Propagating anemones can be easy and quite rewarding. While many of these animals eventually split on their own, the process can be sped up with some careful cutting and tender loving care. The group pictured above was grown from a single bubble tip anemone over the course of a few months. I [...]
Optimal water chemistry is much more than a set of perfect numbers. It is an over all balance of many minerals, as well as an ability to maintain stability over long periods of time. When excellent water chemistry is achieved you can see it in the animals. The polyps may be a bit larger and [...]
Some corals, like the Acropora desalwii above, really add a blast of color to a reef aquarium. This image was taken from the top of the coral, and shows the parts of the specimen that are exposed to the brightest light. The contrasting colors and striking pigments are most visible from this [...]
The group of coral specimens commonly named staghorn are some of my favorites. They grow extremely fast and come in a variety of pigments. These are one of the very important corals for reef growth. The mass they produce contributes to a large portion of the reef structure in the wild. [...]
If any coral fits this description of eye candy, the candy coral has to be it. The Caulastrea species is often called by the common name candy coral. This is a very fitting name with the amazing color combinations it sports. This particular specimen is very bright and stands out in any reef [...]
Stoney corals require many things to thrive. Once the basics are mastered, stability is most important. Keeping the parameters close to the natural sea water numbers will work every time as long as stability is considered. Chasing elevated parameters or sudden changes stress the corals [...]
Every successful reef aquarist must, at some point, face an inevitable question: should I cut this particular coral. Problems between corals arise from invasion of space, shading, and other overcrowding issues. The Montipora setosa pictured above has fallen into the shadow of a faster [...]
The starting point with a captive reef aquarium can be the most difficult part of the equation. Often times the beginner starts with corals that are the most sensitive and demanding which lends to a higher failure rate. Choosing the correct animals at the gate can be as important as the system [...]