We are sorry to announce that due to scheduling conflicts the January meeting has been canceled but we are gearing up for a great meeting in February. RapidLED has generously donated one of their Plug N Play LED kits for us to build and then add to the raffle at the end of the meeting. The PNP components from RapidLED eliminate one of the most difficult parts of building your own fixture, soldering the wiring to the LED’s. So join us on February 16th for our next meeting and you could walk away with this great LED fixture. For more information see the thread in the UTMAS Information forum.

So, as we close out the 2nd year of UTMAS we thought we would start something new for us.

The Annual UTMAS Marine Aquarium Swap Meet!

Thursday, December 15 @ 7PM (6:30 if you want to sell – table space is first come-first served and limited to the first 20)

Come to buy – Come to sell.  Livestock, dry-goods, equipment, you name it you can bring it down and to sell or trade with others. Clear out that fish closet! Thin out that frag tank! Pick up some great deals!

The best part of this event is it is 100% free for everyone!

But wait, there’s more!

We will also have a nice spread of the great finger foods just like last year…how about some insane meatballs or a sweet nachos bar!

But wait, there’s still more!

Bring two dozen Christmas Cookies and participate in our 2nd annual UTMAS Cookie Exchange

And yet, still more…

There will be great raffle at the end of the night.

Come join us for a great evening of buying and selling – fun and food!

Oh, and did I mention…

The best part of this event is it is 100% free for everyone!

ATTENTION:

Due to a scheduling conflict, we have moved the Fragtacular to the following day, Wednesday 10/26. Also, since this is close to Halloween, we will be giving a really good prize to the best adult and the best child costume – as well as runner up prizes. You don’t have to come in costume, but if you do, you may just get a nice little bonus!

Well people, it’s just about that time again, time for FRAGTACULAR brought to you by the Utah Marine Aquarium Society.

And, in addition to all of these corals, there will be spooky, surprise corals worth much more mixed in with the rest of them. Some of these guys will be worth $50 or more yest still only be $5!

UTMAS hits the big time! That’s right, UTMAS member and co-founder Terence Fugazzi will be speaking MACNA in Des Moines. This conference is billed as the largest marine aquarium conference in North America. Terence was invited to come and speak about the importance of aquarium controllers and what to look for when deciding on purchasing one. I know its quite the journey, but make it out if you can and represent UTMAS!

Click here for more information on Terence’s talk and to find out more about MACNA

We keep saying that UTMAS Membership has it’s privileges! And here comes the biggest of the year! Come join us for a members-only, big pig out BBQ complete with Steaks, Snacks, Sodas, Sweets, and everything in-between.

Also at this event will be the biggest raffle yet in UTMAS history. Some of the items to be raffled will be a complete 65-gallon tank/stand (see it at ReefOn in Midvale), Neptune Apex Lite, a Skimmer, lights, pumps, livestock, and much more!

And, we are not leaving out the little ones. We will have fun activities for the kids as well…stay tuned…

Q. When is it?
A. August 27th @ 12PM

Q. Where is it?
A. At a park in the South Salt Lake Valley – To be determined soon!

Q. So, who is invited?
A. All UTMAS members as of 8/1/2011, their significant other, and their immediate family. Due to the costs of this event, please respect this request.

Q. What do you have to do to attend? 
A. Nothing, just show up! No jello to bring, no admission fee, nothing! 100% Free for members!

Stay tuned to www.utmas.com for more details as we get closer to this awesome event. See you there!

If you ever wanted to get expert insight on marine wrasses, this week is a must attend meeting. On Thursday we will be doing a live, sit-down interview with SLC’s reefkeeping legend and wrasse expert, Brad “The Wrasse-Man” Syphus. Brad has been maintaining one of the most gorgeous reefs in SLC for years.

Brad continues to astonish all of us not only with the maturity of some of his corals, but also the variety of fish in his aquarium – especially the wrasses. Additionally, he has maintained a gorgeous tank for years with what would seem to most as an impossible bio-load.

So, come out to the meeting on this Thursday, 7/21 @ 7PM at the Living Planet Aquarium and listen to me try and pry out of Brad how he is so successful.

As always, everyone is welcome and the meetings are 100% free. There will be refreshments as well as a nice raffle for corals and other goodies.

See you there!

Tony Vargas recently showed off what will become the cover of his upcoming book on Marine Aquarium Husbandry. I have yet to read an advance copy myself, but from what I have heard this will be a must-have for the fish-shelf!

The Coral Reef Aquarium by Tony Vargas

Check out the article here on reefs.com

Recently Tony Vargas came to the SLC area and I told him he HAD to go out to our co-founder Dave Anderson’s house and see his sweet 210. Well, today he posted up a great review and pics of his visit proving once again that UTMAS members have some of the finest reef tanks in the SLC area! Go take a look on reefs.com and then give a shout out of praise to Dave on the UTMAS forums!

Click HERE to see Dave Anderson’s 210 reviewed by Tony Vargas