CTARS Connecticut Marine Aquarium Conference VIII

hans1976 · 07/14/2014, 06:14 PM

That's right folks! After a year on hiatus, we're back and it's looking as though this is going to be a great event!

The Connecticut Area Reef Society is hosting its
8th Annual Connecticut Marine Aquarium Conference
on Saturday, October 18, 2014
from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Ticket Prices will be
$20 Per Person
Price includes full access and buffet lunch
To sign up, go to CMAC 2014

We will be holding this years event at
Groton Inn & Suites
99 Gold Star Highway
Groton, Connecticut 06340

We've got some great speakers lined up and the local reefing community is excited about the event!

Speakers

James Fatherree – Clams

James Fatherree has been an aquarium hobbyist since childhood, has been keeping marine aquariums for well over a decade, and has spent many days diving in Florida, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Japan and Indonesia. He also managed a large retail aquarium store, owned and operated an aquarium design, installation, and maintenance business for several years, and spent a summer working as a diver/collector/slave for an aquarium livestock wholesaler in Florida. James has also published well over 100 articles and 1,000 photographs in various aquarium magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and has written and illustrated five books on the topics of reef organisms and marine aquariums, too.

Aside from his lifelong aquatic interests and experiences, James served as an Army paratrooper, earned degrees in Geology from Mississippi State University and the University of South Florida, with a specialization in invertebrate paleontology, and has traveled around the world. He also lived in southern Japan for two years where he taught English, and is currently a physical and environmental sciences instructor at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida.

John Coppolino – SPS

John’s innate passion for aquariums was nurtured growing up on an island on a lake in Northern New Jersey with a fish loving father and a mother allergic to everything with fur and feathers!

A saltwater hobbyist now for twenty five years since age 11, John began working at a large regional aquarium store as soon as he obtained working papers in high school, resulting in a house full of tanks before going off to college. In college he went on to study reefs in Bermuda, the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador where he lived (and met his wife!) for about two years after obtaining his B.S. in biology.

John now lives in Northern Virginia with his wonderfully supportive wife and two young children, and keeps about 2500 gallons of saltwater aquariums, most being SPS dominant. In addition to publishing articles and speaking at conferences, including three past MACNAs, John has spoken to reef clubs in over twenty states. His systems have been featured in publications in Asia, Europe, and the United States. These include the newly released book “The Coral Reef Aquarium” by Tony Vargas, which profiles two of his systems, including a 10 gallon “kitchen nano” from over ten years ago, and his SPS system he just broke down this year after moving. John is also one of just two people to have received the prestigious Reef Central Tank of the Month for two different systems (September ’04 and January ’11), both SPS dominant, where he is known by his username and childhood nickname, Copps. In the summer of 2013 John started building his largest SPS system
yet, with a 1300 gallon display that is installed in the "forever home" he and his wife had built. In addition to his reefkeeping at home, John travels yearly with work to Hawaii and Guam, where most free time is spent underwater.[/CENTER]

Lou Ekus - Reef Chemistry

Lou has been with Tropic Marin USA as the Director of US Operations for almost 18 years. He is responsible for all of Tropic Marin product support and aquarist assistance in the US and Canada. He frequently works with aquarists, helping them with system issues.

Lou Ekus has been a salt water aquarist most of his life. As an adult, he designed and built a multi-tank system in his home consisting of a 150 gallon full reef tank, a 150 community fish only tank and a 90 gallon predator tank. This system also incorporated a custom lighting and filtration systems all designed and built by Lou. Due to time constraints, Lou has downsized his salt water system to a 29 gallon nano reef for the testing of Tropic Marin products in the US and is enjoying the ease of care of a new 150 gallon African Cichlid tank in his home.

Lou is an avid saltwater fly fisherman, holds a commercial hot air balloon license and is an antique car enthusiast, taking trips in a 1931 Ford Roadster with his wife and business partner, Leslie, who also works for Tropic Marin. Lou and Leslie also run AirTyme Corporation, a company that specializes in media training food professionals for live, internet, television and print interviews.

Justin Credabel – Cuttlefish

Justin will be showing off a cuttlefish display at his booth and to answer any of your questions on how to keep these exquisite animals.

Justin Credabel Grabel was born and raised in New London, CT. He starting keeping and breeding fish at the ripe old age of 11, which kicked off a lifelong passion for all things aquatic.

Over the years Justin has developed methods for propagating the various species of Goniopora, fusing coral through grafting techniques, and pioneered the use of hydrogen peroxide in coral husbandry. Recently Justin and his lovely wife and children moved back to the East Coast from Los Angeles, where he was running large scale coral aquaculture operations.

After 18 years in the aquarium industry on the retail and wholesale, it was time to start a new venture, Reef Generation, with fellow industry veteran Laura Birenbaum. In partnership with Atlantis Long Island Aquarium, ReefGen is growing and marketing coral, fish and other aquatic organisms with the dream team including aquarium curator and co-founder Joe Yauillo, and fish breeding expert Todd Gardner.

Justin Credabel’s food, Goniopower, developed for the successful aquarium culture of Goniopora has been released by Two Little Fishies, and is available at retail and online stores around the globe.

Justin is also a musician and finds the line between art and aquariums blurred. His band Incognito Sofa Love has been playing the last 13 year and can be seen online, heard on CD or experienced in person.

Keep Posted For Further Information As We Get It!!

To sign up, go to CMAC 2014

__________________
Jeff
PAST CTARS President
Past MASNA Treasurer

Last edited by hans1976; 07/14/2014 at 06:32 PM.

phillrodrigo · 07/15/2014, 02:29 PM

Got my ticket already

Munchie1976 · 08/11/2014, 10:13 PM

Check out some of the items to expect at this years CMAC!

AquaFX 100 gpd Barracuda RO/DI
ReefRocks.net - 50 pound box
Boston Aqua Farms Frag Kit
Marineland Seaclone Skimmer & LED with Timer
Marineland InSump Protein Skimmer
Hamilton Lighting LED Tape Strips and Digital Timers
Rods Reef Foods
Reef Pest Solutions
Reef Breeders Value Fixture
Seachem - Various Supplements
Aqua UV - Advantage 8 Watt UV
Champion Lighting - $50 Gift Cards
Coral Magazine - 1 Year Subscriptions
Cultivated Reef - $25 Coupon Codes
Rapid LED - Par 38 LED
Colbalt - Marine Foods
CPR - Smart Feeder
Red Sea - Various Supplements
Tunze Products

Stay posted for any updates here, on ctars.org & on our Facebook & Google+ pages too!!!

Munchie1976 · 08/12/2014, 05:15 PM

Aquatic Excellence sent us a photo of what to expect at this year's CMAC from their booth...a bit of eye candy to drool over until then! They said to expect more photo's soon!!!

ca1ore · 08/12/2014, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchie1976

Looking forward to this event and plan to attend ... Probably ought to buy a ticket ahead of time ..... Less likely to be a no show. BTW, if there is any coral that looks like this in person I'll buy it ..... And then eat it

Munchie1976 · 08/16/2014, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

BTW, if there is any coral that looks like this in person I'll buy it ..... And then eat it

Munchie1976 · 08/16/2014, 05:03 PM

Munchie1976 · 08/27/2014, 10:09 PM

Okay, this is it...the announcements you've been waiting for!!!

THIS WEEKEND ONLY
Labor Day Weekend Special
$15 Ticket Sale
From Friday August 28th 2014 - Monday September 1st 2014 until 11:59pm
This is your LAST chance to purchase CMAC Tickets at such a low price!!!

Purchase the weekend special tickets HERE

If that's not enough to get you moving, maybe this will....

Red Sea has generously donated their new Red Sea MAX C-130 the compact 34 gallon fully featured REEF-SPEC system for the top raffle prize at CMAC! If you are looking for a complete reef ready aquarium system, this is it. But, that's not it...Red Sea is also including a refractometer, a variety of Red Sea test kits valued at approximately $200.00 and Red Sea Salt. Sounds great, right? We're not even close to done! We want the winner of this to go home with the works! We are also throwing in 40 lbs of Carib Sea Life Rock, two 20lb Bags of Carib Sea Arag-Alive!™ Sand, a $50 Champion Lighting Gift Card and an Aqua FX Barracuda 100 gpd RODI unit!

This is a prize package totaled at over $2000.00!!!

Includes
-Super Clear Iron Glass 8mm
-Matching cabinet (Color may vary from picture)
-2 x 55w 10,00k / Actinic Power Compact Lamps
-90° Corner with replaceable Trim Kit
-MAX C-130 Rear Sump
-Detachable Surface Skimmer
-Media Rack
-MAX C 130 Protein Skimmer
-MAX C 130 – 1550 lph Circulation Pump
-MAX C 130- Chiller Ready (Optional Chiller Kit)
-MAX C 130 In Cabinet Power Center

BfishLpond78 · 08/28/2014, 06:40 AM

Woooooooooooooooaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Rwinfrey · 09/01/2014, 08:23 AM

Last day for the sale on tickets.....

humaguy · 09/01/2014, 01:16 PM

Bought a ticket...hope I can make it...

BfishLpond78 · 09/01/2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humaguy

Bought a ticket...hope I can make it...

Awesome Ted, you should have your own booth to chat about your tank. Maybe you and Larry could share one!

humaguy · 09/01/2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BfishLpond78

Awesome Ted, you should have your own booth to chat about your tank. Maybe you and Larry could share one!

Larry is due for a visit...will check with him and see if he can make it that weekend...

Rwinfrey · 09/12/2014, 04:46 AM

Ohhhhhh man this raffle will be huge ......ok I have the tunze list.......
1 ea 6020
1 ea 9001
1 ea 3152
1 ea nano care magnet
1 ea 9410
Yep that's a lot of tunze......
We also have a 700 pound RedSea pallet being delivered the tank set up I am told only weighs 200 pounds it's raffle euphoria.........

phillrodrigo · 09/23/2014, 05:33 PM

Bump for this it should be awesome. Can't wait.

Rwinfrey · 10/07/2014, 04:42 AM

Last weekend to pre buy tickets ..........they will be 30.00 at the door and no lunch guarantee (we had to give the caterer a count).

vinnnocc · 10/07/2014, 04:20 PM

hey all
just ordered two tickets can't wait to go bringing my cooler this time

Rwinfrey · 10/08/2014, 06:32 PM

bring a truck to the raffle is pretty big

vinnnocc · 10/20/2014, 09:34 AM

Had a great time. Bought a lota nice looking corals. Last time i take a streetbike tho. Also never would have guessed me and my buddy would have won 50lbs rock and 120lbs live same. And a bunch of other stuff.

Rwinfrey · 10/20/2014, 12:33 PM

I thought that was pretty funny street bike and all

07/14/2014, 06:14 PM	#1
hans1976 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Middletown, CT Posts: 3,239	CTARS Connecticut Marine Aquarium Conference VIII That's right folks! After a year on hiatus, we're back and it's looking as though this is going to be a great event! The Connecticut Area Reef Society is hosting its 8th Annual Connecticut Marine Aquarium Conference on Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 9:00am to 5:00pm Ticket Prices will be $20 Per Person Price includes full access and buffet lunch To sign up, go to CMAC 2014 We will be holding this years event at Groton Inn & Suites 99 Gold Star Highway Groton, Connecticut 06340 We've got some great speakers lined up and the local reefing community is excited about the event! Speakers James Fatherree – Clams James Fatherree has been an aquarium hobbyist since childhood, has been keeping marine aquariums for well over a decade, and has spent many days diving in Florida, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Japan and Indonesia. He also managed a large retail aquarium store, owned and operated an aquarium design, installation, and maintenance business for several years, and spent a summer working as a diver/collector/slave for an aquarium livestock wholesaler in Florida. James has also published well over 100 articles and 1,000 photographs in various aquarium magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and has written and illustrated five books on the topics of reef organisms and marine aquariums, too. Aside from his lifelong aquatic interests and experiences, James served as an Army paratrooper, earned degrees in Geology from Mississippi State University and the University of South Florida, with a specialization in invertebrate paleontology, and has traveled around the world. He also lived in southern Japan for two years where he taught English, and is currently a physical and environmental sciences instructor at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. John Coppolino – SPS John’s innate passion for aquariums was nurtured growing up on an island on a lake in Northern New Jersey with a fish loving father and a mother allergic to everything with fur and feathers! A saltwater hobbyist now for twenty five years since age 11, John began working at a large regional aquarium store as soon as he obtained working papers in high school, resulting in a house full of tanks before going off to college. In college he went on to study reefs in Bermuda, the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador where he lived (and met his wife!) for about two years after obtaining his B.S. in biology. John now lives in Northern Virginia with his wonderfully supportive wife and two young children, and keeps about 2500 gallons of saltwater aquariums, most being SPS dominant. In addition to publishing articles and speaking at conferences, including three past MACNAs, John has spoken to reef clubs in over twenty states. His systems have been featured in publications in Asia, Europe, and the United States. These include the newly released book “The Coral Reef Aquarium” by Tony Vargas, which profiles two of his systems, including a 10 gallon “kitchen nano” from over ten years ago, and his SPS system he just broke down this year after moving. John is also one of just two people to have received the prestigious Reef Central Tank of the Month for two different systems (September ’04 and January ’11), both SPS dominant, where he is known by his username and childhood nickname, Copps. In the summer of 2013 John started building his largest SPS system yet, with a 1300 gallon display that is installed in the "forever home" he and his wife had built. In addition to his reefkeeping at home, John travels yearly with work to Hawaii and Guam, where most free time is spent underwater.[/CENTER] Lou Ekus - Reef Chemistry Lou has been with Tropic Marin USA as the Director of US Operations for almost 18 years. He is responsible for all of Tropic Marin product support and aquarist assistance in the US and Canada. He frequently works with aquarists, helping them with system issues. Lou Ekus has been a salt water aquarist most of his life. As an adult, he designed and built a multi-tank system in his home consisting of a 150 gallon full reef tank, a 150 community fish only tank and a 90 gallon predator tank. This system also incorporated a custom lighting and filtration systems all designed and built by Lou. Due to time constraints, Lou has downsized his salt water system to a 29 gallon nano reef for the testing of Tropic Marin products in the US and is enjoying the ease of care of a new 150 gallon African Cichlid tank in his home. Lou is an avid saltwater fly fisherman, holds a commercial hot air balloon license and is an antique car enthusiast, taking trips in a 1931 Ford Roadster with his wife and business partner, Leslie, who also works for Tropic Marin. Lou and Leslie also run AirTyme Corporation, a company that specializes in media training food professionals for live, internet, television and print interviews. Justin Credabel – Cuttlefish Justin will be showing off a cuttlefish display at his booth and to answer any of your questions on how to keep these exquisite animals. Justin Credabel Grabel was born and raised in New London, CT. He starting keeping and breeding fish at the ripe old age of 11, which kicked off a lifelong passion for all things aquatic. Over the years Justin has developed methods for propagating the various species of Goniopora, fusing coral through grafting techniques, and pioneered the use of hydrogen peroxide in coral husbandry. Recently Justin and his lovely wife and children moved back to the East Coast from Los Angeles, where he was running large scale coral aquaculture operations. After 18 years in the aquarium industry on the retail and wholesale, it was time to start a new venture, Reef Generation, with fellow industry veteran Laura Birenbaum. In partnership with Atlantis Long Island Aquarium, ReefGen is growing and marketing coral, fish and other aquatic organisms with the dream team including aquarium curator and co-founder Joe Yauillo, and fish breeding expert Todd Gardner. Justin Credabel’s food, Goniopower, developed for the successful aquarium culture of Goniopora has been released by Two Little Fishies, and is available at retail and online stores around the globe. Justin is also a musician and finds the line between art and aquariums blurred. His band Incognito Sofa Love has been playing the last 13 year and can be seen online, heard on CD or experienced in person. Keep Posted For Further Information As We Get It!! To sign up, go to CMAC 2014 __________________ Jeff PAST CTARS President Past MASNA Treasurer Last edited by hans1976; 07/14/2014 at 06:32 PM.

08/11/2014, 10:13 PM	#3
Munchie1976 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Plainfield, CT Posts: 322	Check out some of the items to expect at this years CMAC! AquaFX 100 gpd Barracuda RO/DI ReefRocks.net - 50 pound box Boston Aqua Farms Frag Kit Marineland Seaclone Skimmer & LED with Timer Marineland InSump Protein Skimmer Hamilton Lighting LED Tape Strips and Digital Timers Rods Reef Foods Reef Pest Solutions Reef Breeders Value Fixture Seachem - Various Supplements Aqua UV - Advantage 8 Watt UV Champion Lighting - $50 Gift Cards Coral Magazine - 1 Year Subscriptions Cultivated Reef - $25 Coupon Codes Rapid LED - Par 38 LED Colbalt - Marine Foods CPR - Smart Feeder Red Sea - Various Supplements Tunze Products Stay posted for any updates here, on ctars.org & on our Facebook & Google+ pages too!!! __________________ CTARS Secretary

08/12/2014, 05:15 PM	#4
Munchie1976 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Plainfield, CT Posts: 322	Aquatic Excellence sent us a photo of what to expect at this year's CMAC from their booth...a bit of eye candy to drool over until then! They said to expect more photo's soon!!! __________________ CTARS Secretary

08/16/2014, 05:03 PM	#7
Munchie1976 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Plainfield, CT Posts: 322	__________________ CTARS Secretary

08/27/2014, 10:09 PM	#8
Munchie1976 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Plainfield, CT Posts: 322	Okay, this is it...the announcements you've been waiting for!!! THIS WEEKEND ONLY Labor Day Weekend Special $15 Ticket Sale From Friday August 28th 2014 - Monday September 1st 2014 until 11:59pm This is your LAST chance to purchase CMAC Tickets at such a low price!!! Purchase the weekend special tickets HERE If that's not enough to get you moving, maybe this will.... Red Sea has generously donated their new Red Sea MAX C-130 the compact 34 gallon fully featured REEF-SPEC system for the top raffle prize at CMAC! If you are looking for a complete reef ready aquarium system, this is it. But, that's not it...Red Sea is also including a refractometer, a variety of Red Sea test kits valued at approximately $200.00 and Red Sea Salt. Sounds great, right? We're not even close to done! We want the winner of this to go home with the works! We are also throwing in 40 lbs of Carib Sea Life Rock, two 20lb Bags of Carib Sea Arag-Alive!™ Sand, a $50 Champion Lighting Gift Card and an Aqua FX Barracuda 100 gpd RODI unit! This is a prize package totaled at over $2000.00!!! Includes -Super Clear Iron Glass 8mm -Matching cabinet (Color may vary from picture) -2 x 55w 10,00k / Actinic Power Compact Lamps -90° Corner with replaceable Trim Kit -MAX C-130 Rear Sump -Detachable Surface Skimmer -Media Rack -MAX C 130 Protein Skimmer -MAX C 130 – 1550 lph Circulation Pump -MAX C 130- Chiller Ready (Optional Chiller Kit) -MAX C 130 In Cabinet Power Center __________________ CTARS Secretary

07/15/2014, 02:29 PM	#2
phillrodrigo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: quaker hill ct Posts: 2,433	Got my ticket already

08/28/2014, 06:40 AM	#9
BfishLpond78 FUPA Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seymour CT Posts: 5,796	Woooooooooooooooaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! __________________ FUPA!!! Current Tank Info: 150G Starfire, BK DC 200, Vertex V6, PS Kore 5th, Ecotech Waves, Controlled by Apex, Topped off by Tunze

09/01/2014, 08:23 AM	#10
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	Last day for the sale on tickets..... __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house

09/01/2014, 01:16 PM	#11
humaguy Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Western Ct, NYC Posts: 8,218	Bought a ticket...hope I can make it...

09/12/2014, 04:46 AM	#14
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	Ohhhhhh man this raffle will be huge ......ok I have the tunze list....... 1 ea 6020 1 ea 9001 1 ea 3152 1 ea nano care magnet 1 ea 9410 Yep that's a lot of tunze...... We also have a 700 pound RedSea pallet being delivered the tank set up I am told only weighs 200 pounds it's raffle euphoria......... __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house

09/23/2014, 05:33 PM	#15
phillrodrigo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: quaker hill ct Posts: 2,433	Bump for this it should be awesome. Can't wait.

10/07/2014, 04:42 AM	#16
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	Last weekend to pre buy tickets ..........they will be 30.00 at the door and no lunch guarantee (we had to give the caterer a count). __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house

10/07/2014, 04:20 PM	#17
vinnnocc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: west haven CT Posts: 60	hey all just ordered two tickets can't wait to go bringing my cooler this time Last edited by vinnnocc; 10/07/2014 at 04:34 PM. Reason: oops

10/08/2014, 06:32 PM	#18
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	bring a truck to the raffle is pretty big __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house

10/20/2014, 09:34 AM	#19
vinnnocc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: west haven CT Posts: 60	Had a great time. Bought a lota nice looking corals. Last time i take a streetbike tho. Also never would have guessed me and my buddy would have won 50lbs rock and 120lbs live same. And a bunch of other stuff.

10/20/2014, 12:33 PM	#20
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	I thought that was pretty funny street bike and all __________________ FUPA jealous;) Current Tank Info: Wish I had one building a house