by xeniaforever | Aug 10, 2016 | Fish, Reef, Science
Here is the latest video from Brian D. Greene, which showcases the highlights of his recent dive to the twilight zone of the reefs of Pohnpei, FSM. On the expedition, a collaboration between the Bishop Museum, the Association for Marine Exploration, and the California... by Barry Brown | Aug 10, 2016 | Corals, Reef, Science
Good morning friends, I’m back in Curacao after a week of dining like a King and driving around Miami, it was fun while it lasted. I must say I was surprised to find so many Spanish speaking folks in Miami, at one point when I was at Walmart I thought I was back in Mexico and really felt out of place, kind of like I do here in Curacao. I can now that we are all going to have to learn Spanish if we are to exist in the States any more, I had a hard time just ordering a coffee and food at Dunkin Donuts. I have an old colony of rare, endangered Staghorn coral for you today that has new growth popping out over the old colony. What I find interesting about this is, I thought it was all dead because the last time I saw this colony it looked brown and black and was all covered in moss, amazing how it found a way to hold on and now has all this new growth. by AquaNerd | Aug 9, 2016 | Reef, Science
Nope this is not a typo, The new PMUP ,Practical Multi Purpose Utility Pump, is Neptune Systems latest product announcement. The PMUP is designed to interface with the Neptune Apex controllers as an Auto-Top Off pump, Calcium or Carbon reactor pump. The maximum head pressure is 14 feet and the max GPH is 100 GPH. The Neptune site is states that it can be used with Biopellets. Larger Biopellet reactors require a much greater GPH, making this a new pump alternative for smaller reactors. At a diminutive 4.58″ x 2.24″ size, this pump can fit nicely into most jug openings or ATO reservoirs. The PMUP can easily be connected in 2 fashions. One option is to simply stretch silicon tubing over the intake side of the PMUP. The by Saltwater Smarts | Aug 8, 2016 | Corals, Fish, Invertebrates, Reef, Science, Tanks
Freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri)When it comes to keeping hawkfishes in aquaria, one of the more common admonitions is to avoid housing these predators with fish or crustaceans small enough to swallow. For most of the hawkfish species that grace our tanks, which generally have a maximum size somewhere between 3 and 5 inches, only very small tankmates are truly at risk. A noteworthy exception is the freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri), which can reach a rather prodigious size and has a mouth to match. You really have to take that warning seriously with this species! That said, P. forsteri is a hardy, easy-to-care-for hawk that makes a worthy aquarium candidate provided tankmates and housing are chosen judiciously.Physical traits P. forsteri has the deep, stout body and high-set eyes, typical of the hawkfishes. Its maximum size is approximately 8½ inches. by ReefBum | Aug 7, 2016 | Equipment, Fish, Reef, Science, Tanks
Coast To Coast Custom Aquariums. This aquarium, a 187 gallon low iron tank with euro bracing and an external overflow, was a piece of art as the quality and craftsmanship were top notch. It was the Porsche of fish tanks! Yes, it was time to rethink my frag tank setup. For my prior setup I went with an acrylic frag tank since it was much cheaper and lighter then glass. Nonetheless, there were some tradeoffs, as the acrylic on this 44 gallon tank scratched easily and the eurobracing began to warp. I have always been an advocate of investing in quality products (you get what you pay for) since well built products are engineered to last long and are trustworthy. Yes, a frag tank is typically not on “display” by Barry Brown | Aug 6, 2016 | Fish, Reef, Science
Good morning friends, still in Miami but will be back in Curacao tomorrow. I will for sure miss all these wonderful US comforts like the food, not seeing any trash and the kindness I have found everywhere I have been, it has been a fast but fun little trip. We sent all our personal belongings to Miami in a 20 foot container about a month ago in preparation for moving back to the States sometime in the next year or so, this is one big/expensive thing we won’t have to worry about later. I’m staying in the Doral area here in Miami and folks it is beautiful! There has been on and off rain just about every day and last night we had some serious thunderstorms starting at midnight waking everyone up in Miami
