Deepwater organisms have always had a special place in my heart. In this article, we are going to explore my “Deepwater Reef”. First things first, what is generally considered to be “deepwater”? Many people have their opinions on this, but I…
Electricity, Safety, and Reef Tanks
I have been stung, cut, poisoned, and punctured by my tank’s inhabitants and the equipment on it. But the pain I’ve gotten in those instances pales in comparison to the countless times I have been shocked, or nearly electrocuted from…
Reverse Osmosis and Deionization explained
When I was growing up, we were actually taught computer programming in school using punch cards that needed to be inserted into the computer. It was extremely rudimentary and slow, but it did teach me one valuable lesson: garbage in,…
What you need to know about Sumps and Overflows
For any of you that are coming from the world of freshwater tanks and have only had experience with a “standard” tank, that is one with all of the equipment either inside of the tank or hanging on the back,…
My Mini-Reef Past, Present, and Future
I’m Back. Well, after a brief six-year hiatus, I am happy to be back writing for Reef Builders on a regular basis. To be honest, it is kind of bittersweet, as it is not quite the same as it was…
Sneak peek of some of the hot livestock coming to ReefStock 2016
Reef aquarium events are an integral part to the experience of being a reef hobbyist in America. These gatherings offer us an opportunity to meet other reefers, see new products, catch a speaker talk or two, exchange ideas and information, but who…
Why is the aquarium hobby so addicting?
We have all heard and know about the addictions that are frequently talked about such as the addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling, eating, and sex. But in reality virtually anything can be addicting as is the case with seemingly lesser…
Masanao Shibuya’s SPS reef tank is bordering on perfection
Attention to details is what can make the difference between a nice reef tank, and a great reef tank. In this exquisite example of a reef display by Masanao Shibuya, no detail has been left to chance to create a…
From the Archives: How to appease the aquarium gods
The gods of coral reef aquariums are wrathful. They do not appreciate any display of confidence, comfort, or excitement for the hobby. You must respect them to succeed in this hobby. Here are some rules I have learned to follow…
