Robert (Bob) Fenner

Bob is a content provider to the pet-fish (ornamental) aquatics hobby and trade, dive/travel adventure and underwater natural history genres; writing, photography and videography. Though retired since 1994, he continues to produce in this field as well as consult on aquaculture and public aquarium installations.

Bob 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 fifteen 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 book and article publishing (helped author a few books, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Fishwatcher's Guide to the Tropical Marine Aquarium Fishes of the World, Natural Marine Aquariums Reef Invertebrates...) and photographic background in aquatic industry and hobby fields. 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.

Jake Adams

Jake is a professional, practicing aquarist who has been an active participant in the national marine aquarium community for over 10 years. He has been educating aquarists of a wide range of marine aquarium topics through frequent articles, podcasts and presentations around the country. He recently founded www.coralidea.com which provides a free downloadable guide to coral identification for mobile devices and home computers. Jake has a Bachelor's Degree in Marine Science and he will be returning to graduate school to further pursue research in the field of coral reef ecology.

Eric Borneman

Eric Borneman is a coral reef ecologist from the University of Houston. His primary research areas are coral diseases, sexual reproduction of corals, restoration of Caribbean acroporids and ornamental trade issues. Current research involves causes and factors in the suite of “white” syndromes, primarily in the genus Acropora. Eric is a project leader and on the scientific advisory group of SECORE, an international group of aquarists and researchers working on the sexual reproduction of corals and focusing on multiple aspects of threatened species conservation, and works in both in situ and ex situ restoration efforts. He is also on the board of directors of The Reef Stewardship Foundation, a group whose mission is to foster a diverse stewardship community that protects coral reefs through collaborative action, research, K-12 classroom education and aquaculture initiatives. For twenty years, he has been extensively involved in marine ornamentals and the aquarium hobby as a writer, consultant, contributor, and lecturer to the global aquarium hobby and trade, recently serving as President of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America. Eric is globally involved in aquarium trade issues with many organizations and working to create a sustainable trade, reduce wild collection harvest and improve survivorship of coral reef species in the trade.

Mike Paletta

Mike Paletta has been keeping marine tanks since 1980 and reef tanks since 1985. During the past 20 years he has written over 160 articles on marine fish and invertebrates in both the US and Europe. His first book “The Modern Marine Aquarium” is an attempt to simplify marine fish keeping for the beginning hobbyist while at the same time incorporating advances that have been made due to reef keeping. This book has sold over 110,000 copies. His second book “Ultimate Marine Aquariums” illustrates how far the hobby has come in the past 15 years. In this book are examples of just about every type of reef tank using different methodologies and technology. Michael has enjoyed speaking at over 100 marine societies and national conferences in North America, Canada and Europe. Michael has appeared on both local and national radio shows to discuss the hobby and to help new hobbyists become successful. Currently Michael has 1,200 and 40- gallon reef tanks set up in his home. He has helped in the set up of over 140 tanks throughout the U.S, including several tanks over 4,000 gallons in capacity. Michael also acted as a consultant with the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Pittsburgh Zoo Aquarium. Michael has B.S. from Dickinson College and a Master's degree from Yale University. Michael has also been a technical consultant for several equipment manufacturers and online companies. Michael is currently employed in sales in the biotechnology field.

Marc (melev) Levenson

Marc Levenson is better known online by ‘melev’, and owns the popular website melevsreef.com. His goal is to provide helpful content to hobbyists around the world, working to remove the confusion that so often pervades the net. Using common sense and reasoning, his explanations to common problems have helped reef keepers everywhere. From photography to working with acrylic, from pest control to lighting, from critter identification to feeding, the site seems to have answers for almost any topic. Since 1996, his years in the hobby provides his own personal experiences to learn from, which he’s also shared via Reefcast, a podcast about reef keeping. His history includes attending every MACNA since 2002; he’s been on the board of directors for MASNA; he was president of DFWMAS and continues to assist their board of directors currently, he has written articles for print and electronic magazines, was a contributing author to “Reefkeeping Basics,” was the editor for Reefkeeping Magazine, and speaks to clubs across the nation. And between all of that, he cares for his 280g reef, which is his pride and joy.

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