While I have spoken much about the bacterial component of the holobiont, there are many more players in a coral’s arsenal of symbionts. Something I have seen very few discuss in the hobby is marine fungi. While fungal populations exist…
Unique Blue-Grey and Red Candy Cane Coral
I am always looking for phenotypes of common corals I have yet to see. One of the most underrated corals in my opinion are candy cane/trumpet corals. Not only do many of them provide a nice pop of color, but…
Do Macroalgae Refugiums Have Unseen Consequences?
Many people have turned to growing macroalgae as a means to export nutrients for years. This has proven to be a solid method of managing nitrates and phosphates that when dialed in appear to have no negative impact on a…
Stunning Stereonephthya in STL
At the Reefing USA show in STL, I encountered some unique specimens that caught my eye at Gabe Pommier’s booth, Oceanic Gardens. He brought two varieties of Stereonephthya, which before the show I had only seen online. Many of you…
The Effect of Carbon Dosing on the Microbiome: A Community Project with Aquabiomics
At Reefstock Denver, I met many industry figures in person for the first time. Some of my best connections were those with Dr. Eli Meyer and Dr. Andrew Bouwma. Dr. Meyer owns Aquabiomics, and Dr. Bouwma is his colleague and…
FAQs on Reef Aquarium Bacteria
There is so much we don’t know about the bacteria we buy and add to our reef tanks. Salem Clemens answers some of your most Frequently Asked Questions on Reef Aquarium Bacteria. Is it possible to keep bacteria alive in…
Hawaiian Fish Under Threat Once Again – Fight For Them Today!
The beautiful Potter’s Angelfish that’s on the permitting list Around one year ago, Hawaiian Senate Bill 505 was voted down, which opened a legal pathway for the collection of eight marine fish species. As mentioned in our previous article, the…
The Cure to Brown Jelly – A Common Household Item
I have been researching coral pathogens at my university for nearly three years. For several months, the Reef Builders team has been preparing for this moment. This is a summary of my research – this is the cure for brown…
To Truly Understand Coral Disease, We Must Shift Our Perception
In my time in the reef aquarium industry, I have seen much misinformation contradicting published peer-reviewed data. Some of these ideas stem from ignorance – many people haven’t been exposed to contradictory ideas to those pushed by mainstream media and…
What’s in Their Water: An Analysis of Core Chemical Parameters Among Vendors at a Coral Show
Last week, I went to Saint Louis (Remy’s stomping grounds) to make content and speak at the Reefing USA coral show. Before coming, Remy had the great idea of testing all the vendor’s systems at the show to analyze potential…