Tips and secrets on how to design, setup and maintain your saltwater aquarium so that it actually works!
I just posted another video on the blog in response to a great question I received from Charles, who is concerned about fading skin colors and some white spots.
Here’s the Charles’ question and my video response:
Ask your questions below the video. And remember that video questions get priority.
Happy Fishes,
Warren
So, I know this video doesn’t have anything to do with salt water aquariums, but when I saw it, I just had to share it with you.
When I saw it, it made me smile.
This is how we should be treating one another all over the world.
I hope it makes you smile too – and when it does – please pass it on and share it.
Happy Smiling Fishes,
Warren Gibbons
You won’t beleive this video of this surfer saving this baby great white shark in Venice Beach, CA.
I was amazed how quickly they took action.
Yay! Humans helping sharks instead of killing them.
I love a good feel good story.
Happy Fishes,
Warren
This coming Sunday (9/18/2011) at 4:00pm (EDT), I will be interviewing The Penguin Lady as part of the series called Careers In Marine Biology – hosted on The Under The Sea Radio Show. Remember, you can download the recording if you miss the live interview.
Here’s the number to call into the show and ask a question (949) 534-0637
Yes – you heard me right – The Penguin Lady. Her name is Dyan DeNapoli, author of the amazing book
The Great Penguin Rescue. It’s about the worlds largest wildlife rescue ever undertaken, what happened and what was learned from it.
Dyan is an incredible speaker and person in so many ways. Trust me. You do not want to miss this interview.
And if you can’t wait until this coming Sunday, you can get her book by clicking on the image below.
Happy Fishes,
Warren
Are you using a protein skimmer on your saltwater tank?
Do you even know what a protein skimmer is or how to use one, or even how it works?
I’ve written this article to answer these questions and more about the basics of protein skimmers, especially if you are just getting started with your saltwater aquarium.
Here is the link to the article.
We had another radio show last Tuesday and it was all about fish compatibility and how to determine which fish are right for your saltwater aquarium. Here is the link to the radio show where you can listen to the interview.
Also, if you’d like to download the recording so you can listen to the shows on your iPod or iPhone, just got to this link for the radio show and click on the iTunes link and it will open your iTunes and put the show into your podcast directory. I also recommend that you subscribe to the RSS feed (it’s orange) to the show so that you will automatically download future shows.
This is a painful lesson to get wrong, and it takes effort to get it right, along with much practice and reading and advice from others. For example, last week, one of my staff put a juvenile searobbin into our Sea Scallop Exhibit at the public aquarium where I work as the Curator, and it had to be removed, because what was thought to be a passive and non-aggressive tank mate began trying to eat it. It’s funny how no matter how many books we read, or how much research we do, that the fish don’t read the books, and they don’t always do what we think they are “supposed to”.
That is why a big part of learning about compatibility is also observing what is working in your tank and what is not – and then responding when needed – like we did with the searobbin. Fortunately, in the case of the searobbin, it was caught quickly and in time that it was not harmed. It was relocated the to a different tank.
What is your biggest question about selecting the right salt water fish? Enter a comment below and let me know how I can help.
Warren
You’ve got to see this amazing video of in-situ coral farming in the Fiji Islands. It feels especially good to know that the local fishermen are making the connection between ensuring a healthy reef and making a good living.
Check out the amazing colors on these corals, and the time-lapse shots that show how much they grow. Very cool.
In case you didn’t already know, I have been a recurring guest on the Under The Sea Radio Show, where we discuss different areas/topics of keeping salt water aquariums, reef tanks, fish-only tanks, etc.. And instead of me guessing what the topics should be for each episode, I’d like for you to tell me what you would like us to cover. Tell me what your biggest frustrations and challenges are, and what your biggest question is related to keeping your reef tank or fish-only saltwater aquarium.
The people with the best questions and comments will have their question or topic featured on the radio show, so go ahead now and type in a comment and let me know what you would like our next interview to be about.
Some upcoming topics include:
“Fish Compatibility: How To Choose The Right Saltwater Fish For Your Aquarium”
“Coral Compatibility: How To Choose The Right Corals and Invertebrates For Your Saltwater Aquarium”
“Water Changes: The Overlooked Magic Bullet and How To Do It Correctly”
“Lighting For Your Reef Tank: How To Choose The Right Lighting Setup”
“Temperature Control: How To Chill Your Tank and Still Make Your Mortgage Payment”
Get any ideas from this list? Type in a comment and let me know.
Happy Fishes,
Warren
Check it out! I got invited back on the Under The Sea Radio Show to discuss our recommended methods for acclimating saltwater fish.
It was a lot of fun and we went deep on how to properly acclimate saltwater fish, whether it is coming from your local fish store, or if it was ordered online and shipped overnight. This topic is a big one, and it’s where a lot of mistakes are made and fish are lost, unnecessarily.
Take a listen and I’d love to hear any questions or comments you might have on the subject.
So, what is your biggest question about how to acclimate saltwater fish?
Happy Fishes,
Warren
When it comes to learning something new, we all tend to look for an expert to learn from and follow. It has been my intention to be that expert for you. And today, in line with that intention, I’m going to introduce you to another expert who has created an ebook that will help you greatly – especially if you are new to aquarium keeping – but even if you are experienced too – it will still help you.
The name of the ebook is Ultimate Secrets To Saltwater Fish & Invertebrates, by Andrej Brummer.
Over the years of attending different aquarium hobby club meetings where there was an expert guest speaker or at aquarium conferences where there were other expert speakers, I noticed a common flaw that many new saltwater aquarium enthusiasts fell into. Here it is. The flaw was in following multiple experts at the same time and then trying to apply everything that all of the experts were recommending.
So what is wrong with that? There are so many ways to do a saltwater aquarium right, but unless you choose one way and stick with it, you’ll likely end up with a system that doesn’t work well and is a hodge podge of multiple methods. The best way is to choose one expert to follow and stick with them, and do what they say until you have some experience and success under your belt. THEN – and only then – does it make sense to begin experimenting with different methods.
So today, I am exposing you to another expert for you to learn from, to give you a different perspective.
Let me know what you like the most in Andrej’s ebook and how it helped you.
Happy Fishes,
Warren Gibbons
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