The NetClub™ Library of Articles
All articles are ©, 1995, 1996, 1997 Albert J. Thiel Don't look for fancy coding. The content is what it is all about here. Articles are added on a regular basis.
Progagating Bubble Coral by fragging the skeleton. Complete and detailed explanation on how to propagate this coral. Tools needed. Where to get them. All the steps you need to follow. Tips. Applies to Plerogyra sinuosa.
More Tips and more Recommendations. Part 3 of this series of articles on helpful recommendations for your reef aquarium. Can be applied easily by anyone. More will follow at a later date.
Tips, Tricks and Recommendations - Part 2. More recommendations. Largely expanded document from what appeared in the public section. Deals with features you should really pay attention to when running both LPS and SPS coral tanks or combination ones. Covers many aspects of reef tank operation. These are pointers that you should implement to end up with a more successful tank.
Tips, Tricks and Recommendations - Part 1. Expanded doc from what appeared in the public section. Deals with features you should really pay attention to when running both LPS and SPS coral tanks or combination ones. Covers many aspects of reef tank operation. These are pointers that you should implement to end up with a more successful tank.
An Introduction to the Live Sand Method. Gives you all the basics and all the information you need to know if you wish to install this filtration method on your aquarium. Other articles in this Library and in the general SW Libr of our web site cover the topic in even more detail and address different aspects. This one introduces you to the method and how to install it in your tank.
The Falling pH Syndrome and how to solve it for sure. Not so infrequently, hobbyists struggle with a pH falling syndrome over a period of time that can occur at any period in the lifecycle of the aquarium. Their pH may be too low to begin with when they just start their aquarium, and/or if may become too low even after the cycle is just completed. As the tank ages, the pH may suddenly start to take a drop and often the hobbyists is at a loss to understand why. This document explains how to solve the problem and also why this syndrome occurs. Long article.
The reason and causes of one type of Bacterial Infection in Corals. What causes brown jelly disease, how do you treat it, how do you prevent it from happening, what do you need to treat, what should you be looking for that may have led to the onset of the bacterial disease. What products do you need to treat. How do you treat. Nearly 4000 words.
Reef Events™ : The First issue of the Reef Events ™ Newsletter for NetClub ™ members was added to the Library. Check for updates to this issue from time to time.
Sudden and Unexplained Outbreaks of Algae. How do you cope with sudden outbreaks of brown or green algae that occur spontaneously even though based on the water quality parameters these algae should not appear since all levels of nutrients are real low. This happens to the best of us! Algae appear and we really do not know why and what to do. An explanation, the reasons and the solution.
The Plenum - A positive development of Nutrient Accumulation: Based on my articles that plenums accumulate nutrients. How can we take advantage of this fact and turn the negative into a positive? Suggestions and how to do so.
Acclimating corals to new lighting conditions. An article that describes the steps you need to take to ensure that you do not commit errors when introducing a new coral to your tank with regard to the amount of lighting that you expose it to right from the start. What you need to know and how to proceed.
Problem solving Your Aquarium. What to do and how to do it when things get out of hand and your tank is experiencing all sorts of problems that need to be addressed. An in-depth analysis with suggestions and recommended parameters. Includes how to problem solve.
Acclimating New Corals and Animals. An in-depth several thousand word long detailed set of guidelines on how to introduce corals, fishes, other animals, how to deal with lighting, disease and so on. A must read for anyone who plans on adding new animals to his or her tank.
K.S.M. and its beneficial effects in the reef tank in great detail. This article decribes the product but also goes into areas of coral disease and trace element requirements. Long and detailed article on the benefits and the prevention of disease in SPS and LPS corals
Another look at converting to Live Rock and Live Sand. This situation deals with a different set of parameters in an already existing tank. Also deal with the use of the plenum issue and what the drawbacks are.
Zooxanthelllae. Photoadaptation. Varieties of. Abstract from an academic article plus comments on Photoadaptation and impact on Zooxantellae.
Cerianthid Tube Anemones. Detailed article on the types, behavior, requirements, predation, feeding, lighting, tank conditions required for these anemones. What to do and how to do if yours decide to leave its tube (methods to deal with this are described in detail). 5 Graphics of different types of Cerianthids.
The Live Sand and Live Rock Method Continued. This continues the series on the Berlin and Live Sand method. Articles includes 5 graphics of Live rocks types. This is an expanded version of the article that was posted to the web site but will no longer be available for free. Added July 5, 97
Redox Potential in Layman's Terms. This document explains the value of redox potential and how it can be interpreted to get meaningful information about what is actually going on in the aquarium. Enough detail to give you a real good understanding of what redox potential means and how it can be used. Added July 4, 97
Favia Species Corals. This easy to keep coral is described in detail with recommendations on what you will need to do to be successful with this great looking LPS coral. Compatibility, additives, lighting, water quality, etc. are all covered. With graphics. Added June 28, 97.
Testing the water in the Plenum. Details of an actual test that took place on a large aquarium and tables with results of these measurements. Conclusions and suggestions as to why it may be better to run your LR/LS tank without a plenum in light of the findings. Largely expanded article from the free one available in the SW library. Much more detail. Added June 23, 97
Do's and Don'ts for the Reef Aquarium. Not an exhaustive list but a good beginning of what you should do and not do to keep your aquarium in good condition. If you have any suggestions that you would like me to add, feel free to email them to me. Added June 20, 97
How to use and how to make a Carbon Yellowing Test. Allow you to determine your skimmer's efficiency and whether or not it needs adjusting or perhaps an upgrade. Also allows you to determine the state of the activated carbon you are using and whether or not it needs to be replaced. Added June 17, 1997
Positioning Clams in the Aquarium and other information that will help you. Largely expanded from original article, for Netclub members.
Adding Sodium Carbonate to combat a falling pH. Expanded version of the article in the general library. Contains far more details.
The 3 banded Clownfish Amphiprion tricinctus. Great Clownfish but needs a host anemone. Details on care and characteristics.
The Sarcophyton ehrenbergi Leather Coral. This is one of the more special types of Leather corals, with long large polyps that do not retract as often as other corals do.
Grounding the Aquarium. Why you should do so, how to do so inexpensively and where to get parts. Additional health benefits for fish and corals.
On the Benefits of Using Vitamin C and How to Dose Correctly for Therapeutic and Prophylactic Purposes. This is a largely expanded version of the basic article that appears in the main Library of the web site and is for this Library only. New text and changes and additions are in blue so you can easily see what has been added. Mind you you may wish to read the entire article anyway. It is about 6000 words.
Introduction to the addition of Elements and Compounds. A detailed article reviewing additives and a few other reef tank related matters.
Testing the tank's water. What to test and how often, and why. Article expanded from the basic one in the main web site library.
Using Sodium Carbonate to maintain a healthier pH and solve problems with an aquarium where the pH shows a tendency of dropping regardless of what you do.
On the use, benefits and drawbacks of using activated carbon. How much should you use, what type, when should you change it, and so on. Expanded article for NetClub members.
How to add Live Sand to the Aquarium. Greatly expanded article lots and lots of more detail than the one in the general library. Expanded on especially for the NetClub ™
Eradicating Parasites through the use of Vitamin C. Greatly updated article from the original one, with a lot more detail.
How to Culture your own Live Sand and save a great deal of money in the process. Hundreds of dollars are at stake especially if you run a large tank. Full details on various approaches and metods on how to do so easily.
Eradicating and Preventing the growth of Cyanobacteria and slime algae by using the Potassium Permanganate treatment method. This is a long long article that covers how to eradicate these algae when they are present, how to maitain water quality to prevent their reappearance, and how to treat the water to prevent them from appearing altogether. Covers all details and recommends step by step approach. Allows you to send me email from within the doc. should you have questions or need clarification.
Setting Up Your Own MicroReef. Article written by © Luis Mercado, 1996-1997. This is a long article with many graphics. This article describes what you need to set up a Micro Reef at minimal cost, and does so in great detail. Photos of what such a reef can look like are included. Details of how to do so, and what you need to set the tank up are of course part of this article. Detailed and straight-to-the-point. This will save you lots of money. Learn how to install your own Microreef from a Hobbyist who has been in the field for close to 20 years. Luis also has his own site: Planet Reef Site.
How to rid the aquarium of Bristle Worms (can be used to rid the tank of Mantis Shrimp too. Outlines how to go about getting unwanted animals out of the aquarium and the procedures you need to follow.
The Relationship between dKH and Calcium levels. Methods to control dKH and lower it, recommended levels for maintaining and obtaining appropriate calcium levels. Explains how to control both.
Suggested Water Quality Parameters. Detailed look at what the water quality parameters in your tank should be. List of all the ranges in which they should fall.
Heteractis Anemomes. Article covers all major Heteractis types anemones with photos and lots of text and information to successfully keep these anemones. If you decide to save this to your hard disk, save the file first then all the graphics individually and all to one and the same directory. Article includes clownfish associations.
Adding Kalkwasser to your aquarium. How to do so and how to prepare the KW. How long is it good for? Various methods of adding the KW are described. What to pay attention to and what to watch out for. Very detailed. Updated Feb. 1997. Links to the main TAT library are provided. If you go there and want to return to the NetClub™ click on the Back button of your browser.
Nemenzophyllia, Fox Coral. A detailed article with photos on the Fox coral and its care. Details how to maintain Fox coral and be successful at it. Updated Feb. 1997 for the NetClub™ site. Plenty of information to allow you to buy one if you do not have one yet and know how to care for it.
The Berlin and Live Sand Method in great detail. An how to guide with some historical perspectives as well. Photos. Lots of details. Contribution between L. Mercado and A. Thiel. Learn how to use these methods successfully. Over 18000 words just on this subject. A must read. Ask questions if you have any and I will be glad to answer you.
Bubble Algae and what to do when they appear in your Tank. A closer look at the four main types and how you can deal with them if they appear in your aquarium. Very helpful if you need to rid your aquarium of Bubble Algae.
Propagating Leather Corals Yourself. How to safely propagate Leather corals in your aquarium from an existing one, by making cuttings and transplating these cuttings. Explains the method step by step. Safe and sure to lead to success and more Leather corals in your tank without having to buy extra ones. Grow more Leather corals and sell them to a store or another hobbyist.
Catalaphyllia Elegance Coral A very long article with photos on the care and water quality required for this favorite reef tank coral. Very detailed article. Lots of information too on how to deal with corals that are not doing well. Step by step instructions. How to propagate Catalaphyllia is covered as well.
Sarcophyton Leather Corals. Care and requirements of Leather Corals. With photos. Water quality parameters. How to deal with difficulties. General recommendations on how to keep these corals. There is another article in this library on propagating Leather Corals. Details the care and requirements including pH and so on. How to deal with rotting of certain portions and so on.
How to maintain your Calcium Levels in our Reef Aquarium. Explains the various methods of maintaining Calcium levels and what affects them. Why do they go down, why are they not rising and so on. Detailed and further updates coming free to you as a NetClub™ Member.
Cladiella Corals - Colt Coral. Details on this harder to keep coral's requirements. With graphics. Very little info is found elsewhere in literature. This article gives you more info than you would find in magazines or books.
Live Sand Update. What kind to use and how. This article is regularly updated and represents what the lastest thinking is in using live sand and how such sand should be nurtured and kept for optimum efficiency. Check this one from time to time to determine changes in thinking and usage of live sand.
Actinodiscus Mushroom Corals. How to keep these soft corals and get them to multiply. Water quality requirements. Current and so on. Lighting. Photos. Will be updated as more info becomes available.
Alcyonium Leather Corals. One of the most unusual Leather Corals. This one is encrusting. Full details. Photo. A gourgeous addition to your aquarium if you can find one.
Plerogyra sinuosa, the common Bubble Coral. Needs little description here as this is a very well know coral. The article goes into details about their requirements and why different types may have different needs. Check this out from time to time as this article gets updated.