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MASNA Aquarist of the Year 2015 is Awarded to Terry Siegel

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TS1Hot off the press, MASNA announced the 2015 winner of their Aquarist of the Year award, and it goes to our friend Terry Siegel.  Terry has been a long time aquarist and teacher of reef science through his work with The Marine Aquarist, Aquarium Frontiers, Reefs.org, and Advanced Aquarist.  We’re delighted that Terry has been honored with this award and are looking forward to the presentation of the award at the MACNA banquet in Washington DC on Saturday Night.  Congrats Terry!… More:

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Blackcap Basslet: A Comely Deepwater Cousin to the Royal Gramma

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Blackcap basslet (Gramma melacara)Most marine aquarium hobbyists are well acquainted with the royal gramma (Gramma loreto), a worthy tank inhabitant by virtually any measure. But G. loreto isn’t the only member of the Gramma genus that is well worth its salt. Another is the blackcap basslet (Gramma melacara), a denizen of the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea that is most abundant in deeper waters. Physical traitsG. melacara is very similar in body plan to the royal gramma, one noteworthy difference being its more deeply bifurcated caudal fin. It is purple in overall coloration with, as its common name implies, a diagonal black “cap” extending from the mouth, over the top of the head, and along the margin of the dorsal fin. Several thin white lines radiate backward from the eye

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Video: Scientists Unlock Sea Sapphires Secret Of Invisibility

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[embedded content] Tiny ocean creatures known as sea sapphires perform a sort of magic trick as they swim: One second they appear in splendid iridescent shades of blue, purple or green, and the next they may turn invisible (at least the blue ones turn completely transparent). How do they get their bright colors and what enables them to “disappear?” New research at the Weizmann Institute has solved the mystery of these colorful, vanishing creatures, which are known scientifically as Sapphirinidae. The findings, which recently appeared in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, could inspire the development of new optical technologies. Full article at ScienceDaily

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Reflection on an Old Combo

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Burger Birdsnest combo justin - reefs

Burger’s Birdsnest & Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

 There are some long-term coral partnerships that unfailingly work out time and again, while other coral closely placed together don’t get along at all. Finding relationships that work can be tricky – place the wrong coral together and they will compete and fight, sometimes to the death. Throughout my career in this industry, I have spent hours grafting and fusing different coral in my care, and I am particularly intrigued by the art of long-term commensalism among various and often distantly-related coral species. One of my favorite pairings to date is between the classic Burger’s Birdsnest and the Meteor Shower Cyphastrea. For the most part,I have grown them on a small scale, and I keep separate mother colonies, which I then frag out to use in combos. Occasionally, I even get a chance to see some of those coral creations planted in Joe Yaiullo’s massive reef tank, placed by him during one of his dives. 

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a shot from Joe’s tank

 It’s great to see these two coral get along so well, even over the long term and on a larger-sized scale. Joe himself is not afraid to push the limits in his reef, always to great effect. This weekend, at MACNA 2015, we’ll have the perfect opportunity to see how different vendors stock their displays, and how closely together they situate their different coral varieties.… More:

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Zen in the reef aquarium

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zen-symbol-tattoo-sampleLike karma, Zen has become a popular internet buzzword. Facebook is full of pictures of people enjoying a relaxing walk, their breakfast or a cup of coffee, tagging it as their moment of Zen. Most of the time the photos that subscribe themselves to Zen have bastardized the word, its meaning and simply point out the original poster’s ignorance on the topic. So what is Zen? In reality Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated during the Tang dynasty in China. It’s an entire body of religious study which has a host of different practices; meditation, daily liturgy services, funerals, etc. Like other religions, Zen has influenced art and literature, including books by noted western philosopher Alan Watts. gal_01_01When we think about Zen in aquascape, often the first name to pop into mind is Takashi Amano, whose freshwater designs changed our perception of aquariums. Amano was able to create natural landscapes so authentic, from a distance they couldn’t be differentiated from mountain ranges, rivers and thick bamboo forests. What about Zen on the marine side of things? Has it been attempted? Is it as simple as re-creating a natural reef? Given the teachings of Zen, which include consciously understanding that everything is connected and that “just being” is a natural state, are all reef tanks in some way representative of Zen? In the west:Zen-sedona-acupunctureIn the west Zen is often thought as a moment of relaxation, or mental clarity. It’s often connected with unwinding, settling and reflecting on the day (or perhaps life in general). In some ways these are accurate representations, but when trying to incorporate Zen into aquascaping the rabbit hole proves a bit deeper. Sometimes in the west a well pruned reef tank, or perhaps one where corals and rock are shaped like a bonsai tree are tagged a “Zen reef.” While they are certainly attractive, they don’t necessarily incorporate the fundamentals of Zen, at least not like some of Amano’s striking aquascapes. Here in the United States, we have the terrible tendency of dumbing things down to sound bites, video clips and catch phrases. Much of our Zen inspired lifestyle (which ranges from clothing, to headphones, on up to dinnerware) has taken thousands of years of intensive study and reduced it to stylish emblems and simple designs. If we want to truly bring a notion of Zen into our reef aquariums, it may be vital to study the freshwater side of the hobby, unlocking the intricacies of carefully crafted Zen scenes.… More:

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Shark Skin Pattern Used As Model To Fight Bacteria

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1370529935Although the hospital is intended to be a place people go to get better, many people get very sick from infections acquired while at the hospital. The overuse of antibiotics has been blamed for the rise of so called super viruses, which are viruses that are resistant to antibiotics. Scientists have turned to the sea to try and find a solution to this ever growing problem. Scientists have found a solution using shark skin. Shark skin is characterised by its grey colour and the contrast between the slippery appearance and its rough tactile texture. Sharks skin has dermal denticles, small structures that are placoid scales which give the skin its rough texture, similar to sandpaper. Sharks evolved to have this pattern on their skin. The denticles resemble shark teeth more than fish scales. These denticles also serve another function, they create stress on microorganisms, therefore the microorganisms cant survive longer than 18 minutes. Mark Spiecker, the CEO of Sharklet Technologies, built a material for hospital surfaces that mimics the diamond pattern found on the dermal denticles of the shark skin. Sharklet is the first technology to inhibit bacterial growth based on pattern alone. It uses no chemicals or antibiotics, but relies solely on its structural design. This discovery holds great promise for the future of fighting bacteria and disease. MOREMore:

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Deadly Battle: Sea Snake v. Poison Fish

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150901173418-sea-snake-and-stone-fish-1-exlarge-169These are two venomous creatures you generally want to avoid when you see in the ocean: the sea snake and the stone fish.  Sea snakes and stone fish contain venom, and although not likely to bite unless threatened, you generally want to steer clear of these guys. Rick Trippe, a champion spear fisherman in Australia, caught the epic battle between these two venomous creatures on camera. Trippe was on his boat in Darwin coming back from a fishing trip, when he noticed something floating in the water. Upon closer view, he could see the sea snake and the poison fish had bitten each other and were not letting go. Trippe knew that if he left the creatures in the water as they were interlocked in an epic death grip, both animals would die. Although it was too late for the stone fish, Trippe mastered some serious bravery and removed the fish from the sea snake. Immediately after removing the snake, it went back  to devour the new dead stone fish for dinner. Its important to note that Trippe had experience handling venomous snakes both above water and below.So obviously, and this should go without saying, but without similar experience, don’t try this act of bravery yourself. MOREMore:

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Tiny Dancer – Crustacean Named After Elton John

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Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man and Crocodile Rock are among the many hits by rock legend Sir Elton John.  Now, the music superstar can add to his list of accomplishments with the naming of a crustecean in his honor! An amphipod was recently discovered in the coral reefs of Raja Ampat,Indonesia but may also be found other south pacific reefs. The shrimp-like crustacean creature has been named Leucothoe eltoni, after the famous rocker.829eltonjohnThe discovery was recently published in Zookey’s Journal. “I named the species in honor of Sir Elton John because I have listened to his music in my lab during my entire scientific career,” said James Thomas from the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography in Florida. “So, when this unusual crustacean with a greatly enlarged appendage appeared under my microscope after a day of collecting, an image of the shoes Elton John wore as the Pinball Wizard (in the movie “Tommy”) came to mind” as that the little creature reminded him of the star’s famous footwear. Reef hobbyists will probably be familiar with various species of amphipods which are often found in reef tanks or used as fish food.  The amphipod  enjoys a commensal relationship on the reef, where it benefits living among reef dwellers like corals and sponges. MOREMore:

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Discount Marine Fish Aren’t Always Such a Bargain!

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Copperband butterflyfish and blue green reef chromis in a display aquarium at a LFSThere’s no question that many of the marine fish we keep in our aquariums come with a pretty hefty price tag. Even relatively inexpensive “bread-and-butter” species can cause a surprising degree of sticker shock compared to their freshwater counterparts. So, it’s simply prudent to shop around for the best possible price one can find on any given fish, right? While that’s true enough within certain parameters—and there are sometimes legitimate bargains to be had out there—it’s important to keep in mind that low-cost fish aren’t always as great a deal as advertised. Here are just a few reasons:Collection locale counts Some fish that are popular among hobbyists have a relatively extensive range and are collected in different locales throughout that range. Naturally, the collection, holding, and shipping practices prevalent in any given locale will have a significant impact on the quality and price of specimens originating there. The oft-cited example of this is the copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus), which is collected in the Philippines and Indonesia, where cyanide collection and other sketchy practices still go on, as well as in Australia, where collection practices are more carefully regulated. Perhaps not surprisingly, Aussie specimens tend to be hardier and have a better shot at survival than those hailing from the Philippines or Indonesia.

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Discount Marine Fish Aren’t Always Such a Bargain!

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Copperband butterflyfish and blue green reef chromis in a display aquarium at a LFSThere’s no question that many of the marine fish we keep in our aquariums come with a pretty hefty price tag. Even relatively inexpensive “bread-and-butter” species can cause a surprising degree of sticker shock compared to their freshwater counterparts. So, it’s simply prudent to shop around for the best possible price one can find on any given fish, right? While that’s true enough within certain parameters—and there are sometimes legitimate bargains to be had out there—it’s important to keep in mind that low-cost fish aren’t always as great a deal as advertised. Here are just a few reasons:Collection locale counts Some fish that are popular among hobbyists have a relatively extensive range and are collected in different locales throughout that range. Naturally, the collection, holding, and shipping practices prevalent in any given locale will have a significant impact on the quality and price of specimens originating there. The oft-cited example of this is the copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus), which is collected in the Philippines and Indonesia, where cyanide collection and other sketchy practices still go on, as well as in Australia, where collection practices are more carefully regulated

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2015 MACNA MiniCast Day 1

Subtropical Acropora, warmer waters, and ocean acidification.

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New, advanced online publication of research by Foster and colleagues in the journal Coral Reefs explores the impacts of ocean acidification and global warming on the development of the tabling coral Acropora spicifera, an iconic species of the subtropical western Australia coast. The workers implemented three experimental treatments: Acidified conditions (pCO2 of 900 μatm, with a water temperature of 24 °C), warmed temperatures (27 °C, pCO2 of 250 μatm, and a combination of warm and acidified waters (27 °C, pCO2 of 900 μatm). Settlement and calcification rates were monitored and compared to control conditions. 

Acropora spicifera from western Australia depicted in Corals of the World, by Charlie Veron.

Acropora spicifera from western Australia depicted in Corals of the World, by Charlie Veron.

  The motivation for this work is both big picture and local. Ocean acidification and warming represent the most significant threats coral reefs will face in the coming century. Beyond this broad brush concern, reefs of the Abrolhos Islands were devastated by mass bleaching during elevated water temperatures (~2-4 °C above the climatological mean), which corresponded to the 2011 austral summer and autumn spawning season of A. spificera. While it is quite clear that adults have a distinct thermal threshold, there is evidence to suggest younger recruits may be more resilient. However, the viability of settling larvae in such warm conditions remained to be seen. Did we lose an entire spawning year of A. spicifera to severely elevated ocean temperatures? Will we continue to face such losses? The results of the experimental treatments were not particular surprising, but they are extremely significant nonetheless. Settlement of healthy, larval corals was completely unaffected by any of the three experimental treatments, relative to the control. Survival after settlement was also insignificantly different across all three treatments (60-70% of settled larvae). This is clearly good news for larvae looking to settle while conditions are less than ideal for adult colonies. The “bad news”, so to speak, becomes apparent when examining skeletal weights after long recruit treatment exposure times of 5 weeks: both of the experimental treatments with elevated pCO2 levels show significantly reduced skeletal weights, 48% (high temperature and pCO2) to 60% (high pCO2 alone) lower than the control! Elevated temperature alone raised skeletal weights, albeit insignificantly, by 25%. The real take home message therefore is the susceptibility of smaller juvenile recruits in a high pCO2 world: susceptibility to predation, overgrowth, silt stress, and storm damage.… More:

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Review: Ecotech Marine Vectra M1 pump

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Vectra-1-502x320It seems like when Ecotech Marine releases a new product, it immediately becomes a hit. The Vortech circulation pumps have become the bar by which all circulation pumps are judged, and Radion lighting is often considered the high standard in LED lighting. So how does Ecotech fare in branching out to a less exciting product, the return pump? It’s not that return pumps aren’t exciting; it’s just that they aren’t really thrilling. They pump water from a sump back into the aquarium, and up until now most of them had a fixed gallon per hour (gph) flow rate. Although it could be argued that return pumps are a very under-rated part of reef aquariums.  Think about it, the return pump is what dictates the water level in the sump. Faster returns pump water out of the pump chamber quickly, while slower units allow for a bit of dwell time. They also dictate the speed at which water is pulled through overflows, passed over mechanical filtration and spread across various chambers within the sump. In this regard they are vital, and perhaps one of the most important pieces of equipment on an entire system. In closed loop applications return pumps push water out a variety of outputs, creating a powerful, varied current within the aquarium. Like any Ecotech product, the Vectra isn’t just another return pump. In fact it’s a smart, high functioning piece of equipment with a lot to offer almost any aquarist. Though is it for everyone, and is it worth replacing a perfectly good return pump with the new Vectra? The pump’s aesthetics (if they even matter) :ecotech-vectra-500Radion lighting is sleek, polished and futuristic and Vortech pumps (with their external motor) look different enough to catch most people’s attention. The Vectra on the other hand, well it looks like a return pump. It certainly isn’t ugly, but it isn’t something you would want to display for all your friends, and it certainly isn’t going to impress the ladies. It’s a pump; there is no question about that. Considering these units spend their lives tucked away in a sump or back end of a closed loop, it doesn’t really matter what they look like anyhow. The Vectra is solid, it certainly isn’t cheaply made, nor does it have any annoying gimmicks, such as a + or – slider switch to control flow. It’s a solid block with a large cable leading out to Ecotech’s familiar Quiet Drive driver.… More:

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Long Island Collecting Log: Some days, it isn’t about the collecting

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Sargassum weed off Long Island, NY

Sargassum weed off Long Island, NY

 Contrary to commonly-held beliefs, a day in the life of a marine biologist bears little, if any, resemblance to a National Geographic documentary. I remind my marine science students of this at the beginning of each semester. Even if you have the privilege of being paid to do real research on something really awesome, the reality is that most of your time will be spent reading papers, analyzing data, and writing grant proposals. If, like me, you are primarily a teacher, then you spend the vast majority of your time preparing lectures, grading assignments, and attending committee meetings. Most weeks, lecturing to students is the most rewarding part of your job. As a professor at a community college, I am expected to advance my expertise in my discipline on my own time. One way that I accomplish this is to spend as much time underwater as I can. Occasionally I have the opportunity to get out on a boat, which grants me access to waters that are usually off limits to me.  A couple of times in recent weeks, I’ve been contacted by Greg Metzger of Reel Science Charters with news that he had space for me on a charter if I was interested hopping on. Of course I was. I try to never pass up one of these trips, but I’ve learned to keep my expectations realistic. Between unpredictable weather and the spotty occurrence of whatever we happen to be looking for, a spectacular day on the ocean off of Long Island is not all that common. On our most recent trip, the goal was to deploy a newly-developed deep-water plankton net a few miles out while scanning the surface for bits of Sargassum weed and other flotsam that we would scoop up in hopes of finding some drifting post-larval fishes. On our way out, we noticed some common dolphins intersecting our path. As expected, they joined us and rode our bow wave for a few miles. Before long, we found ourselves in the middle of an enormous aggregation of dolphins and other marine life. So we stopped the boat and I did what any self-respecting marine biologist would do. I grabbed my snorkeling gear and my video camera and jumped in. I could try to describe what transpired over the next hour or so, but I wouldn’t do it justice, so here is a video featuring some highlights from a day that is anything but a typical day in the life of a marine biologist on Long Island.… More:

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No Aquarist Is an Island: 5 Reasons to Attend MACNA 2016

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Thousands of salties attended the Saturday night banquet (this shot only shows part of the massive room)!Caribbean Chris and I just got back from MACNA 2015, held last Friday through Sunday in Washington, DC, at the Marriott Wardman Park, and what a weekend it was! From the venue to the speaker lineup to the banquet and everything in between, we think this year’s MACNA (Marine Aquarium Conference of North America) really delivered on every level. Kudos to all who had a hand in coordinating and presenting this massive convention and making it appear so seamless (extra special shout out to WAMAS and MASNA)! While we’ll soon be doing our usual MACNA wrap-up post with more specific details, today I’d like reach out to all the salties out there who either haven’t heard of MACNA or are aware of it but think it’s not for them. Here are 5 reasons you might want to consider attending next year’s event, to be held in San Diego, California:1. You can learn from and meet major hobby pioneers and experts Dr. Bruce Carlson, Sanjay Joshi, Kevin Kohen, Richard Ross, Walt Smith, Julian Sprung, Ret Talbot, and Dr.

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Blue Whale Entangled In Netting Spotted Off The Coast Of Mexico

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whaleOn Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a whale rescue expert, responded to a distressed Blue Whale that was entangled in fishing line and tethered to a red buoy, off the California Coast. The rescue team worked until Friday evening to try and get the Blue Whale free, and then suspended the rescue efforts at nightfall. When the team returned the next morning, the Whale was gone. Search efforts went into effect almost immediately. A plane, helicopter and boat searched Saturday for the Blue Whale, without any success.  On Monday, a boater is believed to have spotted the missing blue whale, still entangled in the netting and carrying the red buoy. The Whale was believed to be seen near the Coronado Islands in Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that they will continue the rescue efforts if the Whale comes back into the United States. However, they are in contact with a rescue team in Mexico, if the Blue Whale does not come back into U.S. Waters. With lengths up to 100 feet and weighing up to 150 tons, Blue Whales are the largest extant animals and the heaviest known to exist on the planet. Blue Whales are one of the World’s most endangered whales. Lets hope the rescue team, whether in Mexico or the United States, is able to find this whale and remove the fishing line and buoy soon. MOREMore:

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2015 MACNA MiniCast, Day 2

The Freckled Jawfish, a New Species from Southeast Asia

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Stalix navikovi, the Freckled Jawfish, seen at Palawan. Credit: Gerry Allen

Stalix navikovi, the Freckled Jawfish, seen at Palawan. Credit: Gerry Allen

 One of the more unfamiliar fishes in the ocean is Stalix. These are the ugly ducklings of the jawfish family, with most of the dozen or so species sporting a drab palette of brown, tan and cream. This chromatic ineptitude befits their preference for featureless sand and rubble flats, a habitat where rainbow-like colors are disadvantageous. While it may be somewhat aesthetically lacking, the genus is nonetheless special in its own way. The dorsal fin spines have a completely unique bifurcation at the tip, something not seen in any other group of fishes. However, this is an invisible feature without magnification, so, in general, these do qualify as rather unexciting creatures. 

Type specimens of Stalix navikovi, from Vietnam. Credit: Prokofiev 2015

Type specimens of Stalix navikovi, from Vietnam. Credit: Prokofiev 2015

 But, still, somebody has to write a word concerning the newest addition to the group. Allen & Erdmann, in their monumental tome covering reef fishes of the East Indies, recognized an undescribed species which they called the Freckled Jawfish. The freckles alluded to are the brown spots of the operculum, as well as the linearly arranged spots of the dorsal fin. So far, this fish has been found in Palawan, Philippines at 5-18m and from similar depths at Vietnam,. This latter locality was used to scientifically describe the species as Stalix novikovi, the thirteenth official member of the genus. A couple more species still await description, including one which briefly became a piscine celebrity when it was found swimming alongside the tentacles of an octopus.

As aquarium subjects, Stalix are a non-entity. Collectors mostly avoid their habitats, as relatively little there is of any real value in the aquarium market. Nobody sets up sand flat-themed biotopes, which is a shame, really. There are plenty of interesting creatures to fill such a tank with: snakeblennies and sanddivers, Myersina and Kojiro gobies! Pity the humble Stalix, shunned by the aquarium community.   ReferencesProkofiev, A.M. 2015. Genus Stalix (Opistognathidae) in Vietnam. Journal of Ichthyology, 55 (4): 601-604. Allen, G. R.  and M. V. Erdmann.  2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research, Perth Australia. v. I: x + 1-424 + end note; v. II: 425-855; v. III: preface, map, contents and 857-1260… More:

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Reefs Best of 2015: Reef Savvy Surreal Sump

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reefs.comSurrealSumpReef Savvy is known to continuously raise the bar on what a high-end display aquarium can and should be. This year at MACNA 2015, their displays were as eye-catching and innovative as ever, and a sump resting front and center in their booth piqued my interest. Felix Bordon, president of Reef Savvy, calls this new product the “Surreal Sump”, which fits the namesake perfectly.reefs.comSurrealSump2 Here are a few highlights of the brand-new Surreal Sump: 

  •  Starphire front and back panes. Yes, the blacked-out back pane is starphire too! Because why not, right? While looking through the back pane length-wise, I could see it glittering like a diamond.
  • Bulkheads come through the back pane, which keeps the installation incredibly clean.
  • Interchangeable inserts allow for the use of a filter pad or filter socks. Both inserts are hand-laminated three-piece acrylic with red in the middle, which compliments the phantom bottoms perfectly.
  • Wide open areas for filtration equipment.
  • Adjustable baffle to create the perfect water level for your skimmer.
  • Probe holders for all the add-ons and installs.
  • Dosing pump/ATO rigid airline tubing mounts.
  • Media chamber for running carbon, GFO or anything else passively.
  • Phantom bottom.

  

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Birdseye View of Right Side

 Reef Savvy now has their own CNC router in-house which allows them to ensure everything is perfectly machined to their impeccable standards. The Surreal Sump at MACNA holds 50 gallons, with dimensions of 36″L x 20″W x 16″H. Three standard sizes will be available initially: three, four and five foot lengths. Contact Reef Savvy for pricing details. 

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Incoming Chamber with Filter Sock Insert

 

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Adjustable Baffle

 

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Reefs.com Best Product of 2015

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Massachusetts Beachgoers Attempt To Rescue Great White Shark

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great whiteHundreds of beach goers in Wellfleet, Massachusetts came together to try and save a beached great white shark that swam ashore a packed beach for Labor Day weekend. A 14 ft adult male shark washed up on the beach on Sunday at 8:09 am. People on the beach dug a trench and created a holding pool where they used buckets to keep pouring water on the shark. A boat owned by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy soon came to the scene. The people on the beach tied a rope around the sharks tail, and the boat pulled the shark out to sea. Sadly, once the shark had reached deep enough waters, it was apparent that the great white had died. This is the second Great White which has washed up on the shores of Cape Cod this summer. Occasionally sharks may wind up beached on the sand as they chase their prey into shallow water. Alternatively, some sharks can get stranded as the tide goes out. Sadly most beached animals do not survive. Great Whites live in almost all coastal and off shore waters with temperatures between 54 and 75 degrees, with the most concentrated populations residing in the North East United States and California, Japan, South Africa, Chile, Oceania and the Mediterranean.   MOREMore:

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