Gatortailale

First place to start would be water source. Test your top-off water to see what the phosphate level is vs. amount in your system. There are a few members with TDS meters. Maybe you can get one to bring their meter to the meeting and test your water. Also test, if possible all additives you add for their levels of phos. I also have heard from a member who was using pickling lime instead of ESV kalk powder; he was getting a high phosphate increase from the Mrs. pickle powder. Are you dripping this as a source of kalk? Water flow increase can help rid some types of algae. Might also want to try a new type of food and see if that changes things. Cucumber - check out reeftopia Webster. They have the good kind, as does Dr. Mac. Reeftopia also has some ivory cerith snails that stay mainly on the sand. Are you running refuge only or do you also have a skimmer in use? Final one, try turkey baster to create storm once a week to stir up top layer of sand.

Sorry to hear about your loss. :( Let me know if I can do anything.

Home Depot

ANNOUNCING THE MASNA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING AUCTION MASNA is pleased to announce its first auction to raise money for the MASNA Scholarship Foundation. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist worthy students in realizing their dreams of achieving a degree in the field of Marine Biology. To begin, we will be auctioning a variety of high end items donated by Kent Marine, Seachem Labs, Marine Enterprises International and Marc Weiss Companies, Inc. Skimmers, lighting systems, books and additives will all be available. Check the MASNA site often to see what is currently up for bid. If you are in the industry or a hobbyist who would like to donate an item(s) for the auction, please contact Tom Walsh at twalsh@archbishopcurley.org. As always, we are grateful for all your support. Auction Site P.S. don't forget to tell your friends!

FYI: Original post edited to reflect date change for the Summer meeting. We had to push the meeting back to accommodate the guest speaker's schedule. The correct date is June 28, 2003 (Saturday)

I saw this article in the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn....hptoc_c From the Depths Many Experts Don't Swallow Extraordinary Claims for Calcium Supplements Derived From Sea Coral Many experts don't swallow the extraordinary claims of calcium supplements derived from sea coral. (Vera Thorton - The Washington Post) By Judy Packer-Tursman Special to The Washington Post Tuesday, May 20, 2003; Page HE01 If you believe the recent flood of Internet ads, infomercials and health-food-store promotions for coral calcium -- and many apparently do -- this dietary supplement is not just the best way to ensure strong bones. It is also a weight-loss aid and a potential fix for more than 200 illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and cancer. Dozens of U.S. and Canadian sellers of the product base their claims on what they say are the long and healthy lives led by people on the Japanese islands of Okinawa, where drinking water contains large amounts of calcium derived from the surrounding coral reefs. Americans, say these marketers, can follow suit by buying pills that cost as much as $1 a day -- some 20 times the cost of basic calcium carbonate pills. According to SPINS, a San Francisco-based market research firm, calcium derived from coral has grown into at least a $6.5 million business over the past year. "Tens of millions of people are using it," claims Bob Barefoot, 59, of Wickenberg, Ariz., the most prominent U.S. marketer of coral calcium, which he sells under such names as Coral Calcium Supreme and Best Coral Calcium Supreme Plus. "Can they all be wrong?" Quite possibly, according to a wide array of academic experts, mainstream and alternative medicine clinicians and even dietary supplement industry reps. They say there is no evidence to support many claims made about coral calcium: Several studies suggest Okinawans more likely owe their longevity to such factors as a diet rich in vegetables, grains and fish; an active lifestyle; and strong social networks for the elderly. Some skeptics also voice concern that coral calcium could trigger dangerous reactions -- such as hives, breathing difficulties or swelling -- in people with allergies to shellfish because coral reefs are often home to such organisms. Paul Takahashi, a geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic, cautions such patients against taking the product. He also worries that the product -- like all dietary supplements, it is only lightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- may contain harmful amounts of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium, which over time could cause digestive problems, kidney damage, nerve disorders and muscle and joint pain. "It's the hottest quack product in the last 50 years," says retired Allentown, Pa., psychiatrist Stephen Barrett, who posts blistering critiques of alternative medicine on his "Quackwatch" Web site. "I've never seen such intense promotion in my life." The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group representing about 65 dietary supplement makers and suppliers, sought federal action against Barefoot and other manufacturers making what it calls "egregious" claims. "The problem with coral calcium is [that] many of the claims are over the top, with no scientific validity," said John Hathcock, the group's vice president for scientific and international affairs. Government regulators have also taken note. As far back as 1999, the FDA issued a warning letter to a coral calcium marketer for unfounded therapeutic claims on its product labels. No further enforcement action was taken, according to an agency spokeswoman. Under federal law, dietary supplements are not required to go through the same pre-market testing as do drugs to show safety and efficacy, but manufacturers are supposed to supply accurate and truthful labeling. If the FDA finds a supplement to be unsafe, the agency can call for a voluntary recall or force products off the shelves. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which regulates product advertising, has signaled interest in coral calcium sales tactics. Coral calcium "is certainly an area that historically, priority-wise, we would be very interested in," said Rich Cleland, assistant director of the FTC's division of advertising practices. "It's a widely marketed product, and there are some very strong therapeutic claims being made by some marketers." A Hunger for Calcium Coral calcium marketers and their critics agree on two points: Calcium plays an important role in the body, and Americans aren't getting enough of it. Some evidence from recent studies suggests that calcium, besides maintaining bone strength, may be good for the heart, help lower blood pressure and improve blood lipid levels. An American Cancer Society study published in February also found that calcium may modestly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Federally funded researchers are recruiting patients for a study on whether high-dose calcium supplementation -- 750 milligrams twice a day for two years -- improves the health of overweight adults. Eating calcium-rich foods, such as milk, dairy products and leafy green vegetables, is the preferred way to get calcium, say many clinicians and researchers. But the May 2001 Wellness Letter published by the University of California, Berkeley, found that, instead of getting the daily 1,000 milligrams that experts recommend for men and premenopausal women (post-menopausal women need 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams), the typical American woman gets 625 milligrams and the typical man 865. Calcium supplement sales accounted for $775 million in 2001, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, making calcium the third-highest-selling dietary supplement category, behind multivitamins and combination herbal products. Barefoot, who received a two-year diploma in chemical technology in 1967 from Canada's Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, says he "discovered" coral calcium in the medical literature in 1982 and introduced the product in the United States in 1997. Last year, after selling his products largely online, he began a TV campaign that he says has helped boost monthly sales from 200,000 to 5 million bottles. In his infomercial and books, including "The Calcium Factor: The Scientific Secret of Health and Youth," "Barefoot on Coral Calcium" and "Death by Diet," he promotes calcium as "the nutrient of the 21st century." Experts, however, contest many of the claims made by him and fellow coral calcium marketers, including these: • Absorption Barefoot claims the calcium in his product is more easily absorbed by the body, thanks to "70 trace nutrients and the perfect amount of magnesium." Coral calcium, he says, is "70-plus [percent] absorbable by the body," compared with what he claims is 1 percent for the calcium-containing antacid Tums. Robert Heaney, a professor of medicine at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, isn't buying that without proof. Heaney, who helped revise government recommendations on calcium intake in 1997, said he has asked Barefoot for data, without success. Heaney also dismisses as "utter nonsense" Barefoot's assertion that Tums is 1 percent absorbable. Disbelief is also the reaction of Adrianne Bendich, clinical director of calcium research at GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Tums. Heaney, who has tested the absorption of calcium products in the body, says pure calcium carbonate is 30 to 35 percent absorbable -- no matter how it is sold. After an initial phone conversation, Barefoot did not return follow-up calls made to relay critics' comments and seek his response. Kurt Althof, product manager of Coral Inc., in Incline Village, Nev., which sells the bulk raw material for coral calcium products, similarly claims coral calcium is better absorbed than other calcium supplements. He concedes, however, that he has no data to support this claim. Testimonals on coral calcium's benefits "have been so strong," he said, that "it almost doesn't need that science." Calcium absorption is a less than straightforward matter. David Roll, director of dietary supplements for the Rockville-based U.S. Pharmacopeia, which sets voluntary quality standards for dietary supplements, explains that a tablet of 1,500 milligrams of calcium carbonate contains about 600 milligrams of calcium (40 percent of the total) that is available to be absorbed by the body -- of which perhaps 200 milligrams would actually be absorbed. The recommended daily intake of 1,000 milligrams of calcium, he says, is the amount experts say you should ingest, not how much would actually be absorbed. Indeed, there's a limit to how much calcium can be absorbed at one time. John Swartzberg, clinical professor of medicine at Berkeley's School of Public Health and editor of the Wellness Letter, puts that limit at about 500 milligrams of calcium carbonate; some experts set it slightly higher. For this reason, experts recommend spreading calcium doses out over the course of the day. Under a standard that became effective in 1995, Roll said, calcium carbonate products bearing labels of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) must dissolve within 30 minutes, and dissolution is needed for absorption to occur. "No coral calcium products have the USP label as far as we know," he added. The Mayo Clinic's Takahashi said he recommends calcium carbonate for most of his patients because it is both effective for maintaining bone health and cheap. For those who find calcium supplements constipating, he recommends somewhat costlier calcium citrate supplements, which may be absorbed a bit more easily, meaning people may not not need to take as much. Incidentally, vitamin D aids calcium absorption; magnesium doesn't; "that's been thoroughly tested" by researchers, Heaney said. • Blood acidity Barefoot and other coral calcium marketers claim that their products work by neutralizing the bloodstream's acidity, making it slightly alkaline, which helps to revitalize cells and promote health. "That's absolutely bogus," says Swartzberg. He explains that the pH of the bloodstream is tightly controlled by the body and kept within a range of 7.38 to 7.42. He says there is no evidence that coral calcium can change the blood's pH or that such a change would be healthier. Indeed, he says, cells can't work optimally if the body is too alkaline or too acidic. • Product contents and pricing Barefoot say his product is worth the $17 to $20 per bottle for which it sells online because it contains "marine coral," which sells for $44 per kilo. He said large retailers are able to market coral calcium for about $6 a bottle because they are "only buying dirt," using an inferior "rock coral" that sells for $1 a kilo. That distinction is lost on Brent Bauer, chairman of the Mayo Clinic's complementary and integrative medicine program. He suspects that coral calcium products contain the same inexpensive calcium carbonate found in regular supplements, with "chunks of limestone, sandstone and debris that doesn't do anything." Because dietary supplements are so lightly regulated in the United States, there is no independent testing of product contents and no way for consumers to know if they're getting what the seller says they are -- assuming those contents had therapeutic value. • Science Barefoot cited a few recent Japanese studies that he said showed coral calcium's benefits. But Swartzberg and others said the studies were very small (one, cited widely on coral calcium Web sites, involved 12 people), poorly designed and not controlled. The Wellness Letter dismissed coral calcium in its February issue, saying promotional statements were based on "zero science." "Everything we write about tends to be evidence-based," said Swartz-berg. "No matter how hard we tried to keep an open mind on coral calcium, we could see no redeeming feature."• Judy Packer-Tursman is a Washington area journalist who writes frequently about alternative medicine.

I think it's his second link in his post that has the picture, but I think this is a copy of the link and picture of it. http://64.46.104.112/tank/nano/16apr03/P1010003.JPG Hope this helps. Any update on your health???? Hope you are all better Craig

WOW, glad you are ok. Thanks for sharing this with us. It will be a good thing to remember in the future not to squish things with bare fingers. enjoy your rest this weekend. Craig

Hello to all, Just a quick note to let everyone in on our weekend deals. All Select corals are 10% off, buy two and get 15% off, buy three or more and get 20% off. We are offering a selection of dry foods which are now 30% off, a great deal. Buy any reef ready set-up and get 10% off any book. We still have some great deals on used equipment if you're looking to up grade your system. We are closing out crushed coral and it is 50% off! Maxi-Jet 600,900,1200 power heads are all 20% off. Coolest coral of the week is an orange distichopora, this is a non-photosynthetic sps and stands out beautifully. Coolest fish of the week is a baby queen angel fish, this little guy is eating and cute as a button! If you've been waiting to get your hands on a piece of our briarium colony (pink fuzzy coral in our 75 gallon display) now is the time, we currently have about 9 pieces available, including some neon green on some pieces. Speaking of neon green we have a lot of it available in our corals for sale, this color looks great under the actinic lighting. We have a very large Fox Face Rabbit fish if you need something different for a fish only system. Although he is big he is not aggressive. If you're looking for an interesting mate for your anemone, black percula clowns are back in stock. Finally we have several really nice bubble tip anemones in stock. These are the large size you have been looking for. See you Soon! Kristen Lau Senior Sales Associate The Marine Scene (703)689-2815

I think you are better off getting an electronic ballast. They fire almost all the bulbs with no need to tune them. They run cooler and use less electric. Sure they cost more up front, but worth it in my opinion because you save more in heat and electric. Also, do you really want to %$#* around with electric ballasts right next to 120 gallons of water? We all spill a few drops here and there next the ballasts or inside stands. It will happen at some point. Enclosed ones will help prevent you from shock or worse. As for 250 vs 400, depends on what you want to keep in your tank. Also, would depend on whether you have central ac in your home or just a little window unit. Central ac, you can run 400's as long as you crank the temp in house down. If you don't have central ac, you will see a big temp diff in my opinion b/w the 250's and the 400's. my .002.

In my original thread on this, (member section) I believe i listed a place that said they would sell just the reflector. I think the price was like 85 or so. http://www.wamas.org/cgi-bin....diamond

MARINE AQUARIUM COUNCIL International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability of Marine Aquarium Organisms from Reef to Retail MAC News 1st Quarter 2003 Director's Note As noted in the last issue of the MAC News, the majority of MAC's effort and resources are focused on working with collectors and their communities to achieve MAC Certification and increase the number of coral reefs under management and the number of collectors using best practices---thereby increasing the supply of certified marine ornamentals. In this issue of the MAC News, we are highlighting the progress in the Philippines in achieving these goals, as well as the lessons we are learning and the adjustments that are being made. The MAC Standards and Certification are new and are a work in progress. There are problems and flaws and a steep learning curve, so the results of our efforts will not be prefect and immediate. We have a lot to figure out. No one has ever tried to do something like create industry standards and certification for an international, wild-capture trade in live animals. The MAC Board recognizes the need for the certification system to evolve and improve as we go and has determined that the first few years will be a "Development Phase," with flexibility and adaptation of the certification standards. Not all the parts are in place and functioning, and the system will grow and evolve as we learn. However, the destruction of reefs, animals and coastal communities is too urgent to wait until we have the perfect certification system. Having an imperfect system that is being worked out on the ground is a much better position than empty intentions. There are also a lot of different opinions about how the MAC Standards and Certification should look and work. We try to achieve the best balance of these as is possible, but it is not always easy to please everyone in the diverse group of stakeholders that are involved. We take concerns of substance and issues very seriously. We try to clarify the substance of concerns and respond to them. While much of the discussion below is centered on the Philippines, it is important to realize that there is also active interest and work towards achieving certification in other supply areas, e.g., Fiji, other Pacific Island countries, Indonesia, Hawaii. Philippines Progress Collectors and exporter in the Philippines become MAC Certified In January 2003, MAC Accredited certifier IMS International announced that the Tangaran Aquarium Fish Gathers Association (TAFGA) and the Cebu-based exporter AquaEx had achieved MAC Certified status---raising the number of operators in the Philippines that meet the MAC Standards to two collection areas, two collectors' associations and four exporters since the launch of the MAC Certification system in late 2001. TAFGA operates in the coastal barangay (barrio) of Tangaran in the municipality of Clarin, situated in the northwest part of the Province of Bohol. The community held a public "graduation" ceremony to celebrate their new MAC Certified status on Feb. 21, 2003. MAC Board Member John Brandt of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) attended the event and took the stage to congratulate the collectors and watch as they received their certificates from the mayor and other officials. See the MAC homepage at www.aquariumcouncil.org for a photo of the graduation. MAC Certified Collectors and Exporters Group formed in the Philippines The initial group of two MAC Certified collectors' associations and four MAC Certified exporters in the Philippines are working together to improve their collaboration and, thereby, improve the implementation of MAC Certification and help increase the supply of MAC Certified organisms to certified importers and retailers. They have formed the MAC Certified Collectors and Exporters Group-Philippines (MAC-CCEG-Philippines) and will meet periodically to identify, review and resolve issues related to their operations and interactions related to MAC Certification. The group will grow as additional collectors and companies are certified. In their initial work together from Jan. 28-30, 2003, the group addressed several areas of concern and reached agreement on the following issues, among others: PRICING: A common and fair pricing schedule was developed, based on species, size and season. The group will review the pricing agreement twice a year and revise it as needed. SCREENING: The group identified the issues in exporter screening of organisms and defined best practices that the MAC Certified collectors and exporters would use, e.g., acceptable quality and size parameters for all organisms. The representatives of the collectors visited the MAC Certified exporters to clarify these issues and practices under real operating conditions. MONITORING OF OPERATIONS: All parties agreed to the importance of random announced and unannounced visits by MAC staff members to ensure compliance with MAC Certification, including sampling of stock for cyanide detection testing at approved laboratories. COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES: Exporters agreed to ensure timely feedback on organism quality and their payment to collectors. SUPPLY ALLOCATION: Collectors and exporters agreed that the first preference would be for MAC Certified organisms to be available to MAC Certified companies. Philippine Tropical Fish Exporters Association reinforces its commitment to MAC Certification The Philippine Tropical Fish Exporters Association (PTFEA) addressed key issues regarding the implementation of MAC Certification in early 2003. The PTFEA includes 21of the 32 Philippines' marine aquarium fish exporters as its members. On Feb. 7, 2003, in Manila, the PTFEA unanimously voted to form a committee to develop a collective approach to assisting their collectors and MAC to ensure these collectors are qualified for MAC Certification, including the possibility of a system for PTFEA support for collectors training activities. The PTFEA also issued a public statement to clearly indicate its position regarding supply development, standardized screening, communications and cyanide detection testing. On the latter issue, the association stated: "PTFEA members understand and support the development and implementation of valid and effective cyanide detection testing. All PTFEA operations and facilities will be open to random announced and unannounced monitoring and sampling of stock for cyanide detection, provided that the testing be done at approved laboratories and that the tests be conducted by officially authorized persons." The full statement can be found in the "What's New" section of the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. MASNA and CORL representatives observe MAC Certifed operations in the Philippines The hobbyist community has expressed a great deal of interest in the new Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification process. In order to help inform the hobbyist community, John Brandt, who is on the MAC Board of Directors and that of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) and represents MASNA with the US Coral Reef Task Force, traveled to the Philippines to observe MAC Certified activities in the field. John's "observer mission" was sponsored by MAC and included visiting and diving with the first MAC Certified collectors in the community of Batasan, meeting with government officials, appraising MAC Certified exporter activities and observing MAC Certified fish collection activities. Mike King, director of the Coalition of Reef Lovers (CORL), accompanied John on the trip. The trip was to help CORL better understand how the MAC Collection Area Management Plans (CAMPs) are set up and to start laying the foundation of a working partnership between CORL and MAC in the Philippines. "The MAC Certified operation that I observed in the Philippines represents a functional model for a high quality chain of custody program for the marine aquarium industry," Brandt reported. "Reef organisms are collected by the most gentle and responsible methods. They are held and transported using proven techniques that result in the low mortality and quality product that is a standard for MAC Certification." John also noted the "pride" that collectors and companies feel about their "MAC Certification accomplishment" and said he found "this to be true of all of the people associated with the MAC program." For the full reports, visit the "New Items" section of the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. Philippines' government agencies expand their partnerships with MAC MAC, which already has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), has now been invited to become a member of the executive committee of the PCSD Early Response Project---an anti-illegal fishing and destructive fishing initiative for Palawan Island. Cyanide detection and MAC Certification The MAC Standards require that the MAC Board approve "credible, accurate and reliable test methods for detecting chemicals that are suspected of being used in the collection and fishing of marine aquarium organisms." These methods are "only valid if verified by an International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) accredited laboratory." Unfortunately, there have been no methods and labs that have yet sought approval. Implementation of the MAC Certification is based not only on seeking to detect cyanide after it is has been used but also on a variety of mechanisms for preventing cyanide use in the first place. This includes significant effort on developing criteria for documenting and tracing of the organisms caught by MAC Certified collectors operating in MAC Certified collection areas---"traceability" is to create accountability and link each collector to the fish that they collect. Accountability allows us to develop a whole range, or "basket," of measures that focus on preventative level behavior change with collectors: INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF COLLECTORS: With certification, fishers are required to use logbooks to document their catch and have these reviewed by the collector's coordinator. Each collector's catch is identified to the individual. The quality and acceptability is evaluated both by the collectors' coordinator and by the exporter. Unacceptable fish are linked to the individual whose collection and/or handling resulted in the quality of the animal. PEER PRESSURE: The collectors are certified as a group (usually they form an association to get the group certified), linking the group to the continued performance and compliance of each member. If one member violates the MAC Standards, the continued certification of the whole group (and their access to the improved market and its benefits) is at risk. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The development of the Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) for compliance to the Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) Standard is a multi-stakeholder effort that links the community to the fishery and the collectors. Involving the community in the success and commitment of the certified fishers though a major community awards ceremony for them enhances this link. LOCAL GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE AND ENFORCEMENT: There is already often a village level system for surveillance and enforcement, e.g., local government fishing permits, fisheries patrols, etc. These are being linked with the certification, e.g., in some instances local municipalities allow only MAC Certified fishers to fish in the area. ECONOMIC INCENTIVES: The financial return and income stability of fishers is improved by supplying the consistent quality that results from certified practices, creating an incentive to continue achieving compliance. MAC Certified collectors are now given new nets, jars, etc. on a regular basis and earn more regular income by NOT using cyanide. MAC is also developing market demand for certified products that creates added incentive for collectors to continue to comply. MAC Certification will be even stronger with a cyanide detection test system in place. We are working with several research institutions and government agencies on evaluating cyanide detection technologies and systems. With the concern from retailers and hobbyists that confidence in certification is closely linked to the ability to detect cyanide by scientific methods, this is a high priority. In the meantime, as noted above, the export association in the Philippines has clearly affirmed its support for random sampling of fish in their facilities for cyanide testing. MAC Certification Process in the Philippines MAC Certification is a third party, independent certification system. This means that while MAC creates standards for the international trade in marine aquarium organisms, MAC does not itself audit companies, associations or collectors for their compliance to these standards. Instead, MAC accredits independent certifiers to undertake these assessments. Third-party certification is used worldwide to reduce the likelihood of conflict of interest and is the type of certification process that has the most confidence of consumers, industry, government and other interest groups. Because MAC Certification is a contractual transaction between the company seeking certification and the MAC Accredited certifier, information about the dates of the audit, corrective actions needed, corrective actions proposed, etc. are not made public unless both the MAC Accredited certifier and the company or collectors undergoing assessment agree to do so. Likewise, the Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) required for MAC Certified collection areas operating under the EFM Standard can only be made public by those who have developed the management plan (i.e., the multi-stakeholder CAMP committee). The CAMP often contains proprietary information, and it is possible that the CAMP committee may ask for compensation before releasing the information. As different organizations have expressed an interest in reviewing the CAMPs, MAC is working with the CAMP committees to develop summaries of the CAMPs that will be posted on the MAC website. Import Country Update Meerwasser Symposium, Germany Svein Fossa delivered a presentation on MAC Certification at the premier gathering of marine aquarists in Germany, the Meerwasser Symposium. It was received with much interest. MAC Executive Director Paul Holthus responded to numerous questions after the presentation. Quality Marine becomes third MAC Certified importer In January 2003, MAC Accredited certifier IMS International announced that Los Angeles importer Quality Marine had achieved MAC Certified status---raising the number of operators in the North America that meet the MAC Standards to three importers and four retailers since the launch of the MAC Certification system in late 2001. For the only official and complete list of MAC Certified companies, visit the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the Long Beach Aquarium More than 500 marine aquarium enthusiasts attended the Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day, hosted by the Marine Aquarium Council and the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach, Calif. The Jan. 26th event focused on responsible aquarium keeping and attracted hobbyists and retailers from as far away as Arizona---an eight-hour drive. Julian Sprung delivered the keynote address, "A Responsible Marine Aquarium Hobby: From Sea to Your Home," to a standing room only crowd. Sprung is the co-author of the popular The Reef Aquarium, Volumes I and II. "When properly handled, delicate marine creatures have better survival chances in captivity, and the proper handling of living creatures is both ethical and consistent with aquarists' concern for their welfare," Sprung noted. Sprung's presence was made possible through a sponsorship by Marineland, manufacturer of aquarium filtration systems and accessories. Marine aquarium enthusiasts were treated to free admission to the Aquarium, a series of presentations on responsible aquarium keeping and a dozen informational exhibits. The talks ranged from "What to Look for in a Good Local Fish Store," by Rick Preuss, owner of MAC Certified Preuss Animal House, Haslett, Mich., to "Saving Reefs with the Marine Aquarium Trade," by Gregor Hodgson, PhD, executive director of Reef Check, an international network that monitors the global status of reefs. Upcoming Events International Marine Aquarium Conference (Chicago, May 2-4) MAC will have a booth and will be giving a presentation at the first International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC). David Vosseler, MAC Americas and Pacific Director, will describe the progress made to date on certification, including an update on certification requirements and the Core Standards Interpretation document. John Brandt of MASNA will share his findings from his recent trip to the Philippines, which included observations of MAC Certified exporters and collection communities. In addition, representatives of the marine aquarium industry that have already successfully passed the MAC Certification process will speak briefly on becoming MAC Certified and what MAC Certification means to them and their customers. The presentation will conclude with an extended question and answer period. 2003 China International Recreational Fisheries and Aquarium Congress & Exhibition (Shenzhen, China, November 19-23) http://www.cnfm.gov.cn/recreational/RecreationalFisheries.htm MAC in the News "Marine Aquarium Council Certification," by Patricia Knight, Aquarium Fish Magazine, June 2003. "Zertifikate füeinen zuverlässigen, ethisch vertretbaren Handel mit Tieren für das Meerwasseraquarium," by Paul Holthus and Svein A. Fosså, 6. Interntaionales Meerwasser-Symposium: Optimierung der Pflegebedingungen (in German). "Aquarium Fish Gets 'Warranty,'" by Linda B. Bolido, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 11 March 2003. "Marine aquarium fish certification launched," Fisheries, March 2003. "Meanwhile: Collecting a clownfish without harm to coral," by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, International Tribune Herald, 11 Feb. 2003. "MAC-Certified Marine Aquarium Fish Now Available at Retail Stores," by Paul Holthus et al., OFI Journal, February 2003. "Marine Aquarium Council Certification and the public aquarium," by Paul Holthus, EAZA News, January-March 2003. "Implementing an International Certification System for a Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade," by Paul Holthus and Sylvia Spalding, Tropical Coasts, December 2002. "Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day," Pacific Currents, Winter 2002. "Marine Aquarium Council," Trade Forum, November-December 2002. "MAC Certified Marine Ornamentals to Be Available Soon," by Sylvia Spalding, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, November 2002. "Net-Training to CAMP: Community-based programmes that benefit coral reef conservation and the aquarium trade," by Peter J. Rubec and Ferdinand Cruz, OFI Journal, October 2002. "Buy a Fish Buy a Coral to save a reef and sustain a village," PETS International Magazine, October 2002. "MAC Certification Begins in Philippines," PET AGE, October 2002. "Il richiamo del MAC a un coinvolgimento dell'industria," a cura di John Dawes, HZ, September 2002 (in Italian).

The Summer Meeting of The Washington Area Marine Aquarist Society (WAMAS) will be on Saturday June 28, 2003 from 2:00-5:00p.m. in Kensington, MD (immediately outside Washington, DC) Our featured special guest speaker is Bruce Carslon, formerly of the Waikiki Aquarium and currently at the Georgia Aquarium. Bruce will be giving a presentation on the cutting edge research being conducted at the Waikiki Aquarium - that includes: deep-reef fishes collected by Richard Pyle; success in breeding angelfishes; coral culture techniques; and Bruce's own research on coral bleaching and reef recovery in Fiji. 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 Summer Meeting, visit our web site http://www.wamas.org/ Who: W.A.M.A.S. (Washington Area Marine Aquarium Society) When: June 28, 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 - 4:30 Cutting edge research being conducted at Waikiki Aquarium - Bruce Carlson 4:30 - 5:00 Raffle 5:00 Adjourn Special Guest: - Bruce Carlson, formerly of the Waikiki Aquarium and currently at the Georgia Aquarium -Dr. Mac of Dr. Mac & Sons Corals Miscellaneous - Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. - Raffle prizes: coral frags; gift certificates; * prizes include: - Premium Aquatics Refractometer PA Refractometer - Aquarium Journals Log Book 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

FYI: More from Tom: Hello fun-seekers, I only had nine (9) responses from people who were interested in a CMAS picnic on May 4th. And so, due to a lack of interest, we will not plan anything for that day. If someone in the club would like to organize something on his / her own, please feel free ! We will continue in June with the Summer tank tours........... Thanks, Tom

I'll take the other half if still available

I have some of that white plastic light difuse material that has the 1/2 squares. I can get you a chunk of that which might help you retrofit something on top to block him. If I remember, your oceanic is a square overflow box which helps instead of the round all-glass style. I'll try to remember to bring some tonight.

Like the boss (Michael) said, 95% of the time they are reef safe. It's always possible to get one that will pick at it. I have a Flame and a Coral Beauty in my 125g which is about 93% sps and have no problems. Just feed them a lot of frozen food and add nori sheets 5-7 days a week to give them something to graze on during the day. my $.0000000002 Craig

From Tom Walsch, CMAS: We need a count on how many are interested in a CMAS picnic/ frag swap (sell) on May 4th. Everyone will need to contribute to the foods with a covered dish, etc........ CMAS will provide the paperwares and the drinks. If anyone wants to be the coordinator, please step up ! Please respond by Tuesday, April 15, if you'd like to be a part of this and what you'd like to bring for the group. We really need at least 30 people or so to make this fly. Once we see if there is interest, we'll find a location locally. If there is not enough interest, we'll skip the picnic and go with the summer tank tours in June. We are still looking for six more members to show their tank(s) in July and August. Let me know if you are interested so I can complete the schedule. Thanks, Tom

FYI: these are some of the many great raffle prizes: - $125 Reeftopia gift certificate. http://www.reeftopia.com - Qty. (2) - $25 gift certificates from The Reef Tank http://www.reefstore.com - DIY 150w HQI ballast, pendant and bulb

Lots of new corals in stock this week. To order call Dr. Mac 443-614-1955. Mailing list subscribers take 10% off all livestock this week, please mention discount when ordering. Bright Orange Ricordea: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/newcarribeanricordea/ Some awesome new soft corals, also getting some bizarre new mushrooms from Tonga Thursday so check this page again later this week: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/availabletoppicksoftcorals/ Tons of great TOP PICK corals, lots of great Acropora, Montipora capricornis, and many odd or RARE items, 4 pages: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/page4/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/page3/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook1/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/newarrivalstoppickcorals1/ Lots of nice Tank-Raised clownfish and dottyback mated pairs: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/clownfishpairsandanemones/ Mated Pairs of Royal Grammas:http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/handcaughtfish/ New Soft Coral frag packages: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/availablesoftcoralfrags/ New Hard Coral frag packages: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/availablespscoralfrags/ NOW AVAILABLE Crystal Sea Marinemix Lab Grade BioAssay Formula and Salifert Calcium and Alkalinity Test Kits: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook/

If you are in NoVA I can give you some crush coral / southdown mix. Craig

In answer to your question. CSL does make a 55W actinic bulb. Hello calls theirs "true actinic 03" and CSL is either called actinic or 7100 blue bulbs. The CSL is easier on the eye, but the true actinic imo did make some corals stand out and glow under the lighting. Glad the 55 pc ballast is working for you

New corals available--all ON SALE at great prices, new Acropora including lots of nice Staghorns and some Super Blue Acropora: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook1/ http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/newarrivalstoppickcorals1/ Bright Orange Ricordea ON SALE: http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/newcarribeanricordea/ Crystal Sea Marinemix BioAssay Formula salt mix IN STOCK NOW http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/scrapbook/ To order call Dr. Mac 443-614-1955

The Spring Meeting of The Washington Area Marine Aquarist Society (WAMAS) will be on Saturday April 12, 2003 from 2:00-5p.m. in Vienna, VA (immediately outside Washington, DC) This meeting will focus on breeding of marine fish and shrimp with special guest speaker Sallie Jo Boggs, Ph.D. of the University of Pittsburgh. Sallie will be giving a presentation on Simplified Clownfish Breeding. 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 Spring Meeting visit our web site http://www.wamas.org/ Who: W.A.M.A.S. (Washington Area Marine Aquarium Society) When: April 12, 2003 (Saturday) Time: 2:00 P.M. - 5 P.M. (EST) Where: Knights of Columbus Vienna, Virginia Cost: Members - Free / Non-members - $6.00 [Annual Membership = $20 - Individual; $35 - Family] Agenda 2:00 - 2:30 Sign in and Socializing 2:30 - 4:00 Simplified Clownfish Breeding - Sallie Jo Boggs 4:00 - 4:30 Raffle 4:30 Adjourn Special Guests: - Sallie Jo Boggs, Ph.D. of University of Pittsburgh (Simplified Clownfish Breeding) Miscellaneous - Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. - Raffle prizes: coral frags; gift certificates; 150 HQI - DIY light system, Items from Aquatic Ecosystems and Reed Aquaculture. Directions: The hall is located at 214 Lawyers Road NW, Vienna, VA Here's a map from Mapquest The map link Please park across the street or in the Post Office parking lot. Craig Kuhn WAMAS Membership Director

April 5th Beaureau of Utilities in Columbia, MD. Speakers: Bob Fenner: Livestock Selection for the Reef Tank The Headlees: Coral Propagation Time: 9am to 4:30 Continental Breakfast, Lunch provided Vendor area, vendors welcome (contact Tom Walsh for space) Registration for the day.......$35 Go to http://www.cmas-md.org for more info