Latest Articles
The Way We Were: 1973: Breeding the Clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris
This was the first article written that described the successful culture of large numbers (relatively speaking) of marine tropical fish. I wrote the article in January/February of 1973 after working with about 10 spawns of Amphiprion ocellaris. It was also my first article in the popular marine aquarist magazines of the time. The article, including editor's comments, is just as it was first printed (with a few spelling corrections).
Feature Article: Improved husbandry of marine invertebrates using an innovative filtration technology - Part 1: DyMiCo
In part one of this article I will discuss the innovative filtration technology called DyMiCo (Dynamic Mineral Control) that allows aquarists to culture a rich diversity of marine organisms, especially those that rely on live plankton for their survival.
AmericanReef Video Podcast: WetPets 460 Gallon LED Mixed Reef
AmericanReef's Russ Kikel visits with Brian Taimuty at his store Wet Pets and Friends in McMurray, PA. Brian presents the store's 460 gallon LED mixed reef aquarium. In this video he shares details relating to the design, set-up, and maintenance of this tank, offering the home aquarist both inspiration and invaluable reef-keeping advice.
Feature Aquarium: Ralf Prehn's 870 gallon "Little Coral Reef"
Ralf Prehn has created a reef masterpiece. His 870 gallon display is a perfect balance of art and design, science and engineering, passion and discipline. Ralf set out to recreate a slice of natural coral reef in Hamburg, Germany. Six years in, the result of his dedication is nothing short of amazing.
Aquarium Corals: Applying PAM fluorometry for the advancement of coral aquaculture
(Alaska Pacific University) While the aquaculture of corals has greatly improved with recent technological advances in water parameter regulation, flow control, and lighting, a lag persists in physiological examination of the health of coral specimens. A cost-friendly, pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer (Junior- or JR-PAM) was used to examine photosynthetic activity of corals within recommended aqua-culturing temperature ranges. A total of 24 coral fragments were used, representing four species: Acropora sp., Montipora digitata, Pavona decussatus, and Seriatopora hystrix. Exposure to typical, aqua-culturing temperature treatments (22, 24, 26, and 28°C) for three week periods revealed significant restrictions of photosynthesis at lower- and higher-end temperatures. Both maximum quantum yield (FV/FM) and maximum, relative electron transport rate (rETR) were significantly different across the four-interval temperature range. The efficacy of the JR-PAM for in situ coral research was also examined, and usefulness for determining coral productivity was assessed.
Feature Article: LED Lighting Tests: Radion, Orphek, Mvava, Ecoray and Ecoxotic
As LED lighting moves further into the mainstream, there a lot of new choices available to the aquarist. Hopefully this data will help the aquarist make an informed choice on what to expect from the individual LED fixtures and how best to utilize them to achieve the desired coverage and light intensity.
Aquarium Fish: An Overview of Clownfish of the Saddleback Complex
Members of the Saddleback Complex are among the most challenging species of clownfish to maintain in captivity. A rather high level of care must be reached to ensure (if it can be ensured) the health and wellbeing of these sensitive animals. Generally, attempts to keep these fishes should be undertaken by advanced aquarists (especially so if host anemones are to be kept as well). Properly cared for, the wide-band clownfish, the saddleback clownfish, and the sebae clownfish alike will undoubtedly enhance the beauty and distinctiveness of any marine aquarium display.
Aquarium Fish: An Overview of Clownfish of the Tomato Complex
The Tomato Complex arguably claims some of the most durable marine aquarium fish species, being capable of withstanding suboptimal water quality, inadequate nutrition, and careless handling (that being said, it is certainly not advisable to subject them to poor living conditions). Due to their powerful bodies and belligerent temperament, they are well suited for a community of larger, more aggressive species. As such, members of this complex are undoubtedly the best choice of clownfish for hobbyists (novice and advanced alike) that have a fondness for outstandingly bold, cantankerous fishes.
Aquarium Corals: A Look at the Sun Corals
There are numerous species of azooxanthellate stony corals out there, but more than likely the only ones you'll ever come across in the hobby are known as the sun corals, some of which are called orange cup corals. This umbrella of a common name is used for several species of the genera Tubstraea and Dendrophyllia, and these are the subject from here on out.
Feature Article: Building a Plywood Aquarium
The internet is generally a good resource of information but I did find some sites containing DIY tips for building plywood tanks that presented outdated or inaccurate information. This article will attempt to correct that information and detail the trials and tribulations of plywood aquarium construction along with updated information as well as construction time, a cost breakout and lessons learned.
The Way We Were: Propagating the Atlantic Neon Goby
Martin takes Advanced Aquarist's readers back to the way things were at the dawn of marine fish culture and discusses the breeding of the Atlantic Neon Goby.
Aquarium Fish: Spawning Cirrhilabrus jordani
For years we were instructed to keep these fish in larger spaces for success, but I firmly believe in pushing the boundaries a little to see what we get. These fish spawned in a 25-gallon system repeatedly, and yes some Cirrhilabrus wrasses will require larger spaces because of their size but it can be done!
AmericanReef Video Podcast: Seahorse Husbandry
If you’re thinking of starting up a seahorse tank, then this episode is for you. Join AmericanReef as we interview a unique and successful hobbyist who has been keeping these amazing sea creatures for close to half of his life.
Product Review: Blue Moon Aquatics' P30 LED Pendant
What seemed impossible to many just a few years ago is now reality - this LED luminaire can complete with metal halides when used over coral reef aquaria of sizes commonly seen in homes. I've had another Blue Moon Aquatics LED system in operation for over a year and report no problems with it. If that is any indication, one should get long, reliable service from the P30 luminaire.
Aquarium Chemistry: Calcite, Aragonite, Limestone, and More
It's been said a million times that aragonite helps buffer aquarium water, or helps maintain calcium concentrations, while other (carbonate) substrates do not. However, to the best of my knowledge this simply isn't true.
