MACO Courses - What would you like to see next?

[jamesw]

Hi Gang,

Currently, we have offered two MACO courses. They have been:

Invertebrate Zoology - Dr. Ron Shimek covered a lot of the "critters" that you can find in a reeftank

Coral Biology - Eric Borneman presented all you EVER wanted to know about corals...really....EVERYTHING.

See www.reefs.org/maco for more details on past courses and instructors.

With the success of these two classes, naturally, we would like to offer more.

So my question: What KIND of MACO classes would you like to see in the future. This is your chance for input and to help "mold" the course in the future.

What do you think?

Cheers
James Wiseman

 

[liquid]

I'll send this back to the top for you, James.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd really like to some some more biotope information. In order to create more realistic "communities." What species are commonly found living together, for example. The course could also go into detail about collection practices as well.

Glenn

 

[Carpentersreef]

I would definitely like to see the subjects that liquidshaneo mentioned, but if (not if, WHEN) I sign up for MACO, will I have access to past lectures/info?

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[Lock]

Hey james....defenetly fish biology / zoology. Will invert zoology be re run ?

Lock

 

[liquid]

Classes I'd like to see:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* Saltwater Chemistry

* Fish Biology

* Some sort of engineering class that would teach proper system plumbing (pipe diameter selection, proper plumbing principles when working with pumps, feed lines, etc), heat transfer (heaters, pumps), overall system design, pump selection (explanation of pump curves, pressure rated pumps, nonpressure rated pumps), lighting (intensity vs. distance from bulb, PAR), etc. (maybe taught by a ChemE or maybe even a panel of people with one person focusing on plumbing, another on lighting, etc. FWIW, I've seen some terrible plumbing out there on some systems.

) The only thing I've seen out there on this whole subject is PR Escobal's book Aquatic Systems Engineering (which I think every serious reefkeeper should have btw)...
</UL>

That's what comes to mind at the moment...

Shane (aka "liquid")

[ September 27, 2001: Message edited by: LiquidShaneo ]

 

[Green Lantern]

I like Shane's fish biology course and thought Glenn's idea for proper biotope would be awesome. Is there any chance that Eric Borneman would teach another class?

 

[jamesw]

Hey gang,

Thanks for the feedback so far. I will take it into consideration when planning future MACO's.

I definitely think it would be feasible to do a Fish Biology course next time.

If so, who would y'all like as an instructor. Now remember, not only does the instructor have to know a lot about fish, he/she should also be qualified, and a good TEACHER. Does the instructor have to have a pHD in ichthiology?

Thanks for the feedback
James

 

[Latezonatus]

How bout Scott Michael teaching this a fish course?

 

[Anonymous]

Saltwater chemistry first, then biotope, the fish. For teachers Craig Bingman or Randy Holmes-Farley, don't know, Scott Michael or Frank Marini.

 

[monkeyboy]

Randy could do a nice course on saltwater chemistry, that would be awesome. Maybe Shimek could come back and do something on DSBs? I'm not really sure!

What about Marc Weiss? He could explain how "vital" his stuff is.

 

[Anonymous]

I would like to see a "biotope" or regional ecology course taught by Scott Michael. Or maybe co-taught with someone with an invert background. Could start of with the various regions where most specimens are collected, with insight into the different communities and the way the food chain works with various interactions between species. Then it could shift into the corals and inverts, where they are found the different zones and how they are affect by the fish assemblages and other reef creatures. This would allow us to have a more round ecologically accurate living ecosystem display. A slice of the ocean in a glass box if you will. As a final exam we could all sing "The Circle of Life." Personally I have taken fish biology courses in school and they weren't that applicable to aquarium husbandry. Also seems like it would be difficult for a long distance type set up. This could also give us a valuable look behind the scenes at the industry in terms of collection practices and such.

Glenn

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: Rover ]

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: Rover ]