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SPS Deep Dive – Acropora Lokani

by | Aug 5, 2017 | Corals, Reef, Science

One of my favorite corals of all time is the Acropora Lokani. This deepwater beauty has sturdy main branches that run horizontal with thin, small branches that shoot up. It is a smooth skin SPS with polyps at the end of its branches. The more popular pieces have a nice purple or blue coloration but you will also see them with a cream or brown color. One of the more sought after Lokani’s is the “20,000 Leagues Lokani”, which picked up it’s deepwater nickname from the famous novel and film, ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’. The colony I had in my 225g tank was a maricultured piece I bought sight unseen from an online retailer. It was sold to me as a Purple Monster but it turned

The Deep Dive on Reef Aquarium Lighting, Part 1: Zooxanthellae, Color Temperature, and Light Intensity

by | Aug 26, 2016 | Corals, Equipment, Reef, Science, Tanks, Technology

LEDs continue to gain a loyal following as a capable reef lighting technologyLighting is important because it directly affects how we visually enjoy the hobby and, more importantly, the vast majority of the corals in our tanks are photosynthetic. In this two-part article, we will first cover some of the basics of the light itself and then discuss the various lighting technologies people use to light their reefs. Coral and zooxanthellaeCoral as we know it is a symbiotic relationship between the coral animal and dinoflagellates called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae live in the tissue of the coral and are like algae in that they contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis. The byproducts of photosynthesis are things like simple sugars that the coral hosts can use as an energy source. It is for this reason that coral are often described to the layperson as having traits of both plants and animals. The color of zooxanthellae is varying degrees of brown. However, there are over 80 known varieties of zooxanthellae

Reef Threads Podcast #285

by | Aug 1, 2016 | Fish, Podcast, Reef, Science


Jennifer Idol, diver, photographer, and author of An American Immersion

We’re back with podcast #285. This week we welcome guest Jennifer Idol who talks about her new book An American Immersion, and her experiences as the first woman to dive in all 50 states. Don’t miss this conversation with a talented diver and photographer. Download the podcast here, or subscribe to our podcasts at iTunes. Also, follow us on Twitter at reefthreads.—Gary and Christine

Sponsor: Rod’s Food
Rod’s Food website

An American Immersion
An American Immersion

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