A Stinging Loss

The coral on the right is a Galaxia and the coral on the left is an Acropora. This used to be a beautiful Acro which I had grown for about a year from a small two inch single branch frag. Then, one morning , I noticed a small part of the Acro was white. I resolved myself to keep an eye on it when I got back home from work. After I came home at night, the white area had grown. I did the usual water test and everything was in the normal range. All the other corals looked healthy and the fish were as strong as ever. I called Bob, our expert from The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up & Maintenance Guide.

“Are there other corals near it?” Bob asked

“Yes, there is a large Colt Coral on one side” I replied.

“That wouldn’t do anything, Colt Corals are not aggressive” said Bob. “Anything else”

“Yes, on the other side is a Galaxia”.

Bingo! That was it, Bob told me. “Galaxia’s are one of the most aggressive corals. They have long stinger tenticles and do most of their damage at night to other corals. ” It happened that it turned white first at the part closest to the Galaxia.

Since it was mostly white by now Bob told me to pull it out as a dead coral is a green algea magnet.

I was really quite amazed that after a year of living next to each other that the Galaxia decided to kill the Acropora. There was plenty of food and light for both, and both had grown over the year. It must have been both were getting too big for the space and the more aggressive coral decided to show who was king of the hill.

“

A Collectors Collection

A Collection To NoticeWithout a doubt, Richard Badits has the most amazing private collection of corals I have ever seen.

With a main 200 gallon and three 75 gallon for stocking, his private collection focusing on Acans from Australia is so impressive that finding words to describe its beauty will only pale in comparison to the amazing corals themselves. He keeps very few fish in his stocking tanks and has well over 350 different specimens of corals. Many of the corals in The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up And Maintenance Guide were from Richard’s collection.

I have also never seen someone feed corals as much as Richard, five days a week. By so much feeding, his corals grow quickly, with amazingly beautiful colors. He uses T-5 Florescence’s as well as metal halides.

There is a price to this high color and fast growth: water changes. Richard changes his water three times a week. While this might be too much work for many reefers, the collection itself leaves any reefer lucky enough to see it awed by its scope and beauty.

Review # 3 for The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up & Maintenance Guide

The two reviews before had been more than Bob or I could have hoped for, but the third one from Tropical Fish Hobbyist left me with my biggest smile. Here is the review from the April issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist:

Fishkeeping DVD

“The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up and Maintenance Guide” from Keith Behrle Productions, Inc. is the most complete how-to resource for beginners starting their own marine aquarium. The DVD actually takes the viewer through the choices someone must make when starting out in the hobby. This beautifully shot DVD set is a pleasure to watch and is an excellent resource for the intermediate reefer as well as the beginner. A second disc is included and contains glossaries on fish, corals and inverts. The two discs are jam packed with nearly 3 1/2 hours of information and entertainment. For more information, please visit www.reefaquariumdvd.com.

WOW! What an honor to be called by Tropical Fish Hobbyist “The most complete how-to resourse for beginners starting their own marine aquarium.” At the moment we read that review, all the hard work that went into making The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up & Maintenance Guide was worth it.

The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up And Maintenance Guide, Review #2

Our first magazine review came from Aquarium Fish International, the March 2008 issue. I had a conversation with the editor at the time, Brian Wheeler. He told me the DVD was fantastic and that he wanted to make it the first product to be shown of all the new products out on the market. Plus, he wanted to make it the prize for the give away. Here is The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up And Maintenance Guide in The Product Showcase:

aquarium-fish-int-march-08-review

The text reads “The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up and Maintenance Guide includes two DVD discs, totaling almost 3 1/2 hours. This beautifully shot DVD set is a pleasure to watch and is an excellent resourse for all beginner and intermediate reefers. There are many tips on what to buy and how to put a tank together, which can save the viewer a great deal of time and money. The second disc include glossaries on fish, corals and inverts. For more information, visit www.reefaquariumdvd.com .”

Bob and I were very honored indeed. Thank you Aquarium Fish International for such nice words and the prize position in your magazine.

The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up And Maintenance Guide 1st Review

After putting in several thousand dollars and a year and a half of our time, Bob Wiatroski and I were excited and nervous about what other experts would say about The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up and Maintenance Guide. Our first review came from Tom Satwell of Argent Labs (maker of Cycolpeeze). This review was totally unsolicited.

Keith Behrle
Keith Behrle Productions, Inc.

Dear Keith:

Thank you for the press copy. Excellent work. My remarks:

The Reef Aquarium DVD: A Set Up and Maintenance Guide

I just received my copy of The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up & Maintenance Guide and find it
to be most impressive.

In this presentation, Bob comes across with an easy to relate to
communication style that is truly refreshing to see in our industry. What I
see in viewing the Reef Aquarium DVD is a demonstration of those rare
qualities that only the most dedicated entrepreneurs can attain:

(1) Practicality – From decades of hands on design, building and 24/7 care
of reef aquarium systems
(2) Integrity of advice – Based on direct service and accountability to
novice and pro alike
(3) Honesty & Humility – From years of devoted animal husbandry, the result
of successes and failures

I think that all in our industry would agree that few individuals in the
business have the background and humility for such an easy to understand
approach to reef aquarium system design and maintenance.

Viewers will find the DVD images, audio and direction to be of exceptional
quality. Reef aquarium novices who are considering purchasing the DVD should
note, the videographer himself was a novice client of Mr. Wiatroski’s! He
was in fact so impressed with the knowledge of his supplier and the great
value of the aquarium to his family he was motivated to contribute his
talent to the filming and production of the DVD.

All together, The Reef Aquarium DVD will markedly advance the success rate
of folks who venture into this most rewarding new hobby of marine fish and
coral husbandry.

Very truly yours,

Thomas A. Sawtell
National Sales Manager

Argent Chemical Laboratories