MACNA XX - Atlanta

[Pinecone_Jeff]

D'oh! I should have signed up for a room! I didn't think I needed to so soon. Please let us know if you guys get another block!

[kj_yoda]

We have increased our room block, but it is filling up quickly. We never anticipated to have this many people get rooms so quickly. I suggest that you get your rooms while you can.

Speaker lists coming soon

[Marc]

WoW
sold out 10 months ahead?
Thats crazy, Time to start thinking big!

BTW I see you must have been successful in increasing the room block.
I booked 2 today
and two booths at Pitts
Holy crap what's going to be left for me to procrastinate

[CarmieJo]

Hey everyone, Who's going to MACNA? Last year a bunch of people from TR and ProjectDIBS got together for dinner before the cocktail party. Would anyone be interested in doing that again? Or we could do lunch on Saturday.

[mysterybox]

Just an FYI that The Titanic will be on display at the same time you guys are all here.

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

[CarmieJo]

Here are some MACNA shots. The opening address was given by Dr. Hugo Freudenthal.

Dr Hugo discovered the lifecycle of zooxanthellae 50 years ago. His talk gave me a better understanding zooxanthellae, photoinhibition and the phenomenon of bleaching.

His wife Dr. Anita is an expert in human diseases caused by marine organisms and I was able to ask her about the toxicity of zooanthids. She believes that there are people who are very sensitive to palyotoxin, have been stung multiple times and developed a sensitivity or have palyotoxin driven deeply into the body who can have a serious reaction. These serious reactions are not common but it behooves you to use reasonable caution. She advises wearing gloves and eye protection when handling zoas.

Next I heard a talk by James Fatherree on T5 and LED lighting.

One of the things he talked about was how much light corals need and I was surprised to see how little! James also mentioned photoinhibition due to overlighting. He also introduced us to his new ezine Liquid Medium where you can read some of the research (with more to come) that he used in his talk.

I heard Bruce Carlson's talk about coral reefs. I was amazed when he showed photos of reefs that had been destroyed by storms, crown of thorns or other problems that had nearly recovered 10 years later. I walked out of his talk think that if we get our act together that maybe the reefs aren't doomed.

[CarmieJo]

Of course, if you were tired of listening to the talks you could go over to the Exhibit Hall.

[rayme07]

That couple looks real good together at least they can enjoy what they love together. Thanks carmie for sharing what you learned with me and others I learned a lot like I didn't know that some people are amune to zooanthids and some can cause serious problems. Also great pics of the clam, frags and the shrimp they look great. Thanks again
Raymond