Steve Tyree - Speaking Topics
The current topics that Steve Tyree is prepared to speak on are listed below. These
are suggested topics and the actual topic or presentation is flexable and can be designed
around what the organizing group prefers. Each topic is followed by a description of the
typical presentation. Steve's primary research area is the propagation of reef building
stony corals in captivity. Many leading edge discoveries that are applicable to all corals
kept in captivity have been discovered while researching these fast growing stony
corals. Some of these captive based discoveries might be yielding information very
crucial to these corals survival in their natural environment. All the presentations
below can be followed by an question and answer period.
Introduction to Reef Building Stony Corals (SPS Corals)
The presentation introduces typical reef keepers to the art and science of
keeping reef building stony corals in captivity. Many slides of colorful corals
are shown along with slides of leading edge reefs. A basic physical description
of the typical reef building stony coral is also provided. A minimal equipment
design is also described.
Recommended Length (1 hour)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner)
Current Trends in Keeping Reef Building Stony Corals in Captivity
This presentation is geared toward an intermediate or advanced audience with respect
to keeping Reef Building Stony corals. Current reef equipment designs and methods
are discussed. Different filtration theories and tips for disease prevention are also areas
covered in the presentation. Slides of exotic reef building stony corals are shown along
with some of the cutting edge reefs. Areas for future research are also discussed.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (intermediate to advanced)
The Biological Light Requirement of Photosynthetic Coral
Many aquarists who have kept and farmed Reef Building Stony Corals in
captivity have been perplexed by how these corals change color under captive
lighting. Early on the main problems were that many of these corals lost their
colorful pigmentation. How reef aquarists solved these early problems is discussed
along with some of the newer types of problems aquarists encountered. For example,
corals grown under one type of lighting can suffer adaptation problems when
acclimating them to different types of captive lighting. These can even occur
when corals are moved between 10,000 K and 20,000 K metal halides. New
scientific research has identified 6 different classes of coral pigmentation. How
these pigments collect light and the type of light they collect is very wavelength
or color dependent. Within this discussion some spectral output charts from Sanjay
Joshi will be overlayed with the spectral absorption of the corals colorful pigments.
It will become very clear to the aquarist why corals can look different under 6,500
K or 10,000 K or 20,000 K types of lighting. The issue is more complex then just
PAR intensity. In addition to coral pigments, some exciting new research has been
done on the light collecting pigment complexes within the corals algae. Spectral
output charts (Sanjay Joshi) of different light bulbs will be overlayed with the actual
light absorption of the algae. Aqaurists will understand why the low PAR 20,000 K
light bulbs work so well. Additionally reef aquarists will learn why the use of a mix
of different light bulb types can be extremelly effective.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (advanced)
Farming Stony Corals in Captivity
The audience is introduced to the art and science of propagating corals in captivity
using fragmentation or asexual methods. Some soft coral reproduction will also be
discussed. Techniques for growing and handling parent colonies as well as techniques
for harvesting and mounting fragments will be discussed. Slides of captively
propagated fragements and typical parent colonies will be shown.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to intermediate)
Reef Building Stony Coral Species Identification
How to examine and identify living reef building stony corals is the main topic of
this presentation. The beginner version will show computer images and photographic
slides of coral families that help the audience learn how to correctly identify families.
The intermediate version will help teach the audience how to identify different species.
The more advanced version will discuss a new research area involving examining corals
response to its captive environment. Using the living coral can actually assist with
identifying coral species and morphs by examining how the corals behave and morph
in a captive environment.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
The Natural Physical Environment of Reef Building Stony Corals
This presentation is based on a book from DE Publishing written and researched by
Steve. The book is called "Reef Building Stony Corals - The Natural Physical Environment".
The primary topics in the book are "The Reef Environment", "Stony Coral Provinces and
Regions", "The Natural Light Environment", "Ocean, Reef and Coral Water Motion" and
"Natural Propagation". The book is geared towards those that are interesested in these
natural aspects and not primarily written for only a captive viewpoint. The presentation
can be geared towards any particular groups interest.
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/depublish.htm.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
Living Sponges (The Porifera)
Steve has been propagated sponges quite successfully since 1995. Some of the
sponges have been even utilized as filtration components in captive systems. This
particular presentation is based on the book "The Porifera (Living Sponges) Their
Biology, Physiology and Natural FIltration Integration". Computer images and photographic
slides of common and exotic sponge species wil be shown. The primary emphasis of this
presentation is on crytptic sponges that prefer low light and low current environments.
The following topics will also be discussed: nutritional requirements, propagation
techniques, acquisition, handling, chemical warfare and sponge symbionts. Techniques
for utilizing the natural filtration capabilities of living sponges will also be discussed.
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/depublish.htm.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
The Environmental Gradient Natural Filtration Method
This presentation concerns the 100 % natural captive reef filtration method called
the EG or Environmental Gradient. This method utilizes living sponges and sea squirts
as primary filtration components. The main underlying component of this filtration method
however is that it is based on setting up wide ranging gradients of environmental habitats
(called zones) in one captive system. This zonation can support a much more diverse
overall captive ecosystem. The zones of the tropical reef platform that the filtration
philosohpy works with are defined as Exposed, Semi-Exposed, Semi-Cryptic and Cryptic.
The basic ideal of this concept was briefly introduced at Macna X in Long Beach California.
Since that presentation we have written an entire book on the method. This book is called
"The Environmental Gradient - Cryptic Sponge and Sea Squirt Filtration Models". This
new system has been refined and now supports captive aquaria that are much more
reliable, much cheaper to setup and operate, provide great farming platforms and have a
wider species diversity. Properly setup systems can be established that require no food
input at all. Algae (primarily zooxanthellae) capture light and create the organics which
feed all the organisms in the ecosystem. No patents are in the works and the publishing
of information in the public forum should prevent others from patenting these natural
processes. The main intellectual property here is learning how to integrate the system
components (life forms) of each model together into a balanced ecosystem. Steve plans
to write many books on the subject, is gearing up to farm animals that are integral parts
of the ecosystem dynamic and might make some physical products that facilitate
the integration. Consultation will also be available. This presentation will include an
introduction to the concept and can get into more advanced design and integration issues.
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/depublish.htm.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
Living Sea Squirts (The Ascidians)
Steve is currently (end of the year 2000) writting an entire book on the Sea Squirts
also called the Ascidians by scientist. There have been some recent papers published
on these fascinating animals and that information will be included within this book. We
will also discuss methods of integrating and utilizing these natural organisms as natural
filtration components of captive systems. This presentation will include computer images
and photographic slides of common and exotic sea squirt species. We intend to make
this presentation topic available after the book is printed. Our current target date for
release of the book is May 2001. Our original schedule has been delayed due to the
wealth of research we have gathered on the Ascidians. Presentations based on that
book can be scheduled for anytime after April 2001. See the books home page at
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/depublish.htm.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
Expanding the Zonal Concept to Natural Captive Reef Filtration
The greatest advances that captive reef filtration has experienced in the past
20 years have been occurring within the area of natural filtration. Beginning
with the use of living reef rock, there have been many additional advances and
techniques developed. They include the Algal Turf Scrubber, the Jaubert Plenum,
the Deep Live Sand Bed, Mud Based Filtration and Cryptic Sponge Filtration
techniques. Steve has been primarily experimenting with cryptic sponge filtration
techniques. This experimentation has led to the development of zonal concepts
that can be applied to all natural filtration techniques. Historically natural filtration
habitats have been established based on the biological refuge concept. A habitat
is established where filtration organisms, such as algae, can proliferate free from
predation. The new zonal filtration concept is basically based on the common zonal
classification scheme utilized to describe certain areas of reefs (ex. Fore Reef Zone,
Reef Flat Zone, Boulder Zone and Lagoonal Zone). These example habitats are all
classified as Exposed Zones that receive strong amounts of illumination and varying
amounts of primarily moderate to strong water currents. Steve has developed newer
zonal classification schemes such as Cryptic and Semi-Cryptic while adopting the
common Semi-Exposed zonal concept. Zonal classification describes habitats based
on the typical physical environmental parameters that the habitats experience (such
as light, water current, turbidity, particulate organic matter and sedimentation). For
example, cryptic zones typically experience very weak to no light, very weak water
currents and almost no large sized suspended particulate matter. Filtration organisms
that are particularly suited for such environmental parameters can then thrive in these
zonally defined habitats. Applying these zonal concepts to natural filtration techniques
can help the aquarist develop more diverse and more efficient natural filtration
capabilities.
Recommended Length (1-2 hours)
Recommeded Learning Level (beginner to advanced)
