One of the most stunning marvels of the reef, the Copperband Butterflyfish, Chelmon rostratus, is something of an idol within the reef-keeping industry. Gold and pearly white, these delicate fish flit around tanks with such poise, capturing the eye of…
Old versus new equipment. Which was better?
With all this talk of live rock and metal halides, it made us take a trip down memory lane, recalling what we did differently in the earlier days of reefing, as well as the equipment and methodologies that have stood…
Central Campus Students selected for NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassadors Program
Nine Students in the Marine Biology program at Des Moines Central Campus High School have been selected to become part of a national program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The students were selected to participate in NOAA’s…
Researchers find 348,000 Square Kilometers of Coral Reefs using Satellite Technology
Researchers at the University of Queensland have announced that they have identified an extra 348,000 square kilometers of shallow coral reef in the oceans. Dr. Mitchell Lyons from the University’s School of the Environment and the Allen Coral Atlas project…
Saving NEMO Act would End Collection and Import of aquarium fish
Radical activists opposed to keeping aquariums are pushing legislation that would end importing and fishing for aquarium fish, says Art Parola. Dubbed the Saving NEMO Act, HR 6447 purports to prevent imports or collection of marine aquarium organisms that are…
Cracking the Distichopora Code – A Closer Look at Stylasterid Hydrocorals
If you ever came across a colony of Distichopora at your local reef shop, you know that is it super difficult not to be enamored by the sheer beauty of these stunning hydrocorals. Despite their elegance, they are almost completely…
How to set up an Eshopps Mariner Aquarium for SPS Corals
Reef Builders Field Reporter Evie not only wanted to talk about the new Mariner aquarium range from Eshopps when she saw one debut at Aquashella, but she also brought in some of the experts from Top Shelf Aquatics to talk…
Make Reef Builders Merch the Perfect Gift this Christmas
Are you stuck for Christmas Present ideas this year? Reef Builders’ official merchandise makes the perfect gift for all obsessive reefers who want to show they love corals loud and proud or that they belong to the exclusive Reef Builders…
Saltwater Beginner Series: Can I convert my freshwater tank to a saltwater tank?
Yes, virtually any aquarium can be converted to saltwater, as long as it doesn’t contain any parts that might rust like iron or steel. Glass and acrylic aquariums are the best for saltwater conversion but if you run an aquarium…
NOAA Educational Poster can Help Reef Aquarium Newbies too
We came across this poster recently on Coral Housekeepers, and how fish help to maintain healthy coral reefs in the wild. It has been produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and explains in simple, easy-to-understand language how…