Can't Miss Threads - mobert's 27 Clown tank

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11265965#post11265965

Over 20 Clowns, all raised from youngins, living in this anemone and softie dominated tank.

21/06/2012 - Xeniidae Day

Xeniidae Day

Genus Xenia & Anthelia.

Piece of live rock with multiple Xenia sp. colonies.
Photo credit: ReefCentral archive.

The Xeniidae group of corals, mostsly represented in the hobby by the two Genus' Xenia and Anthelia are EXCELLENT beginner corals, due to their nutrient uptake, adaptability, and low sensitivity to imperfect water quality. Species from the Genus Xenia are known to melt with no prior indicatioins or water quality issues. Species from the Genus Anthelia are some of the easiest corals to keep in aquariums. 

Metallic blue Anthelia coral.
Photo credit: Airwolf75, via ReefCentral.

Genus Xenia corals are very sensitive to rising temperatures. Good flow on these corals increases health.

"Although they may tolerate a slow climb from comfortable tropical temperatures in the 70's F to the low 80's F, a sudden spike of more than 3 or 4 degrees F, particularly into the mid 80's or higher, can often prove to be fatal. There are several serious aspects to this. The first and most obvious concern is the decrease in dissolved oxygen at higher temps. Beyond stress to the system and other animals at large, corals suffer by the thickening of the anoxic microlayer that surrounds their body, by virtue of the nature of fluid dynamics (a relationship that is underestimated too commonly in reef aquaria with poor water flow). A coral can "suffocate" from such increases in the anoxic microlayer of water that surrounds them. The most common example of this is illustrated by the poor rates of survival for this family in shipping. In shipping bags, with no water movement aside from the rough handling of boxes in transit, the dynamic of decreasing oxygen levels and an increasing microlayer around the coral is amplified. The stress causes mucus to build and the mucus affords the proliferation of bacteria. The bacteria at first may not necessarily be pathogenic, but rather become so as they proliferate and mucus continues to increase." Anthony Calfo, 2008 

A pulsating Xenia coral.
Photo credit: Joseph Weatherson

Life Support:

Genus: Xenia
Difficulty: Easy

Temperature: 72-80dF

Salinity: 1.023-1.026

Flow: Moderate

Lighting: Low-High*

Water Quality: Low-Moderate

pH: 8.1-8.4

Alkalinity: 8-12dKH

Aggression: Low

Genus: Anthelia
Difficulty: Easy

Temperature: 72-80dF

Salinity: 1.023-1.026

Flow: Low-Moderate

Lighting: Low-Moderate

Water Quality: Low-Moderate

pH: 8.1-8.4

Alkalinity: 8-12dKH

Aggression: Low 

*A wide range of lighting conditions have been described as successful. Genus Xenia is a highly photosynthetic coral, containing some of the highest recorded concentrations of zooxanthellae of any coral species. (Calfo, 2008)

Xenia living and multiplying in a small, low tech tank. Xenia will stretch in low light conditions such as in this photo
to gain more access to the light for the zooxanthellae.
Photo credit: Joe Pusdesris, via ReefCentral.

Distribution:
Xenia corals can be found from the east coast of Africa, through the Red Sea and across to the South Pacific. Anthelia are mostly found in deeper water (20m and below) in the Indo-Pacific region.

FAQ: 

Do they have sweepers? No. Neither Xenia or Anthelia use sweepers. 

Do Xenia feed off of nutrients in the water as well? Yes, Xenia have a small feeding structure to conduct nutrient uptake.

Do both Xenia and Anthelia pulsate? No, only Xenia (of the two Genus') will pulsate.

Why do Xenia pulsate? It is unkown at this time, although there are many theories regarding light and nutrient uptake.

Why did my Anthelia just explode!!!? Although there is no proven theory for this, most believe that this is likely a form of reproduction or a reaction to stress. Often, the fragments will recolonize where they land.

Do fish eat these corals? Many fish, especially Angels and even Tangs, enjoy nibbling on Xenia corals. 

Propogation:

Photos:

Pom-Pom Xenia.
Photo credit: Greg Rothschild, via Reefkeeping.com

Giant Anthelia.
Photo credit: James Fatherree, via Reefkeeping.com

Xenia coral.
Photo credit: ReefCentral archive.

References

Calfo, Anthony. (2008). To Pulse or Not to Pulse? Identification and Behavior of Xeniid Corals in the Aquarium Hobby. Rerieved from:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php

Photo References

Greg Rothschild. Retrieved from:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php

James Fatherree. Retrieved from:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php

Joe Pusdesris. Retrieved from:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1680646

Joseph Weatherson. Retrieved from:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/images/Xenia.gif

Airwolf75. Retrieved from:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1739541

Wild Pacific (Pacific Ocean Paradise) (2010)

Wild Pacific (2010)
aka: Pacific Ocean Paradise

In true Nat Geo. form, the documentary has lots of dramatic flair, calls for conservation and amazing imagery. Enjoyed this thoroughly. 3.5/5

2/06/12 - Toadstool (Sarcophyton) Day

Toadstool Day

Sacrophyton sp.

A Clownfish hosts in a Toadstool coral in a ReefCentral members aquarium.
Photo Credit: shifty51008, via ReefCentral.com

Life Support:

Difficulty: Easy

Temperature: 72-82dF

Salinity: 1.023-1.026

Flow: Moderate

Lighting: Low-Moderate

Water Quality: Moderate

pH: 8.1-8.4

Alkalinity: 8-12dKH

Aggression: Low 

Max Size: 3.5ft diameter

FAQ: 

Do they have sweepers? Yes.

Why is mine "shrivelled"? It is a normal process, which happens once or twice a month to help eliminate algae. 

Is it safe to propogate in tank? Debatable topic, consensus is that if you have carbon running, it may be safe. Most hobbyist will remove from tank and propogate in seperate container due to slime it extrudes when cut. 

Propogation:

Photos:

Photo Credit: eatfood, via PiranhaKeepers.com

Photo Credit: knees_n_elbows, via sherdog.net

Retracted Toadstool. This is normal behavior which helps the coral eliminate problem algae.
Photo Credit: Fdawg, via thereeftank.com

References

Nano-Reef.com. (2011). Toadstool Leather. Rerieved from:

http://www.nano-reef.com/corals/?coral=26

Photo References

shifty51008. Retrieved from:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2170976

eatfood. Retrieved from:

http://piranhakeepers.com/topic/3778-i-rebuilt-my-sump/

Carinya. Retrieved from:

http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=43044

knees_n_elbows. Retrieved from:

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f7/colors-sea-beautiful-worms-corals-mushrooms-great-pictures-1418841/

Can't Miss Threads - May 31st 2012 - Best Tanks from Around the World

May 31st 2012 - Best Tanks from Around the World

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1747132

A great thread for those looking for inspiration. These are some of the most celebrated home reefs in existence. Here are a few previews:

JWRE:
[img]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q90/JWRE/IMG_4409.jpg[/img]

sunnyx:
[img]http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/SunnyX_photo/New%20100gl%20Rimless%20Reef/DSC_0231-1.jpg[/img]

Unknown tank from Brazil:
[img]http://i50.tinypic.com/and01x.jpg[/img]

Coral Reef Adventure (2003)

Coral Reef Adventure (2003)

Embarking on a 10-month expedition through the islands of the South Pacific, husband and wife underwater photography-duo Michele and Howard Hall explore the declining reefs and failing health of the world's oceans. From Australia's Great Barrier Reef, to a friend's coral reef-sustained village in Fiji, the diving expeditions show a range of coral reefs, from flourishing ones filled with unusual and exotic inhabitants, to vast stretches of bleached coral decline which prompted the Hall's activism. Along their journey, scientists working to understand and save the reefs meet with the Hall's.

Great images. Lots of basic but still interesting information. Liam Neeson does a great job as narrator. 4/5

Aliens of the Deep (2005)

Aliens of the Deep (2005)

"James Cameron journeys to some of the Earth's deepest, most extreme and unknown environments in search of the strange and alien creatures that live there. Joining him is a team of young NASA scientists and marine biologists who consider how these life forms represent life we may one day find in outer space not only on distant planets orbiting distant stars, but also within our own solar system. Aliens of the Deep is the result of expeditions to several hydrothermal vent sites in the Atlantic and the Pacific. These are violent volcanic regions where new planet is literally being born and where the interaction between ocean and molten rock creates plumes of super-heated, chemically-charged water that serve as oases for animals unlike anything ever discovered. Six-foot tall worms with blood-red plumes and no stomach, blind white crabs, and a biomass of shrimp capable of "seeing" heat all compete to find just the right location in the flow of the super-heated..."

Worth watching, but too "campy" and not enough scientific information. Too oriented on the crew. Lots of wasted potential considering the budget was probably considerable and they had great tools. 2.5/5