Next year, our daughter will be heading off to college and our son will already be well on the way through his senior year at OSU. With two kids almost down and none to go, my wife, Melissa, and I will soon (more or less) be empty-nesters.…
Saltwater Smarts
Recent Content
Saltwater Smarts Headed to C-SEA Frag Swap!
The folks at the Cleveland Saltwater Enthusiasts Association (C-SEA) may be situated near Lake Erie—one of our freshwater Great Lakes—but on Saturday, October 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,…
A Proven Method for Treating Bacterial Infection in Anemones
Recently I had an urge to get back into keeping anemones and planned on setting up an anemone-specific aquarium with the 90-gallon tank I resealed. I knew I wanted to start looking at what has been out in the market recently and understand in what state of health they have been received at the local fish stores.…
Salty Q&A: Can We Do Better for Beginners than Caveat Emptor?
Question: I recently had a frustrating experience at a major chain pet store in my area. I watched as the aquarium department salesperson sold a type of butterflyfish that has a very specialized diet to a self-identified newbie, and he didn’t bother to tell this customer anything about it.…
The Many Benefits of the Reef Aquarium Sump
I hate clutter. Unfortunately, clutter and reef aquariums come hand in hand, especially as the devices start to pile up. Want to add a calcium reactor? Get ready to deal with power cords going to the main pump, the feed pump, and the solenoid, not to mention tubing going to and from the tank as well as the CO2 canister.…
The Pacific Sailfin Tang: A Hardy, Bold Species Demanding Spacious Accommodations
The Pacific sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer), not to be confused with its Red Sea namesake (Zebrasoma desjardinii), is a fish with many attributes that make it desirable to marine aquarium hobbyists—it’s attractive, hardy, bold, easy to feed, etc.…
Is It Possible to Overdo Marine Aquarium Water Changes?
In a recent meandering conversation I had with my freshwater-pond-keeping brother-in-law, the question of water change volume and frequency was raised—specifically whether it’s stressful to the livestock if you perform them too frequently or change out too much water at once.…
The 5 Most Common Mistakes Experienced Marine Aquarists Make
Ever notice that there are lots of articles and posts out there with titles like “The Top 10 Mistakes Novice Marine Aquarists Make”? Considering that newcomers are generally much more susceptible to making major errors than their experienced counterparts are, this stands to reason.…
Salty Q&A: Can Powerheads Be Concealed in Rockwork?
Question: I have a new 60-gallon reef tank, and I’m using two powerheads to provide water circulation. One is mounted in the upper right-hand corner of the tank near the back and the other is in the lower left-hand corner near the front.…
The Deep Dive on Reef Aquarium Lighting, Part 2: Lighting Technologies
I get asked fairly often what light is the best light. Unfortunately, there is no right answer. First off, there is the difference in aesthetics. That is a purely subjective decision that only hobbyists can make for themselves.…