Captive Aquatics: The Freshwater, Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Blog

82 Stony Corals Endangered?

So, it seems that a piece of legislation currently under consideration by NOAA would add 82 species of corals to the endangered species list.  This is getting a lot of buzz around the hobby, websites, mostly of the knee-jerk "Oh my god this will kill our profits hobby!" type (ie. Coral Magazine's site, where this proposition is laughed at, yet conservation efforts are recommended only one post below!), a fear that's not only unfounded, but interfering with the protection of these species.

The Marine Aquarium Hobby in Retrospect: 2009

After a hectic "holiday season", I/we are back (trying to be back?) at penning for the CA blog.  I wanted to write a brief opinion piece of the hobby in 2009.

As a marine aquarium hobbyist since 1993, a marine aquatics author since 2001, and a "professional" for a year, I've seen a lot of things come, go, stay, and change in our hobby, for better or for worse.  For better or for worse, this is the first year I felt that the beginning of the end was palpable for the marine and reef aquarium hobby in it's current state.

Reef Central Continues to...

...Fail, as Reefbuilders put it?  That's right: as if RC wasn't already a laughingstock amongst professionals and serious aquarists, the RC mods are at it again, this time removing thousands of posts created over half a decade by the Seachem staff.  Seeing as Seachem stopped paying RC's exorbitant ad rates (nearly $1000 per month + $1 per click!) RC has decided to remove years of knowledge from their forum section (likely the majority of the only real knowledge RC had to offer). 

Being a money-mongering forum is one thing (although they try to hide it, RC is a cash cow bringing in ~$10,000 per month - but don't mention this on their forum, it's a ban-able offense) but eradicating years of knowledge about some of the world's best aquarium products and water chemistry information that the Seachem staff kindly provided (about products that virtually every reefer uses) without archiving it, is inexcusable.

Do yourself a favor: don't visit Reef Central, and check out a legit source of aquatics information that universities and the like use: WetWebMedia.com.  You aren't missing out on anything at RC, I promise.

---

Like this? Please bookmark via the social bookmarking buttons below, subscribe to our free RSS feed, and sign up for our free weekly newsletter on the right!

Share |

© Captive Aquatics™ / Captive Aquatics™ Blog / Sponsor Info

Matt Wittenrich on Collection & Aquaculture

I worked with marine biologist and notable fish breeder Matt Wittenrich at Microcosm Aquarium Explorer, and today I'd like to post an interview I did with him a few weeks back about the current wild collection practices.  I think it will be an informative interview for hobbyists who don't often get a lot of 'behind-the-scenes' news:

The ReefCentral "Gestapo" Strike Again!

Well, I made my final post at ReefCentral - a forum reknown for it's misinformation and excessively controlling moderators (hence why this is my first and last post in five years).  I posted a thread selling a few of my personal aquatic paraphernalia, as I'm moving personal (not business) locations soon.  Here is a transcript of what followed:

Visiting the Monterrey Bay Aquarium

Editor's Note: this post introduces our newest contributing author and photographer, Nate Bernardo.  All images in this post are © Nate Bernardo, 2009.

It was a beautiful Wednesday morning when I decided to head out to Monterey. I packed my bag with water, food, and a book to read on the bus and left my house with my SLR camera.

Mike Maddox Interviewed (again)!

I meant to post this back in June, but we've been so busy around here at Captive Aquatics that I forgot!  Anyways, our very own Mike Maddox was interviewed by Frank Reece of Blue Zoo Radio concerning our aquatic business and services, aquarium science, Mike's no-nonsense approach to hobbyist education (no, just because someone posted it on Reef Central doesn't make it true!), and more.

Mikemaddox_bluezoo

MP3 and WMA formats for those that want to download it rather than listen here. 

Share:

© Captive Aquatics™ / Captive Aquatics™ Blog / Sponsor Info

All-In-One Nano Aquarium Thoughts

Richard from Euro-Reef's Nano Systems called me to discuss the state of today's nano aquariums, and what I thought an ideal nano aquarium would have to offer.  I apparently have attained a reputation regarding nano reef aquariums, and Richard called me to let me know he sympathizes with my opinion regarding many of the all-in-one (AIO) nano aquariums on the market today: close, but no cigar. 

My opinion of Reef Central

My own opinion of Reef Central, epitomized by the Louisiana Reef Club (click image for larger version):

 

RC promptly banned the entire club and deleted their club forum. 

Share:

© Captive Aquatics™ / Captive Aquatics™ Blog / Sponsor Info

Pet and Local Fish Stores: a Disgrace to the Hobby?

I detest pet and local fish stores (LFS).  Why?  To put it simply, I have very rarely see a store that provides decent care to their livestock, and offers sound, accurate advice.