Month: April 2018

Top 10 Reasons To Visit Connecticut

Aquarium admin

A small state in New England that is popular for its rural beauty and charm, Connecticut has several major cities. It is also populated with top tourist destinations like Yale University which is home to several world-class museums, the Maritime Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, the nightlife and restaurants of New Haven, as well as two major casinos.

Here are ten reasons why you need to book a trip to Connecticut.

1. First time visitors in Connecticut may get in touch with the Farmington Valley Visitors Association. They can find good lodging and accommodations in Farmington Valley which is just a couple of hours away from Boston and New York. Pick a season then a lodging property. Every property provides a unique package, such as a romantic escape, outdoor adventure, or family activities.

2. Those who love a relaxing afternoon outdoor may go to the Connecticut College Arboretum, where 750 acres of property includes a college campus, natural areas, and plant collections. Visitors will love the Campus Landscape which boasts of 120 acres of trees culled from various places in the world, as well as its Native Plant collection which has 20 acres of wildflowers and woody plants grown in North America. Theres also the Caroline Black Garden which has a diverse collection of woody plants.

3. For those wanting to shop, try the G & L Country Barn which also has a Christmas Shop boasting of a wide array of home decor, gifts, collectibles plus impressive displays.

4. Visitors who appreciate history can drop by the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center which provides tourists with a glimpse of prehistoric New England.

5. Those who love the beach life can go to Misquamicut Beach, which is popular for its crystal clear water and white sand. It also features a wide array of activities for everyone such as mini-golf, amusement parks, among others. Those up for a gastronomic experience will also love its impressive array of seafood cuisine.

6. Those who love underwater creatures will love the Mystic Aquarium. Here, some 3,500 creatures will make even the most disinterested of tourists take notice.

7. Visitors will also find the Mystic Seaport an enchanting destination, what with its historic tall ships that provide the backdrop of a 19th century feel.

8. For visitors looking for activities that will appeal to most members of the family, then the Ocean Beach Park is the place to go. It has pools of various sizes that can cater to kids or adults. Theres also a fun center with video arcades as well as various rides and a mini-golf area. Adults who like to sweat it out can spend time in the health club. Those who love just walking around can explore the area as well as its view deck. There are also areas for picnics as well as corporate events.

9. Those wanting an extraordinary mall experience ought to try the Olde Mistick Village, with 60 shops and restaurants.

10. Another place tourists should visit is the Dinosaur Place which has activities like digging for gems and unearthing of dinosaurs skeleton.

Indeed, Connecticut is a lovely and interesting place to visit.

Aiptasia Eaters Now Abvailable In Canada – Bergia Nudibranch Survival Guide

Aquarium admin

The Bergian Variety Of Nudibranches Eradicate Aiptasia

Aiptasia in home aquariums will quickly be eradicated do to the wide adoption of Bergia Nudibranches now available in Canada. The chief benefit of this incredible creature is that it only feeds on Aiptasia, therefore making it a safe addition to your reef aquarium.

Aiptasia flourishes in very little light, hiding in the crags of liverock, and corals. Thankfully, the Berghia is very small in size, and can get into those tiny spaces, without harming coral or liverock. Nudibranches are the only species able to consume the entire aiptasia, and therefore prevent aiptasia regrowth and spawning. Another benefit is that the Berghia are so small, they won’t add bioload to the tank, or effect the quality of the water.

Berghia are quick reproducers at the same time, due to their hermaphroditic nature. Mature adults can lay eggs every single day. On a side note, it is important to understand that the Berghia feeds solely on Aiptasia, and for this reason must be monitored, as once the eradication of the Aiptasia happens, the creature will starve to death.

Berghia are very smart little creaatures. They have sensory organs known as rhinophores thata are able to use chemicals to find the location of the Aiptasia. This means that Berghia can find even the tiniest Aiptasia, not visible to the naked eye, and wipe out the parasite completely before it reaches adulthood. Berghia are able to eat the Aiptasia successfully, because of strategies it employs to approach the Aiptasia without the parasite feeling endangered. This prevents the release of the tentacles and larva, meaning it prevents new reproduction from occurring. Berghia is also harmless to the other fauna and flora in the aquarium, and primarily feed at night, which won’t affect the beauty of your tank during the day.

What to Expect after the Introduction of Berghia

The recommendation is for every 100 gallons of water that 8 Berghia be introduced to the tank, for a moderate to severe infestation of Aiptasia. If there are only a few Aiptasia anenomes present, it is not recommended to add Bergiha to the tank, as it won’t have enough food to sustain itself, and will starve to death. Berghia are a species of sea slug and need the appropriate environment to thrive and survive in. Keeping this in mind, there are some areas where this sea slug won’t be able to help, such as if an infestation occurs in tubing, powerheads, or the sump. These areas should be kept clean at all times by you, the reef owner to prevent the spread of Aiptasia.

How long will it take for Berghia to wipe out the Aiptasia infestation?

This primarily depends on how bad the infestation of Aiptasia is, and how many Berghia have been introduced into the tank. It should be assumed that for 8 Berghia, two to three months would be an appropriate amount of time. It’s so important to not get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Berghia need time to acclimate to their new surroundings before they are able to wipe out the infestation.

Caring for Berghia

There are many species of animals that are considered quite safe for reef aquariums, however, this is not always the case. Here are some species to avoid in an aquarium containing Berghia. Avoid any nocturnal species that hunt near the liverock, or coral, such as butterfly fish, filefish, wrasses, and some species of dotty backs. Other species which prey on Berghia include peppermint shrimp, coral-banded shrimp, and some invertebrates, such as the arrow crab, sally lightfoot crab, pom pom crabs, and emerald crabs . Aiptasia can consume Berghia if the sea slug is placed directly into it’s mouth. Therefore, take precaution when adding the Berghia into your reef tank.

In conclusion, nature has answered the Aiptasia infestation with a natural predator, the Berghia. As long as it acclimates to its new surroundings, it will eradicate the Aiptasia infestation, and keep the population under control. It is so important to keep the tank well cared for, to ensure the health of the creatures that inhabit the reef. With attention and care, the saltwater aquarium can be danger free of unwanted parasites, and be a beautiful addition to any home.

Bob hunter has been studying natural predatory aquarium practices for several decades, and holds a faculty position at http://www.uoguelph.ca. More information about bergian nudibranches for aiptasia control can be found at http://bergianudibranch.ca.