The PR Newsletter

pinoyreefers.org free online publication

First Issue, May 2010

Dorado and Saki ’s 75 Gallon

Mixed Reef

Do-it-Yourself Saltmix

5-Minute Mini-Projects

… and more!
 From the Editor
.

THE PR NEWSLETTER
Thank you for downloading The PR Newsletter.
EDITOR
osiris After a long wait, the first issue is now out. See PR’s
own moderator - Dorado and his wife, Saki’s beautiful
ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS reef system that has been running for quite some time
Tenpaull now. (I have personally witnessed its development for
mitchoy the past few years and I can proudly say it’s an awesome
osiris tank!)

THE PR TEAM Want a more hands-on approach on your tank? Check

out this issue’s D-I-Y section, which includes how to
ADMINISTRATORS make your own saltmix, at a fraction of a commercial
osiris brand’s cost.
cola
vision Tour one of my personal favorite institutions, the
Siliman University Marine Laboratory – one of the
MODERATORS pioneers in clam culture.
mitchoy
Dorado PR has been away for a while, but behind the scenes the
TubaLytz77 team is discussing how to move the site forward. And
Claymore we would like to invite you to join us in our endeavors.
Jackbauer
Expect more activities this year and more informative
The PR Newsletter welcomes submissions articles to come.
from hobbyists and authors from all levels
of experience. Please make sure to include For now just sit back, relax and enjoy reading. =)
photographs, illustrations or artwork
appropriate for your article. Attaching Cheers,
bibliographies and references are also
strongly encouraged.

All authors will be appropriately credited.

For more information and other inputs,

comments or suggestions, please e-mail us
at theprnewsletter@gmail.com martyumengan@gmail.com

Visit the online Forum

http://pinoyreefers.org

The PR Newsletter is free. The distribution of this E-Publication for financial gain or profit is not permitted under any circumstances and is strictly prohibited.
 Up Front

Siliman University Marine Laboratory

Silliman University Marine Laboratory (SUML) was established as the marine research facility of the University in 1974. Its basic concern
is the coastal and marine environments and their resources and users. Researches in taxonomy, biology, conservation, management, and
feasible mariculture are conducted.

SUML also offers training courses and extension (outreach activities) services. These activities are supported by grant money and
donations. It has working relations with other units of the University (e.g., Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Social Work, College of Law
and Community Development Programs) as well as other national and international institutions.

Projects

• Giant Clam Project

• Grouper Culture
• Crocodylus mindorensis (Philippine crocodile)
Breeding Project
• Bais Bay and Apo Island Continuing Support
Program
• Mangrove Garden
• Development of Interpretive Facility
• Bohol Islands Marine Triangle Biodiversity
Conservation and Management Project
• Fully Protected Marine Reserves in the Bohol
Sea: How to Make them Sustainable for Food
Security (CHED –SU ZRC- GIA)
• Visayan Sea dugong population and seagrass
assessment

SUML’s Mangrove Garden

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 THE CONCERNS OF THE LABORATORY INCLUDE:

• Researches in the marine sciences with

emphasis on basic biology conservation,
management and feasible aquaculture
technology.
• Development of management and conservation
models focusing on the shallow coastal
ecosystems, such as coral reefs, seagrasses,
mangrove and soft bottom communities.
• Providing laboratory facilities for biological
courses of the University. Promotion of local and
international exchanges of scientists and
students in marine sciences.
• Assistance to public and private agencies in
marine development activities such as coastal
management training, resource and ecological
assessment, marine parks, aquaculture and
SUML Giant Clam Tank pollution studies.
• Providing linkages between the marine sciences
and humanities.
• Serving as the environmental steward in Negros
Island and Central Visayas Area.

The Laboratory is 2 km. away from the Main Campus.

Entrance Fee: Php 25.00 only.

The Siliman University Marine Laboratory is located at

6200 Dumaguete City, Philippines

(The Silliman University Marine Lab is located in in the

outskirts of Dumaguete City already. It can be found in
Bantayan, Dumaguete City.)

Visit their official website at

http://su.edu.ph/iems/about.html

SUML Fish Tank

Genetics Laboratory

All images in this article are taken from the Siliman University Marine Laboratory Website. pinoyreefers.org
 Dorado and Saki ‘s 75 Gallon Mixed Reef

ARTICLE & IMAGES © MARTY UMENGAN

May 2010
 PR proudly presents the first ever tank to be presented in its online publication: Dorado and Saki’s 75
Gallon Mixed Reef.
Running for several years now, this tank is a credit to their dedication and passion for the hobby.

EQUIPMENTS

Filtration
Modified Reef Octopus OCTX-160
Reef Octopus Media Reactor

Circulation
3 Modified Sunsun JVP102
Rio HF 17

Lighting
3x150w 20,000K G-12 Metal Halides

Cooling / Ventilation
3 PC Fans
Teco TR-20 Chiller

TANK PARAMETERS

Total System Volume: Approx. 130 Gallons

NO3 : 0 – 5 ppm
PO4 : 0 ppm
Calcium : 440 ppm
Magnesium : 1350 mg/l
Alkalinity : 7 – 8 dkh
Temperature : 27.5 C
SG : 1.0256

Photoperiod : MH1 1:30 to 10:00 pm

MH2 2:00 to 10:30 pm
MH3 2:00 to 10:30 pm

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pinoyreefers.org
 Dorado and Saki’s 75 Gallon Mixed Reef

TANK TOUR pinoyreefers.org

 Maintenance

Water Changes: 20G Weekly (NSW + PR Salt)

GAC: replaced every 2 weeks
GFO: seldom used
Top-off: 6-8 liters daily
Parameters tested twice a week

Feeding

(Fishes)
Nori: 3x daily
NLS and Tetrabits: 4-5x daily

(Corals)
Marine Snow: Every Wednesday
Coral Frenzy: Every Saturday

Dosing / Supplementations

Iodine: 1 drop/day
Strontium: Seldom
Magnesium: Seldom, adjusted when levels are low
Calcium: Tropic Marin BioCalcium 3 spoons/day
Alkalinity: Dissolved Na2CO2 180ml per 3 days
Koral Color : 30 drops/day
Vodka: 5.5 ml/day

pinoyreefers.org
 LIVESTOCK

Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon)

Hawaiian Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma
Flavescens)
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
Royal Gramma (Gramma Loreto)
Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius Bicolor)
Flame Angel (Centropyge Loriculus)
2 Clownfishes (Amphiprion Ocellaris)
2 unidentified Anthias

Turbo Snails
Blue Linkia Starfish
Ring Cowries
Nassarius Snails
Long Spine Urchin

Various Acropora species

Montipora sp.
Porites sp.
Pocillopora sp.
Stylophora sp.
Hydnophora sp.
Seriatopora Hystrix
Zoanthus sp.
The Blue tang pictured in the middle started as a 1” fingerling. It has now grown to about 6”. Blastomussa Wellsi
Acanstherea sp.
Lobophyllia sp.

2 Rose Bubble Tip Anemone (split from a

single anemone)
Various Ricordea and other Corallimorpharians
Green Star Polyps and Clove Polyps
Gorgonia sp.

2 Giant Clams (T.Squamosa and T.Maxima)

Centropyge Loriculus

Gramma Loreto, more commonly known as the Royal Gramma

pinoyreefers.org
pinoyreefers.org
Clockwise from Top: Zebrasoma Flavescens, Acanthurus Leucosternon and Amhiprion Ocellaris on the RBTA.

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pinoyreefers.org
 Do It Yourself

Making your own Salt mix

By Osiris

Producing your own saltmix seems like a daunting task (and an expensive one at that), but
it is a relatively easy and a very cost-effective project.

The first discussion regarding this project was around July 2007 (with kapitan), when I read
an article by Randy Holmes-Farley quoting a part from Frank Millero’s Book: Chemical
Oceanography, a formulation for synthetic seawater. The first trial started a few months
later.

“For those who are interested, the We have tried several formulations we found on the
following artificial seawater recipe is net and on other aquaculture books, but I used
taken from "Chemical
Millero’s Formula as the basis of PR’s own version.
Oceanography" by Frank Millero.

It makes a recipe that matches 35 ppt

seawater in terms of major ions, but
does not try to match all minor and
trace elements, most of which will be AS WITH ANY PROJECT, USE
present as impurities in the major COMMON SENSE ESPECIALLY
WHEN HANDLING POTENTIAL
elements.
HAZARDS.

!
23.98 g sodium chloride ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE
5.029 g magnesium chloride GEARS, LIKE APRON, GLOVES,
4.01 g sodium sulfate MASK AND EYE SHIELD.
1.14 g calcium chloride
0.699 g potassium chloride REVIEW THE MSDS OF THE
0.172 g sodium bicarbonate REAGENTS.
0.100 g potassium bromide
0.0254 g boric acid ALWAYS PRACTICE SAFETY
0.0143 g strontium chloride AND CLEANLINESS IN YOUR
WORKPLACE.
0.0029 g sodium fluoride

Water to 1 kg total weight.”

* The first group project was done at Kapitan's place, together with vision and cola. A few
months later, mitchoy and I made another batch, which we have used in our tanks.
(Taken from Randy Holmes-Farley’s Dorado and I have also made some last month; he has been using this for the past 2
Article: “What is Seawater” from years.

reefkeeping.com)
 You Will Need:
Notes:
- Always prepare the saltmix in a cool and dehumidified workplace.
- Always wear the prescribed safety gears.
- Always review the MSDS of the listed reagents.
1. Face Mask - Reagents are harmful (and maybe poisonous) when swallowed. Call poison control
2. Latex Gloves immediately.
3. Eye Shield - Levels may vary according to the purity of the reagents; always test the artificial
4. Digital Weighing Scale seawater after mixing.
5. Measuring cups and spoons - Never pour the saltmix in the water all at once to avoid precipitation.
6. Airtight, food-safe containers

(100 Gallon Formulation. Table prepared by osiris)

Weight in Grams Reagent (and Substitute Reagent) Grade/Purity (According to availability)

METHOD OF PREPARATION (FOR IMMEDIATE WATER CHANGES):

1. Prepare RO/DI water for mixing.
2. Weigh the reagents.
3. Slowly and gradually pour the weighed reagents (according to order) in the water while constantly
stirring.
4. Siphon out precipitates (if any) and let the mixture settle for a day.
5. Artificial seawater is now ready to use.

METHOD OF PREPARATION (FOR STORAGE / FUTURE WATER CHANGES):

1. Prepare a clean container with an airtight seal.
2. Weigh the reagents.
3. Pour the weighed reagents in the container and mix afterwards.
4. Store in a cool, dry place.

*More versions and a detailed downloadable PDF for this formula are available in the DIY section of PR. pinoyreefers.org
 5 - Minute Projects
DIY MEDIA REACTOR BY MITCHOY

SHROUD
MODIFICATION FOR
YOUR STREAM Parts list: vitwater bottle, 1/2 pvc, threaded male adaptor, vitwater
PUMPS cap, threaded female adaptor, and lipton red tea 1.5 liter bottle

Less Resistance
means more flow. This
mod is applicable for
Tunze, Koralia and
Sunsun stream
pumps.

All you have to do is

lessen the braces of
the shroud with a Connect 1/2 pvc male threaded adaptor. This will be the standing
sharp scissor or a part inside the reactor and cut to length so that it will almost touch
plier. the bottom part of the bottle

Another Version: Screw in the female threaded adaptor into place. I did not use any
Modded Sunsun JVP glue or solvent (not needed). And voila! If you can hook this
102 on Dorado’s Tank underwater then you’re done. You can add a pvc ball valve to
control the flow if you'll tap a connection from a return, powerhead,
etc.

*More versions at the DIY Section of the PR Forum

pinoyreefers.org
 News

Bits and Pieces

'Immortal' jellyfish swarming across the world

An 'immortal' jellyfish is swarming through the world's oceans, according to
scientists.

An 'immortal' jellyfish is swarming through the world's oceans, according to scientists. Photo: BARCROFT

The Turritopsis Nutricula is able to revert back to a juvenile form once it mates after becoming sexually mature. Marine
biologists say the jellyfish numbers are rocketing because they need not die.

Dr Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute said: "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion."

The jellyfish are originally from the Caribbean but have spread all over the world.

Turritopsis Nutricula is technically known as a hydrozoan and is the only known animal that is capable of reverting
completely to its younger self. It does this through the cell development process of transdifferentiation.

Scientists believe the cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.

While most members of the jellyfish family usually die after propagating, the Turritopsis nutricula has developed the unique
ability to return to a polyp state.

Having stumbled upon the font of eternal youth, this tiny creature which is just 5mm long is the focus of many intricate
studies by marine biologists and geneticists to see exactly how it manages to literally reverse its aging process.

From Telegraph.co.uk

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 Whale Poo Could Help Oceans Absorb CO2

A humpback whale's tail comes out of the water during an excursion on the Les Ecumeurs on the St. Lawrence River at Les Escoumins, Quebec, August 13, 2009.
Credit: Reuters/Mathieu Belanger

(REUTERS) - WHALE DROPPINGS HAVE EMERGED AS A NATURAL OCEAN FERTILIZER WHICH COULD HELP COMBAT
GLOBAL WARMING BY ALLOWING THE SOUTHERN OCEAN TO ABSORB MORE CARBON DIOXIDE, AUSTRALIAN
SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND.

New research from the Australian Antarctic Division suggests whales naturally fertilize surface waters with iron-rich whale excrement,
allowing the whole eco-system to send more carbon down into deep waters.

"The plants love it and it actually becomes a way of taking carbon out of the atmosphere," Antarctic scientist Steve Nicol told Reuters,
adding the droppings appear as a plume of solids and liquids.

A larger population of baleen whales and krill would boost the productivity of the whole Southern Ocean ecosystem and could improve the
absorption of carbon dioxide, blamed for global warming.

Iron is a limited micronutrient in the Southern Ocean, but recent experiments have found that adding soluble iron to surface waters helps
promote much-needed phytoplankton algal blooms.

Iron is contained in algae in the surface waters where plants grow, but there is a constant rain of iron-rich particles falling into deep
waters.

When krill eat the algae, and whales eat the krill, the iron ends up in whale poo, and the iron levels are kept up in surface waters where it
is most needed.

"We reckon whale poo is probably 10 million times more concentrated with iron than sea water," Nicol said.

"The system operates at a high level when you have this interaction between the krill, the whales and the algae and they maintain the
system at a very high level of production. So it's a self sustaining system."

Nicol said the idea to research whale droppings came from a casual pub chat among Antarctic scientists in Australia's island state of
Tasmania.

He said it was not yet known how much poo it would take have a significant impact on the Southern Ocean.

(Reporting by Pauline Askin, editing by Miral Fahmy)

pinoyreefers.org
 Kudos

UPMSI Students Win Best Paper Awards in PAMS 10

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 March 2010 03:11

From http://www.msi.upd.edu.ph/

WINNING PAPERS:

Winner of 2009 Nemenzo Award for Best Paper
Modeling waste dispersal from milkfish farm
Evangeline Tolentino Magdaong, Cesar Laurel
Villanoy
Winner of 2009 PAMS Best Paper Award
Factoring Habitat and Mortality in Juvenile
Dispersion
Victor Ticzon, Laura David, Roselle Borja, Angelo
Pacheco, Cho-Teng Liu
2nd Place, 2009 PAMS Best Paper Award
Phylogeography and genetic connectivity of the
mottled spinefoot, Siganus fuscescens, across the
Philippine archipelago
Rachel Ravago-Gotanco
2nd Place, 2009 PAMS Best Paper Award
The effect of water nutrient concentration on the
growth and survival of juvenile sea cucumber
Holothuria scabra
Christine Mae Asibal Edullantes, Marie Antonette
Juinio-Meñez, Christopher Ragos

pinoyreefers.org
 SITES OF INTEREST

ReefBase PR UPDATES
Massive information on reefs.
Thousands of differen reefs can be rd
General Assembly – Ongoing Discussion, tentative date is on 3 Week of June,
checked from this database. 2010. Check the Announcements Forum for more details.
www.reefbase.org
Need help setting up? Post in the PR Forums and let the gang arrange a group
AIMS CoralBase support schedule to help you out.
Information on 700 coral species at
350 worldwide locations. Includes Frag Swap and another G.A. on PR’s Anniversary! Stay tuned!
around 10,000 images as well as
bibliographic material.

www.aims.gov.au/pages/cbase.html

On the next issue:

Phytoplankton Culture
DIY Rocks and Coral Plugs and Disks
Directory of everything Reef
Mangroves
Food for Non- Photosynthetic Corals and
invertebrates
PR’s mini gallery of activities

... And more!

For article / image submissions, comments and suggestions, mail us at theprnewsletter@gmail.com

Join the online forum: http://pinoyreefers.org
 Last Take
Photographs from PR Members

Submitted by tenpaull
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STRONG REEFS, STRONG ISLANDS.

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