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Whether you are new to the reef hobby, or you’ve been keeping reef tanks for years, one thing that will always be on your to do list will be some form of algae control. Whether it be hair algae, Valonia (bubble algae), Bryopsis (fern algae), Ulva (sea lettuce), or the ultra-pervasive cyanobacteria (slime algae) there is generally a “check list” you can work your way through in order to cut down and ultimately defeat your algae problem. All the algae on the previous list needs two things in order to survive: light and nutrients. We will always have both of...

A number of years ago, I taught at a fish health symposium on natural immuno-responses. I emphasized two key points: 1) Water quality, and 2) food nutrition. Basically my point was if you educate yourself and follow the rules here, you’ll rarely need to worry about treating sick fish . Most of our knowledge concerning fish dietary requirements demonstrates the importance of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates for growth (anabolism) and energy (catabolism). Together they must be balanced to protect the body. This is known as metabolism.   Proteins are primarily needed for growth and the synthesis of antibodies. Good protein...

There are many different types of pests that can infect a reef aquarium, but I wanted to put a focus on coral eating nudibranchs. I didn’t even know to look out for these little mollusks until some have been observed eating away at our montipora colonies at the aquaculture facility. It is important to try to look for these nudibranchs before adding them to a tank because an infestation can be hard to spot as they are super small.

Africa is covered in vast savannas and rainforests, but don’t forget the fast rushing streams, sluggish deltas and river basins, rapid rivers, and stagnant lakes. Each of these regions are home to their own ecosystems and amazing wildlife; keeping an aquarium gives us an opportunity to recreate these natural biomes thousands of miles away from their native locations. Check out this blog for the best fish and plants to create a West African biotope!