Advanced Aquarists Edition - Season 1 American Reef

The WetPets 460 Gallon LED Mixed Reef

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:16:28 -0500

AmericanReef’s Russ Kikel visits with Brian Taimuty at his store Wet Pets and Friends in McMurray, PA. Brian presents the store’s 460 gallon LED mixed reef aquarium. In this video he shares details relating to the design, set-up, and maintenance of this tank, offering the home aquarist both inspiration and invaluable reef-keeping advice.

Seahorse Husbandry

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:13:54 -0400

If you’re thinking of starting up a seahorse tank, then this episode is for you. Join AmericanReef as we interview a unique and successful hobbyist who has been keeping these amazing sea creatures for close to half of his life.

Part II - Can Coral Reefs Survive Ocean Acidification and Global Warming?

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:18:47 -0400

American Reef returns to Reef Systems Coral Farms, a collaborator in an important study of how both global warming and increasing ocean acidity affect coral life. Researchers from Ohio State University, the University of Delaware, and the University of Georgia plan to identify corals resilient to these stressful conditions, as well as pinpoint factors that could fortify resiliency. Known as the 4Coral Research Group, these scientists hope the results of their experiment can be used by conservationists to focus their preservation efforts.

Part 2 of a 2 part series.

Can Coral Reefs Survive Ocean Acidification and Global Warming?

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:40:24 -0400

A Day with Sanjay - Part II

Sun, 1 May 2011 06:59:08 -0400

AmericanReef’s Russ Kikel visits Penn State’s Dr. Sanjay Joshi at his home in central Pennsylvania. Sanjay discusses the design points he considered when converting his 180 gallon coral reef display to a spectacular 500-gallon reef tank. He shares details relating to the design, set-up, and maintenance of this tank, offering the home aquarist both inspiration and invaluable reef-keeping advice.

Part 2 of a 2 part series.

A Day with Sanjay - Part I

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:00:34 -0400

Discus Fish: Breeding

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:58:53 -0500

American Reef invites you to take advantage of over 30 years of discus fish-breeding experience, as we once again visit Brian Taimuty at Wet Pets and Friends in McMurray, PA. Brian reveals specific details on how he successfully breeds these beautiful fish, giving you enough information to try it for yourself. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Discus Fish: Types & Care

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:50:59 -0500

In this episode, expert fishbreeder Brian Taimuty gives Advanced Aquarists' viewers invaluable information on successfully keeping Discus fish. Brian and his family have been breeding fish since the 1960s, and together own Wet Pets and Friends in McMurray, PA.. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Captive SeaLion Breeding Success Story

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:40:42 -0500

It’s a girl! The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium has succeeded in breeding a sea lion pup for the second year in a row! Join American Reef as we showcase this achievement and learn a little more about the habits of these amazing animals. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Coral Farming 102

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:38:23 -0500

Russ goes behind the scene at Todd Melman’s coral farming facility, Coral Reef Systems. Todd explains how he maintains his facility, and details the pros of purchasing aqua-cultured specimens over wild-caught animals. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Troubled Waters with Bob Snowden of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:26:03 -0500

Bob Snowden of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium talks about one of the facility’s newer exhibits, Troubled Waters, an 1,800 gallon display of what a healthy Caribbean reef system should look like. The purpose of the exhibit is to educate visitors on the serious problems facing these reef ecosystems today. Bob provides Russ Kikel of AmericanReef.com ideas on how home aquarists can assist conservation efforts. He also explains how he maintains the Troubled Waters tank, and provides tips that can be applied to the hobbyist’s home aquariums. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Coral Farming 101

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:36:59 -0400

Todd Melman, of Reef Systems Coral Farms, gives viewers a brief overview of the pros and cons of having a coral farm from a business point of view. He also offers a special deal to American Reef viewers. As always, just send any questions to AmericanReef@me.com.

Sea Turtle Conservation with Josie Romasco of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:58:12 -0400

Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, six are endangered and one is threatened. Josie Romasco, founder of the Sea Turtle Second Chance conservation program at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, describes how an inland facility can help take the pressure off coastal facilities by raising imperiled hatchlings for release back into the wild. Join Russ Kikel of American Reef for a closer look at this issue.

Special Note:
Since the taping of this episode, The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium won the grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project discussed during the episode. The Pepsi Refresh grant will provide funding for an expansion of the facility, allowing the rehabilitation of sea turtles affected by the Gulf oil spill.

Tank Tour with Dr. Sanjay Joshi of the 500 Gallon Penn State Reef Tank - Part Two

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:12:42 -0400

American Reef meets with Dr. Sanjay Joshi at Penn State University, and examines the awesome 500-gallon reef tank on display in the Student Union. Sanjay provides details relating to the design, set-up, and maintenance of this tank, offering the home aquarist both inspiration and invaluable reef-keeping advice.

Tank Tour with Dr. Sanjay Joshi of the 500 Gallon Penn State Reef Tank - Part One

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:46:20 -0400

A Personal Tour of the PPG Aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo with Aquarist Bob Snowden

Sat, 15 May 2010 18:03:06 -0400

Bob Snowden of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium takes AmericanReef.com on a virtual tour of the facility. While walking through the various exhibits, Bob gives the home hobbyist advice on good and bad picks for the home tank. Watch the tour and see everything from the native fish of Pennsylvania to the tropical fish of the Amazon, and from specimens of the IndoPacific Reef to fish found only at the southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.

Fresh Water Rays - Leopoldi and Pearl

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:58:38 -0400

AmericanReef.com returns to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium to meet with keeper, Rich Terrell, and to observe some freshwater Leopoldi and Pearl Rays from Brazil. Rich discusses ray nutrition and habits, demonstrates target feeding, and addresses concerns of the home hobbyist.

The Harlequin Shrimp

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:52:46 -0500

Eliminate nuisance starfish utilizing the natural appetites of the Harlequin Shrimp. Join Gary and Russ of AmericanReef.com as they shine the spotlight on these unique aquatic critters.

Controlling Aiptasia Naturally

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:06:17 -0500

This month, Russ Kikel and Gary Lindner (of AmericanReef.com’s ReefTutor weekly video podcast) demonstrate a simple way to naturally control Aiptasia. Watch as we eliminate these nuisance critters from a piece of live rock in minutes.

SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) - Part II

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:30:55 -0500

SECORE (Sexual Coral Reproduction), the international group dedicated to reef restoration and conservation research, has had amazing success recently in both rearing captive Acropora palmata, and out-planting these endangered corals on dead colonies, from larvae fertilized in the field. Join a discussion of this subject between Gary Linder of American Reef, and SECORE member Bob Snowden of The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Part 2 of 2.

SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) - Part I

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:27:30 -0500

Coral Reproduction Part II - Sexual vs Asexual

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:07:02 -0400

In Part Two, American Reef concludes our discussion of coral reproduction and captive propagation. We also talk about the conservation activities of SECORE (SExual COral REproduction). This international organization hopes to tackle reef conservation issues by increasing our knowledge of coral reproduction and husbandry, through the cooperation of zoos, public aquariums, and marine scientists.

Coral Reproduction Part I - Sexual vs Asexual

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:03:02 -0400

In the first of a multi-part series, AmericanReef.com goes behind the scenes at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium’s coral propagation facility. We see how zoos and other facilities can responsibly populate their reef exhibits without stressing wild coral populations. Today’s discussion focuses on sexual versus asexual reproduction. Send all comments to Americanreef@me.com

Keeping Healthy Happy Sharks with Behavioral Management

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:30:41 -0400

AmericanReef.com goes behind the scenes at the 100,000 gallon mixed-species shark tank at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Bob Snowden, keeper, discusses the habits of the various sharks in the exhibit and demonstrates how behavioral management, with its target-training and station-training, reduces stress on the animals and allows individualized feeding and care.

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium - 1500 Gallon Reef Display - Part 1

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 22:28:41 -0400

Gary Lindner and Russ Kikel at AmericanReef.com bring you a two-part video tour of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s 1,500 gallon Indo-Pacific Reef tank. Part 1 presents the tank from the visitor’s viewpoint with identification of the various corals. Part 2 takes you behind-the-scenes with Pittsbugh Zoo’s, Bob Snowden. Bob discusses his husbandry techniques, covering areas such as feeding, coral propagation, water chemistry, and lighting.

Behind the Scenes at the Pittsburgh Zoo - 1500 Gallon Reef Display - Part 2

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 06:09:43 -0400

Gary Lindner and Russ Kikel at AmericanReef.com bring you a two-part video tour of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s 1,500 gallon Indo-Pacific Reef tank. Part 1, presents the tank from the visitor’s viewpoint with identification of the various corals. Part 2, takes you behind-the-scenes with Pittsbugh Zoo’s, Bob Snowden. Bob discusses his husbandry techniques, covering areas such as feeding, coral propagation, water chemistry, and lighting.