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BASIC EXPENSES AND FUTURE PROJECTS :
While I also provide updated information and informational links
within my main website as a free service to the hobby, it does add an
additional monthly cost due to the increase in server space needed for
such a heavy photo loaded website. With all of the other projects going on as
well, and having very limited personal resources (U.S. Navy Retired) available after basic
living exspenses, any and all contributions, be it cash or equipment
will be greatly appreciated and will allow me to continue such projects.
REEF AWARENESS DAY :
Having seen the steady decline of the local reefs here, Linda and
I have decided to become a bit more proactive in trying to reach the
local community and make them more aware of what lies just offshore of
their local swimming beaches. As such, starting in March 2008, we
will be visiting the local schools and giving the children a
presentation detailing how important the local reefs are. Along with
the presentation I will be taking our microscope with us to allow the
children to explore the microscopic world found within plankton as well
as setting up a small touch "pool" containing starfish and other
animals that they see at the beach yet are unaware of what the animals
really are. In addition, the children will be given a printed
handout to take home for their parents to read. Again, none of this
comes free to me as we have travel and printing exspenses in doing so.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT: Ongoing throughout the school year to
encompass all school grades. The above link is the online version
of what was and will be printed out and given to each child to take
home as a momento of their field trip.
A PHILIPPINE FRINGING REEF & THE REEF AQUARIUM
: A five part series detailing the fringing reefs habitats and
how we can apply nature's systems to our own reef aquarium systems.
Coming in
2009 - Part Five - The Coral Reef
HARLEQUIN SHRIMP : I am
also well into a very extensive webpage detailing the care, feeding of,
and breeding of the harlequin shrimp species. This guide is being put
together to offer a "one stop" article which should answer any and all
possible questions concerning this species of shrimp. While not a
burden to my budget, it does not come free to me, yet will be offered
to the public as a free resource.
The Care & Breeding of Harlequin Shrimp
STAUS OF THIS PROJECT : Only the documentation of the larvae stages are needed for completion. UPDATE: A
special thanks goes out to Andy for his generous contribution of
phytoplankton cultures and nutrients. Since the ocean can be fickle at
times in giving up copepods, I can not depend on having the ocean
provide for the shrimp lavae's food needs and will have to culture
copepods at home. Which Andy has now made possible. Thank you!
CORALS & THEIR COMMENSAL CRABS :
Start date - 12 Sept. 2007, I will be attempting to document the
various coral crab species and the corals that they use as shelter out
on the reefs here. By doing so, I hope to help determine which crab
species can be targeted for breeding efforts. Branching corals in the
wild do not survive long without having commensal crabs living amongst
their branches. If we are ever to reintroduce such coral species back
into the wild, their commensal crabs will have to bred and reintroduced
at the same time. Note: During my collection efforts I have
managed to find a new species! Show within specimen #2 if you open the
above linked page.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT : Ongoing
THE CARIDEAN SHRIMP
: Start date - 21 July 2008, As I happen upon the various
species I will be including them into a color photo directory as a
means to help hobbyists and other collectors correctly identify the
Caridean shrimp.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT : Ongoing
SPECIMEN COLLECTION : This is a
two part project. During my twice weekly trips into the ocean, I
collect and bring home a few live rocks / sand each time. This is done
to document any and all species found living amongst the live rock and
sand in order to provide you with an as complete as possible, online
hitch hiker pictorial guide.
In addition to this, any and all species found are being preserved for
future shipment to and inclusion into the collection of the Los Angeles
Natural History Museum which has so kindly provided me with the
specimen containers. When each set of five vials are filled with
specimens. They will be sent out via air express. Again, the cost of
shipping anything of weight is prohibitive to me and I could use your
help.
Additionaly, I do incure my own costs of travel, equipment and
online server fees to provide you with up to date and extensive guides
to the life found on and within live rock and sand.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT:
Ongoing. - NOTE: I am happy to announce that the first shipment to
the L.A. Natural History Museum was sent out on Jan. 8th 2008
containing at least fifty reef invertebrate specimens.
SAND SYNAPTIDS: I have
found, what I believe could be the answer to the problem of obtaining
the life needed that will maintain your deep sand beds. All within one
single animal. During my excavations into natural deep sand beds, I
discovered a species of sand dwelling synaptid (medussa worm) that
spends its entire life down deep within the sand, injesting the sand
grains and processing the organic matter found. Doing the same "tasks"
performed by the multitudes of tiny worm species that are sadly just
not available to innoculate a dead sand bed, or to maintain present
populations in already functioning beds.
It is my hope to be able to send a number of these synaptids to
Dr. Ron Shimek, (Phd, Invertebrate Biology) for him to evaluate their
effectiveness as well as the possiblility of propogating them. If they
are found to be as effective as I believe they are. I can then supply
the local exporter here with this species to get them into the aquarium
trade for your purchase and use. But to do so. I need help in the
shipping costs involved with sending upwards of ten pounds of water
through a 2 day air delivery service (FedEx).
I personaly have three of these synaptids in my own reef
aquarium's sandbed and have found that they do indeed process a great
deal of my sand each and every day and believe that these alone, would
cure a great many ills that deep sand beds seem to face and greatly reduce such sandbeds maintenance.
Again, I have a local aquarium fish exporter willing to provide the
packaging needed while I myself can do the actual collecting and leg
work (permits) to have these shipped out. It is only the cost of the
actual shipment that I need help with.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT : DELAYED : Awaiting authorization from FedEx to ship live animals.
CONSERVATION / RESTORATION :
A Translocation Study :
" The majority of the Philippine fringing reefs having gone from coral
dominated to algae dominated systems. This is likely due to having
herbivore populations greatly reduced due to their being collected as a
human food source by over fishing. This leaves the undesirable, or
inedible
Diadema setosum
remaining as the dominant herbivore. While the near shore habitats
contain and hold a large population of juvenile Diadema species, the
outer reef areas contain few adults. Such areas are under threat by
Sargassum kelp which precludes coral recruitment and growth. This study
will explore the feasibility and ecological results of translocating
juvenile
Diadema setosum from areas with
relatively high settlement to nearby deeper water on fringing reefs. This is an
individual effort performed by Charles Raabe with inspiration and guidance provided by Eric Borneman. "
While not a costly project, it does however take a great deal of
time and effort as well as the basic costs of travel and equipment /
internet server fees.
STATUS OF THIS PROJECT : CONCLUDED
- It has become apparent that it will take more than a single species
to affect any control of this invasive kelp. The Diadema species
selected for this study has proven to only be effective in keeping the
immediate area of its home (hiding) base clear of algae growth. With
available daytime hiding places within the rocky substrates appearing
to be the determining factor for population density, such limitations
makes this sea urchin species unable to control the kelp growth on the
upper substrate surface areas. It has become obvious that it is going
to take more than a single species to do an adequate job of
control.
DO NOTE: In the event that
contributions exceed the needs of the above projects, any excess funds
will be put towards further study and
documentation of the local Philippine reefs.
Any and all funds or equipment recieved will not be refunded or
returned for any reason. This is done simply to avoid any complications
that may arise and to negate the need to become a book keeper. Any and
all donations are not tax deductible.
