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Come on In! The Water's Fine!
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Merritt Adkins and the Crew
2/4/08
My Bio
Dear Bob,
Michael said you didn't mind me volunteering on WWM and that you needed a
bio and a picture.
Merritt Adkins
Hello! I am a senior at Texas A&M University at Galveston getting a B.S in
Marine Biology. I received my first freshwater aquarium at age 12. It was a
simple setup including the blue gravel, plastic plants and a penguin
bio-wheel filter. Now, eight years later I have become an avid aquarist with
my planted freshwater tanks specializing in small (10 gallons or less)
planted tanks. Some of my personal favorite fish are Bettas, Corys, glass
catfish, kuhli loaches, and freshwater/brackish puffers. These are just my
favorites but I have kept many other species of freshwater fish through the
years. Right now I have two 15 gallon community tanks, three Betta tanks
(two are 1 gallon and a 2.5 gallon), a dwarf puffer 5 gallon tank, and a 6
gallon brackish water tank for my baby figure 8 puffer. (He is less than an
inch long!!) I have been slowly getting into the marine aquarium hobby, but
I still consider my freshwater tanks to be my favorite types of tanks. I am
currently breeding Bettas and I eventually want to breed my dwarf puffers.
My future goals are being able to keep some larger fish like Tiger Oscars
and Spotted Gar.
I will eventually send a better picture. I hope this helps!
Thanks!!
Merritt A.
<Indeed, I/we thank you for coming forward, sharing. I take it Michael will
show you how to log in... Please take a read here re some conventions we use
in responding. http://wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/crewsupwebmail.htm
Bob Fenner>
MerrittA returns - 03/06/09
Hello Mr. Fenner, <Merritt! Geez, just Bob will ya?> I wanted to let you
know that I can start answering questions again cause I got my degree, a
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology <Ahh, congratulations on your
matriculation> and have ample amounts of free time to help with the queries.
I am very proud of it and now I am starting the long road to graduate school. I
missed answering questions when I was in school. If you don't mind, I made a
folder for myself. I have below and updated bio for the crew member page. If you
don't need my help that's fine, just email me if you guys are overloaded with
questions and I will try to make a dent. Thanks for having such a great site, I
remember using this when I was younger! :-) <Dang!> Merritt Adkins
Hello! I am 22 years old and a graduate of Texas A&M University at Galveston
with a B.S in Marine Biology. I am now currently pursuing graduate school
regarding coral reef conservation and marine invertebrate research with emphasis
on cephalopods. I hope to eventually acquire my doctorate and conduct my own
research. Soon I will be published in a scientific journal regarding my research
with Capitella sp. (Polychaete) and it's larval stages. Hopefully this will help
me with graduate school acceptance! I started in the hobby with freshwater
tanks and due to the help of my boyfriend, eventually got into saltwater tanks.
I currently have a 6 gallon Nano Reef that has a maroon clown fish with a pink
bubble anemone and lots of corals. (It looks like a miniature reef!) But, I
don't consider myself to be very educated regarding saltwater tanks, I am still
learning. I am better with freshwater tanks and have had them throughout my
life. I have had tons of different freshwater fish ranging from guppies to a Mbu
puffer. I still greatly enjoy freshwater tanks and will eventually setup a nice
ten gallon planted tank, but haven't got the time. I have had planted tanks
since I was 12 and have never looked at plastic plants again. I have had in my
planted tanks Madagascar lace, Anubias, Java Fern, Anacharis and Cryptocoryne
just to name a few. Before I did the leap to saltwater tanks, I had a brackish
water tank with my figure 8 puffer with many brackish water plants. Hopefully,
once life isn't so hectic, I can have more than one tank! I also have five
Bettas which I have been trying to breed for so long, and I still haven't
succeed. (Only the Polychaetes will breed for me!) Once I am done with school
and settled down, I would LOVE to setup a Sepia bandensis (dwarf cuttlefish)
tank and breed them. I have experience with all different species of cephalopods
and would greatly enjoy having some in my home. Thanks very much! :-)
Merritt Adkins <Welcome back. BobF>
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Darrel Barton joins the Crew 5/15/07
<Thank you for this input... Please do consider joining us if you have
time, interest... if for nothing else to help with such captive Chelonian
questions>
Dear Bob,
I'd be happy to help in any way I can, but please first let me explain a few
things. I'm not a biologist, just an advanced hobbyist, so my experience
and advice is purely from trial & error (and huge vet bills). I currently
hold water turtles and Box turtles of various kinds, Green Iguanas, Cyclura
Iguanas, Sulcata tortoises and a Galapagos tortoise and in the past I've
held and raised crocodilians as well. (Animals with flicky tongues or no
eyelids are off my list - {snakes and monitors} as a result of being bitten
by a water moccasin as a kid)
<I see, and understand>
While I'm comfortable speaking with authority of the captive husbandry of
all these animals, but I won't speak with authority on the treatment of
diseases.
<Suggestions are fine... even purposeful referrals>
I have the pleasure of having Dr Doug Mader DVM as a personal friend and
therefore I've learned a great deal about reptile medicine, but the sad fact
is that by the time most people even notice their herp is sick, they're
usually too sick to save... so with the exception of a simple abrasion/sore
or early stages of a runny nose, all I'd ever be willing to say is to get
them to a competent vet.
With that said .... just tell me how I can help!
Darrel
<I am introducing you here to our association, the WWM Crew. Our log-in is
here: "Email Address": Password:
I would/do ask that you log in periodically, peruse your ("Darrel")
in-folder, and the general Freshwater in-folder for queries on Herps... That
you read here re some useful formatting information re how we generally
respond:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWM
AdminSubWebIndex/crewsupwebmail.htm
That you consider (please) writing (for pay) some simple articles re the
organisms (reptiles, amphibians...) and aspects of their care (systems,
feeding...) for posting on WWM and our on-line magazine... and Thank You for
your offer of sharing. Bob Fenner> |
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Scott Fellman
I have been a lover/admirer of aquatic life since I was a kid, and an
aquarium hobbyist since I was about 6 or 7 years old. Despite that, I still
turned out reasonably normal (I think!). I am very active in my club (Marine
Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County). My special interests are the
selection of appropriate marine fishes, Centropyge angelfish, blennies,
macroalgae and developing appropriate captive environments for the animals
that we keep.
I have an enormous passion for the hobby and learning, sharing, mentoring
others to achieve success. When I first read CMA I realized right then and
there that you and the WWM crew have a philosophy on marine aquarium keeping
that is absolutely consistent with mine. The moral and ethical obligation
that we have to responsibly acquire, keep, and nurture the marine animals
that we love so much is so important to me- and I want to instill that sense
of obligation to my fellow hobbyists.
I believe that there is so much that we can all learn together-and so much
that we can do to help each other in this hobby. It would really fun to
assist others with their hobby endeavors in any way that I can! I have a
serious amount of energy and enthusiasm for this sort of thing.
On the lighter side, I had the opportunity to down a beer or two with you
at MACNA after the Saturday banquet-we rapped about the South Pacific (my
favorite place), surfing, Centropyge angels, and the Island that I have a
special connection to. After downing a couple of beers, I somehow recalled a
rather obscure passage from your book- and you said something like, "Dude-
you either need another beer, or need to read some different books!" A
classic moment- because I essentially have destroyed my copy of CMA by
re-reading it so much (get the other book done already!).
Updated Bio/Pic Date:
Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:13:57 +0000 Hey Bob, <Scotter> Hope all is well
with you! <Ah yes> It's been an amazing year for me...much has changed
for the positive in my "fishy career". It's been an absolute joy traveling
around the country to clubs and events talking fish! What an amazing
experience! <Ahh, as I tried to encourage you, others> And this year
looks even more amazing: MACNA, IMAC West, Reef-a-Palooza, and several other
club events and mini-conferences! And...I may be speaking internationally
for the first time this year, too. More articles being published, too, and
all kinds of other potential opportunities are arising. I owe much of this
success I am enjoying to the experience that I have gained through WWM. I
hope that everyone on the Crew realizes how much the WWM experience can
provide...The opportunities are limited only by one's desire to get involved
in the hobby. I thank you and all of the Crew for the wonderful experience
that my time at WWM has provided for the last 6+ years (can it really be
that long?). Looking forward to the next 6 years with WWM. <Good> In
the interest of keeping current, I did want to update a few things in my
bio. Particularly a reference to my girlfriend being a "Big Island local" .
As you may be aware, I'm in a totally different relationship now, and the
update is most appreciated! The rest of my bio is just fine. I've attached a
more recent pic, as well. <Will amend> Thanks much for your support
and continued friendship. Looking forward to seeing you in Detroit..and
Denver! Regards, ScottF. PS- no need to run this email in the daily
FAQs, please! <All right. BobF>
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Re: Speaking at MARS 8/9/05
Hi Alan and Pam:
Bob cc'd me about being available as a speaker to your club this fall. I
would certainly be interested in presenting at one of your meetings.
Unfortunately, the September 16 meeting corresponds to the MACNA
conference, which I will be attending. October would be a possibility,
if you are interested.
I live in the Los Angeles area. I am a lifelong hobbyist with over 30
years of fishkeeping experience. I've been privileged to work with
WetWebMedia for the past 3 years. In addition to answering questions on
the "Daily FAQ" page, I am co-editor of our online magazine,
"Conscientious Aquarist". I've had several articles published both
online and in print media (FAMA), and
have had the pleasure of working with Bob and Anthony on the "Reef
Invertebrates" book. I am active in my local club, the Marine Aquarium
Society of Los Angeles County.
My particular areas of interest are marine aquarium husbandry ( i.e.;
Nutrient Control and Export, Nuisance Algae control, Quarantine of
Marine Fishes and Invertebrates), Proper Stocking, and Planning and
Creating Biotopic Marine
Aquaria. If any of these topics would be of interest to your members,
please let me know. By all means, do contact Steven Pro. He's a
super-nice guy and an excellent speaker (in fact, Steve's visiting us in
LA this weekend!) on a variety of topics. Also, Barry Neigut can give a
great presentation on Clam Husbandry and Selection, and is also one of
the nicest guys you'll meet!
Very Truly,
Scott Fellman
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Robert (Bob) Fenner has "lived" the
science, hobby and business of aquatics in the Philippines, Japan and United
States. All phases; collector, wholesale, jobber, retail, design,
construction and maintenance. All levels; manager, owner, hatchery worker,
retail clerk, technician. Except for a stint teaching high school sciences
for four years, he has worked all his life in the field of ornamental
aquatics.
Academic experience includes eleven years of college, a couple of life
science degrees and a teaching credential for chemistry, physics and
biology. Published works include several studies on aquatic biological and
chemical questions, and an extensive publishing and photographic background
in the industry and hobby of aquatics. Have taught High School sciences and
Marine Sciences and Aquariology courses at the State University, University
of California levels. Bob has been an avid aquatic hobbyist since day one
and is active in hobbyist and scientific organizations. He has served on
numerous Boards, judged shows and given many programs.
Helped form and run (President) of the employee-owned corporation, Nature
Etc., Inc. in San Diego, started in 1973; a turn-key operation in the field
of ornamental aquatics, designing and building ponds, lakes, fountains and
waterfalls (Aquatic Environments), designing, installing custom aquarium
systems and maintenance (Aquatic Life Services), and operating retail
outlets (Wet Pets).... currently does consulting, content provision to the
trade, sciences and hobby of aquaristics. Wot a spiel! |

Here I am mit frauleins at InterZoo!

Now, that's better!
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James Gasta (Salty Dog) joins the WWM Crew
Ok Mr. Fenner,
<Please call me Bob>
I worked for 31 years as a Field Service Engineer/Industrial Electrician. I
retired in my 50's to open my own industrial controls business which is
doing quite well. I am married to a wonderful wife and have one daughter
who has graduated from college and is an ultra sound tech.
My first saltwater aquarium started back in 1968, and have had one set up
since then. My, how the hobby has progressed since then. I feel pretty
comfortable answering the following:
Filtering
Lighting
Algae control
Equipment
Fish load/compatibility
Some invertebrates/corals
Anything in the electrical field
Thank you for the opportunity to help others get on the right track. Also
feel free to edit anything you like in my bio. I should add that I live in
Bay City, Michigan.
Salty Dog
(James Gasta)
<Thank you James. We have actually changed the way we sort queries, so you
are welcome to choose which you'd like. Welcome to our association. Bob
Fenner> |
The "Salty Dog" and his most lovely wife.
Barred from meet the
crew page
Hi Bob, <James> I see James is barred from the crew page again, heh?
<What? Are you on the inactive side again? Will check, fix> By the way, saw
your photo in the "More tasteful pics" wearing that leopard thing. What on earth
were you drinking that day? <Whatever it was... it was too much! B> J
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Adam Jenkins
Wet Web Personal bio 6/28/09
Bob,
I noticed I was the only one without a bio. I figure its been a couple of
months. Time to whip one up!
<Yay! Will place>
I'm 31 years old. I currently reside in Ruston, Louisiana. I've kept
freshwater aquariums off and on for most of my life. About 5 years ago I was
introduced to saltwater and was instantly hooked. The last 5 years have been
a blur of reading , research and water changes. Most of my personal
experience is in the nano range( 55 to smaller). I've spent many hours
researching the animals and equipment best suited for them on Wet Web and
other sources. I also have a real interest in macros and true vascular
plants. My current tanks consist of a 30 gallon mixed reef and a 55 seahorse
in the works. 6 Months ago, along with some friends , I started a small
saltwater aquarium forum,
Modern Reef Keeping. Through my site and Wet Web
,I've had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting, knowledgeable
people. It has been a true learning experience. One that I hope will
continue.
Also, my site (MRK )will have will have a booth setup at the Southeastern
Reef Conference in Orlando. One of my sites mod.s will be running it. ( I
can't go. to close to IMAC)
I was wondering if you had the time to maybe stop by the booth for a few? Either way I'm looking
forward to IMAC and meeting you. Adam
<Ahh! Let's do look for each other on the Queen Mary! BobF>
Adam Jenkins 6/30/09
Bob,
I noticed Adam finally sent in a bio, without a pic! So I am taking the
liberty of sending you the only pic of him I have if you wish to post in his
bio. He will no doubt call me later with an opinion on this!
Scott V.
<Real good. Will post. Thank you, BobF>
|
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| Mike Kaechele: I've been working on
WetWebMedia with Bob F. from nearly the start, when it was only a couple of
dozen pages in size. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I'm actually
starting to learn more about the pet-fish business. I'm looking forward to
traveling, scuba diving, and taking some underwater pictures with everyone
on this page. |

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Michelle
Lemech
About Mich... I’ve always loved the water and
most of the critters in it. I spent most of my time outside while growing
up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. My favorite pastime was
catching frogs, toads, tadpoles, salamanders and the like and building homes for
them in the backyard. My love of nature and interest in science lead me to
Muhlenberg College where I earned an undergraduate degree in Biology. I
worked in a biochemistry lab doing immunoassays for several years before heading
back to grad school. I received a master’s in Genetic Counseling from
Arcadia University and then needed to return to the Poconos. With limited
job opportunities due to geography, I went back to school again, this time for
nursing. I am a licensed RN.
While collecting degrees I was introduced by a friend
to the saltwater aquarium hobby and fell in love. I am currently
active in several clubs and take pleasure in the educational, social, and
collaborative aspects. I enjoy helping others and hope to contribute
to and be a positive influence at WWM. |
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Marco Lichtenberger
Thanks; answering questions; articles; article update confusion
2/16/07
Dear Robert,
first of all let me thank you for the generous payment for the freshwater
moray article. It will all go to the hobby. I am sorry to bother you again
with three small suggestions.
<Never a bother Marco>
1. I see you and your crew are doing a great job with answering questions.
Just in case you need another helping hand, there are some topics I think I
could contribute to: puffers (marine, brackish, fresh): ID and care (not
much knowledge of diseases, though... knocking on wood); freshwater moray
eels: ID and care; taxonomy in general (work(ed) as paleontologist).
<Yes... I/we would be very grateful for your help... Please see below>
2. Just in case you want more articles, I could offer you the following
unpublished pieces I have composed and which I could translate for WWM or CA
given some time.
<We will gladly consider any/all such submissions>
a. The red-tailed puffer Carinotetraodon irrubesco
b. Husbandry of the spiny eel Macrognathus pancalus
c. Keeping mangroves in a tank
d. Puffer confusion: targets, dwarves and Africans (would need some
pictures, but could ask at the pufferforum)
e. South American Puffers of the genus Colomesus
<All topics I would like to see much more on... along with a few tens of
thousands of others!>
3. Just a short note to avoid confusion: I recognize the article of
freshwater moray eels was updated at:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex
/fwmorayeels.htm but is mirrored in the old version at
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwmorayeels.htm
<I don't recall why this piece occurs on both the root and FW subwebs... but
will correct. Thank you for this notice>
Kind regards,
Marco.
<And thank you for coming forward to aid others... I do hope you have time
to take a look to see if queries are of interest on our webmail server.
The log on is:
"email address":
password:
And we'll make an "in-folder" for you (should people write you back): Marco
Please peruse the general and specialized "in-folders" for incoming queries
and review here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWM
AdminSubWebIndex/crewsupwebmail.htm
for some general input re our conventions. Again, thank you for sharing, Bob
Fenner> |

Hey, where's your picture under the Crew Bio
section? I've seen Jeni on her Harley and Bob in his leopard print wrestling
tights (eeeee hehehehe), Anthony with his beanie and goatee (you ROCK,
Dude); plus pictures of other crew members. But no Marco.....! What gives?
I'm just sayin', is all.
<I'm very shy and reclusive.. just kidding. Will send a picture to Bob if
needed. Until then you can find a picture on my homepage
http://www.geo-lichtenberger.
de.vu/ , click at “Zur Person”.> Got it. RMF
Marco's moray eels 1/6/2008
http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~mlichten/Geo/morays.htm
That's a link to pictures of some of my morays for
http://www.wetwebmedia.com
/WWMAdminSubWebIndex
/wwmcrew.htm.
Enjoy and take care.
Marco Lichtenberger.
<Thank you Marco. May I ask, in some of your earliest correspondence, you
mentioned selling us/WWM some to-be-transliterated written works... Did you
ever get around to these? Bob Fenner>
Re: Marco's moray eels,
writings 1/6/2008
Oh yes, the spiny eel piece was in CA, the mangroves I found already
covered well by Anthony, for the irrubesco piece I'm still searching for
sometimes seen females with a red caudal, and I hope mine start breeding...
Barry White does not always work.
<Well... he is dead>
For the South American puffers piece I wish I had some pictures of the
specimens from the 80s C. psittacus, nowadays all turn out to be C. asellus.
There are several other pieces in the making, proper pictures are often a
problem for me, since I do not have pictures of fish I have kept 5-20 years
ago and started writing about fishes not so long ago.
<Ahh. If I have any that are of use, you have to but ask>
The article on moray eel toxins was - thanks to your help my friend - in TFH
09/2007.
<I must have missed it... or perhaps the current "cold" is malaffecting my
memory>
The one on moray eel sexing needs some more pictures. E.g. I found a male
snowflake about 50 km away, but it's hard to get the serrated front teeth
into a decent photo, although they are well visible with the eel in front of
you.
Some other pieces (puffers, morays) have been offered to print magazines
first and are waiting to be published within the next months.
<Good>
I also had a lot to do with marine fishes from tropical Brazil. Besides
that, is there any specific topic (puffers, morays, predators in general)
we'd need an article on?
Marco.
<Oh yes. Many for sure. Danke, BobF>
|
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Mike Maddox Bio. for WWM Crew
posting - 1/31/08
I'm a premed Junior at Texas A&M Galveston, majoring in Marine Biology. I've
been keeping some form of aquatic life on and off (mostly on, with a recent
sabbatical I've recently returned from) since I was six years old (that would be
eighteen years now...I'm old) and marine life for over fourteen years. I'm
intimately familiar with the needs of virtually every ornamental aquatic fish
(and have had almost all of the marine ones at one point or another) as well as
most common reef invertebrates (Cnidarians, crustaceans, molluscs), and how to
provide proper care/feeding/water chemistry for said animals. I currently have
only one aquarium (I'm a student with a negative cash flow living in an
apartment with the kitchen built into a closet!). My tank houses a Starry Puffer
and a Commerson's angler, which I spend time watching when I should be studying.
I will gladly help anyone with any question they may have about aquatic life, be
it a frog, fish, turtle, or otherwise (I've kept more random aquatic animals
than I care to name), but I feel I'm most knowledgeable about marine life, and
most lacking in the freshwater fish area. I'm always willing to help someone
long term with a known difficult/"impossible" to keep species, as I've done a
lot of research regarding these types of animals, though not necessarily tried
to keep many of them. I do feel that this is how we progress in the hobby, and
if someone is taking a responsible, informed approach in doing their best to
keep a particular species that's known not to fair well in captivity, and is
trying to learn for the sake of the hobby, I will do what I can. I don't
recommend this for the average aquarist, though!
And Updated Update! 3/09
Well, I'll take you up on
the offer, then. :) I made myself a folder, and here's an updated bio:
<Ah, good. Glad to be able to share your input, facts and learn from your
writing style... Now, my next question is... when are you joining, or
better, supplanting me on the petfish conf./hobby presentation circuits?
BobF>
-----------------
My name is Mike Maddox, and I’ve wanted to be a marine biologist since I was
six years old, and kept marine aquariums since I was ten. A lot of what I’ve
learned has been through trial and error, and it was always a source of
frustration to me that there wasn’t more information about actually keeping
marine animals alive in captivity when I was learning about the hobby. I
have never forgotten that frustration, and have endeavored to help hobbyists
not repeat the mistakes I’ve made (and I’ve made a lot – this hobby can be
very trying at times) ever since.
As far as my hobby experience
goes, I tend to only count my marine aquatics experience, because I still
don’t know anything about freshwater, except for the fact that you don’t
have to check the salinity! I’ve been keeping marine aquariums for fifteen
years, and writing about it (mostly on WWM) for five. I’ve kept waaay too
many species to name them all individually, but my favorites are pufferfish,
carpet anemones, and T. maxima clams. I love really big aquariums (for cool
things like stability, big puffers, sharks, eels, and giant anemones) and
really small nano aquariums (like my 8 gallon BioCube) because I like the
effect of having a compact reef. I currently have a 175 gallon FOWL setup
with a DSB and 60 gallon sump/wet-dry filter housing a map puffer, and a
zebra moray, and then there’s the aforementioned (stock bio cube 8) nano
reef, which is filled to the brim with various corals, clams, anemones, and
anything else that catches my eye or that people want me to save for them
(stock as I say, not as I do!).
I’m a senior at Texas A&M University
majoring in marine biology/pre-med. My “former life” so to speak was almost
a decade in the IT field, and when I left the field completely to go back to
school, I left as a systems and networks administrator.
To keep up
my "expert" appearance, a quick 'bragging rights' paragraph: I’ve been
published in Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Advanced Aquarist, The Conscientious
Aquarist, and Aquarium Explorer, moderate here at the WWM BB, run a blog at
Microcosm Aquarium Explorer website, and freelance for various other aquatic
and non-aquatic sites/publications. I am also published in the American
Journal of Rheumatology, for my medical research on systemic lupus.
----------------
Thanks Bob,
Mike |

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Sara Allyn Mavinkurve joins the WWM Crew
– 06/28/07
SaraM Bio and pic – 06/28/07
Ok, I'm not so good at this... but here's what I came up with for a "bio."
I'm attaching a picture too (it's not the best pic, but I don't have too many
other recent ones).
-------------------
I was born in 1981 in Akron, OH and currently live in Cleveland, OH.
I've loved aquatic creatures and kept aquariums of some sort or another since I
was quite little. My mom tells me that when I was 4 I was quite frustrated with
the fact that I would never be a fish or be able to live in the sea. I'm still a
bit disappointed about that, but find some solace in my aquariums.
My broad and seemingly endless curiosity about the world in general has left me
with a rather eclectic list of academic achievements and experiences. Though I
majored in math and minored in computer science in college, I also took many
biology and chemistry classes as a premed student. I spent almost a year in
medical school before deciding that it wasn't for me. At some point while in
medical school, I started my first marine aquarium which became the second love
of my life. At some point I earned a MA in Bioethics and am
now in law school at Case Western Reserve University.
My main interest now is in reef aquariums, corals and other marine
invertebrates. The courses I took in biology and chemistry, biochemistry, etc.
along with my experience in medical research is what has enabled me to be able
to read and understand just about any science or research journal. I also
understand research and study design and hope to use this ability to make more
academic information accessible to the reef keeping hobby. I've created
ASIRA.org with the hope of making more information more accessible to store
employees and owner (and hobbyists too). I'm happy now to be able to help WWM do
the same.
As for WWM, just tell me what you'd like me to contribute. I have plenty of
time to answer queries. I know you don't like to take work for free, but please,
you already bought me dinner, remember? ;-)
Sara
<I do welcome you to our Crew Sara. Bob Fenner>
<<Updating my bio here: I graduated from law school in August, 2008... have moved to California
where I live with my boyfriend ScottV. :-) -Sara M. (who is also
responsible for the recent re-facing/re-designing of WWM, including all the new
logos! -with ScottV's help of course)>> |

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Neale Monks
Neale Monks began keeping fish in the early 80s, and since that time has
tried out most of its specialisations, but his favourite bit of the hobby is
brackish water fishkeeping. He is fascinated by those fishes able to adapt to
environments with varying salinity, and quickly learned that the boundary the
hobby places between "saltwater fish" and "freshwater fish" is an arbitrary one
that doesn't mean much in the real world. After ignoring the aquarium books of
the time and going by the scientific literature, he learned that many aquarium
fish supposedly strictly freshwater or saltwater fish are also brackish water
fish in the wild, and put this to the test in two 200 gallon tanks at the
university he was studying at. Communication with fish collectors,
ichthyologists, and experienced aquarists has reinforced his view that much of
what is published in the aquarium literature about brackish water fish is
hopelessly inaccurate and out of date. Neale began keeping an online compilation
of his observations in 1995 as the Brackish Water Aquarium FAQ, and in 2006 TFH
published Brackish Water Fishes, a book edited and partly authored by Neale
describing the variety of brackish water fishes in more depth and
more authoritatively than ever before. Besides brackish water fish, Neale enjoys
keeping coldwater marines, catfish, dwarf cichlids, pufferfish, and oddball
livebearers, particularly halfbeaks.
Neale currently writes for a number of tropical fish magazines including
Tropical Fish Hobbyist and Practical Fishkeeping, and holds a BSc
in zoology and a PhD in palaeontology. As well as fishkeeping, he has
published numerous scientific papers on fossil cephalopods and other
invertebrates, as well as books on ammonites, cladistics, and amateur
astronomy. After living in Nebraska for some years, he has moved back home
to England, to the Hertfordshire market town of Berkhamsted. He divides his
time between professional writing, web site development, and teaching. Neale
has two fossils named after him, including a fish, the Eocene porgy Ellaserrata
monksi.Congratulations
Uncle Neale! 3/18/09
<Thank you Sandy. Miss Olivia Jane finally arrived today after 48 hours of
labour. I shall pass on your suggestions in due course, and appreciate you
taking the time to share them. Cheers, Neale.>
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Offer of WWM help? -
03/10/07
> Please do let Jeni (or whoever) know that I'd me more than
happy to help out with any brackish/oddball Qs that come up.
Obviously gratis.
> <Oh! Neale... is this an offer of help in responding to such queries
on WWM? We would definitely be interested in your help here... and I do
think you will be greatly motivated to "fill in" the enormous
gaps/missing articles et al. as you see/come to find them... Please do
make it known if this is your intention.>
Robert,
Precisely so. Happy to help answer the "post bag" as and when
things come in. I just did a couple today for PFK, and they're fun. I
can't pretend to be as expert on pufferfish as Jeni, but I flatter
myself that my general knowledge of things brackish is adequate for most
tasks.
I shall endeavour to uncover such gaps in the WWM web site
article roster that I can! Feel free to point me in the direction of
bits you'd like me to focus on. I'm very much at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Neale |
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Andrew Nixon joins the WetWebMedia Crew 1/6/2008
Dear Mr. Fenner,
I am writing to you, via a suggestion by a member who actively posts on a
website I moderate on called aquariacentral.com , and that member is a part
of your crew ( Jeni - aka PufferPunk ).
<Ah, yes>
By way of a little introduction about myself. My name is Andrew, 34 years
old and I live in U.K, England. I am Head IT Manager by trade for an estate
agency group, have a daughter who is aged 6..I have been fishkeeping for
about 7 - 8 years, started of will a good few freshwater species tanks, was
never really that much into the planted side of things. The tanks ranged
from 10 gallons, up to 90..About 3 years ago, I decided that after a good
few years of researching, learning and understanding marine fish, corals,
inverts I branched out and start keeping marine. These tanks ranged from 46
gallons upwards in varying sizes, could not get enough of et.al tanks have
always been very successful and I put that down to the few years of
knowledge building I did while I was keeping freshwater. Since then, I moved
over to the side of passing on my knowledge and helping others by joining
Aquariacentral.com and head the marine forums there ( my member name there
is Reefscape ).. I spent the vast majority of my time there now, helping and
supporting the existing aquarist's and new starters alike, and would like to
branch out and help other sources too. I enjoy this with a passion, I feel
at home discussing, debating, advising people on now to solve an issue with
their tanks, advise on how to go about setting up marine systems, advise on
stocking compatibility issues etc etc..corals / invert and their feeding,
lighting and behaviour...Equipment choices, recommendations, why some work
better than others, and the things for people to avoid. So, all I wanted to
do was put an offer to you, that if you ever feel that you have room for a
junior member on your team to help out on all round issues of the marine
aquaria side of the site, then I glad offer my services and knowledge over
to you, would certainly be an honour and a privilege.
With kind regards Andrew Nixon
<We do have a need for a person of your apparent background, interest... I
do hope/trust that helping as part of WWM will not interfere with time
better spent with your family, work, other endeavours. Do send along a
likeness and other Bio. mat. if you'd like this posted, and thank you for
coming forward, offering to help others. I welcome you to our association.
Bob Fenner>
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Chris Perivolidis ... New to the Crew 5/2/06
Hi Bob, good talking with you over the weekend at IMAC. Sorry we missed you
after the banquet, but we couldn't resist going to see PufferPunk tanks.
Anyway, looking forward to helping out on WetWeb.
<Great!>
A little about myself. I've had tanks most of my life, with a break during
college and a few years after that. My Dad got me started as a kid, with a
small tank and a few Tiger Barbs. Plenty to keep me fascinated though. I moved
up to a 20 that I had for many years with a now horrifying collection
of incompatible fish and shoddy maintenance, but live and learn. After going
tankless for quite a while I got the bug again and moved into
saltwater. After close to a year of research and waiting I finally got my
current tank, a 46G tank, home to my clowns and Gramma, and a red serpent
star (squiggy) that has passed through several WetWebbers tanks before now
calling mine home. Plus several colonies of soft corals and mushrooms that
came along with the LR.
I feel confident answering questions on SW livestock, maintenance, and fish
diseases. However I'm not much of a coralphile so those I'll have to mostly
pass on. I'll also try to help out in the freshwater area as much as possible
but I'm a bit rusty on that topic. I am also a relatively new
diver and can't wait for summer to get back in the water.
Talk to you soon,
Chris Perivolidis
<Thank you for sharing. BobF>
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Chris UW in HI... Sab pic |
Chuck Rambo's Bio
Chuck has been keeping freshwater fish for over 36 years. He currently
maintains 40 freshwater aquariums with cichlids from all over the
world. He is a "Fellow" of the American Cichlid Association and has
served as past Board of Trustee and Chair. He currently serves as the
Conservation Chair as well as the ACA/Marineland Speakers Program Chair.
Chuck serves on the Board of Directors for both his local clubs, the
Pacific Coast
Cichlid Association and the Silicon Valley Aquarium Society.
In 2002 he and his wife Carol traveled to Lake Tanganyika to dive
with Ad Konings. In 2003 they went with him to Lake Malawi to dive and
observe the cichlids in their natural habitat. Chuck also collects
antique aquariums and vintage fancy Vaseline glass fish bowls.
<Ahh, thank you for sending this along. Bob Fenner, who will post on the
Crew's bio. pages> |
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Eric Russell
I'm truly flattered you think I can contribute/help, and I would
consider it an honor to do so. I must be honest, between my recent
promotion at work (I now "mentor" six of my comrades), and administering
to the local marine
club, I find I don't have as much casual time to spend on the web as I
used to. But that said, I know how much it would have meant to me so
many years ago; and still yet today, to have a competent avenue for
questions, and as such, I promise to do my best to answer my share of
queries with honest and helpful information. You probably still have my
home phone but just in
case...803-561-XXXX...I'm usually home from work by 6:00 pm.
I've attached a pic and a brief bio as follows:
I've been fascinated with aquatic critters since I can remember, and
kept "glass jars" of various aquatic life as soon as I was old enough to
get near water. I acquired my first "real" aquarium (10 gal. Metaframe)
in 1973 and
have had one or more of one size or another virtually ever since. I
spent 20 years building bombs in the Air Force and I'm now warming a
chair in front of a computer working on my second career as a
programmer/analyst. I had opportunity in the late 70's to keep a
planted aquarium in the
Netherlands (what else!), and after years of marine fish-only systems
set up my first reef tank in 1989 while stationed in the United Kingdom
keeping nothing but reef systems since. My current setup consists of a
375 gal.
reef biotope display (yep, got on the bandwagon!) supported by a 55 gal.
vegetable 'fuge and a 75 gal. sump. I also have a separate "frag"
system in a room over my shop which, by the way, if my wife ever
inquires the correct
answer is; "why yes, it's perfectly reasonable for Eric to be able to
sell frags to help pay for his hobby!", even though I seem to trade or
give away rather than sell <G>. I also have a 550 gallon concrete pond
sunk in the first level of a three-level 1800 sq. ft. deck, all of which
I built myself.
Along with reefing, woodworking/remodeling/construction is my avocation.
While I don't consider myself anything close to being an expert, I do
think of myself as a student of the hobby and have spent the last few
years relearning and rediscovering the wonders of this fabulous and
intoxicating pastime.
Warmest Regards,
Eric Russell |
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Welcome Joshua Solomon to the WWM Crew 4/24/09
Re: Referred to contact you by Linda Close
First off I am a college student at University of Central
Florida in the field of Biology. This is my fifth year of school, I
am six classes away from a degree in forensics, but my real passion
is reef aquariums, hence my pursuing Biology instead.
My background is in scuba diving, and my instructor rating in scuba
landed me my job at the Living Seas Aquarium at EPCOT (yes I know
the aquarium is a mess). In the mean time I had been an avid
hobbyist for several years reading everything I can get my hands on.
I keep three reef aquariums in my home, and my knowledge gained from
personal experience as well as reading and asking questions found me
a position working as an aquarist rather than a diver at the Living
Seas while I continue working on my Biology degree.
On a daily basis I work on trying to recover mistreated reef tanks
and educate people I work with about what not to do. The well being
of the animals we keep are of great importance to me.
I am just a committed hobbyist that is happy to help others. I
certainly am not an expert, but everyday I am amazed by how much I
have yet to learn. In my mind my best talent is I am not afraid to
admit when I don't know the answer, and I find it out. After
watching WetWebMedia for so long, I have a pretty good idea of what
you all are about, and I would love to be a part of it.
Josh
<Ahh, thank you for coming forward Josh, and thank you for sharing.
Bob Fenner>
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Welcome Scott Vallembois to the
WWM Crew! 10/20/07
Hi Bob, this is Scott Vallembois from
momsfishsupply.com/glass-holes.com. It was great to finally talk with you
today. Thank you for all your advice and input. As we had talked about, I
would be happy to spend some time helping out with the replies on
Wetwebmedia.com. I have close to 25 years aquarium experience ranging from
goldfish to planted discus tanks to full blown SPS reef tanks and just about
everything in between (never anything brackish). I would be happy to answer
anything, but as you know the last few years I have come to specialize in
reef tank set up. Let me know if you need anymore from me to get set up and
I look forward to hear from you.
Thanks much Scott
<Thank you for coming forward Scott. As we chatted over the phone, I am very
glad to have you help us respond to queries at WWM, and to help you and your
partner in furthering your business endeavours.
Do please send along a brief bio. for posting with a pic/likeness if you
wish. Am hoping to "goose" you and EricR into writing "complete" pieces on
(marine) aquarium engineering, assembly... BobF.
Here's ScottV down in Cozumel, diving, making pix 3/09. |

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Please welcome Mike Van Bibber to the Crew 2/16/08
Hello again Bob, <Mike> I received the payment, many thanks. Be
assured that it will be used for more aquarium "stuff" <I like the way
you think> Also, please find a donation notification in your inbox.
<Uhh!> On an unrelated note, if you ever need additional assistance
answering emails, I would be more than happy to help. I've been in and out
of this hobby for the last twenty-five years, most of it in FW, bur I did
have a SW tank years ago, and I set up another one last year, which is a
FOWLR containing mix of a few easy inverts and a good deal of macroalgae.
<!? Are you coming forward to join the WWM Crew? Great news!> If you feel
I would be useful, I would be comfortable answering questions on set-up,
stocking, plumbing, electrical, chemistry\testing, macroalgae, and some
sponges. Lastly, I'm multi-lingual - I could answer queries in English,
German, or Russian. <Wowzah. I barely speak English> Regards and
thanks again, Mike <Mike, please do send along a brief bio. for
posting... and a pic if you'd like. The URL for the WWM mailserver is:
The "Email Address": The password: I will make an in-folder for
you... MikeV And a bit re some conventions we use can be read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/crewsupwebmail.htm And, thank
you for sharing Mike... I assure you, this is a vivacious, educational
experience! Bob Fenner>
Hi Bob, I'm honored to join the Crew. Here is a brief bio. I
included a picture of my tank - I'll have to dig up a picture of myself.
If you don't mind, I will spend a day or two 'poking" around to get the feel
of things. Mike <Certainly fine. And thank you again for sharing.
BobF> I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. I first got involved with the
aquarium hobby in 1978 when I bought a 10 gallon FW tank which I
successfully kept for eight years. In 1980, I tried my hand at a 20 gallon
SW tank. Back then, at least in my area, a SW tank was three steps removed
from witchcraft as far as most pet stores were concerned. After many
failures, I was finally able to keep two Damselfish alive for more than two
weeks. I kept that tank going for six years. After finishing college and
joining the military, I once again started a FW tank which I would tear down
set up every time Uncle Sam moved us around the country. I was medically
discharged from the military in 2002 and settled in Melbourne FL. Since we
had settled down, I started a 75 gallon FW tank. What started as a FO tank
has evolved into a planted tank with schools of Rainbowfish. Two years ago,
I wanted to have another go at a SW tank. After hitting the books, I
realized how much had changed in 26 years. I spent the next year planning
and convincing my spouse. Finally in early 2008, I set up a 150 gallon FOWLR
tank. I've since taken an interest in macroalgae, and currently have about
eight different types growing in the tank, and one very happy and well fed
Sailfin Tang. I've been married to my very patient wife for almost 19
years (emphasis on very patient), and we have three children, 17, 16, and
14; all of whom have grown very attached to the aquariums. We share the
house with two large dogs and a Blue Crowned Conure. I work as an
Electrical\Controls Engineer for a material handling company when I'm not
playing with fish.
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Pictures 3/18/09
Hi Bob.
<Mike>
Finally found some pictures of myself.
xmas3 is my spouse and I, onemorefish is reflective of the look I usually
get when explaining why you cannot have 50 fish in a 10 gallon tank....
Regards
Mike
<Ah, good... will post! BobF>
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Christine Williams joins the WWM Crew
... am following up, hoping you were not joshing re possibly helping on
WWM... and re the poss. of your joining some of the Crew ahead of the
ORCA event:
http://www.o-r-c-a.com/modules.php?name=GCalendar&file=viewday&y=2009&m=7&d=11&e=4
Do please make it known if you're interested! We're still undecided
whether to dive/stay about the W. Palm Beach area or maybe head down to
Pennekamp/Key Largo or... Maybe for three-four days of diving in front
of the time of the event.
What say you?
BobF
Yes, I'd be happy to help out on WWM, just putting together a bio.
Here's something CTARS is using
http://www.ctars.org/default.aspx?uc=nextMeeting . Areas of
interest? Likely fish diseases (always a needed thing), but I can write
about marine microbial ecology (because we know EVERYONE finds that
fascinating--not) and consequent nutrient cycling, micro and macroalgae,
particularly phyto culture, fish and invert immunology, probiotics in
marine systems, and the odd industrial or commercial uses of aquarium
species. And seahorses. :) Right now at work I'm working on developing
skin care ingredients (treatments, UV protectors, pigments) from marine
or marine biotransformed raw materials, at home I'm rebuilding a few
systems--all low-tech, little-equipment balanced ecosystems.
<Yay!....
I'll make an in-folder for you... "Christine">
Diving? As long as you don't mind a dive neophyte coming along I'd love
to if it's a shortish trip (and by neophyte I mean I truly will be open
to any and all advice and suggestions on equipment etc).
<Am always willing to chat re>
Send me more info as you get it and I'll see fi I can get everything in
order to go.
<Will definitely do so>
Are you all attending the conference as well?
<Yes, as far as I know>
Also switching to my home email address for easier access--thanks
everyone.
Christine Williams Bio
The serious:
Christine Williams is an avid hobbyist and seahorse keeper who, when not
doing water changes, works as an industrial marine microbiologist. Currently
she balances leading her laboratory team in the search for marine-derived
biologically active molecules, and pursuing a PhD in marine biology at Stony
Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Prior to
joining the industrial world, she spent significant time in the veterinary
sciences including clinical laboratory diagnostics, exotic animal husbandry,
and emergency and critical care. Her aquarium interests cover a wide range
with special focus given to macroalgae and plankton, the breeding and
reproduction of aquarium specimens, piscine and invertebrate immunology, and
the treatment of ailing fish. Christine actively mentors hobbyists on
diagnostic pathology and lectures internationally on subjects of aquatic
science, and has the pleasure of serving as a moderator for the Marine and
Ornamental Fish and Invertebrate Breeders forum.
The not very serious:
Christine Williams started keeping fish while she was still a fetus. While
the aqueous environment did lend itself to the hobby, it limited her to
freshwater species, and so she decided to be born several weeks early.
Through sign language she demanded that her parents convert her crib into a
reef aquarium and thus started her illustrious career in marine ornamentals.
After completing her studies in biochemistry and molecular microbiology she
went to work at “Animal ER” where unfortunately she was not filmed for the
Animal Planet channel (though her feet did make a cameo during a rescue
segment). Currently she is the head of the Industrial marine Microbiology
team for her division of a “very large international chemical company,”
where she spends her days mixing chemicals, microorganisms and plankton
together and seeing if they will A) explode, B) glow in the dark, or C) make
a good salsa. In order to further her skills she is also a PhD student at
Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. She has
lectured and given workshops on fish diseases and treatment techniques,
seahorse keeping and breeding, marine microbiology, and algal culture and
bioprospecting in the US and abroad.
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Lynn Zurik 4/2/07
Hi Bob!
We met when you were up here in Seattle last year giving a seminar for
the local club. I really enjoyed meeting you and getting a chance to chat
for a bit. Regarding my joining the crew, yep, I'd love to give y'all a hand
however I can. My main strength is ID'ing critters but I'm sure I could
help in the other areas as well. LOL As long as it's not FW, it's been way
too long since I've done that! I started off with SW in '73 when I was in HS
and never went back ;-)
<Ahh!>
As for the article(s), we've been trying to come up with things to do to
help newbie members at WWF so we've decided to write some short articles to
post there.
<Wiki fashion? Or individual effort, or?>
We're hoping to get a lot of member participation in writing these articles,
but in the meantime, I'm working on some critter ones. The first will be
"Things that go 'click' in the night". Part one will be on Pistol shrimp,
part 2 will be on mantis.
<Sounds good>
Right now I'm doing the research and hoping to get it posted later this
week. While it's not going to be something that will be long enough (or
probably technical enough) for WWM/CFA, it should be helpful for a newbie
who's been wondering what those sounds were!
<Mmm, actually... will make the offer to conspire with you, give you use of
my image work if it will help... Edit, lengthen and help you market such
pieces to the pulp and e'zines>
I would, though, like to write something in the future for possible
submission.
<Please do>
I love taking photographs, so perhaps I could submit something there as
well(?). Here's my profile page - if you have a chance you can check out
some of the photos I've taken. LOL But they're nowhere as good as yours or
Zo's!
<Mmm, a matter of practice, gear and opportunities taken...>
http://wetwebfotos.com/Home?action
Request=userview&userID=2470
<Very nice... really like the close-ups of the polychaetes>
Thanks and have a great week!
-Lynn
<And you as well... And thank you for coming forward. Our webmail log-in:
XXXX
And a link to familiarize yourself with a few of the conventions we use:
http://wetwebmedia.com/WWM
AdminSubWebIndex/crewsupwebmail.htm
Welcome to our association. Bob Fenner> |
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