Reef Builders -The Reef Aquarium Blog » Saltwater Corals

New ORA Coral: Ice Tortuosa released

Ryan Gripp — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:46:02 +0000

ORA has released their new ICE tort, or Tortuosa. Yes, it looks like other corals we’ve seen, but ORA assures us its different as their PR states:

The ORA™ Ice Tort has the typical Tortuosa branching growth form with a deep sea green base and glowing baby blue branch tips. This coral may look similar to the standard Tortuosa that we sell, but rest assured it is not the same thing. In addition to a different color pattern, this slow growing variety has thicker and considerably longer branches than its more common counterpart. The contrast of the dark base, blue polyps with green rims and almost white tips is stunning. Interestingly, all of the Ice Torts in the ORA greenhouse spawned 2 weeks ago.

You can expect to start seeing this ORA coral at local and online vendors very soon.

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New ORA Coral: Ice Tortuosa released

New ORA Coral: Ice Tortuosa released

New Frogskin Acropora from ORA

Ryan Gripp — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:33:35 +0000

ORA has released a new Acropora sp., named Frogskin Acropora. “The ORA Frogskin Acro has yellowish green coloration and extremely bumpy texture. The corallites are rotund and tubular and some of the polyps have a slightly blue hue. The color intensity of this coral naturally varies with light intensity. Currently the color is a light yellowish green due to the seasonal increase of light. Under the more stable light conditions found in aquariums, the yellow becomes very bright green and shaded areas have an almost purplish tone.” You can pick this new guy up for $80 at Unique Corals.

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New Frogskin Acropora from ORA

New Frogskin Acropora from ORA

Spirograph Scolymia is the ultimate high definition coral

Jake Adams — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:30:41 +0000

Do not attempt to adjust your screen. The above image is very real and having seen this coral specimen in person we can attest that this coral looks exactly like the image, no camera or light tricks. The crazies over at Aquatic Auctions have somehow made their peace with selling this coral and they will be listing the top shelf specimen before the weekend. The bidding will start at $1 and we look forward to seeing what the free market value of this ungradable Scolymia turns out to be. Furthermore, this picture is just a sneak peek of the “Spirograph Scoly” and if you think that the pic is wysiwyg, the image crop actually cuts out a lot of additional detail and features in this truly unique coral. The Spiro Scoly is the Silver Arrow of corals and we’ll be spectating the AquaticAuction to see just how fanatical rare coral seekers can get when it comes to the cream of the crop. Stay tuned for more details on the auction of the Spirograph Scolymia.

Update: You can bid on the auction here.

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Spirograph Scolymia is the ultimate high definition coral

Spirograph Scolymia is the ultimate high definition coral

Coral blend from Rod’s Food will make your corals happier

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:05:35 +0000

We are pretty sure that if corals had faces that they would be smiling at you after they see you dump some of Coral blend from Rod’s Food. This was designed for corals and those that want to feed their coral propagation tanks. Also it’s great for nano tanks that small amounts of fish in them. The actual particle size is much smaller then the orginal Rod’s Food blend. Gone too are the greens and shrimpe exoskeletons that corals can not benefit from. Avaiable now at your favorite LFS or online retailer. Retail is about $10.

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Coral blend from Rod’s Food will make your corals happier

Coral blend from Rod’s Food will make your corals happier

Potassium, the other water parameter in your reef tank

Ryan Gripp — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:43:26 +0000

Running a low nutrient system? You might consider testing for Potassium (k). As Logan over at stony reef suggests, your potassium levels could run low. Water changes may not be enough. Be sure to check it out.

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Potassium, the other water parameter in your reef tank

Potassium, the other water parameter in your reef tank

Saltwater aquariums: Critical water parameters for reef tanks

Ryan Gripp — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:40:16 +0000

by Holle Abee

Think of all the divers who go to such lengths to visit saltwater reefs for a view of the amazing sea life that inhabits the area. Now imagine that you can have a little corner of that magic in your own home. With a saltwater reef tank, you can have the mezmerizing tranquility and the brilliant natural beauty of a tropical sea, all vividly displayed in an aquarium.

A reef tank isn’t just a regular saltwater aquarium. The key word is “reef.” The main focus of the tank is the soft or hard corals. Colorful fish, sea stars, eels, anemones, urchins, shrimp, and sea horses can certainly be added, but everything should revolve around the coral itself.

To keep a healthy reef tank, certain guidelines must be followed to ensure the longevity of your corals. The other inhabitants of your tank will not be as sensitive as the reef, so again, its requirements should be considered first.

WATER
To begin, most experts recommend using reverse osmosis water – water that is forced through a membrane to remove at least 90% of impurities like nitrates, chlorine, chloramine, mercury, and copper. A reverse osmosis water filter will achieve the appropriate water required for your tank. Unfortunately, the process removes some beneficial minerals along with the harmful ones, but these can be added back with a good saltwater mix.

HARD CORALS
Hard corals produce stony exoskeletons that make up your reef. They come in a rainbow spectrum of colors and shapes. A few popular species include Acropora purple, blue, or green; pink Birdsnest; orange Montipora; yellow Porites; and the fascinating branched Staghorn. When purchasing your corals, packs with an assortment of species are available.

SOFT CORALS
While soft corals lack the hard external skeletons of the hard corals, some may have “bony” internal parts. Popular soft corals are Mushroom, Xenia, Zoanthid, and Leather corals. The soft corals exhibit a wide range of bright colors and add movement to your tank, swaying gracefully in the underwater currents.

LIVE ROCK and LIVE SAND
Live rock is not actually “alive,” but it was once. It adds calcium and beneficial organisms to ensure prpoer water management. Available in branch rock and shelf rock, it provides the perfect place on which to set your corals. Purchase cured live rock, which has already been cleaned and conditioned and can be used right away. Live sand is basically the same as live rock – just in small particles.

WATER TEMPERATURE
There is much argument about proper temperature for reef tanks. This is partly due to the range of species kept in most aquariums. While many aquarists keep their reef tanks between 80-85 degrees, new evidence shows that 79 degrees inhibits metabolic activity and thereby decreases oxygen requirements and harmful waste products. You will need a chiller to maintain a constant desirable water temperature.

NITRATES (NO3)
Nitrates, the waste by-products of bacteria that develop in the nitrogen cycling process, make a biological filtration system function. Too much is harmful to reef inhabitants and is the major cause of algae blooms. Healthy levels are between 0.25 and 5ppm, with less being better. Nitrates can be controlled with mangrove plants and nitrate reduction filtration. Tri-based pelletized carbon and RN! bacteria, manufactured by Hiatt, are used in combination to effectively reduce harmful nitrates.

NITRITES (HNO2)
Nitrates are generated by from the metabolic wastes of invertebrates, fish, and bacteria and are highly toxic to your tank. The level should be as close to zero as possible. Hiatt’s RN! and tri-pelleted activated charcoal will eliminate the harmful compound. Knowledgeable aquarists recommend using a charcoal-filled flow tube with your filtration system, making sure water and air flow freely through the tube.

pH (power of hydrogen)
Keeping a stable, proper pH level is critical in maintaining tank survival. The pH indicates the alkalinity or acidity of the water, with 7 being neutral. Above 7 is alkaline; below 7 is acidic. Saltwater tanks, because of nitric acids, carbon dioxide, and organic acids produced by natural wastes, tend to be acidic. The proper level, however, should be maintained at slightly alkaline, with 8.2-8.4 being optimum. Adding baking soda or a commercial pH buffer will return your water to the right level. Removing part of the water and replacing it and using a calcium reactor will help, too.

CALCIUM (Ca)
Another important mineral for your tank is calcium, at a level of 400-500ppm, which can be achieved by adding calcium supplements.

ALKALINITY
Sometimes confused with pH, alkalinity is actually carbonate hardness. The level in your tank is measured by the presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which should be 150-200ppm. This is an essential compound for corals to produce their hard exterior and can be managed by adding commercial supplements.

MAGNESIUM (Mg)
Another important mineral for tank health, proper magnesium levels of 1200mg/L can be reached with epsom salts. For a 55-gallon tank, 90.8 grams should be added gradually over the course of 7-8 days.

PHOSPHATES (PO4)
Phosphate is one of the top trace elements in natural seawater, and of course, your ultimate goal is to re-create the normal environment of your reef and its inhabitants. A proper level is 0.05ppm. Use a reliable test kit to check your water. Phosphates are often found in foods, activated charcoal, and buffers, so your problem will be lowering levels, not increasing them. Use a limewater or kalkwasser solution to lower harmful levels, or try a commercial product like Coralife’s phosphate remover or Kent Marine’s phosphate sponge.

SALINITY
This refers to how much salt is in the water. Natural seawater ranges from 1.024-1.025, so you want to maintain this level in your tank. Use a hydrometer to measure your water’s salinity. The swing-arm models are easier to use, but remember: this is an important investment for the survival of your tank. You want a quality hydrometer that will give consistent correct readings, so don’t purchase an inferior one because it might be cheaper. If your salinity is too high, just remove some of your tank water and replace it with fresh. If the salinity is too low, add DISSOLVED aquarium salt.

IODINE (I)
Yet another inportant compound naturally occurring in ocean water is iodine, at 60 parts per billion. Your tank level can be increased by adding lugol’s solutions or by adding inexpensive potassium iodide (KI).

TEST KIT
You’ll need a reliable test kit to achieve and maintain a healthy tank. Many experienced aquarists recommeng Kordon’s Aqua Tru.

WATER CURRENTS
A natural reef feeds from tiny food particles carried by constant ocean currents. To mimic these in your aquarium, place several powerheads around the tank to create turbulence. The movement also helps your filtration system remove detritus and uneaten food, inhibiting their breakdown before they can negatively effect the quality of your water.

WATER CHANGE
To help prevent a multitude of problems, remove about 25% of your tank water and replace it with a fresh supply once a week. This might seem like a lot of trouble, but in the long run, it’s definitely worth the effort.

REEF CREATURES
Now for the fun part! Colorful fish and other creatures will add interest and activity to your tank. Just remember the mayor of your reef community is the reef itself, so be careful not to include inhabitants that will prove harmful to the delicate corals. Following are a few recommended reef critters:

Tomato Clownfish – A reef favorite. Buy only one or either a pair. Provide anemone for fish.

Blue Chromis – Best in groups of 3-7. Hardy. They add color and motion to your tank.

Snowflake Eel – Less aggressive than other eels. Eats mostly crabs. Feed with a stick.

Coral Beauty – Small purple and orange angelfish. Best to have just one.

Pacific Blue Tang – Bright blue and yellow, eats algae from coral.

Sea Urchin – Mathaei species most recommended.

Shrimp – Cleaner Shrimp most recommended species.

You’ll also need some live tank cleaners like snails, crabs, and sea stars. Assortment packs are widely available.

If you adhere to the proper guidelines and maintain correct levels within your tank, you’ll have a source of unparalleled beauty and wonder, offering many hours of fascination.

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Saltwater aquariums: Critical water parameters for reef tanks

Saltwater aquariums: Critical water parameters for reef tanks

Coral Propagation, Coral Fragging simple summaries

Ryan Gripp — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:51:51 +0000

Adam Blundell Discusses coral fragging, a simple summaries article. Be sure to check it out when you get the time!

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Coral Propagation, Coral Fragging simple summaries

Coral Propagation, Coral Fragging simple summaries

Deal of the Day: Nuclear Green Zoos Rare for $45

Ryan Gripp — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:50:26 +0000

Here is a chance to pick up a frag of nuclear green zoos for only $45 at World Wide corals. Get them before they sell out!
You can order them and mention reef builders sent you.

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Deal of the Day: Nuclear Green Zoos Rare for $45

Deal of the Day: Nuclear Green Zoos Rare for $45

$98,199 worth of corals seized in the UK

Ryan Gripp — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:49:59 +0000

In the United Kingdom, $98,199 worth of corals were spoted in seized in air freight from Indonesia. They were heading to specialist shops across the UK. Meanwhile, the corals were transported to the London zoo where they could take care of the them. Brian Zimmerman which is the head keeper of the zoo had this to say: “It is disheartening to see so many protected species being smuggled into the UK. “These species are vulnerable to over-collecting which is why their trade has been banned in the EU.” The investigation is ongoing. We at reef builders discourage buying banned or protected corals if you see them at a local fish store.

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$98,199 worth of corals seized in the UK

$98,199 worth of corals seized in the UK

The Reef Engine, Symbiodinium-and why you should get to know it

Ryan Gripp — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:35:41 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Symbiodinium then don’t worry, not a lot of people have. You can think of Symbiodinium as the heart of your corals, scientists have compiled the world’s first detailed gene expression library for Symbiodinium, the microscopic algae that feed the corals. “Symbiodinium uses sunlight to convert CO2 into carbohydrates for the corals to feed on. At the same time there’s evidence the corals control its output, suggesting that they are farming their captive plants” Professor David Yellowlees explains. Ever wonder why corals start to bleach and turn white? This is a sign that they are stressed by heat, light, increased CO2 levels and pollutants from land run-off.

Symbiodinium is part of a larger group of organisms called dinoflagellates, responsible for events like red tides and ciguatera poisoning. Together, the dinoflagellates process about one third of all CO2 entering the oceans – and are thus vital players in helping to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Understanding how they function will help fill in one of the critical gaps in our understanding of climate change – how much CO2 the oceans can trap and how this will affect ultimate climate change.

The above photo shows Symbiodinium highlighted in green.

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The Reef Engine, Symbiodinium-and why you should get to know it

The Reef Engine, Symbiodinium-and why you should get to know it

Reef Builders -The Reef Aquarium Blog » Saltwater Corals

New ORA Coral: Ice Tortuosa released

Related Posts

New Frogskin Acropora from ORA

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Spirograph Scolymia is the ultimate high definition coral

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Coral blend from Rod’s Food will make your corals happier

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Potassium, the other water parameter in your reef tank

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Saltwater aquariums: Critical water parameters for reef tanks

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Coral Propagation, Coral Fragging simple summaries

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Deal of the Day: Nuclear Green Zoos Rare for $45

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$98,199 worth of corals seized in the UK

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The Reef Engine, Symbiodinium-and why you should get to know it

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