Gatortailale

UPDATE: We have the pleasure of having two vendors selling corals & inverts at the meeting. Corals for frag workshop: - aquacultured colonies from member tanks - colonies from the two vendors (Dr. Mac & Rich Watson) - the club also purchased some corals from Reefer Madness Aquatics, & Reefer Madness tossed in some free ones for us, for the frag workshop Vendors at the meeting: First, the famous Dr. Mac of Dr. Mac & Sons Corals with his traveling coral & invert store. Second, WAMAS & CMAS Member Rich Watson, will also bring some corals & inverts to sell. We are coordinating with the vendors to try to avoid each bringing duplicates of what the other vendor sells, and we are trying to maximize the variety of livestock available. In addition to the great frags you can make at the workshop, and the livestock you can buy from the two vendors, we also have some awesome raffle items to win: 1. Phishy Business - win coral colony [TBD - based on what is shipped to us] 2. TheSea.org - win one of two gift certificates 3. East Coast Clams - win gift certificate or clam [depends what is shipped] 4. Tropical Paradise Aquariums - win 1 of 4 $25 or 1 $100 gift certificate. 5. Coral Dynamics- Win one of three $20 gift certificates or one of two t-shirts. 6. Tunze - $100 in goodies! Will have to wait and see what comes. 7. Tickets to National Aquarium in Baltimore 8. Gift certificates form the local stores I'll keep you posted on any updates. Special thanks to all the vendors for their donations & continued support of the WAMAS Club.

MARINE AQUARIUM COUNCIL International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability of Marine Aquarium Organisms ... from Reef to Retail MAC News 3rd Quarter 2003 Director's Note From The Hague to Bali, companies and communities are engaging in the global efforts of Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification to ensure that the marine ornamentals trade is sustainable and responsible. In this issue of MAC News, you'll read about the most recent importers and retailers to become MAC Certified, ongoing efforts in collection areas in the Pacific to increase the quantity and diversity of MAC Certified organisms available, and the latest MAC Certification education and outreach efforts. Industry participation in MAC Certification is growing steadily. There are now 20 MAC Certified operations, including two collection areas, two collectors associations and four exporters in the Philippines; four importers and six retailers in North America; and two importers in Europe. The only official list of MAC Certified entities is on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=130&section=3. Public commitments to seek to become MAC Certified have now been made by 95 companies in 18 countries, including 40 in the United States; 20 in the Philippines; 9 in Indonesia; 5 in Fiji; 3 each in Australia and UK; 2 each in France, Germany and Solomon Islands; and 1 each in Bahrain, Belau, Brazil, Canada, Israel, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Taiwan. These companies are listed on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=167&section=3. EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA: MAC Certified Suppliers Now in Europe and US East Coast Importer Sierviskwekerij Waterweelde in The Netherlands is the first company in Europe to achieve MAC Certification. This 30-year-old family company is one of the world's largest marine ornamentals' import-export companies and one of the largest aquatic retail outlets in Europe. It reached the finals in the Enterprise of the Year Award 2003 for The Hague region. 'We have always been an avid supporter of MAC and its objectives,' notes owner Danny Winkels. 'It reflects our particularly high investment in quarantine facilities, prophylactic research and animal husbandry. Our name is associated with these high standards and our clients expect nothing less.' The second company in Europe and the first in the United Kingdom to become MAC Certified is Tropical Marine Centre. TMC is the UK's largest wholesale supplier of marine aquarium animals. It also operates one of the largest commercial clownfish hatcheries. In North America, importer Segrest Farms in Florida achieved MAC Certification. Segrest has long been engaged in MAC efforts and was active on the Standards Advisory Group. Absolutely Fish in New Jersey, is the first retailer on the East Coast to achieve MAC Certification. It also recently earned the 2003 award for Best Retail Store in North America from Pet Product News. A second East Coast retailer, Venice Pet Center in Florida, also became MAC Certified in the past quarter. The contact information for these and other MAC Certified companies are found on the only official list of MAC Certified organizations, located on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=130&section=3. MAC Accredited certifiers SGS Product and Process Certification (The Netherlands), Shizen Megumi Pacific Certification Services Ltd. (Canada) and IMS International (UK) undertook these recent certifications. Contact details for all MAC Accredited certifiers are on the MAC website at http://wwwaquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=125. PHILIPPINES: US Agency for International Development (USAID) Supports MAC Certification USAID has recently approved a major Global Development Alliance grant for 'Transforming the Marine Aquarium Trade (TMAT)' in the Philippines. The goal of the three-year program is to build a critical mass of MAC Certified collectors and collection areas in the Philippines. TMAT brings together significant new collaboration, resources and partnerships to help mainstream MAC Certification by 1) ensuring collectors have the information and training to become MAC Certified; 2) ensuring community stakeholders are able to develop and implement MAC Certified ecosystem management for collection areas; and 3) ensuring MAC and its partners have the capacity to develop, coordinate and implement the TMAT program. More information will be reported on this project in future issues of the MAC News. In the southern Philippines, the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM 2) Program of USAID is supporting MAC efforts to work with local partners to identify and assess collection areas and collector groups in the Mindanao provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo to ensure the aquarium trade is sustainable. The target beneficiaries are former secessionist combatants who have laid down their arms and are now participating in USAID-supported programs for sustainable livelihoods based on local coastal resources. The project was launched in August in Zamboanga City with MAC partners Reef Check and the Mindanao State University (MSU) Marine Research Development Foundation and will seek to expand to include collectors training and collection area certification development. MAC and Certified Companies Collaborate with Hobbyist Magazines MAC, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium (FAMA) magazine and the MAC North America Certified Industry Group (CIG) are collaborating to promote MAC Certified marine ornamentals. The first full page ad developed together appears in the October issue of FAMA and will run for one year. The CIG is comprised of MAC Certified importers and retailers in the United States and Canada, which now numbers 10. MAC is also working in close partnership with Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) magazine, which will soon be running a regular MAC column focused on global conservation and the marine ornamentals trade. TFH also sponsored Mike Paletta, keynote speaker at the MAC co-hosted Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the New York Aquarium in September, and will have an article on MAC reef conservation work in the Indo-Pacific in a supplement for an upcoming issue of TFH. Global Marine Aquarium Database Summary Report Available; UN Environment Programme Supports Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade The United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) launched the first ever detailed global estimate of the state of the marine aquarium trade in its report 'From Ocean to Aquarium: The Global Trade in Marine Ornamentals.' The report is made possible by the data provided by exporters and importers from around the world who are working with MAC and WCMC to ensure accurate information on the trade is available. In the UNEP press release, UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer states, 'Collecting tropical fish brings pleasure to millions. It also fuels an important, and mostly legitimate, industry.' He highlights the fact that the global trade in marine species has great potential as a source of desperately needed income for local fishing communities. UNEP-WCMC Director Mark Collins reinforces this statement, noting: 'If managed properly, the aquarium industry could support long-term conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs in regions where other options for generating revenue are limited.' WCMC Marine Programme Director (and report co-author) Ed Green adds, 'We encourage responsible traders to sign up to the MAC Certification scheme and for the public to only buy from reputable dealers.' The report is available on line at http://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources/publications/WCMC_Aquarium.pdf. INDONESIA: Indonesia Government and MAC Sign MOU; CAMP Developments Proceed in Bali The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MAC on July 24, 2003, formalizing the strong government support for MAC's work in Indonesia. Government representatives at the signing ceremony included the Ministry's Director of Small Islands, Director of Marine National Parks and Conservation, Director of Spatial Planning and Director General of Coasts and Small Islands. MAC's Indonesia Director Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley and Executive Director Paul Holthus were also in attendance. At the field level, progress towards MAC Certification continues in North Bali where the Tejakula sub-district government convened a full-day meeting of local fishermen, resort owners, community leaders and local government officials to introduce and discuss the MAC Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) concept. At the Bali Province level, MAC gave a presentation to stakeholders, including the government's Head of Fisheries, Bali exporters, local Balinese non-government organizations and fisheries officers from all over Bali on MAC Certification. Two Bali-based exporters subsequently signed statements of commitment to become MAC Certified. PACIFIC ISLANDS: MAC Partnerships Increase as Regional Office Relocates to Fiji and Adds New Staff The Canada-South Pacific Ocean Development (C-SPOD) Program has taken an active role in supporting the development of MAC Certification in the Pacific through the South Pacific Forum Secretariat's project on Marine Ornamentals Certification. Through the project MAC has raised awareness and interest in MAC Certification and worked with the industry, governments and collector communities on aquarium trade sustainability and coral reef resource management. The region is poised for its first MAC Certification by the end of this year in Fiji. The Private Sector Division of the Forum Secretariat strengthened its partnership with MAC and support for MAC Certification in the Pacific Island countries with the appointment of the new Private Sector Advisor Asif Chida and the Private Sector Officer Joshua Mael. As part of improving MAC's efforts in the region, the MAC Pacific Islands office has relocated from the Solomon Islands to Fiji. The new location is at 298 Princess Rd (Bottom Flat), Tamavua, Suva, Fiji Islands, Ph: (679) 3371779; Fax: (679) 3371773. The MAC Pacific Office (MAC-PAC) includes five staff members (many of whom are supported by the EC-funded project on Sustainable Management of the Marine Aquarium Trade (reported on in MAC News 2nd Quarter 2003). They include Pacific Regional Manager Michelle Lam, Regional Aquarium Fish Officer Cherie Morris, Community Development Officer Jeff Kinch, Resource Management Officer Gregory Bennett and Program Support Officer Telu Baleivanualala. Information on the background, role and responsibilities of the expanded MAC Pacific staff will be available on the MAC website in the near future at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=71&section=12. MAC Standards and Accreditation Meet International Code of Practices To ensure that its international standards and certification programs are robust, transparent and comply with internationally accepted codes of practice for conformity assessment and trade, MAC is a member of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance. Through this global association of certification organizations MAC complies with the ISEAL Code of Practices for Social and Environmental Standards Setting and Certifier Accreditation and participates in the ISEAL Peer Review Audit Program. ISEAL is an international organization based in Bonn, Germany. Further information on ISEAL can be found on the website at http://www.isealalliance.org/ MAC Certification Cited in Animal Welfare Report to UK Parliament The June 2003 Report on the Welfare of Non-domesticated Animals Kept for Companionship, prepared by the UK Companion Animal Welfare Council for the United Kingdom parliament, recommends 'the development of a quality assurance scheme which certifies that animals for sale in pet shops and at other outlets are and have been cared for to specific standards. Such certification would be granted only where the seller could demonstrate that appropriate and auditable welfare and environmental standards had been met from the original sourcing of the animal through to the point of sale.' The recommendation refers to MAC Certification and notes that 'such schemes appear to offer a positive means to promote welfare standards. In addition, they provide mechanisms by which standards can be continually upgraded to keep abreast of developments in our understanding of animals' needs.' MAC Education and Outreach Efforts Hobbyist Event Helps Introduce MAC to New York Region. On Sept. 13, 2003, MAC co-hosted the Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the New York Aquarium. The event focused on responsible aquarium keeping and featured a series of presentations and exhibits. The keynote address by Mike Paletta on propagating SPS Corals was sponsored by Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) magazine. Other speakers included John Brandt of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America on the aquarium fish industry in the Philippines; Paul Loiselle of the New York Aquarium on responsible aquarium fish keeping; Rick Preuss of Preuss Animal House and Mark Schreffler of The Reef Shop on conservation through education; and Joe Yaiullo of Atlantis Marine World on coral biology and its effect on aquarium husbandry. Absolutely Fish, Aquatic Creations, Brooklyn Zoo & Aquarium, the Brooklyn Aquarium Society, TFH and MAC provided exhibits, and Marineland and Seachem Laboratories generously donated door prizes. TFH, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium magazine, Reef Central, the Brooklyn Aquarium Society and other local aquarium societies spread the word about the event. Marine Educators Welcome MAC at US Conference. MAC Certified retailers Rick Preuss of Preuss Animal House and Mark Schreffler of The Reef Shop joined MAC Communications Director Sylvia Spalding in delivering a well-received presentation on MAC Certification at the National Marine Educators Association annual conference in Wilmington, North Carolina, in July. Educators visited the MAC exhibit booth to discuss marine aquarium tanks as an educational tool in their classrooms and ways to promote MAC Certification to their local retail shops. Support for MAC Voiced at MACNA. In the opening plenary for the 2003 Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA), Martin Moe delivered a powerful message of support for MAC Certification, calling for those in the hobby and industry to 'get behind' MAC. David Vosseler, MAC Americas and the Pacific Director, attended the September event, at which the Louisville Marine Aquarium Society provided MAC with a breakout session room and booth space. Frank discussions were held on MAC efforts in a number of different forums including the two open forums hosted by the American Marinelife Dealers Associations (AMDA). The format of these two well-attended forums allowed for forthright and wide-ranging discussions covering all aspects of the industry including the present role and future plans for AMDA and MAC. MAC Public Education Campaign for Responsible Aquarium Keeping Goes Global. Knowing that the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film Finding Nemo in the United States created great media interest in the marine aquarium industry and hobby, MAC continued its responsible aquarium keeping public education campaign as the film opened in Australia in August. MAC also worked with retailer Joyhub Co. Ltd. to translate into Chinese the educational card for beginning marine aquarists that MAC developed for the US release of the film. The Taiwanese company, which has publicly committed to becoming MAC Certified, distributed about a thousand copies of the translated card at a Taipei trade show. The card was well received and helped introduce MAC to the Asia market. MAC public education outreach efforts will continue in Europe and Japan as the film is released for public viewing in these locations October through December. In conjunction with the UK premiere of Finding Nemo on Sept. 28, UNEP-WCMC and MAC released a joint press release on Sept. 30, which - along with a UNEP press release on the aquarium trade the same day - has generated significant print, radio and TV media interest in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, the US and elsewhere, some of which is noted in the MAC in the News section below. MAC Works to Partner with US Retailers. Retailers are one of the best means for reaching marine aquarists to raise awareness them about issues in the marine aquarium trade and the role of MAC Certification. To this effect, MAC is working to form closer partnerships with interested retail shops. In July, we distributed an info packet on MAC Certification to nearly 3,000 US aquarium retail shops, resulting in numerous inquiries on MAC Certification and several signed statements of commitment to become MAC Certified. This project was funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Retailer information packets are available on request to info@aqauariumcouncil.org. MAC Certified Collection Areas Discussed at the World Parks Congress. MAC was invited to participate in the 5th World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, Sept. 8 to 17. More than 2,500 participants from 170 countries participated in this once-a-decade event that is the major global forum on protected areas. MAC Asia Director Rezal Kusumaatmadja delivered the presentation 'Trade-Based Incentives for Establishing Management Areas and No-Take Zones' in a session on 'Benefits of MPA Networks for Fisheries and Endangered Species: Experiences and Innovation in Scaling Up to Build Networks.' Upcoming Events Oct. 10-12, 2003: 37th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show, Chicago, Illinois, USA Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2003: Aquarama 2003 Conference. Singapore. http://www.aquarama.com.sg/ March 1-5, 2004: Marine Ornamentals '04/Aquaculture 2004, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. http://www.hawaiiaquaculture.org/marineornamentals04.html MAC in the News 'Aquaria 'risk to tropical fish',' by Alex Kirby. BBC News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3151384.stm 'Finding too many Nemos,' by Joan Lowy. Scripps Howard News Service. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns....&cat=II 'Fish hobbyists warned not to flush pets,' by Joseph B. Verrengia. Salon.com News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/09/30/fish_flush/print.html [Also appeared in Seattle Post Intelligencer and Kansas City Star, USA] 'From Cauliflower Corals to Clown Fish.' DiveNews.Com. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.divenews.com/modules....id=2007 'Losing Nemo: The hunt for tropical fish is hurting their habitat, UN report finds,' by Dan Vergano. USA Today. Sept. 30, 2003. 'Tropical fish trade under spotlight as sales boom.' Reuters News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm....sh_dc_3 'Aquarium store a leader in industry,' by Amanda Gerut. Herald News (New Jersey, USA). Sept. 20, 2003. [Also appeared as 'Fish retailer getting certification from Marine Aquarium Council,' in the South Passaic edition.] 'BC: First Canadian Wholesaler MAC Certified 09/08/03.' AQUANEWS. Sept. 8, 2003. http://www.vanaqua.org/aquanews/ 'Hobbyist swap fish tales at conference: Marine enthusiasts meet in Clarksville for annual gathering,' by Christopher Hall. The Courier Journal (Louisville, Kentucky, USA). Sept. 8, 2003. 'Fish-friendly ways earns award,' by Philip Raphael. The Richmond Review (Canada). Sept. 6, 2003. 'Canadian First in Reef Fish Conservation.' EarthVision Environmental News. Sept. 3, 2003. http://www.earthvision.net/ColdFus....start=1 'Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Event at the NY Aquarium to Promote Tropical Fish Certification,' by Sylvia Spalding. Aquatica: The Journal of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society (New York). Vol. 17(4): 17. 'Winds of Change in the Marine Aquarium Industry: Observations on the Marine Aquarium Council Certification Program in the Philippines,' by John Brandt. Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. September 2003. pp 2-6. [Also appeared in Marine Scene: A Quarterly Publication of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America. Vol. 12(3): 4-7.] Certification de la Chaine Aquariophile. http://www.reefkeepers.net/Mac/CertificationMAC.html [in French] Normaliser la chaîne de distribution aquariophile globale pour protéger l'environnement, les animaux et les intérêts de tous. http://mars.reefkeepers.net/Articles/MAC/CertificationMAC.html [in French] La Certification MAC. http://www.reef-guardian.com/modules.php?name=temp [in French] 'Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society and Disney/Pixar Team Up to Protect Reefs.' July 17, 2003. http://www.oceanfutures.org/press/2003/pr_07_17_03.asp 'Defending Nemo,' by Beth Jones. Roanoke Times (Virginia, USA). July 15, 2003. 'Memo to Kids: Don't Flush Your Fish.' New Castle News (Penn., USA). July 12, 2003. 'Kids Are Flushing Fish after Seeing 'Nemo.'' Daily Gazette (New York, USA). July 3, 2003. News Brief. Evansville Courier and Press (Indiana, USA). July 1, 2003. 'Reef Keeping: It's not too late to save our coral reefs - and you can help,' by Nancy Klingener. blueplanet quarterly. Vol. 3(1): 34-35. Click here for more MAC in the News…news

Can I become your adopted son for that week so I can go with you. If not, then I think you need to take me as your personal body guard. Lucky duck. :ghostface:

NOTE: Copy and past from his post on his R/C forum 10/8/03 * Latest communication From Mac this week: Mac said he is trying to make it to the meeting on the 18th. Anyway, his post on store status: Thanks for asking. Coming along well, we are in the final stretch of construction on the building--ending in the next couple of weeks, then will finish up the incidentals inside. Already starting to set up of the tanks and vats. I'm hoping all this will be done by the first of the year and then have visitors by appointment until we get fully stocked. Once fully stocked and sure everything is complete we will be opening on the weekends to hobbyists, during the week for wholesale to stores and by appointment to hobbyists, plus our current mail order business. The main focus of the facility is coral propagation with a greenhouse for Acropora and other SPS. There are a total of 16 growing vats 12' x 3', plus 2-200 gal.display tanks, 6 large divided fish and invert systems--mostly for captive bred clownfish pairs and other captive bred fish, plus we will have net caught fish and tons of inverts. Also, we will have several vats for imported corals SPS, soft, LPS, all in sep. systems with a capacity for literally hundreds of corals. We will have limited selection of dry goods such as lamps, salt, test kits, foods, etc., not much in the way of skimmers, light fixtures, and that type of stuff. Plus fresh cultured phytoplankton and rotifers and homemade foods will be offered. Anyway, its exciting and a bit scary--hoping we don't go bankrupt in the meantime (just kidding). It will be a bit of a drive for folks to get to us on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but we will have the largest and best selection of reef animals anywhere in the US and you can always tell the wife you are taking her for a romantic drive to the beach and stroll on the boardwalk at Ocean City and then just happen to stumble upon Dr. Mac's place on the way home as you explore Delmarva! Hey, there are even several good farm stands near the new store that make great homemade pies, I know--I've tried them all!! Mac View pics here: Mac's pics of new facility

::

New to the saltwater / reefkeeping hobby, head here first if you would like to have some personalized attention! Forum description. Don't see selling goods as part of new to hobby. :] You are a good egg tony, I don't mean to ruffle feathers. I'm just interpreting the forum topic description. Perhaps you can bring up the location of the selling forum location to other members for their thoughts. It was debated in the past, and majority of members thought it should be in member section as paid benefit. I do see a need to have a public side for sales. Perhaps this needs revisited to solve location of selling stuff.

This is not a "New to hobby topic" I moved your first thread to "General" discussion section It should be in for sale/ trade section, but I'll let it be up on public side of site so you will have better chance to sell local. Just trying to keep this section clean for newbie questions. Craig

Funny ones. We all droll over Robz, but we need to remember that it takes lots of time to have a tank look that nice; no such thing as buying a killer looking tank - at least if you want to have success. Craig

Generator website - sears 3600 watts for $499 - free deliver to local store and 0 interest for year on sears card. Just got the call that my generator is in. :] I got one via sph2sail prior to izzy, but sold it after storm hit to fellow reefers that lost power. Bring on the ice storms and power outages, I'm ready now. Bigdog

Get your WAMAS goods with the new WAMAS Logo! WAMAS Store

ALERT the PR man to contact Wash. Post so they have latest data on his tank, = TANK OF MONTH!!! Congrats. Craig

The Fall Meeting of The Washington Area Marine Aquarist Society (WAMAS) will be on Saturday October 18, 2003 from 2:00-5:00p.m. in Kensington, MD (immediately outside Washington, DC) This is our annual frag workshop meeting. We will making frags of soft corals, sps, and polyps of various sorts. This is a great chance to get some free corals, learn some simple techniques so you know how to trim back corals when they overgrow, and share commardarie amongst local reefers. Our featured special guest speaker is Andy Bruckner from NOAA and the Coral Reef Task Force. Andy will give a talk on the state of sustainable harvesting of corals. Along with lots of frag swapping and a great raffle, this is sure to be a meeting NOT to miss! For further information on WAMAS and the Fall Meeting, visit our web site http://www.wamas.org/ Who: W.A.M.A.S. (Washington Area Marine Aquarium Society) When: October 18, 2003 (Saturday) Time: 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (EST) Where: Rockview Elementary School 3901 Denfeld Avenue Kensington, Maryland Cost: Members - Free / Non-members - $6.00 [Annual Membership = $20 - Individual; $35 - Family] Agenda 2:00 - 2:30 Sign in and Socializing 2:30 - 3:00 Andy Bruckner - Sustainable harvesting of corals 3:00 - 4:45 Frag Workshop 4:45 - 5:00 Raffle 5:00 Adjourn Special Guest: - Andy Bruckner Miscellaneous - Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. - Raffle prizes: coral frags; gift certificates; Directions: Directions to Rockview Elementary School From the Beltway 495 Exit Conneticut Avenue, Head North towards Kensington about 3 miles. Conneticut takes a fork at University- stay to the left to remain on Conneticut. Go to the 3rd light which is Denfeld and Turn Left. If you get to Adams Dr., you need to turn around. The school is immediately on the right hand side. Here's a map from Mapquest Map Link Craig Kuhn WAMAS Membership Director

I put one of the 2 xm 10K's in running on blueline ballsts. WOW much brighter than the 13 month old ushio. Steve, come see the new bulbs before you buy.

I have used ushio, ab and maybe a blueline around you can test. I just got some 10 xm's to try.

-I think you SG is low "1.020. I run all my tanks at 1.025. - try to find someone with a refractometer to calibrate your test device against or spend money on one. I can bring mine to fall meeting if you need. - I have in the past (almost 2 years ago) used kick ick and didn't see any ill effects on corals other inverts. - some people have success with garlic extract - soak food in it then feed fish.

Hello to all my fishy folks! We are excited to announce that the first addition to our new system is complete. We are now carrying a fourth variety of corals, Show Corals. Show Corals are the finest corals we have to offer. These pieces are exceptional because of their brilliant colors, rarity of species or sheer size. We are offering these corals at $56.99. WHAT'S NEW? - Cyclop-eeze is new to the menu for corals and filter feeders. This food supplement is 100% all natural frozen zooplankton that is rich in protein and fatty acids for optimal coral health, color and growth. Frozen Cyclop-eeze zooplankton is a huge benefit because you don't have to worry about it going bad. - Also, next time you're in check out the new Atlantic biotope display Scott is setting up. A biotope is a environment with uniform plant and animal life. All of the critters and corals you'll see in there are from the Atlantic. - There were a couple nice trade-ins this week that included corals and a few nice pieces of coral encrusted live rock. These rocks are covered with a variety of corals from Xenia to green Star Polyps and are sold by the pound. - We are very close to launching our new website. On the new and updated version of our site you will be able to peruse our inventory and place livestock on hold on line. You will also see new photos of Custom Aquarium Concept's service aquariums and much more... WHAT'S ON SALE We have two huge, extra large Sebae anemones regularly $99.99 they are now only $79.99. There are a variety of Lobed Brain corals on sale, they were originally $36.99 to $45.99 we are now offering them at $28.99. That is a savings of up to $17! All feather dusters are 10% off. There will be a selection of Mushroom rocks on sale for 20% off. That's all for now, see you this weekend! -Kristen Lau Senior Sales Associate The Marine Scene (703)689-2815

It is on the calendar for the October 26th issue of the Post Sunday Magazine. Things may change, but that's where it's scheduled for now! Can't wait to see this article and photos! You can get a preview of the photographers work in taking pictures of aquariums if you get Audubon Magazine. NOTE: NEED to buy the magazine, nothing on website: Audubon Magazine Current issue (audubon magazine) has this article: photo essay The Age of Aquarium In their new book, photographers Len Jenshel and Diane Cook explore both the splendors of the oceans and the compelling ways we put them on display. photography by Len Jenshel and Diane Cook text by Jennifer Bogo Can't wait to see the WAMAS Spread in the Post and need to get the Audubon mag. asap. Craig

The officers of WAMAS have a special opportunity coming up. We have been working with the editors of the Washington Post Sunday Magazine and they have agreed to do a two page photo spread on WAMAS member tanks. We have been drafting the outline of the story (2-3 paragraphs max) and the theme is: Bringing excitement to science at home: REEFing in DC The thesis is that there are many members of WAMAS who have children and use their tanks as educational/science experiments for their children. We would like to do photos of parent/child with tanks. Our goal: Beautiful tank Cool photo of kids/parents w/tank We can fit maybe 2-3 tanks into this spread. Check out how they did the spread for the national arboretum... This is a special opportunity. This truly is an exciting opportunity. Please let us know quickly! Regards, Steve PR Director, WAMAS

Greetings to all, It's time again for your weekly Marine Scene update. We are still working on our new and improved reef system. So far we have the system running with some nice displays of Atlantic Aquaculture Live Rock. We have also set up a few of the tanks with different substrates that we carry to give you a better idea of what they look like "in action". WHAT'S NEW? I am really excited about the new live rock we just received. This rock is Indonesian; it has very nice color and even nicer shape with all sorts of caves and holes. Golden Pearls are also new to our inventory. Golden Pearls is a food that has been used to feed tiny fry in the past. But guess what, they are great for corals too! This powder like substance is the same micron size as the rotifers that corals munch on in the wild. Golden Pearls are a great source of nutrition for all types of corals and filter feeders as well. If you've been looking for an interesting starfish that is hardy, cheap and won't hide during the day, come in and pick up a Green Linkia. We get these starfish every now and then and they always go fast. One critter that we have fairly often but you may have missed is the Porcelain Crab. These guys are really cool because they are actually filter feeders, they have tiny fan-like structures in place of claws that they use to wave through the water to catch tiny food particles like Golden Pearls. It's pretty fun to watch them in action. Do you want some diversity in your live rock structure? Check out our new shipment of Tonga branch live rock. It's just what it sounds like; Tonga rock in nice big branchy shapes. It helps fill out any empty spots you may have in the background. WHAT'S ON SALE? My recommended flake food, Omega one, is 10% off. Omega One is great because it's ingredients are all high quality seafood and sea algae. Omega one also has low levels of ash and phosphorous which means less algae for you. A good food for your corals and filter feeders is ZooPlex. ZooPlex is a preserved zooplankton rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and caroteniod pigments which means better color and growth in your corals, and small inverts. Try out Zooplex this weekend when it is 10% off. One of the coolest fish in the store is now on sale. Our Blue Spot Grouper regularly $89.99 is now $62.99. This guy has bright blue spots and needs a nice big home. DID YOU KNOW? One of the best ways to maximize the health, color, and lifespan of your fish is to feed it an assortment of foods. We recommend feeding your fish at least five different types of food. The same way no human should eat the same meal everyday, fish and invertebrates should not eat just flake food or just brine shrimp. We carry pellets, freeze dried krill, lots of different flake foods, and a large assortment of frozen foods. We have food great for herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, small-mouth eaters, and large-mouth eaters. For the really finicky or picky eaters, we carry a few different vitamin and lipid supplements to make sure that all your fish are as healthy as possible. The best way to expand your fish's lunch menu is to either pick up at least five different types of food, or try one of our frozen variety packs. Are your fish and invertebrates getting the diet they deserve? Well that's it for this week. Hope to see you soon! -Kristen Lau Senior Sales Associate The Marine Scene (703)689-2815

Tony, Glad to hear you are better now. Sorry you had to experience this. Thanks for sharing your lesson with us.

SPECIAL SALE for mailing list subscribers ONLY!! Take 20% off orders of $250 or more shipped from Monday Sept. 8 until Friday Sept. 12 for corals from the following pages: http://drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook3/ http://drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook2/ Please call Dr. Mac at 443-614-1955 9 am-9 pm Eastern Monday-Friday, and please mention SPECIAL SALE discount when ordering.

The club has joined MASNA (Marine Aquarium Societies of North America). If you do not know anything about MASNA, please check out their site. http://www.masna.org We are sending two club members (Tom Sasala & Andrii Kalinin) to be our delegates at MACNA XV. [Just to be clear, they are paying their own expenses]

HUGE SELECTION---HUGE SALE 20% Off listed price on TOP PICK Corals on these pages, when purchasing $200 or more: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/newarrivalstoppickcorals1/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/page4/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/availabletoppicknewarrivals/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook2/ Plus lots of great NEW ARRIVALS: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook3/ To order call Dr. Mac 443-614-1955 9 am-9 pm Eastern.

New Coral Shipment This Week Orange Plates, Green Bubble, Xlg Toadstools, and Colts Plus Much More See http://www.reefstore.com for a full list with pictures New Live Rock Expected Fri/ Sat

Hello Hobbyists! It's time again for the Marine Scene weekend update. There are a lot of changes going on at the "scene". We are currently remodeling our large carnivore system to house more corals, inverts and reef safe fishes. So when your in this weekend please excuse our empty tanks. But there is still fun stuff to see in the rest of our store! In our anemone tank you will see a mated pair of Maroon clowns with an extra large Bubble Tip anemone; this trio is hard to come by and a lot of fun to watch. Speaking of pairs we also have a BREEDING pair of Clarkii clowns for anyone who is interested in trying their luck at breeding. This couple currently has a clutch of eggs they are rearing! So WHAT'S ON SALE you ask? Electrolite retrofit ballasts are 10% off. Kent Garlic Extreme food additive helps prevent Ich and other parasites and is 10% off. We are having a clearance of Aquacultured live rock, it is now only $6.69 a pound down from $7.99. Still lots of good life on them! By the way, Ocean Nutrition Seaweed packs are 10% off this weekend. WHAT'S NEW this week you ask? Well, in the fish department we received two Citron Gobies, a very small Sailfin tang and an even smaller Potter's Angel. And as a "trade-in" we received a large Porcupine Puffer, talk about personality, this guy has plenty of it, I think he is my new best friend! In the coral department you will see a nice variety of show corals including a yellow Porites, a red Dendronepthya, a large Fox coral and a red Lobophyllia. Some very exotic Palythoa polyps were traded in, I've never even seen these before. Come on in and check it out! See you soon. -Kristen Lau Senior Sales Associate The Marine Scene (703)689-2815