melev

You may have noticed the Next Wave banner that appears on RA now. Each week until Next Wave, we will feature one speaker...

Scott Fellman

A little about Scott: My name is Scott Fellman, and I’m the consummate “fish nerd”! I bleed saltwater! And yes, I think there’s a lot of freshwater in there, too!

Much of my life centers around tweaking protein skimmers, scraping algae, cleaning up spills, or figuring out how to unglue my fingers. I’ve been keeping marine aquariums since I was a kid, and during that time, I have maintained all sorts of aquariums, fish bowls, plastic boxes, and just about anything that can hold water. My passions are aquascaping and marine biotope aquariums. I love this hobby and the crazy people in it!

I’ve mentored fellow hobbyists for over ten years, starting on Bob Fenner’s WetWebMedia.com site, where I was also Co-Editor of WWM’s Conscientious Aquarist online magazine for a couple of years. In 2006, I served as president the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County.

I’ve written a number of articles for publications such as the late Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine, Ultramarine UK, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Marine Fish and Reef USA Annual, and many online venues, such as Reef Addicts, Advanced Aquarist, and Reefs.com, and Reef Builders, where I blog on a variety of reef-related topics from time to time.

In addition to my writing, I have racked up the frequent-flyer miles, traveling all over the U.S. and internationally, speaking at clubs and events about all sorts of reef-and aquarium-related stuff. I have presented at MACNA XIX in Pittsburgh, MACNA XX in Atlanta, MACNA XI in Atlantic City, MACNA XXII in Orlando, MACNA XXII in Des Moines, MACNA XXIII in Dallas, as well the old IMAC Conferences in both Chicago and Long Beach. I’ve spoken several times at Reef-a-Palooza in my native So Cal, as well. I keep threatening to complete a book on marine biotope aquaria and aquascaping before this century is over, and I’m sure my aquarium is due for a water change at some point!

I am partner in a Los Angeles-based online marine livestock retailer, Unique Corals, marketing sustainably collected, aquacultured, and captive propagated corals, fishes, and invertebrates to the hobby.

When I’m not trying to replicate the ocean in my aquariums, I’m usually surfing in it at my local beach, dining at new restaurants (another great love), watching ice hockey, or SCUBA diving.

His topic: “Nutrient Control and Export”- Ways to increase water quality and Eliminate Nuisance Algae”- There are a lot of different ways that you can achieve and maintain high water quality. We’ll examine a number of methods that can help create sparkling clear water and ideal conditions for your aquarium inhabitants. Whether you’re a veteran hobbyist needing a refresher, or a total newbie trying to achieve great water quality- this presentation has a little something for everyone- and does it with the typical heightened sense of absurdity that you’ve come to expect from me!

Scott's a fun guy to hang out with and chat about anything hobby-related. He's also known by his username "Algaeguy" so if you have algae or sea-grasses on the mind, he's your guy for the day.

If you've not registered to attend Next Wave yet, here's the link: http://www.dfwmas.org/nextwave (Anyone that registers before February 15th has a chance at winning a protein skimmer, and their name will also go in future drawings prior to the event. Winners will receive their prize at Next Wave.)



Next Wave is the annual DFWMAS event, and people travel from all over to attend. The event features four speakers, and about two dozen vendors. Tyree's Coral Farmers Market(sm) provides tank-raised corals for those looking to add new choice pieces to their reef tanks. Click the banner for all the latest details, and to register if you are interested to attend. Lunch is included in the full day pass. I'll be there all day, running my Melev's Reef booth. I'm donating a custom-made Nano tank that is sump-ready.