The Neptune Systems© APEX aquarium controller has arrived!! The controller will allow for constant 
monitoring of pH, conductivity, ORP, and temperature of the mesocosms that are being used to test the effects of water quality on coral reef health. The status of any single component of the mesocosms can be checked and altered any time of day, from any location. Keeping the parameters within the aquaria consistent is imperative because this project is using aquaria to simulate certain conditions at the St. Lucie Reef, and also the results of this project depend on how the corals react to their environment. Having a system that allows constant communication with the aquaria will not only improve the accuracy of this project’s results, but will also provide a wealth of recorded parameters that can be analyzed along with the coral health data.

During this past week, Josh, Michael, and HBOI's Dive Safety Officer Jimmy Nelson completed the next step in their tech training. The TDI Extended Range class involves advanced deep air diving, with multiple decompression gases. The team was also able to try out their new Halcyon gear with aluminum and steel double tanks, as preparation for the GUE Fundamentals course later this month. The tech team at HBOI and FAU is now able to dive to 180ft, which will allow them to conduct deep research such as a coral reciprocal transplant experiment on mesophotic reefs.

Designing a system of mesocosms to study the effects of water quality and temperature on coral reef health necessitates much more planning than at first glance. However, graduate student Allie Shatters has been making steady forward progress. The twenty, 40 gallon mesocosms that will be used in this experiment will attempt to simulate certain parameters at the St. Lucie Reef in Stuart, FL. LED lights will be used to light the tanks as they are extremely energy efficient while still providing the light spectra and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels necessary for the coral fragments that will be housed in the mesocosms.  A series of LED light fixtures were tested and compared taking into account light quality, quantity, and spread. Based on the findings from this comparison, a final decision has been made to use the HydroGrow Sol™ LED lights for the system. This light showed the most consistent readings across the entire 40 gallon tank.