Any dedicated DIYer will tell you that there is no greater joy in the world than building your own stuff with your own hands; it’s a treat to see your dreams take form from your labor and the satisfaction of fulfilling your objective is one of pure achievement. Another important factor that most people will neglect is that DIY also… [Read More]
Where I Think The Hobby Should Be Going
July 25, 2012 By
Where I Think The Hobby Should Be Going By: Steven Pro I have had the pleasure recently to get out to a good number of local aquarium clubs. As part of these trips, inevitably, I get to visit the homes of some of the aquarists and view their displays. And, while I am truly grateful to talk to my fellow… [Read More]
Variations on a Refugium: Installation Options
July 25, 2012 By
Extra Extra!Variations on a Refugium: Installation Options By: Steven Pro I am an equipment junky. Don’t get that confused with a technology buff, though. I hate gadgets. I don’t use electronic probes to monitor my display’s pH, ORP, temperature, salinity, or anything else. A refractometer and simple colorimetric test kits work good enough for me. I don’t even use a… [Read More]
The Use, Overuse, and Abuse of Biological Controls
July 25, 2012 By
The Use, Overuse, and Abuse of Biological Controls The So-Called Cleaner Crews and Nuisance ‘Algae’ Problems By: Steven Pro There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don’t know why she swallowed the fly. Perhaps she’ll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a spider that wiggled and giggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider… [Read More]
The Paradox Of A Consistent Need For Variation
July 25, 2012 By
The Paradox Of A Consistent Need For Variation By: Ronald L. Shimek Ph.D. Changes According to legends and nursery rhymes, King Canute is reputed to have had his throne placed on the beach so he could sit and command the tide not to come in. His command went unheeded, of course, and he and his throne began to get wet…. [Read More]
Substrate Review – Sand Beds and Bare-Bottom Tanks
July 25, 2012 By
Substrate Review – Sand Beds and Bare-Bottom Tanks By: Scott Zachow Substrate Review – Sand Beds and Bare-Bottom Tanks This month, I wanted to do a different type of review than what we are used to, something different for the New Year I suppose. With all of the discussions over the past several years about substrate, I wanted to share… [Read More]
Sea Salts, Part One: A review and a new study to determine their effects on reef aquarium inhabitants.
July 25, 2012 By
Sea Salts, Part One: A review and a new study to determine their effects on reef aquarium inhabitants. By: Eric Borneman The first artificial sea salts designed to maintain marine ornamentals and concomitantly act as a surrogate for natural seawater were commercially developed in the 1960s. Over the many years since that first salt appeared in the aquarium trade, we… [Read More]
Reeflections: Incredibly Simple
July 25, 2012 By
Reeflections: Incredibly Simple By: Iwan Lässer Tank Introduction: First, I would like to thank the Reefland community and Reef Hobbyist Online for honoring my system. Since I was a little boy I was fascinated by the life found on coral reefs. I have always observed aquatic life whenever I had the opportunity. To increase my ability to view aquatic life,… [Read More]
Reeflections: A Three Foot Square Challenge
July 24, 2012 By
Reeflections: A Three Foot Square Challenge By: John Laurenson It is an honor to be featured in the Reef Hobbyist Online Reeflections Column, especially considering I’m following reef keepers like JB NY, steveweast, and others. I often visit their Web sites and envy their tanks. I often sit in awe when I read and see the effort and thought they… [Read More]
Reef Stability, A Moving Target
July 24, 2012 By
Reef Stability, A Moving Target By: Ronald L. Shimek Ph.D. Garbage In… Garbage Out… One of the more constant concerns of many reef aquarists is keeping their reef “stable.” To this end, large amounts of money and many hours of effort are often spent on all sorts of gadgetry, paraphernalia, and activities all designed or used to keep the aquarium… [Read More]