting wild stock corals for the aquarium trade.

Posted on 2007-08-15

Feature Article: Tank Raised Moon Jellyfish

The end result is a spectacular display of fluid sculpture the aquarium hobby now has to offer. Something like a living lava lamp.

Posted on 2007-07-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 6: Non-fluorescent Chromoproteins (CP-568 – CP-610) And A Newly Discovered Colorant

Dana continues his discussion on coral pigments and pigmentation.

Posted on 2007-07-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part Five: Non-fluorescent Chromoproteins (CP-480 to CP-562)

Contrary to popular belief, not all coral colors are fluorescent.

Posted on 2007-06-15

Feature Article: Evaluation of Live Food Versus Artificial Food on the Growth of Juvenile Pocillopora damicornis Cultured from Planulae

The following is a report on the first experiment where Lee examined the effects of different foods on the growth of juvenile corals.

Posted on 2007-06-15

Feature Article: Antique Fish Prints as Fine Art

This article is intended to give some basic information to aquarists who may decide to delve into the side-hobby of collecting antique art prints of fish.

Posted on 2007-05-15

Feature Article: Pump Head Loss Calculator - Easing System Design

Calculating flow for your aquarium just got a little easier.

Posted on 2007-05-15

Feature Article: An Update on Zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium spp.) What a Difference a Year Makes!

This article, the first of two parts, is a follow up on an article printed in Advanced Aquarist entitled ‘Lighting by Number’ and discusses Clades ‘A’ and ‘B’.

Posted on 2007-04-15

Feature Article: 3D Modeling for Aquarium Projects

This article will introduce the reader to Google SketchUp 3D modeling software and show how to create basic models for aquarium projects.

Posted on 2007-03-15

Feature Article: How Much Light?! Analyses of Selected Shallow Water Invertebrates' Light Requirements

Dana examines the optimal amounts of light required for select stony corals, soft coral and a Tridacna clam, and is intended to complement his previous article "Too Much Light!" (July 2004).

Posted on 2007-03-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 4: Red Fluorescent Pigments, a Preliminary Report of Effects of Various Environmental Factors and Color Mixing

Dana explains several environmental factors and their possible effects on coral coloration.

Posted on 2007-02-15

Feature Article: Fish Eyes

Mark discusses the anatomy of a typical fish eye.

Posted on 2007-01-15

Feature Article: Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light, Part V

Just as aquarium lighting has received a thorough reevaluation, so too must we start to consider how the water movement of our aquariums translates into water motion which is relevant and suitable for coral health.

Posted on 2007-01-15

Feature Article: Rare Fish at the Waikiki Aquarium: A Long History

Charles discusses various rare fish that the Waikiki Aquarium has had on exhibit.

Posted on 2006-12-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 3: Pigments Responsible for Yellow and Orange Coloration, With Notes on Photoconversion

Dana continues the discussion of fluorescent pigments with yellow and orange fluorescent pigments and thoughts concerning their function.

Posted on 2006-12-15

Feature Article: Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light Part 4: Basics of Hydrodynamics

This article revisits the topic of hydrodynamics, at a larger scale, in order to give readers background understanding on the big picture of water movement.

Posted on 2006-11-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration, Part 2: Fluorescence: Pigments 510 - 565 and Notes on Green Fluorescent Proteins

Dana continues the discussion of fluorescent pigments with green, yellow-green and yellow fluorescent pigments and a few hypotheses concerning their function.

Posted on 2006-11-15

Feature Article: Old Tank Syndrome

Does old tank syndrome really exist? Julian explains changes that the tank goes through as it gets older.

Posted on 2006-10-15

Feature Article: Coral Coloration: Fluorescence: Part 1

While coral coloration is today less likely to be the subject of intense interest (and debate) within the hobby than it was just 5 years ago, the situation is much different in peer-reviewed literature, with researchers producing a staggering amount of information on marine invertebrate fluorescent and non-fluorescent pigments.

Posted on 2006-09-15

Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals, Part III

In this month’s article Jake will discuss his own research demonstrating how flow speed and lighting intensity go hand in hand.

Posted on 2006-09-15

Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals than light. Part II: The science of corals and water flow

This second article in the series will review some of the published scientific research describing how water flow affects coral health.

Posted on 2006-08-15

Articulo Destacado: Escorpión del Atlántico???

He hecho crecer algo que es vistoso y coloridoen mis gustos sumergidos, por lo que cuando vi un pequeño escorpion al sur de Long Island en Septiembre, 2001, me tomo un momento pensar en las implicaciones. Esto no es algo normal en el tropico del Atlantico. Este pez estaba fuera de curso.

Posted on 2006-07-15

Articulo destacado: El flujo del agua es más importante para los corales que la iluminación. Parte 1. Introducción al intercambio de gases

Consideraciones para el flujo del agua, son normalmente secundarios a otras decisionescuando se trata del ensambre de un tanque de arrecife, cuando el flujo es lo más importante para la salud y vitalidad de un acuario de arrecife.

Posted on 2006-07-15

Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals than light. Part 1. Introduction to Gas Exchange

Considerations for water flow are almost always secondary to other decisions made when assembling a reef set up when in fact, water flow is paramount to the health and vitality of a reef system.

Posted on 2006-06-15

Feature Article: Atlantic Lionfish???

I’ve grown somewhat accustomed to seeing these brightly-colored wayward fishes in my underwater wanderings, so when I happened upon a tiny lionfish clinging to a wooden piling along the south shore of Long Island in September, 2001, it took a moment for me to fathom the implications. This was not just a stray from the tropical Atlantic. This fish was way off course.

Posted on 2006-06-15

Feature Article: The "Old Tank" Syndrome

Now that a tank no longer needs to be broken down and tanks are being maintained for long periods of time a new

Posted on 2006-05-15

Feature Article: Glitter Lines: More Than Aesthetic?

Este artÃculo presenta algunos datos iniciales de los recients experimentos relacionados con los efectos fisiologicos de las lineas superficiales del agua en el acuario, comparandolas con las que se generan naturalmente.

Posted on 2006-05-15

Feature Article: Glitter Lines: More Than Aesthetic?

This article will present some initial data from recent experiments relating to the physiological effects of glitter lines within aquaria, and also how our artificial glitter compares to that found in natural reefs.

Posted on 2006-05-15

Feature Article: The "Old Tank" Syndrome

Now that a tank no longer needs to be broken down and tanks are being maintained for long periods of time a new "syndrome" is starting to show itself. For lack of a better term the situation is being called the "Old Tank Syndrome." This syndrome is not as dramatic as the new tank syndrome where all of the fish died, but it can be just as unsettling to the tank's owner.

Posted on 2006-05-15

Feature Article: Metabolism, Energy Use and Feeding Behaviors in Fish

Terry discusses fish metabolism and how it affects fish.

Posted on 2006-04-15

Articulo Destacado: Crecimiento del coral desde la produccion sexual larvatica, Parte 2

Para el tanque de arrecife de coral: Agrega dos partes de iluminación, una parte de movimeinto de agua, una docena de caracoles y una pisca de alimento. Puede el mismo recipiente usarse para hacer crecer corales juveniles?

Posted on 2006-04-15

Articulo Destacado: Metabolismo, Uso de la energia y los comportamientos alimenticios en los peces

Terry discute el metabolismo de los peces y como los afecta.

Posted on 2006-04-15

Feature Article: Growing Corals from Sexually produced Larvae, Part 2

For the coral reef tank: Add two parts lighting, one part water movement, a bakers dozen of snails and a pinch of food. Can the same recipe be used for growing juvenile corals?

Posted on 2006-04-15

Feature Article: Growing Corals from Sexually produced Larvae; it's the 'r'ight way to Conserve Coral Reefs, but more 'K'nowledge is needed

Growing sexually propagated larvae is discussed and it relates to the aquarium trade.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Feature Article: The "Fragging" Phenomenon

Mike discusses the coral fragging phenomenon and its successes.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Feature Article: Updating Marine Teleost Fish Acclimation Procedures: Part 2

Terry continues covering acclimation, recovery, the role of hyposalinity therapy, factors influencing feeding behaviors and some handy equipment for use during acclimation and quarantine.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Artículo Destacado: El fenómeno de la "Fragmentación"

Mike discute el fenómeno de la fragmentación y su exito.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Artículo Destacado: Crecimiento de corales por larvas reproducidas sexualmente; es el camino correcto para la conservación de los arrecifes, pero aún se necesita mayor conocimientog

Discusión sobre el crecimiento de larvas propagadas sexualmente y su relación con el intercambio en los acuarios.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Artículo Destacado: Actualizando los procedimientos de aclimatación de peces marinos: Parte 2

Terry continúa con su cobertura sobre la aclimatación, recuperación, el rol de la terapia de la hiposalinidad, factores que influencían los comportamientos alimenticios y equipo que puede utilizarse para la aclimatación y cuarentena.

Posted on 2006-03-15

Feature Article: The Georgia Aquarium: Setting a New Benchmark for Public Aquariums

We aquarists probably more so than the typical visitor can appreciate the mind boggling numbers associated with being the largest aquarium in the world.

Posted on 2006-02-15

Feature Article: Temperature and the Reef Aquarium

Dana discusses some simple temperature experiments and combines this information with important results recently published in the respected journal "Limnology and Oceanography." He will also briefly discuss observations made of pendent luminaire temperatures and how to potentially limit thermal transfer from the lamp to the aquarium.

Posted on 2006-02-15

Feature Article: Lighting by Number: "Types" of Zooxanthellae and What They Tell Us

The latest genetic research on Zooxanthellae is presented in this article.

Posted on 2006-01-15

Feature Article: Updating Marine Fish Acclimation Procedures: Part 1

Terry discusses advances in acclimation procedures and what aquarists can do to help their tank inhabitants.

Posted on 2006-01-15

Feature Article: Colors by the Thousands - Light, Colors and Corals, Part I

Review of today's knowledge about the coloration of the guests in our tanks.

Posted on 2005-12-15

Feature Article: Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study Part II

An in-depth analysis of the elements in our salt mixes.

Posted on 2005-12-15

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of 175W Metal Halide Lamps - Part I

This set of articles will report on the results of spectral analysis and light output as measured using the same basic setup and distances used in all my prior tests, thus allowing for a direct comparison with previous data.

Posted on 2005-11-15

Feature Article: Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study, Part I

An in-depth analysis of the elements in our salt mixes (Part 1 of 2).

Posted on 2005-11-15

Feature Article: The Successful Aquarium Culture of Goniopora Species

Goniopora is just the latest group of corals with the 'keep away' label--but I have no doubt it will soon be put on the 'been there, done that' list.

Posted on 2005-10-15

Feature Article: Collection and Transportation of Coral, Fish and Live Rock

Mike discusses his experiences from observing how the animals we keep in our tanks are collected and shipped to us.

Posted on 2005-10-15

Feature Article: Keeping and Breeding the dwarf cuttlefish Sepia bandensis

Keeping cephalopods, and especially cuttlefish, in home aquariums is still in its infancy.

Posted on 2005-09-15

Feature Article: Underwater Light Field and its Comparison to Metal Halide Lighting

This article presents some data on the underwater light field on a reef and compares it to the artificial light field over our reef aquaria, along with discussion of other features of natural lighting that are often not simulated in our aquariums.

Posted on 2005-08-15

Feature Article: An Experimental Comparison of Sandbed and Plenum-Based Systems: Part 2: Live Animal Experiments

This month, we will continue our experimental comparison of sandbed and plenum-based systems under more realistic conditions.

Posted on 2005-07-15

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of XM 15000K Metal Halide Lamps

The 15,000K XM bulbs (150 watt DE, 175 watt SE, 250 watt SE/DE, and 400 watt DE) are thoroughly analyzed and discussed in this article.

Posted on 2005-06-15

Feature Article: An Experimental Comparison of Sandbed and Plenum-Based Systems. Part 1: Controlled lab dosing experiments

In this two part article, Robert and Christopher discuss experiments that they've conducted on sandbed and plenum-based systems and the results of those experiments.

Posted on 2005-06-15

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of Mogul base Coralvue and Coralvue-Reeflux Metal Halide Lamps

New 250 watt and 400 watt morgul bulbs are reviewed and compared.

Posted on 2005-05-15

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of 250W Mogul base Metal Halide Lamps - PART III: EVC, Happy Reefkeeping, Agromax and Coralvue

Additional 250 watt lamps on various ballasts are reviewed.

Posted on 2005-04-15

Feature Article: The Toxicity of Synthetic Sea Salts and Natural Seawater to the Development of White Sea Urchin (Lytichinus pictus) Larvae

A frequent question in the marine aquarium hobby in whether synthetic sea salts are an acceptable substitute for natural seawater for use in marine fish and coral reef aquaria.

Posted on 2005-03-15