Andrew of tropicalfishfinder.co.uk, re the poss. of a new online petfish zine   12/3/08
Hi Bob
<At last we meet. Cheers Andrew>
Neale has mentioned that you may be interested in developing an electronic fish mag. This is something I have had on my mind to do for quite some time. Putting one together isn't that difficult I believe, with the biggest issue being finding sufficient good quality content. I know Neale is first class at such things, but we will need several contributors and that is where I see the problem.
<Ahh, we do have a "starter" e-zine... but there is need for much improvement, enlargement... there are some excellent ex.s... e.g. PFK...>
I believe that an e-mag would do well in the UK with the right marketing and I am sure Neale has mentioned that I run www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk.
<Yes, I took a look. Quite enterprising>
I know TFH do an electronic version of their own mag although you only get access if you have subscribed to the physical mag. I am sure you have your own ideas on this, but one way I thought of was to produce a basic magazine with spaces for regional advertising so that you may be able to fill some space for US suppliers and I can try the same in the UK. If we could then bring the whole thing together under one roof and the interested parties can then take whatever their share of the pie is on a monthly or perhaps bi-monthly basis.
There are many ways of doing it and at this stage if you are interested perhaps we can put them all down on paper and see if there is a way to take it forward.
Kind regards
Andrew
<At this juncture, I don't know how we might proceed. There are some other folks here (the U.S.) that I'd like to introduce you, the possibility/concept to... Am cc'ing JessicaT, DaveL and MikeK here in addn. to Neale and Andrew Nixon. Let's develop a mechanism for pursuing this project. Bob Fenner>
MikeK input:
Check this format out for an on-line mag--->
http://global.synapsegroup.com/att/uverse/
Cheers,
Mike
<Wow! A beauty... nice features, very clear, fast-loading... B>
AndrewN input:
Very nice and flashy....as its essentially a flash based application, the content wont be searchable when some does a search from the WWM search facility, as i am aware....

MASNA's Spring Issue of Marine Scene – 6/17/08
Hello MASNA Honorary members,
I'm happy to announce the release of the Spring 2008 issue of MASNA's newsletter, "Marine Scene."
http://www.masna.org/ms/spring08.pdf
Enjoy!
Cheri
Cheri Phillips
MASNA President
www.masna.org
<Thanks Cher, BobF>

For Mr. Fenner 03/26/2008
Good day,
<Alfie>
I am from South Africa and I am looking into the feasibility of starting an Aquarium magazine in SA and as such I am trying to establish contact with Mr. Robert Fenner to ascertain if he would be prepared to write articles for a magazine and also to supply photographs.
<Ahh! I will gladly assist you in what capacities I can/may>
I would appreciate it if you could forward my mail to him or let me have his mail address so I can get in touch with him.
Kind regards,
Alfie Hayes
<Make it known in what ways I may be helpful. As a content provider, what sorts of topics, areas you are looking for. Cheers, BobF, down visiting in Borneo>

Your input please... is this a good idea for WWM?   3/14/08 http://www.magnify.net/ Or too obtrusive? Not worth the space, slowing down our readership? Impertinent? BobF.

It is worth trying out. Most people have a high speed connection by now. <Thank you Miguel. BobF> Mike Kaechele You think? The latest reliable figures I've seen put broadband access in US homes at slightly over 40%, and slightly under 50% in the UK. In the US especially, growth isn't nearly as fast as you might imagine once you get outside the major metro areas. http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=226 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=8 <I see> My take is this: by all means have video on a dedicated page <Am wondering actually where this all happens... not easily found on their site> *if* it serves a purpose. But don't put it anywhere it'll slow down or surprise users who don't need it. While I'd accept the WWM interface may be showing its age, it is at least easy to access and quick to load. <Agreed... MikeK and I "go over" this... w/o avail thus far... but we do need a "face-lift"> I'm not a big fan of adding digital doodads to web sites simply because you can. First sit down and discuss why you need video. What can you give through moving images you can't in text or static pictures. Cheers, Neale <As DarrelB stated, it would indeed be GREAT to have set-up, engineering topics of all sorts, construction projects, diagnosis of disease/behavior... many subjects (of use) as videos linked... but... this is NOT what these folks have, or intend I suspect... More sales oriented... IF only there was general resource to create our own such content... Dreaming (as usual), BobF> Bob, May be opening a can of worms here. I believe for our purposes, still pics are an effective tool. You may be creating more work for an already overworked man. I'm looking down the road at queriors sending us videos of their problems. In some cases will be more informative than stills but will just add to our time in answering queries if we have to download and view. I'm assuming that's what this is all about. If not, slap me. Jim <Thank you James... I am of a similar mind... In responding to these folks previously, I had stated that I had no time further to invest... and that this should cost WWM nothing... Cheers, BobF> I'm just barely recovering from a bout of pneumonia, so my judgment in this matter may be off (-- then on the other hand my judgment is questionable on the best of days, so how could I tell?) but here's my standard-issue thought on video for web sites <Thank you for this Darrel> Past the issues of bandwidth and server capacity is the fact that at the end of the day, no mater how slick and how clever the tools ... someone actually has to take the time to create the content and at present I'm not sure anyone has the time to create anything more than we already do. Yes, it seems easy but for a group of people who can get testy when someone merely writes "road runner" when they really should use the scientific name "speedus incredibilus" I'm seeing a lot of people who wouldn't bother trying because they knew they didn't have the time to do it "Right (tm)" <Ahh, "they" claim they create/link pertinent clips... am not so sure...> I can really see the value of video delivery ... especially on those subjects where showing someone is the best way to teach someone ... and a professional library of video tools would be helpful ... which brings us down to the three dimensions that explain all actions in the universe: "Time, Money & Crap happens" Without proper amounts of #1 & #2 .... #3 happens way too frequently. That's what I think DB <Mmm, again, I thank you... Plenty of liquids, rest... BobF> Yikes... the site is already so cluttered and difficult to navigate. I would wait till the whole site might be redesigned before adding more "bells and whistles"... which is especially all this is (imo). Sara I agree with Neale. I don't think that adding video will be as personal as all of our text to the users. I personally cannot even think of what we would show on video. Not that this is a bad idea, I just do not think it is fitting for the WWM atmosphere. ^_^ -Eileen Ridgeway

Re: Your input please... is this a good idea for WWM? Re: Magnify.net video addn.  03/14/2008 Bob, In the spirit of 'don't squish an idea if you don't have a better one', take a look at the PFK web site. They use YouTube videos to add movie content to web pages. The "plus" is that these videos don't run or load unless you (the page viewer) ask them to, speeding up download times for those on modems. The page on Etroplus canariensis for example uses movies to show off the schooling behaviour of this rare cichlid. It's a species hardly seen in captivity and so this sort of thing adds value to the page. http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=185 Cheers, Neale <Wow... what a site PFK has, maintains... it's obvious they have several full-time, paid staff... that know what they're doing... We have a bunch of good friends who know what they're doing, part time, who work for zilch... I DO very much like the layout and looks... and the select/ed video here. Cheers, BobF> So, it seems to me that this company, what, searches YouTube and other free media sites for videos pertinent to a website's content? <Yes... Oh, and am sending you a couple of FW shreemp pix for ID if you don't mind> And what, exactly, would they find "pertinent" to WWM, and what "good" would it serve to be shown on WWM? <Dat's da million dollah question... NealeM has sent along a note I'll share with all manana re PFK's very appropriate use of video...> Purely my opinion here, but WWM has always been a source of free information, and a free exchange of information - not a television. I would like to see "real" pertinent video content, provided directly by us and viewers (thinking of Pete's Red Sea videography) available to users, but I see no need or desire to link to Joe Schmoe's 30 second clip of his lionfish eating a goldfish, for example. <Mmm, well... if it chokes, is instructive such that other folks don't do it...> So.... just my opinion, but no, I don't see a need for magnify's service, unless I grossly misunderstand their purpose. -SCF <Thanks Sab... they're sending along a mock-up of what the whole shebang might look like... AM very interested in changing WWM's homepage... where this would be/go... AND adding the link to the new BB... any progress t/here? BobF> I have to agree. On the one hand, it would be nice to have an archive of (and place to show) short video's pertaining to equipment (set up, etc), fish/inverts/etc behavior, and a myriad of other things, I would only want our videos, or *our* choices, made available. I think it would also have to be located solely at a "video" page within the site. not on an opening page where it could potentially cause slow-downs/problems for users. Just my two cents. -Lynn I agree, with Lynn... there are much better ways to put videos on a website (if such a thing is desired). The website/service would allow WWM *viewers* to put their own stuff on WWM.... do we really want that?! Sara <Mmm, the new BB will allow users to put their own video up... there... On a separate URL, server... though linked on WWM in several places... B> Re: Your input please... is this a good idea for WWM? 03/14/2008 I think it would certainly slow down the readership as it would put all the extra load on the website server with having video streams to and from the website.... <Mmm, my understanding is that these downloads won't actually occur over our server... just be referred...> I can see merits in it though...providing the ability for people to show case a system...problem...addition to the CA Mag... <Yes...> That's my initial thoughts at face value.. will look into it some more tonight... <Ah, good... Do take a look at the 30 + k examples on Magnify.net's site. Any luck with trying to upload, link the new ed.? I was looking for it this AM.> Andrew <Cheers, BobF>

Ocean Video, and on WWM soon...    2/11/08
Major Decrease in Variety of Ocean Life Ocean scientists are reporting that there has been a major decrease in the variety of ocean life over the past fifty years in many of the world's oceans. The study also shows "hot spots" where a large variety of sea life still thrives.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/video/?mid=22512&utm_id=Miniplayer&utm_source=Miniplayer%2Bon%2BRedorbit&utm_medium=Miniplayer%2BSource&utm_campaign=Miniplayer
Nice video player on this site. Are we ready to start putting videos on the WWM? I need to figure out how to format it.
Mike
<We are ready now... and can solicit folks to post... I have some right now... This particular pc... "What is diversity"? What do they mean by "lost"? Me no likee. B>

Re: Podcast anyone?  – 10/01/07
Brian,
There are some fantastic folks amongst our crew. I would encourage you to pursue this matter. Many are highly knowledgeable and have particular interests in various areas... Scott mentions Jeni Tyrell AKA Pufferpunk, below who is passionate about pufferfish obviously, Brenda Furtak is the anemone specialist on board, Darrel Barton is into turtles, Leslie Leddo... seahorses. Many others have varying degrees of interests in certain areas. One concern that was mentioned is that for many their depth of knowledge in specific areas is quite deep, the breadth of their knowledge may be limited and could present a challenge with live call ins. Perhaps there are ways to edit around this? I think many are concerned about not embarrassing themselves or WWM in the process, myself included.
Perhaps you can share more of your thoughts here, alleviate some fears?
I also wanted to mention that Scott and I will be at the NJ Frag swap event on Oct 27. Scott will be one of the feature speakers. I will make sure to introduce you to each other. You might want to make arrangements with Scott to do podcast or two upon his return to CA.
He's a talker and funny, funny, funny! Did you catch his pitch at MACNA? Scott presented just before Shimek's pitch on the poor prognosis of the coral reefs. I read your sincere comments about how much you enjoyed Shimek's talk and how much it moved you. Scott's presentation was on aquascaping. He had a ton of positive feedback and many thought it was the best overall pitch of the conference, myself included. I can't say enough good things about him! He will be talking about Biotopes at the NJ affair. But you can easily get him talking about most anything and you're sure to be entertained!
You might want to see if he can do a session or three...
See you soon,
Michelle

Re: Podcast anyone? – 10/01/07
 A couple of years ago, I decided to play with some of the software on  my Mac, and had a go at recording some podcasts. While I didn't have proper recording gear, the software at least is easy to use. I didn't really carry on with this project, as in the end I wasn't really happy with the results and had better uses of my time. But I still have them online at the link below. If nothing else, you get to hear me speak! http://web.mac.com/nmonks/iWeb/Talking%20Fish/Talking%20Fish% > 20Podcast/Talking%20Fish%20Podcast.html Cheers, Neale
<Heeee! Is this something you think would help (enough...) of our user-base? A couple of friends in town (Nevin and Tom Bailey) have a very popular podcast sidebiz... but have listened to m'self, and... did not find satisfying... As yet, such media have no graphics... and as a vehicle of learning/education... let's say vs. entertainment... I found it wanting... B>

Re: Podcast anyone? – 10/01/07
One concern that was mentioned is that for many their depth of knowledge in >specific areas is quite deep, the breadth of their knowledge may be limited and could >present a challenge with live call ins. Perhaps there are ways to edit around this? I think >many are concerned about not embarrassing themselves or WWM in the process, myself >included. Perhaps you can share more of your thoughts here, alleviate some fears?
<Hi everyone...
I'd love to help, but this is my concern as well. I have a passable talent for identifying critters, but the process usually requires photos and inevitably some research. LOL I can just picture it now...
Caller: "I have this thing in my tank that looks like cross between an éclair and a corndog...what is it?"
Host: "Lynn, what do you think?"
Lynn: "Well, it could be one of several things. Does it have..."
<five long minutes of Q & A pass trying to narrow it down. The audience is starting to snore>
Lynn: "Okay good. I'm pretty sure I know what it is but let me get the scientific name for you. It'll be just a minute."
<Insert sounds of books crashing, pages flipping, followed by mad typing on a keyboard>
Host: "Lynn do you have an answer for us?"
Lynn: "Unfortunately, not a specific one. It's most likely something harmless like a ..., but I'd need a photo to confirm."
Caller: "Okay, well maybe you can help me with my fish instead. It's got bumps all over it and one eyeball's hanging out. Is he going to be okay?"
Lynn: I'm sorry to say that someone else will have to take over here. I'm not so great in the fish disease department.
Caller: Oh, okay. Goodbye then.
<Lynn hangs up, rolls eyes at self, and thinks "Well, that was pretty - Sorry Bob!".
Seriously though, I know nothing about podcasts. I'm not sure how these things work - is it like one big conference call with all of us on at the same time? I know I'd be a whole lot less intimidated if critter talk was a collaborative effort. It would just be nice to have someone chime in if they had further info on a critter that I wasn't aware of.
Also, does anyone know when this might take place?
Thanks!
-Lynn >
<I'd definitely listen to such a show! B>

Podcast 10/1/07
Bob,
<Brian>
A few months back you appeared on my podcast 120 gallons. Thanks again.
Your episodes still are extremely popular.
I am writing you, to see if you or any of your crew would be interested in participating in a live call in podcast. Listeners would be able to call
in and ask you questions and listen to the show live. In addition to helping listeners it could drive some new traffic to wetwebmedia.
Let me know if interested.
<Will post, share. Cheers, BobF>

Re: Podcast anyone? 10/3/07
I have Garage Band already, so basically all I'd need to assemble a Podcast would be for people to record "sound bytes" and then send them along. I could assemble then and export as the relevant MP3 file. Even hosting them isn't a problem, so that iTunes or whatever can be used to subscribe. The tricky bit is recording your sound with decent quality. I suspect  that trying out Skype would be one cheap (free) way to test out each > person's Mac or PC in this regard. I've found a lot of variation,  when Skype-ing to people around the world.
 Cheers, Neale
<Well... we have almost unlimited storage for WWM... if some/all would like to try... BobF> <Chaheep! I do wish we had the means to do all sorts of projects... We can/will gladly pay for the software... and hope... pay it forward, that in time the funds might come to finance the people,  more. BobF>

Re: Podcast anyone? 10/3/07
> <Heeee! Is this something you think would help (enough...) of our user-base? A couple of friends in town (Nevin and Tom Bailey) have a very popular podcast sidebiz... but have listened to m'self, and... did not find satisfying... As yet, such media have no graphics... and as a vehicle of learning/education... let's say vs. entertainment... I found it wanting... B>
Ahh, my dear friend, it sounds like you haven't yet met the wide world of "video podcasting".... And as far as educational AND entertaining, there are a few that are RIGHT on the money, though not quite my cup of tea - most of the really *good* ones available are centered around the technology geek industry, and cover electronics, gadgetry, radio, robotics, etc.
<Yowzah!>
Perhaps the BEST examples are the Make Magazine video podcasts, some or all of which can be found here:
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/make_podcast/
I strongly recommend taking a look at a few of these, to get an idea of what can really be "done" with a good video podcast; you might even find them interesting. I know I do, and I'm not even terribly interested in electronics and gadgetry.
Now, the BIG question, is there a *profitable* market for a fish-geek audio or video podcast? Nah, probably not. I wouldn't quit my day job to pursue it, but I'd gladly try to start something on the side (just not under the impression that I'd make my millions off it!). And, I'm not in the fish-geek stuff for money, anyway. Just for the love of it.
<And thus, WWM...>
Bob, I've toyed with the idea of asking you if you'd like to try doing a podcast for WWM - audio or video, you're an animated enough person that ANY small question turns into an adventure. I fervently wish there were some way of getting some or all of the Crew together on a very regular basis to do something like this! 'Course, I've also got a lack of recording equipment.
<NealeM says he's got some... who knows...?>
In any case, I think this would be a *fun* and *exciting* avenue to pursue, if anyone in the Crew has the time and equipment and inclination.
Just my two cents.
-Sabrina
<Bingo! BobF>

Posting WWM links on reef forums? – 8/19/07
Greetings to the all the crew.
<Roger/Roejay>
I frequently browse Reef Central and read many posts from beginners, and even more experienced hobbyists, with questions that I know are extensively covered on WWM. Since I'm such a cheerleader for WWM, do you consider it appropriate to sometimes post a link to you as part of my reply?
<Yes>
I want others to benefit from the same knowledge and comprehensive answers that I and your other readers have taken advantage of.
Thanks to all.
Roger
<And to you. The stated BB is "for profit" (strongly) and may not... appreciate sending folks elsewhere... So be it.
BobF>

NOAA Forecast 8/10/2007 - New Issue Posted  8/14/07
TO: Robert Fenner, wetwebmedia.com
The latest issue of the NOAA Forecast has been posted online. This week's issue features stories on NOAA's new FishWatch website, the updated hurricane season outlook and the first grant recipient for the Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System. To download the Forecast, visit http://www.externalaffairs.noaa.gov .
-Jeff Donald
Director, NOAA External Affairs

NOAA Forecast - July 16, 2007
TO: Robert Fenner, wetwebmedia.com
The NOAA Forecast returns this week after a brief recess to celebrate the 4th of July. This week we report on a busy week on Capitol Hill and several opportunities for stakeholders to offer input on NOAA programs.
To download this week's edition, please visit
http://www.externalaffairs.noaa.gov
Sincerely,
Jeff Donald
Director, External Affairs

Podcast FYI   7/16/07
Just thought I let you know the podcast is posted. Another fine interview!
It was interesting to hear your predictions on the use of cyanide. A shame they didn't come true. And glad to hear you mentioned that some of the worst cyanide users are MAC members! It is nice to hear your voice.
Here the link in case you'd like to hear:
http://media.podcastingmanager.com/86723-4566/Media/0003-120gallons.mp3
<Thank you for this. BobF>

Podcast Interview   – 06/19/07
I was wondering if you would be interested in doing a interview for my new reefkeeping podcast 120gallons (http://120gallons.blogspot.com).
We could discuss upcoming projects, your book, etc....
<If you consider that this would be of interest to your audience, it'd be fine. Please make it known what day, time... Bob Fenner>

Re: Podcast Interview  6/19/07
I would be available anytime Monday or Tue-Fri after 6pm. What suits your schedule? A half hour should be fine.
<Mmm, Weds. is best if this will work... PST?>
Some food for thought around possible questions:
re: your concientious marine aquarist book.
It's often cited as the best book on the hobby. Why do you think it is so successful?
What are the most important things one can do to be in the hobby and be conscientious?
What do you think are the keys to successful reefkeeping?
For people just starting out in the hobby, if you could give them one piece of advice, what would it be?
Re: wetwebmedia
When was the site started?
What was the goal of starting it?
Any new plans for the site in the future?
What are the favorite one or two questions received by the crew at wetwebmedia?
Re: other
How many aquariums do you have currently?
Can you describe the setup and inhabitants?
Is there anything you would like to see changed in the hobby?
Any interesting projects coming up?
Any random closing thoughts?
<Good questions! Heee! You'll have to do some powerful editing to cut my/our spiel down to half or even an hour on all this. Looking fwd to the experience, Bob Fenner>

 

Podcast thanks – 07/30/07
Robert,
<Bri>
Thanks again for the podcast interview. The listeners loved. 350 and 200 + downloads on the two episodes.
<Is this a bunch?>
I'll actually be in your neck of the woods in San Diego for vacation next week. I am probably going to be doing an interview with an aquarist at the Scripps aquarium.
<Maybe Fernando Nosratpour... Ahh, do give me a call. The cell is 858 397 XXX>
Any other must see stuff for a reefkeeper?
<Mmm, what do you mean? BobF>

Re: thanks – 07/30/07
Robert,
<Bri>
Thanks again for the podcast interview. The listeners loved. 350 and 200 + downloads on the two episodes.
<Is this a bunch?>
>>>>Yeah this pretty good. We're still ramping up and both have only been available for a month and 2 weeks respectively. The podcast listening audience interested in reef aquariums is a small subset of reef keeping aquarists on the internet so we don't have as big a pool of potential listeners. We're starting to get a lot more visitors so I expect the numbers to continue to increase.
I'll actually be in your neck of the woods in San Diego for vacation next week. I am probably going to be doing an interview with an aquarist at the Scripps aquarium.
<Maybe Fernando Nosratpour... Ahh, do give me a call. The cell is 858 397 XXX>
Any other must see stuff for a reefkeeper?
<Mmm, what do you mean? BobF>
>>>>Any good aquarium stores or things that a reef aquarist should see in San Diego? My daughter and I are doing the obligatory Sea World, Zoo and Animal Park.
<<Oh yes... a couple of stores... Octopus' Garden and Aquatic Warehouse, both in the Kearny Mesa area. BobF>>

120 gallons podcast  6/30/07
Robert,
<Bri>
Thank you for doing the interview. I'm going to split the interview over two shows. The first one is edited and will be online Sunday evening at http://120gallons.blogspot.com.
<Ah, good>
I also had a thought. You mentioned beginners and providing them useful information. I was wondering if you would be willing to do a 5-10 minute segment (the show is published every 2 weeks) for beginner reefkeepers.
Maybe starting right at the beginning of selecting and setting up a tank and going through more advanced topics. My thoughts were that you could provide a high level overview via the podcast and provide more detailed documentation and backup materials on wetwebmedia.com. Let me know if you are interested. I figure you'd be able to do the stuff for beginners you wanted to do and also reach people who aren't readers, and I'd get some more exposure and hopefully listenership on the podcast. I have voicemail setup via skype (which I used to call and record you - it's basically telephone via the internet) so it would be as easy as calling a phone # every 2 weeks and just talking....I'd do the editing, etc.
Let me know your thoughts.
-Brian
<Glad to help. Do just contact me either here or my pers. email addr. or via phone. Cheers, and thank you for your efforts.
Bob Fenner>

Podcast   7/2/07
I posted the podcast today at http://120gallons.blogspot.com.
I'm putting together ideas for the new reefkeeper segment start with Episode 4.
My thoughts for the segments would be:
1. Before purchasing any equipment
2. Setting up a quarantine system
3. Equipment needed for main tank - tank, pumps and sump/refugium
4. Equipment continued - lighting
5. Equipment continued - skimmer
6. Equipment continued - calcium reactor
7. Setting up your tank
8. Obtaining and curing live rock
9. Adding cleanup crews
10. Dealing with Algae
11. First fish
12. First corals
<All look like good intro. topics. BobF>

MASNA Award Nominations   6/18/07
Each year at the annual MACNA conference, MASNA presents an award to the person who is considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the marine aquarium hobby. This person is selected by marine aquarium hobbyists all over North America - the MASNA membership.
Please take a moment to nominate the person you feel is worthy of this award along with a brief statement explaining why.
Past Recipients are:
Bill Addison
Eric Borneman
Dr. Bruce A. Carlson
Tom Frakes
Larry Jackson
Scott Michael
Martin Moe, Jr.
Dr. Ron Shimek
Anthony Calfo
Julian Sprung
Bob Fenner
Sanjay Joshi
Deadline for submissions is July 15, 2007 - http://www.masna.org/awardballot.php
YOU MUST BE A CURRENT MASNA MEMBER TO NOMINATE (for clubs - only the MASNA delegate may nominate someone, so please poll your membership and have the delegate place the club's nomination)
Thanks,
Cheri Phillips
MASNA President
<Will post Cheri. BobF>

Re: MASNA Award Nominations   6/18/07
Awesome Bob and you are a lifetime MASNA honorary member, so feel free to nominate someone yourself.!
Thanks,
Cheri
<Ahh! Will do so. Thank you for your efforts. BobF>

Calfo's new book – 6/17/07
This last January, I pre-ordered the second edition of Anthony Calfo's Coral Propagation book. It was due out this month. Do you have any information on this?
<Mmm, not really. Saw Antoine a couple weekends back at the Chicago IMAC... didn't mention progress>
I have not heard anything since I ordered it. Do you have a link to the Calfo/Fenner web site?
Thanks,
Jon laCour
<Well, ours (WWM) is the .com of the addr. you've written to... Anthony's is ReadingTrees.com, otherwise you might reach him at MarineDepot.com.
Bob Fenner>

pH and fresh water; books, web-sites of use, mixing salt mix... adding buffers to same  3/30/07
Dear Mr. Fenner,
<Karen>
I am new to the world of salt water aquariums. I have really enjoyed reading your book The Conscientious Marine Aquarist  ( Hopefully that was you who wrote this book because if not I will be embarrassed).
<Was I>
Your book had a lot of information that I have just not been able to get my hands on anywhere else. I think you and the crew at Wet Web Media are excellent. I would like to know if you have put out any new books out in the last year or so.
<Mmm, the last was with friend Anthony Calfo, back in 2003... Reef Invertebrates... Another friend, Jason Chodakowski and I may finish this series (with two fish books, one on the cnidaria) some year soon>
I like having books to refer back to and I also read information on the internet but I keep reading the same things on the internet. Are there any web sites that you like to go to and research information on Marine Aquariums?
<I don't generally visit the various BB's in our interest other than to "get an idea" of what gear folks are using, favor... and general trends in what the hobbyists are seeing... Too much chit chat, disorganized subjective garbage to interest me... I do use fishbase.org almost daily, the Seaslugforum.com, the krib... Many other informational sites... And DO think that a "guide to indexing" such resources would be a worthy column... for an online zine (yes, this is an instruction)>
I also have a question for you. When you buffer you top off water (Freshwater), can you also take that same water that is buffered as freshwater and mix it with your salt (my salt is Instant Ocean)?
<Mmmm, in general, yes>
I am wondering because I was thinking if you did that I thought it might raise the PH even more.
<Yes, can... depending on the make-up of the source water...>
Because when I mix my R/O water with the salt it comes out at around 8.2 PH.
<This is fine. I would buffer, add other materials to the mixed-up synthetic... After the RO had been aerated for a while, the salt mix dissolved... it too aerated/circulated... tested...>
Thank you for reading my E-mail and if possible please let me know what my water/ PH would do.   
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Kona Aq.    1/17/06
I'm all in....
I'd rather not plan on moving out to Hawai'i until October or later, but when it happens it happens, and I'll be there.
<Don't know time frames as yet... the physical structure may take a year or more... B>
<<Yeah, I'd imagine so....  But if between then and now there's anything I can help with, do please let me know.
<Mmm, all sorts... will try to get organized enough... to record our planning mtg. notes, share>
Have we any idea yet as to the magnitude of the place?  Size, number of systems?
<Have in mind a sort of "flying wing" idea for the overall layout of the buildings... with the middle the entrance... maybe with some life-size mock-ups of whales and dolphins on one side, Mantas frolicking on the other (with the Waylan graphics on the sides, and roof natch... the book store/gift shop in da middle. Maybe forty-fifty exhibits/tanks and about the same number of scientific "dry-side" presentations... "All is Water" (about the properties...), interactive displays to dream up, fabricate with DaveL... in either side/wing... Much to do. But gots to start on the pamphlet, PR side now... get Di going on the fund-raising campaign, Pete on the design/engineering... myself on the overall ra ra...>
Inhabitants?  Native vs. invasive fresh/brackish shrimp displays? (grin)
<All Hawaiian... including anisochrine, fresh... but, yes some pitches for non-natives... and shreemps! As well as "human/social... including historical and current activities having to do with water... paddling, swimming, shark attacks...>
I'm eager to pitch in, just don't know of what use I can be in these very early stages.  -SCF>>
<Me neither... but am thinking about this off and on... continuously. BobF>

Re: Kona Aq.  - 1/18/07
Hi Bob,
<Jimbo>
Good to hear from you.
Sounds like the Kona Aquarium has progressed beyond just an idea to something quite possible. How may I help ?
<Numerous ways... Thank you for coming forward... For now, help with brainstorming/dreaming up exhibits is our primary task... And later would like your input re mechanicals and controllers... Who knows, maybe even collecting specimens... Cheers, BobF>
jim Stime, Jr.

Re: Kona Aq.  - 1/18/07
Hi Bob,
The Monterey Bays three most popular exhibits are the otters, penguins and jellyfish. I am assuming you will be limited to endemic specimens so that rules out the otters and penguins. I certainly would think a jellyfish exhibit or two or three would be something found in the islands. ( I think I know someone who does jellyfish tanks ).
<We will have jellies... very cold and tropical>
Fishes of Hawaii ( or any colorful fish tank ), local venomous fish ( stone fish ), reef fish, Wrasses sex differences / change, octopus tank, Seahorse tank invertebrate tanks, in door and outdoor coral tanks.
<Yes!>
A shark tank, local tiger ?
<Ha! No...>
A must would be a Caulerpa tank just to piss off the anti-Caulerpa people ( who called here the other day with some survey )
<No, they're idiots... or at least these are idiotic actions... Like murdering Somalians...>
A pollution tank showing how water deposited anywhere on the island works
its way down to the ocean
<Good idea. B>
jim Stime, Jr.

Puffer Calendar  1/9/07
Hi Bob, I just had to share with you how proud I am of our new PUFFERFISH CALENDAR!  The folks at my forum really worked hard at this.  We're not going to make much $$$ on it--only about $4 ea (would love to some day have a booth at IMAC).  I'm wondering if you have any ideas on how we can better distribute these?  I think people would really love it, if they knew they existed!
   ~Jeni
<Very nice... What is October? I encourage you to make an e-ad up, send it to the various pet-fish clubs (fresh and marine), and to the free listings in the hobby 'zines and ask for their posting... Pronto! It's already January... and most such promotion should start in latter Summer! Cheers,
BobF>

Re: Puffer Calendar
Bob, October is the FW Pignose/arrowhead puffer (Tetraodon suvattii).  Cool fish, huh?
<Gorgeous... I've never seen a full-size one>
  I know this is really coming out late...  You have no idea how hard this gal worked on this!  I'm going to forward your suggestions to her.
   Thanks, Jeni
<Real good... She/all are free to write me if they'd like. BobF>

Sir Attenborough's Planet Earth - Shallow Seas    11/29/06
Hey Bob,
Are you able to pick up BBC where you are? David Attenborough's new series, Planet Earth had an episode on "Shallow Seas" last Sunday night.
<Not in HI unfortunately... hopefully this/it will re-play in S. California (coming back 12/2)>
This episode is repeated on BBC again this Saturday (2nd) night.
<Ah, good>
The
photography is simply amazing! The scenes from Indonesia of Goatfish and Banded snakes hunting together is jaw dropping! This is the sort of thing that would make a person take up diving and throw in the old 9 to 5.
<Heee! Already did... I really enjoy Sir Attenborough's productions. Thank you for this head's up! Bob Fenner>
 

C Journal PR?   11/5/06 If y'all can offer any PR help with my new reef mag by hook, crook, trade or pay... please let me know (how) :) [website/forum, ezine, etc]    Much obliged!    banner linking to www.readingtrees.com    flyer a sample of image work. Can do smaller/different... cover only?    If you are interested, I'm quite happy to offer the same complimentary advertising in my mag for your sites (WWM, RL, RF, CA mag, MD, SAR, TM etc)    Thanks so much!    Anthony Calfo

Help Advertising the MASNA 2006 Photo Contest  6/27/06
Hi Bob, 
>Once again MASNA is holding a photo contest w/ the winners being featured in a 2007 calendar to be sold at MACNA and pre-sold to the clubs. Last year you
>helped advertise our photo contest by posting an advertisement for it on WetWebMedia and we'd appreciate it if you would do the same again this year.
>I've attached a file w/ HTML in it that I hope you can use. If you need it to be a different format, please let me know. 
>Thanks,
>Cheri Phillips
>MASNA President
>www.masna.org

MASNA Spring Newsletter   6/16/06
Hello,
I'm pleased to announce that the spring edition of MASNA's Marine Scene newsletter is now available online: http://www.masna.org/ms/spring2006.pdf.
Enjoy!
Cheri Phillips
MASNA President
www.masna.org
<Thanks Cheri. BobF>

UK Magazine Request   6/16/06
Hi Bob,
<Keiran>
  My name is Keiran Hart and I am currently putting the pieces together in compiling a Marine only magazine; and although still in the early stages of development I really see a gap in the market over here in the UK. There is only one other magazine readily available to UK consumers and that is Marine World; the most recent of which has an article of yours in it.
   <Yes, the Donlans "have a good thing going">
  I have priced up publishing costs for a magazine up to 100 pages; and with investment from my father (am only 20 years old) believe i can make this magazine a success. I am also in ongoing talks with suppliers and advertisers to establish acceptable unit costs as well as advertising prices for marine based companies.
<Is a very tough project... for anyone, or even a group of folks of any given age... Unending due dates, rushing... I do want you to be as close to 100% sure that you want to take on this burden... I would only set out on such a venture with several months worth of production costs (likely a few hundred thousand pounds) in reserve... and with considerable personal hands-on experience (gained by working in the field, and possible schooling)... and with other identified staff already secured (sales, marketing, advertising, lay-out, distribution...). Assuredly, you cannot do all of this period. No one can>
  Without rambling on for too long; my main question is i need to find writers to fill the magazines content; i have read the FAQ's on Wet Web Media and see that there are quite a few individuals that are eager to provide these articles but my main problem is; at this crucial planning stage of the magazine i do not actually know what the general fee for having an article written and submitted for publishing is. Are there any set rules or do individual writers essentially set their own prices?
<Mmm, there is some difference amongst the print 'zines for what they pay/offer for articles, image work. It is decidedly not much. Often a couple to few hundred dollars for an article/feature, sometimes a bit extra for photographs... Cover images are paid anywhere from a hundred to a few hundred dollars U.S. equivalent>
  Would you possibly be interested in submitting any article(s) for the magazine in the coming future; as i would really like to kick the first edition of with a bang, and having a  reputable writer like yourself on board would be much appreciated.
  Thank you very much for your time
  Keiran Hart
<I will gladly help/assist you in what ways I can/may. It is in my abiding interest to not only offer you content for purchase, but do what I may/can to assure your success. Is there a possibility as yet for you to work "in the field" of magazine publishing? Not necessarily in the marine, pet-fish, or remotely related interest, but simply to gain experience in what this is all about?
Bob Fenner>   

Nominations for MASNA Award   6/13/06
Each year at the annual MACNA conference, MASNA presents an award to the person who is considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the marine aquarium hobby. Please take a moment to nominate the person you feel is worthy of this award , along with a brief statement explaining why.  The winner will be presented their award at the banquet on Saturday, 9/23/06 at MACNA XVIII in Houston, TX.
Past Recipients are:
Bill Addison
Eric Borneman
Dr. Bruce A. Carlson
Tom Frakes
Larry Jackson
Scott Michael
Martin Moe, Jr.
Dr. Ron Shimek
Anthony Calfo
Julian Sprung
Bob Fenner
Deadline for submissions is July 15, 2006 . Fill out the form to nominate someone here. Please do not vote for a previous award winner.  
Thanks,
Cheri Phillips
MASNA President
www.masna.org

Re: new print mag... quarterly journal perhaps
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 23:09:41 -0700 (PDT)
It is funny you should mention it Bob, but yes my friend... I must admit I had precisely a marriage of
Heiko's fab Aqua Geo mag + the ole Ocean Realm + a measure of Nat. Geo + my quirky notions for columns
(Medicine, Fisheries, Travelogues) in mind to make this a unique magazine.
<Will be>
I've done the math and feel like I can cover my butt with just ten $1K sponsors or the equivalent
(underwriters, adverts, etc)
<Yikes... hopefully you're not going into this underfunded... it hasn't been that long since DanielK and co. tried to talk me into producing, selling, distributing... Koralle/Coral magazine in English... and Leng subsequently shouldered, that I can relate how much work, investment this takes...>
I have ten columns and will give ten full page ads, for example, to the $1K underwriters or their equiv
The tentative plan is to limit advertising to 25% max of the content. Less if possible. But if/as
advertising increases... content will to keep step/scale with the 3:1 ratio
<A great endeavor...>
I am definitely in this for the long haul. My enjoyment of article writing and photography (nurtured
in great part by you) might drive this magazine in large part.
<I do wish you success, will help on the content, kibitzing sides>
But before the dream gets too grand... I am/will simply focus on polishing two issues to mock up
samples... size up their merit, get some peer review... then shop for advertising/sponsors if warranted then.
<Sounds good>
I figure I will to fund the first couple experimentally to see if it can fly and is well enough received by the industry :)
<There does appear to be a gap...>
I really think there are enough aquatic interest folks that want to here about these such off the beaten path
topics. And I really like the notion of having a monthly spotlight on luminaries like you talking about
HHH, Charlie Delbeek talking about Motorcycles <G>... Eric Bodrock giving a pictorial essay on antique
aquarium artifacts, etc. Aquarists will be very interested in these personal interest profiles IMO... and it will help to distinguish the magazine, I believe.
<Enough for a boutique group of 1k... if they can be brought together>
your input and critiques will be invaluable my friend!
Anth-
<Anxiously awaiting the issuance of the first two... will gladly look over, comment re layout, contents... ahead of printing if you'd like. Oh, do you want this correspondence on WWM? BobF>

HHH article
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 14:27:39 -0700 (PDT)
doh... I forgot :)
regarding the article, Bob... please keep me posted as you time allows to finish this piece. If you can
scribe it in the next month or so, we can get it into he first issue (would be rather special to me
personally to have my mentor/friend in the inaugural issue... but no pressure ;))... and if not, no worries
truly. As your time allows.
<I do have a piece I wrote and tried to sell through a friend's agent to
hollyweird... can easily pre-addend to make pet-fishish... Will do so mach schnell/hyaku once am back on the mainland (earliest next mo.)... Am saving your corr. re to remind/prompt me... Am very excited for you... starting to dream re... we did have our clothes on... Wanted to mention re having some large sum on hand... like 100k to front the whole shebang... or to goose/prompt you into considering coming out instead with a (cheaper) on-line version... but have already talked m'self out of same... Should render the same "ad-vice" as to the Koralle endeavor... need to come out big, splashy in print from the get-go...>
I frankly have no hopes/prefs for article length BTW... as long as it takes (quality over qty indeed)
<Will gladly have you splice/dice... much of what goes on, is the Hash is a bit risqué... but should be of interest to "inside" readership... folks who know re the HHH, moi...>
Some/the significant part of it, though, I'm hoping will focus on you and what pleases/endears you to the worldwide group, endeavor/activity as opposed to just the history of the group. Some of your fav stories/runs too?
<Oh yes...>
looking forward to it, mate!
Anth- :)
<Am sure you will like this. BobF>

Gathering Info. To Start A Web Site - 02/20/2006
Dear WWM,
<Hi there Brad!>
I am currently looking for books that would help me put together a very influential website regarding marine species In terms of having them in the aquarium and in the wild.
<Hmm...well, there is much good info. to be found. Impossible to list them all here. You do plan on securing the proper rights for such use, right?>
What books would you suggest for this and also websites. Thanks
Brad Lash
<Your best bet is to sift through our links page here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marlinks.htm . Media reviews can be found here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/MarInd1of6.htm . This is going to be a full blown research project, not a simple answer or list. Happy hunting. - Josh>

Re: Gathering Info. To Start A Web Site - 02/22/2006
Thanks Josh I will try and list as many resources as I find but if I miss some and you see something that should have been in there please do tell me. Thanks again Brad Lash
<Actually, will likely need to do more. You must obtain the right to reproduce anything that others own the rights to. Could involve fees as well. Can't just "steal" others hard work. - Josh>

Re: Gathering Info. To Start A Web Site - 02/27/2006
Thanks for telling me that, there are some things I am still learning about this industry and that happens to be one of them.
<Always glad to help a fellow aquarist avoid legal complications. Sorry for your wait, this must be a WWM record for worst response time.>
It really is hard to find correct information about species of any aquatic animal that is living in an aquarium.
<Can't say I agree here.>
It seems to me that all the info. is scattered all over the place
and really does need to be all put together. Hopefully that problem can be resolved for the enthusiast to be more able to obtain that information freely.
<Really are many such sites.>
Thanks again
Brad Lash
<Gladly, and again, sorry for the delay. - Josh>

Ultimatereef.com Expert Forum   12/29/05
Hello Bob!
<Mike>
I don't know if this email will reach the email address I found for you, but in hope that it does, let me introduce myself.
<Okay>
My name is Mike Irving, and I am involved with an internet based bulletin board called Ultimatereef.com.  It is based in the UK and is the biggest, and longest established reefkeeping bulletin board in the UK today.  It has over 5 thousand members and has been on the go for around 5 years now.  It's basically the UK equivalent of Reefcentral.com.
<I see>
Firstly, a question that will supercede the need to read any further: Is WWM still used as Q&A type site?
<Mmm, yes... we do get, respond to questions... but you may be referring to another semi-related BB, WetWebFotos.com that is more akin to your product>
If so, you will still be busy spending your time on this, and therefore my request below may not interest you.  If not however, could I trouble you to read on?
<Will do so>
We've struggled to make Ultimatereef.com the best site there is in the UK, and in my humble opinion we are achieving it.  As with all bulletin board, you have a small minority who play the fool, but they are swiftly taken care of by yours truly!!
<Ah, good>
We have recently introduced and "Ask the Panel" forum, where member can ask a selected panel of trusted and experienced members their questions.  This was a first for the UK reefkeeping scene, and amongst our trusted members we have some like Martin Lakin who has been working with David Saxby of Deltec giving presentation in the states and at MACNA, or our own Clayton, who has worked on various conservation/research programmes in places like the great barrier reef, and the Philippines, before working as the senior aquarist at London Zoo.
<I do know of them>
As an expansion, I would love to see some panelist who everyone in the industry looks up to, and this brings me to this email.
In a very forward manner, which I hope you'll forgive me for, I would like to ask you if you would be prepared to give up some time to participate?
<I wish I could. In good faith I just don't have the time... now or for the foreseeable future. And I don't even have a day job!>
I understand completely, the constraints of the notoriety that you and your peers have achieved, and again understand if you say no.  Time is a precious commodity in this world, and obviously other things take priority.
If however, you were interested, or could be persuaded, then you would be given full moderator access to the site, which would afford you the highest protection available.  Additionally, the questions that are asked in the "panel" forum, are moderated BEFORE they are published, again to afford the panel with the most protection.
If this email reaches you, please feel free to get back in touch with me if you have any questions.  I'm more than happy to discuss any aspect with you , if you are so inclined.
Many thanks for your time in advance.
Mike Irving
www.ultimatereef.com
<Thank you for your kind offer and your earnest efforts Mike. Bob Fenner>

Re: Ultimatereef.com Expert Forum   12/29/05
Bob,
Thank you very much for replying, and I can well believe how busy you are!!
Thanks for giving up the time to read through that though - it's
appreciated.
All the best for 2006!
Mike Irving
Team UR.com
<To you and yours as well Mike. Hope to "run into" you along the way. Are you attending Interzoo in May? Are you a dive/traveler? BobF>

Re: Ultimatereef.com Expert Forum   12/29/05
Hey Bob,
<Mike>
Interzoo eh...  Is this the event in Nuremburg, Germany??
<Yes>
  If so, I would
love to go, but as it's trade only, don't know if  I would fall into that
category.
<Mmm, well... there is (need for) cross-mixing twixt the industry and hobby interests... much that we can/do learn from/with each other. As a content provider you're even that much closer to actually being in the business... You can/could "piggyback" on the name of another company if necessary (likely not), even our own if you'd like>
I've worked with some of the peep at Tonmo.com a fair bit, and was
the first in the UK to captively rear dwarf tropical cuttlefish.  In fact I
supplied the dwarf cuttles to one of the most well known aquarium chain for
their exhibits throughout Europe.  My www @ www.cephsuk.co.uk tells the
story.  I digress - I still doubt I have the "credentials" to get in!!
hehehe.
<I do not... and very much encourage you to attend>
Not much of a diver, although I keep meaning to get my open water every
year!!  
Maybe this year in the comfort of the Red Sea I keep promising
myself!
Mike.
<Here's my big offer/pitch... Please do consider starting the series of classes there and finish the open water dives in Sharm with us... after the Interzoo. We've had friends do this... a blast. Bob Fenner>

Re: Ultimatereef.com Expert Forum
Bob,
<Mike>
Thanks for you kind words, I neither expected nor was prepared for such
kind words from a man like yourself!  I'm quite flattered.
<Heeee! As my friends, associates will note, "I can't stand to not stir the pot"... urge folks into more involvement in our interests>
I will give some
serious thought to the Interzoo scenario, although work commitments may
prevent me, and in any case, would doubt if I could make a contribution
apart from providing a write up from our website and the UK as a whole.
<One never knows... there are travelogues elsewhere... the in-flight magazines for one are a huge market... keep taking notes, making images...>
Diving does sound like a blast, and I hope this will be the year I learn.
Again thanks for your offer - would I be write in assuming you have a dive
company then if I were to finish off the open water dives with "you"?
<Mmm, not a dive company, but we take friends about, or go with them a few times (about half the) year... If there are discounts to be had, we split all costs/savings... The wife does have a travel agent license, and we have many skilled friends, associates in the dive/adventure travel industry>
Seeing as you have been so accommodating with my emails to you, I'm going to
push my luck and make another suggestion.  Only because from being someone
who could have quite easily dismissed my email to the trash can, and instead
taking the time to reply and offer so much generously - this means I think
you're a top guy.
<At least a fellow quirky pet-fish type!>
How would a monthly/bi-monthly article for Ultimatereef.com sit with you?
<Mmm, I pen a monthly column for half a dozen 'zines as it is... Not to beg off here, but I would just the same you folks used some "newer blood" in the way of content providers... But, do you have a format (short hopefully), theme/series in mind?>
In my early stages of thought, I'm thinking maybe pick a question once or
month/two from our "panel" forum that has raised some good discussion, then
forward to you to write a paragraph or two of your thoughts....
<This may be do-able... I "spend" a handful of hours most days "helping" on the Net, mainly WWM re our fields of interest... for free... and am away from contact a good deal of the time... do have the "business of life" to attend to... and gardening, cooking, hashing (the running group, not the drug), and various other odd commitments... Am wont to agree to taking on anything w/o dropping (consciously) something else.>
Or maybe better, give you free reign, and let you write an "article", which we would
add to a library forum which I would create in the expert forum??
<Sigh... I do wish I had a/the magical formula for time>
God loves a tryer Bob ;o)
<Which god?>
Anyway, again, I'm happy with a No from you, as feel you would genuinely
dig in if it were practical for you, so please do not be afraid to say the word "no".
<Likely this is the case... though I will gladly solicit help for you, your site...>
Thanking you again for your words, I really do consider them high praise indeed.
All the best,
Mike
<Hope to run into you, your crew over time/space. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Online Interview  11/24/05
I was just wanted to let you all know I was interviewed for a podcast.  You
can hear it here, http://www.talkingreef.com/ episode 19.
And, the complete article of the experiment that we discussed will be
available at www.Reefkeeping.com in December.
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Steven Pro
<And to you, Deb, your children. BobF>

What Happened?  (To the Breeder's Registry Website)  11/15/05
http://www.breedersregistry.org/ 
Bob,
<Ron>
I am curious as to what happened to the Breeder's Registry website. I haven't been able to access this for several weeks now. Is there an alternative to this site? If not I am interested in keeping up what they started.
<Is back: http://www.breedersregistry.org/>
Also, I heard that there is opportunity in becoming a regional distributor of aquarium products. How would one break into something like this?
<Mmm, apply... to the manufacturer/s or distributors themselves>
Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ron Looker
<Bob Fenner> 

"Discover the Blue" is Finished 10/28/05
Hi Bob,
<Jacques>
We have proudly completed our project (you might recall) http://www.DiscoverTheBlue.com. 
<Ah, congratulations!>
Special thanks to you and your great site. Your name is in the credits.
<Thank you>
Now as promised some months ago I would like to send you a copy. It is a PAL version, but it will work in colour on your computer. The NTSC version is in the works and will still take a while, because we are re-editing all films to make em even better...! We are very keen to hear your opinion! Please send me your mailing address.
<Is: 8586 Menkar Rd., San Diego, CA 92116. Bob Fenner>
Jacques Tarnero
artifishal productions
Tel: +63-921-765 41 58
Skype: jacquestarnero
http://www.artifishal.com 
http://www.DiscoverTheBlue.com  

New Reef Aquarium Resource 8/14/05
Dear Sir,
My name is William and I am the owner of a new website for reef aquarium
enthusiasts like myself.  My goal is to further the hobby and bring
people who are new to the hobby and experienced reef keepers together to
share information through message boards and online events.
I have also set up a section of the website which I am very excited about
dedicated to auctions of reef equipment, livestock, coral etc and am
offering special advertising and free auction accounts to new vendors
who might be interested in selling on the website.
I would love to send you more information about this exciting new
resource. If you are interested please email me back and I will be
happy to email or mail an information packet.
Thanks,
William Glenn
<William, please send your URL, other info. for our posting on
WetWebMedia.com
Bob Fenner>
 

Book stuff 7/12/05
Hey Bob,
I didn't get much in the way of specifics from
Knepper, but they gave me a quote of $22.1k for 2,000
copies, or $29.9k for 5,000. That would be at 8x9" and
250 pages.  A lot less than I thought it would be,
actually.
<Yes... and these folks do medium to good work... there is the shipping to
consider>
So, now for other stuff... If I bought 2,000 then
they're $11 each. If they sell, for say $24.95, how
much more of the retail price is going to go to
expenses?
<Uh... wait a moment... if you pay eleven... they will need to sell for
retail for about forty...  there is another distribution level to
consider...>
I have no idea what wholesale pricing would
be like...
<In the trade, this is usually from 40 (on the low end) to sixty percent on
top of your costs... Retail folks get at least the same... most stores
keystone (double) mark up books>
Then there's adverts, too, but I'm hoping
to do some articles for ads trading when then time
comes, so that'll help there.
<Good idea>
I'm trying to figure out how many copies would have to
sell before the costs are covered.
Input?
<Lots... and I do hope I can be of help/info. here. Gots to ask... how long
do you figure/guess it will/would take to sell 5k copies? How much do you
want to "make on your money" for having the funds tied up, warehousing the
extra inventory? The difference in price is appreciable. Knowing what little
I do re the market, I would have the 5k printed...>
BTW - I'm heading out for Bali on Friday for a tour of
the big clam/coral farm there. Hopefully it will go
well.
<Do send some pix along!>
Talk to you later amigo,
J
<Wish I was going with you, BobF>

Regarding the use of your articles
Dear Robert,
<Amy>
My name is Amy Chen, a content producer of PetHop.com. We are an upcoming online pet community dedicated to pet care, services, and other animal related topics. I came across some of your articles related to aquarium management on the internet recently, and was wondering if you are interested in publishing your articles on our site. You will retain all rights to your articles, and in exchange, we will provide you one page of html with any content, including images, on PetHop.com. This page will be directly linked from your article. You could have it be your personal profile, or an advertisement of some sort. We will also include your own website into our directory database. If you wish to preview PetHop.com, please go to http://www.pethop.com/index.php. 
<A nice site... clean, fast-loading...>
Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Amy Chen
Content Producer <?>
<Mmm, no thanks. Not interested in "spreading our content" in this way. Bob Fenner, WetWebMedia> 

EBB Project, looking for petfish, aquatic science presenters
Mr. Fenner,
<Chris>
I am writing to you on behalf of www.fragtraders.com, an online forum for marine aquarium hobbyists to share information. The forum is pretty new, started approximately 6 months ago, and we are still looking to attract guest speakers/authors who have had experience in the hobby and in the science relating to marine habitats. We would like to know if you would be interested in donating some of your time to write an article; sponsor a chat session where members would be able to post questions to you; or a standing thread dedicated to asking you questions related to marine habitats?
If you are interested in any of the above avenues, or would like to suggest a different approach please let me know. Also if there are specific topics you would like to address we are interested in any input you are willing to share.  I am looking forward to your response.
V/R
Christopher Cutting
<Thank you for your efforts. I will gladly render you whatever input I can. Time is very short however... am backed up (and getting more inefficient by the day) with projects, some deadlines. I will post your note (on WWM) and URL/link... and ask that others who have interest contact you through your site to share. Otherwise, please put me on your "tickler file" and re-contact us every quarter or so. Bob Fenner>

Reef Hobbyist online - March 2005
As another 2 months have passed us, we are very pleased to announce that the March 2005 edition of Reef Hobbyist Online is now available! We have packed this edition to the gills, adding 1 new section that will be available in each future edition as well as providing our readers with an extra attraction this month by Steven Pro.
Starting with the March 2005 edition, you will also notice that the bottom of each page has a link to view a printable version. We realize that not everyone has time to sit down and read the articles at their computer so we made this option available so you could print and read at your leisure. 
In the March 2005 edition you will find:
Introduction to the March 2005 edition of RHO
Ctenochaetus striatus - By Gene Schwartz
Clean-Up Crews - By Scott Zachow
Beautiful Seagrasses - By Anthony Calfo
Refugium Installation - By Steven Pro
Featured Member - Eric and Sheila Ropke
Be sure to check out this edition and the past editions of Reef Hobbyist Online: http://www.reefland.com/rho 
Other Reefland.com News:
Over the past several months, the exclusive Personal Online Aquarium Log has continued to grow and we are now ready to start developing the next version. We already have a lot of great features planned for the next version but we also want to hear suggestions from you! Don't miss the opportunity to suggest something that will make this resource more useful to you.
http://www.reefland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14721  And lastly, don't forget to visit us and chat at our forum:
http://www.reefland.com/forum 
Reef On!
The Staff of Reefland.com 

Re: Was Refugium, Videos
Bob, can you look at the sent mail. I've sent a reply to Jim Aufiero, but also in his query he asks about producing "how to" videos. Thought you might want to read it and add your input if necessary.  James
<Will do. Bob><<Thanks James... I feel about the same way as you do re the instructiveness of videos... the reason why I rarely invest time in "watching" the news... too passive, non-instructive... perhaps (for me) too sensory indiscriminate. There are some videos detailing aspects of the hobby... some very boring... George Smit sitting in a chair for hours drolling on re the "Mini Riff/Reef" in the mid eighties... to each their own. The better of these videos is offered by Dr.s Foster and Smith (.com). Bob Fenner> 

Boosting Grimreefers.com participation
bob, sorry to bother you once again, I trust you had a good weekend... .just
had a few questions.. actually one.
do you have any tips for promoting my forums?  I seem to get just enough
traffic to keep it afloat, but I would like to see the forum grow and
attract more members.  Did you have any secret to getting WetWeb as big as
it is?  Advertising or search engines, etc.?
<Mmm, wish I had something more substantive to offer, but basically "doing a good job over a given time" has been our program... we've never advertised per se, or asked others to link us, or subscribed to search engines or directories>
sorry if I'm bugging you....
<Never a bother>
and also it would be an honor to have you say hello on grimreefers... if you
have time, that is.. I completely understand if you don't.  I'm grateful
enough that you added my link to your website.
cheers,
Dave.
<I try to put in the 2-3 hours here (other than "the biz of life" here, cooking, cleaning, working on the garden, the occasional writing... oh and travel, photography. Thank goodness I don't have a "real" job. Other than my "five daily tasks/checklist, don't have much time else. Bob Fenner>

Re: Triggerfish & Pongo Posting
Dear Bob and All at Wet Web,
Thank you very kindly for posting our invitation/announcement for
our new site! We really do appreciate it.
Thank you again and best wishes,
Glen R. Smith
Triggerfish and Pongo Designs
www.reef-rainforest.com
<You're certainly welcome. Bob Fenner>

Hand made water hyacinth
Dear sirs,
I found your contact details on the web, I'd like to show you our website, we hand make our water hyacinth products in the country side of central and northern Thailand.
please see our website address below,
http://thehandicraftsplace.netfirms.com/Water%20hyacinth%20crafts%20home.htm
Best Regards,
Pisamai Mapob,
Water Hyacinth Co LTD. (Thailand)  
<Neat. Will post your note, link, but do check your site as some of the links are "dead". Bob Fenner>

- Site Advertising -
Hi WetWebMedia webmaster.
<I don't know if I'd call myself that exactly, but let's see if I can help.>
You have good web site ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ ../WWMAdminSubWebIndex/sponsorinput.htm ) but I am new in site advertising issues and am finding it difficult to find good way to promote my affiliate page at http://www.clicks4u.com/M2749/credits.shtml which is traffic exchange which traffictoburn recommended to me.
They give me 40% commission for every sale I make but my sales have been few with sometimes $30 every twice per month or so.
Which is most cost effective advertising way to advertise this affiliate opportunity and make the maximum profit? <Really depends on what your product is - our advertising method works for us because we perform a vital service to the pet fish industry and the hobbyist. The resultant traffic is really just the result of the quality of service and not affiliate programs or our advertising anywhere but our own web site.>
What is the maximum number of sales and money can I expect to make if I promote right??? <Again... I don't even know what your product is - if all you are trying to do is drive traffic towards a click-marketing page, then I can't imagine it will do you much good. These things are market driven - simple supply and demand economic theory still hold - if there is demand for your product, there will be a suitable market for it.>
Please excuse my poor English. <No worries.>
thank you
Natasha
<Cheers, J -- > 

MASNA National Speaker Database - Bob Fenner
Hello Bob,
<Cheri>
MASNA is in the process of creating a National Speaker database based upon nominations from MASNA member clubs of the "best of the best" speakers that have done presentations for their clubs. The idea is to create a database, available to MASNA club delegates only, that contains speaker contact information (typically only eMAIL address, city and state), most enjoyed presentation titles, comments and indication of special needs such as the amount of any required honorarium. We believe access to this database will be a valuable benefit to both new and established clubs.
<I see>
We will only include speakers in the database that have given us permission to do so. I'm pleased to say that your name has been submitted as a "best of the best" candidate. Please fill out the form below and return this eMAIL to me as soon as possible. We hope you feel honored by this request and will
choose to participate.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Thank you,
Cheri Phillips
MASNA - Director of Membership and Secretary
cheri@uniquesensations.com
Yes, please include me in MASNA's National Speaker's Database
<Go ahead. I "give about a pitch a month">
No, I would rather not participate
eMAIL Address:____Crew@WetWebMedia.com__________________________________

City:_________________San Diego_____________________________

State:__________CA____________

Favorite Presentations: _____________Most any marine group, topic... including business and scientific___________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Special Requirements: _______________Laptop projector__________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Honorarium $$: ____0___

Fish Olympics (Piscine quiz) 
Hi Bob, 
<Cheers Billy> 
A suggested link for your site. It's called Fish Olympics (www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/nof/fish/ ) and its being well received by 
people so far. You can test your fishy knowledge in the Cross Country Camouflage, Long Distance Breed, Eating Event and 100 metre swim! 
Regards, 
Ray Mullet 
<Neat! Thank you for sending this along. Bob Fenner>

Herbert Axelrod, Philanthropist Who Gave New Jersey Symphony Rare String Instruments, Flees US to Avoid Tax Evasion Charges
By Tom Bell