ISSUE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER 01 FOR MAAST MEMBERS M a r 2 0 0 9 THE MAASTARD

this issue NOTE FROM EDITORS President’s Pen P.1 Reefers, Deep Sand Bed Technology P.2 First and foremost, I want to thank your for reading the premier issue Upcoming Events P.3 of The Maastard Monthly Newsletter. It Species Spotlight P.3 is my goal to have plenty of tips, dis- Gabe’s Fish Coupon P.3 count coupons from LFS’s & up to date Become a Charter Member P.4 news such as POTM, Newest Spon- Princer7– February Photo Contest Winner sors, BOD & general meeting updates and so much more for you to enjoy. A MAAST CELEBRATES PREMIER OF NEWSLETTER! special thanks goes out to Alex (Aggman) for his help in making this The President’s Pen: By: Steve Byrd newsletter possible. My ambition for this newsletter is that you will adore this project as much as I have in creating it. Now that the Holidays have passed, enjoying the hobby. In the event that you want to submit and a New Year has now begun, I would like to I also wish to thank all of our Sponsors, who information in regards to upcoming wish all members, a year of good health, happi- help support MAAST, and have helped in the newsletters please feel free contact me ness and well wishes. continued growth and success of this organiza- via PM on the Maast website. I also wish to thank the 2008 B.O.D. Mem- tion. - Eve- bers for all of their hard work that has created My last note of appreciation goes to (Pennies2Cents) such a dynamic outreach to each and every both Pennies2cents and Aggman for their dedi- member. I am proud to be a part of such a great cation in making this Newsletter a reality for the NEW BOARD ELECTED organization. There where many new incentives members to enjoy. I know that Eve and Alex A new Board of Directors has been brought to fruition this past year, and I plan to have many ideas for the upcoming issues. elected for 2009. This new roster is full lead the new B.O.D. to continue in the same I hope to see you all, through out the of members ready to take this associa- direction. year at Meetings, LFS’s and other scheduled tion to the next level. First, Steve Byrd To the incoming B.O.D., I want to thank you events. If there is something that I or we can do is returning as our President. Sean Hall for your time and commitment to MAAST. There for the betterment of MAAST, please feel free to returns as our new Vice-President. is and will be a lot of work for us to complete, contact me, by PM, or at maastpresi- Sheri Ancira returns as our Treasurer. but I know we as a team, will get it accom- [email protected]. Anthony Pedroza, David Villarreal, and plished. Mark Wilson return as Board Members. The year of 2009, will be an eventful year for Happy Reefing, Eve Vialpando, Alex Garza,, Gary Rod- MAAST Members, with Expert Speakers, Tank riguez, John Roescher, and Ruben Tours, TMAC, Zoo outings, and much more to Steve Byrd [BigBird123] Guerrero join as new Board Members. follow. We at MAAST will strive to continue the MAAST President We would also like to thank Cheri Byrd education of responsible reef keeping and also for continuing her hard work as Events

Coordinator. Pay It Forward Frag Program: Deep Sand Bed

The MAAST Donor Technology By: Program allows members to Peter Kordelski receive frags donated by fellow members for propa- We asked Ping to try and give gation within their own us an explanation on the basics home aquaria. Implemented of DSB’s and how we can make by (Hobogato) Ace Shed use of them in our setups. this program is made possi- ble through the generosity of MAAST members. The Questions arise on the use of dissolve the aragonite sand thereby releas- pH fluctuations which can be catastrophic goal of the MAAST Donor sand in our marine systems al- ing the natural compounds of the sand for an aquarium. Program is to encourage most daily. “Should sand be used, if sand is back into the water column. Although minor The pH in natural seawater is 8.2, so education, responsible reef used, how much, and what are the bene- in quantity, these bio-minerals contribute to this is the value that aquarists’ should aim keeping, and sound hus- fits?” First, the correct depth of a sand bed the buffering capacity of synthetic saltwater to achieve. It is possible to keep inhabitants bandry techniques through must be calculated. Second, what goal are as well as provide minute quantities of the at a pH between 7.8 to 8.5, so it is the aquaculture. you trying to achieve with your sand bed? important minor trace elements needed for stability of pH that is critical. A constantly We want to thank The benefits of a sand bed are only the aquarium. fluctuating pH will lead to health problems Rob (MrCob) for graciously achieved when the proper type and size of and fatalities of the aquarium inhabitants accepting his new role as are used in relation to the depth and there are many documented cases of mentor & teacher for this of the sand bed. A working knowledge of complete tank crashes due to intense pH great program. We look these concepts will help prevent future swings. forward to making this pro- water quality problems, as well as help The well being of the inhabitants of the gram a great success in provide the micro-minerals that are re- depend on the aquarist’s 2009. quired for the successful marine aquarium. ability to keep all the water parameters There are two options that exist in sand within acceptable ranges. The use of a bed depth that will allow for long term, proper sand bed is an easy method to help problem free water conditions. The two provide this stability. If the depth of the

types are a deep sand bed (DSB) and a A shallow sand bed is a sand bed of one sand bed is within an acceptable range,

shallow sand bed. The basic principle of a inch or less. This depth allows for the one large factor in the proper health of

DSB is that by maintaining a sand depth of micro life benefits achieved with a DSB, your marine system will be ensured. Large

at least four inches, an anaerobic layer will however, the entire sand bed will be aero- sums of money have been spent to keep

be produced at the lowest level providing bic and as with a DSB, pH will become the expensive fish and corals alive, yet very

natural nitrate reduction (NNR). It should be stable with time. little time is spent researching and under-

noted that this anaerobic layer is developed The problems that many aquarists have standing the basics of these costly chemis-

at four inches with the use of sugar fine experienced with sand beds occur with try sets called marine . Take

sand. So as the sand grade increases, so sand beds from one to three inches in care or your sand bed and the sand bed

should the depth. If aragonite sand is the depth, or when the sand grade is not con- will take care of your reef.

substrate of choice, a secondary benefit is sistent with the depth of the sand bed caus-

realized. At this anaerobic level the chemis- ing its anaerobic state to fluctuate. It is -Peter Kordelski [Ping]

try causes the pH to become low enough to these partial anaerobic states that cause EYE ON IT Species Spotlight

The McCorsker's Flasher Wrasse is an attractive reef-safe wrasse sure to be the star of your aquarium. This hardy wrasse species adapts well to established home aquaria making it an active, beautiful addition. The male with it’s vibrant colors is primarily red/ Upcoming Events: orange with blue, March 21st April 26 May 30th June 20th horizontal stripes that complement TMAC April Meeting May Meeting Annual Frag Swap its yellow stomach. The orange dorsal fin San Marcos Make your own Fish Zoo Event Location: TBA is accented with red, yellow, and blue and features a single elongated ray. A Convention Center Food gorgeous, red band across the orange 9am-5pm Bass Pro Shop anal fin creates an impressive and bold San Antonio, Tx color palette. The female coloration and her overall appearance is more subdued. Females also do not feature the large

Store Hours: Phone: dorsal and anal fins. Mon-Sat 210-290-9376 Newsletter Special 10am-8pm The McCorsker's Flasher Wrasse re- quires a 30 gallon aquarium (or larger) Sun: with a tight-fitting lid since it is known to 12-7pm jump. Often found along reef slopes and 10% Off Coupon rubble zones, the McCorsker's 10% off any Flasher Wrasse regular priced will often swim Charter Members– 15% near the bottom item plus additional 10% and tends to form 5418 Glen Ridge Drive, San Antonio, Tx 78229 Web Members 10% small groups where a male Valid Until March 31, 2009 swims back and forth between groups of females. The colors of an adult male This Month’s Aquaria Q&A ... intensifies during courtship and he may flare or "flash" his fins to attract the fe- Q: What is the simplest, most effective caulerpa algae in the marine aquarium have males in his harem. It is recommended to only keep one male per aquarium. way to remove nitrates from my tank. also kept very low nitrate levels. Good deep sand beds of over 2” also are helpful as these Information/Photos were compiled with permission from www.liveaquaria.com. A: In marine aquariums the use of live allow anaerobic bacteria to form and remove

rock, mud filters/refugiums and/or protein skim- nitrates. mers can help reduce nitrates. Mud filters and

refugiums remove nitrates while Protein Skim- mers remove nitrogenous wastes (proteins)

before they enter the nitrogen cycle. The more

natural use of and mud filters/ refugiums as well as mangrove plants and

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PHOTO CREDITS

P1 - Feb Photo Contest Winner Princer 7– Salifin Tang P2 - Crazy4Acros-Reef Central Full Tank Shot P3 - Lt1z28 Side Tank Shot P3 - Live Aquaria McCorsker’s Flasher P4 - Fj_wertheimber Harlequin Shrimp

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THE MAASTARD Issue 01 March 2009 http://www.maast.org