Hello ReefBuilders!
My travels take me all over the globe, most in the US but I travel internationally 4-5 times a year as well. As I travel around I will always be searching for content to share with you here on ReefBuilders. Recently, I went to Florida and I have lots of content to bring you from Strictly Fish, Top Shelf Aquatics, Marine Warehouse, Aquatic City, ACI Aquaculture, and today Seven Seas Aquatics in Cape Coral, Florida. Brandon Hotaling, met with me there to talk shop and check out everything he has been up to lately. Last year, Brandon shared through ReefBuilders, his experience helping hobbyists in the area recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian while dealing with catastrophe at the store himself.
Check out the article here:
The video here:
I try to make a point to stop by to see him every time I’m in Florida because the shop is always getting better. I like the way he takes care of his shop and the thought he puts into it. I created a video this time so I could share it with you on RB. The thought put into design, functionality, health of the animals, and creating an aesthetically pleasing experience for the customer is at the top of the game. If more stores created an experience like this across the country, we would likely see more hobbyists getting into reefing as well as higher success rates in aquarium keeping. The video should be released by the end of the month. It’s not that I think every store should be able to build something this impressive but I do think that more stores should make sure they keep a clean environment and the displays should be of optimum health and appearance to set a good example for hobbyists.
There is always a gem in places like Seven Seas, and Brandon decided to have a little fun with how we share this one with you. While making the video Brandon shared with me this gem of a Chalice, and let me know he wanted to share it with all of you as well. When pieces get this amazing they always get named by the facility growing it out, we have so many now it gets a little hard to keep up. Brandon wanted to bring that opportunity to all of you on ReefBuilders. Yes, for the first time that I have heard of the hobbyist will have the opportunity to name one of the most exciting pieces being released in 2025. Not only that, the person whose name gets selected will also get a piece of the coral! Mind Blown. Let’s talk about what we have here:
The Golden Opportunity Chalice – Am I eligible to win?
So what we have here is a Rainbow Chalice (Echinophyllia). Doesn’t look like your Rainbow Chalice? I understand your frustration. Corals produce their own fluorescent pigments (proteins and amino acids) and host zooxanthellae (which provide base colors like brown and tan). They adjust the number of these algae and pigments based on light and other environmental cues, causing the colors we perceive to change. Keeping these factors in mind I asked Brandon of Seven Seas to provide me with as much data on the care for this chalice as possible:
“The Chalice was originally acquired in 2022 as a mariculture import chalice. It was placed in our grow out systems because it showed potential. We later moved the piece to the 300 gallon display system to continue growing. Eventually in 2023 started morphing into a rainbow chalice. The base color of the chalice was Gold.”
Aquarium:
300 gallon marineland deep dimension.
Lighting:
72inch reef breeders meridian light – https://reefbreeders.com/collections/meridian
2x ATI 60in 80watt Coral Plus Bulbs – https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/48-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb-54-watt-ati/
2x ATI 60in 80watt Purple Plus Bulbs
Dosing:
Pacific Sun Kore 5 channel doser
ESV 2 part dosing liquid
80ml Calcium Per Day
80ml alkalinity Per Day
100ml of Red Sea Coral Nutrition AB+ once per week
Water Change Schedule:
Monthly 150 Gallon Water Change with
Fritz Blue RPM Salt
Feeding:
Broadcast Feeding Benepets Coral Food once per Week
Fish get fed 2x per day
Fish stock:
Large Mata Tang
Large Sohal Tang
Large Vlamingi Tang
Large Dusemeri Tang
Scopes Tang
Yellow Tang
Pair of Gold Spotted rabbit fish
Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
1 Six line wrasse
Camera Used: Nikon Coolpix P950
Chalice in 2022:
Continued Learning:
The environment of a reef aquarium significantly impacts coral color, with light intensity and spectrum, water chemistry (pH, alkalinity, salinity), nutrient levels (nitrates and phosphates), water flow, and even temperature all causing shifts in coloration as corals adapt for nutrition and protection. Stable conditions are key for vibrant, consistent color, while fluctuations often lead to dullness, browning, or even bleaching.
Key Environmental Factors Influencing Coral Color:
Lighting:
Intensity: Too little light leads to darker colors, while too much can cause bleaching. Corals adjust their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) for optimal light use.
Spectrum: Blue-dominant lighting can enhance the natural fluorescent colors of corals.
Water Chemistry:
pH & Alkalinity: Stable levels are vital for coral health and color; improper levels cause stress and discoloration.
Salinity: Sudden shifts in salt levels stress corals, affecting their appearance.
Nutrients:
Nitrates & Phosphates: While some are necessary, too few nutrients can starve corals, leading to faded colors, while too many can promote competing algae growth.
Water Flow:
Adequate flow is crucial for delivering nutrients and removing waste; insufficient flow, especially with high light, can cause stress and bleaching.
Temperature:
Stable, appropriate temperatures are critical. Fluctuations can stress corals, leading to color loss.
Your chance at this Golden Opportunity
Click the link below to submit your name for the coral:
https://sevenseasaquatic.com/name-this-chalice-coral
Stay tuned because we will be naming the winner on a live Reef Therapy with Brandon and I right around Christmas time so maybe you can have the ultimate gift just in time for Christmas from Seven Seas. Brandon and I will be scheduling a live Reef Therapy to go over the names and the winner on the podcast.
Until next time ReefBuilders,
Shawn Hale
