Eric Borneman is the author of Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History, and is co-author for the book, A Practical Guide to Corals. He has authored and published many papers on marine subjects in various scientific and trade publications and journals internationally. He is the host of The Coral Forum at Reef Central, is a contributor to many websites internationally, has spoken at scientific and aquarium related conferences, events, and societies, and has taught classes on coral biology, coral propagation, and other reef issues. He co-founded the Marine and Reef Aquarium Society of Houston and is currently involved with coral disease, and aquarium trade sustainability issues worldwide.

Eric has been maintaining reef aquaria for twelve years, and has been diving and photographing coral reefs of the world for 25 years. His current aquaria include a linked multi-habitat system of over 500 gallons that includes a seagrass habitat, an intertidal habitat and a large coral reef that run without any filtration devices.

 

ABSTRACT

Note: Eric Borneman and Anthony Calfo will also participate in a coral fragging workshop. Details to be announced.

Oxygen and the Reef Aquarium

Oxygen is critical for all life and also plays many important roles in the health and survival of organisms in reef aquaria. Oxygen levels are rarely tested by aquarists, and little attention has been given to this important parameter. This presentation will provide background information on oxygen levels on coral reefs including hyperoxic, oxic, hypoxic and anoxic conditions and where they are found.

Also included will be the role of oxygen in respiration, primary productivity, and redox potentials. The focus of this talk will include data on oxygen levels in shipping containers and in reef tanks. Levels of oxygen were found to vary dramatically in regard to light, community respiration, and water flow. Data were collected to determine what factors are most important in maintaining high oxygen concentrations in aquaria, and also the results of chronic hypoxia on coral tissue.