Reefing Radio

In this episode of Reefing Radio, we’re joined by Courtney Keeps — a hobbyist known for his beautifully designed macroalgae reef tanks, natural daylight-style aesthetics, and thoughtful approach to aquarium design.Courtney shares his journey from freshwater aquascaping into the reefing world, including how planted tank design principles, gardening, and a love of natural aesthetics have shaped the way he approaches marine aquariums. We discuss what the reefing hobby can learn from aquascaping — from intentional layouts and repetition to colour placement, depth, restraint, and designing tanks that feel cohesive rather than cluttered.The conversation also dives deep into macroalgae systems: how to grow them successfully, nutrient management, lighting, dealing with nuisance algae, species that thrive (or crash), and why macroalgae tanks behave very differently from traditional coral-dominated reefs. Along the way, we talk about natural seawater, freshwater influences on reefing, blackwater tanks, nano systems, and the challenge of balancing aesthetics with practicality.Courtney also walks us through his latest shallow lagoon-style setup — including the philosophy behind the design, custom-painted cabinetry, canister filtration, and why the overall presentation of an aquarium matters just as much as what’s inside the glass.You can check out Courtney’s stunning Reef2Reef Tank of the Month feature here:Reef of the Month – May 2025: CourtneyKeepsAnd follow his work on Instagram here:@courtneykeepsSupport the show: 👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@reefing_radio⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠Reefing Radio⁠💬 Drop us an email at: ⁠[email protected]⁠🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

We recently visited Tropical Marine Centre — the UK’s largest importer of marine fish and coral — for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with CEO Brian Schaff.In Part 1 of this series, Brian takes us through TMC’s fish systems, quarantine and acclimation processes, animal care philosophy, and the logistics involved in handling thousands of marine fish each year.We also discuss fish health, decompression, captive breeding, UV sterilisation, feeding systems, and how TMC approaches marine livestock care at scale.Huge thanks to Brian and the whole team at TMC for taking the time to show us around.Part 2 coming soon.Don't miss our full sit-down interview with Brian Schaff discussing the reefing industry, supply chains, sustainability, and how the marine trade works. Find out more about Tropical Marine Centre: 🌐 ⁠Website⁠📸 ⁠Instagram⁠📘 ⁠Facebook⁠👉 Follow us onInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠YouTube: @reefing_radioGot feedback or questions? Drop us a message!Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

In this episode, Chris, James, and Gareth are joined by Brian Schaff, CEO of Tropical Marine Centre (TMC), the UK’s leading suppliers of marine livestock and aquarium equipment.We take a closer look at how marine livestock makes its way from the ocean to our tanks, with Brian walking us through the central role TMC plays in supplying the UK reefing hobby.Along the way, we get into wild vs captive breeding, the positive impact the hobby has on local communities, and why the trade is often more responsible and sustainable than it’s given credit for. We also touch on fish ranching, as well as the complexities around topics like biopiracy.If you’ve ever wondered where your fish and corals come from — and what happens before they reach your local fish store — this is a detailed look inside one of the UK’s most important reefing operations.We’ve also filmed a separate video tour of TMC with Brian to accompany this episode, so keep an eye out for that coming soon.Find out more about Tropical Marine Centre: 🌐 Website📸 Instagram📘 Facebook👉 Follow us onInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

In this episode of Reefing Radio, we’re back to a classic catch-up after a run of guest episodes — just the three of us talking through what’s been going on in our tanks lately.James shares updates on his soft coral system, including new additions, how it’s starting to fill out, and his approach to keeping things simple with minimal equipment and intervention. We also touch on sourcing more unusual corals and how his tank is evolving visually as it grows in.Gareth talks through his new shallow reef build, including the DIY wavebox that’s been getting a lot of attention, the challenges of modifying the tank, and his plans for a more natural-looking setup with fewer coral types grown out over time. We also get into stocking ideas, from groups of fish to future plans for clowns and anemones.Chris rounds things out with updates across his tanks, including dealing with white spot using tank transfer method, changes to dosing, and setting up a mantis shrimp pico tank. We also reflect on how our tanks are starting to look more alike, and whether that’s just the result of reefing together.👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Drop us an email at: [email protected]🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

In this episode of Reefing Radio, we continue our conversation with Dr Jamie Craggs to explore one of the most exciting frontiers in the reefing hobby: spawning corals at home.In the previous episode, we unpacked Jamie’s work and the growing importance of coral reproduction for reef restoration. This time, we bring it back to the hobbyist level — asking a simple but powerful question: can you actually spawn corals in your own tank?We dive into the practical realities of coral spawning, from understanding reproductive strategies and seasonal triggers to what really matters in a home setup. How important are temperature swings, lighting cycles, and moon phases? What can you get away with — and what actually makes the difference?We also explore the tools that can help you get started, including the coral spawning database developed by researchers at Newcastle University — to start predicting when your corals might spawn. The conversation then moves into what happens next: from catching spawning events to raising larvae, settlement challenges, and why this is where things get genuinely difficult. Along the way, we touch on hybridisation, sustainability, and what this could mean for the future of the hobby.If you’ve ever wondered whether coral spawning is something only labs can achieve — or something you might realistically attempt yourself — this episode gives you a clear, grounded starting point.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

First things first — apologies for the gap since our last episode! Life got in the way for a few weeks, but we're back on schedule now and we've got a cracking episode to make up for it.In this episode, Chris, James, and Gareth are joined by Dr. Jamie Craggs — marine biologist, coral researcher, and the scientist who changed everything we thought we knew about spawning coral in captivity.Jamie is the principal aquarium curator at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London and the lead scientist behind Project Coral. He's also co-founder of Coral Spawning International, which is deploying spawning research globally in support of reef restoration and local communities — with over 100 systems now operating across 19 countries.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Here, we focus on the big picture and Jamie's story: why the world's coral reefs are in such serious trouble, from climate-driven bleaching to blast fishing, and what the stakes really are for biodiversity, coastal communities, and the future of the hobby. Jamie takes us through his journey from hobbyist to researcher, explaining how he made the leap from jellyfish to corals and achieved the world's first predicted coral spawning event in a fully closed system — and what it took to scale that breakthrough into a global restoration tool.We also get into coral biology along the way, covering the difference between brooders and broadcast spawners and why good husbandry is a more powerful scientific tool than it's often given credit for.Jamie also highlights the Great Reef Census as a brilliant way for hobbyists and ocean lovers to contribute to real coral reef research from anywhere in the world — link here.In Part 2, we get practical. Jamie will be back to walk us through what coral spawning at home actually looks like — and whether it might be more achievable than you'd think. Stay tuned.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

In this episode, Chris, Gareth, and James are joined by Jake — better known as Jake EC on Ultimate Reef — to explore the weird, wonderful, and often-overlooked side of reef keeping.Jake is known for his natural-looking mixed reefs and an extraordinary collection of unusual fish and invertebrates, from shrimp, starfish, and cucumbers to nano fish, symbiotic pairings, and rare oddities you rarely see in home aquariums. We dig into how and why he stocks his tanks the way he does, focusing on behaviour, interaction, and realism rather than trends or hype.We talk about keeping unusual livestock successfully, pairing and grouping fish and inverts, sourcing rare species through strong retailer relationships, and what it takes to run a diverse, invert-heavy reef long term. Along the way, there’s plenty of discussion around risk, responsibility, learning through experience, and why curiosity still matters in the hobby.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

New Year Reefing ResolutionsWe kick off 2026 with a reefing catch-up and some New Year’s resolutions. We talk about what got done over Christmas, what got neglected, and what we’re realistically trying to do better this year — from water-change routines and testing discipline to spending less money (we’ll see).There’s plenty of tank chat too: James’ plans for a softer, sponge-led system (and resisting the SPS temptation), Gareth’s rock-solid routines and why he’s officially done buying livestock, and Chris resetting his SPS cube with live rock, new flow, and a hard push for stability after a rough year.We also dig into skimmers vs refugiums, pH struggles in winter, salt choices, dosing philosophies, and whether stability really does just come with time.A relaxed start to the year, plenty of opinions, and a look ahead at what Reefing Radio has lined up for 2026.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Raise the Reef: Inside the World of a High-End LPS RetailerChris, Gareth, and James are joined by Ash from Raise the Reef, a UK coral retailer specialising in vibrant, high-end LPS, with a particular passion for torches and unusual pieces.We dig into Ash’s journey from garage-based fragging to opening a physical store, and what it’s like running a coral business alongside a full-time job. Ash shares how he selects corals in person, grows out and colours up high-end LPS, and why feeding, nutrients, and flow matter far more than most people realise.Along the way, we talk about the realities of coral retail — from sourcing and growing corals, to supporting customers, building community, and balancing livestock care with the commercial side of the hobby. There’s also plenty of discussion around feeding, nutrients, flow, and what it actually takes to keep LPS thriving long-term.🔗 Check out Raise the Reef at ⁠raisethereef.co.uk⁠ and on Facebook. 👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Reefing Radio – “How Many Fish Is Too Many Fish?”This episode is all about adding fish, stocking sensibly, and working out when a tank has reached its limit. We compare approaches, talk through what actually matters when choosing new additions, and look at how aggression, space, nutrients and behaviour shape whether a fish will work long-term.We also have a catch up on our tanks: James’ softie system with booming yellow sponges and neat lines of hair algae, Gareth’s bubble coral that turned out to be riddled with boring sponge, and Chris’ UNS 90LA tank transfer — plus the calcium precipitation event that left his SPS cube coated in white dust.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

After a longer-than-planned break (life got in the way!), the Reefing Radio trio are back behind the mics.In this episode, Chris, James and Gareth catch up on everything that’s been happening in their tanks — from Gareth’s elegance coral rollercoaster and growing Pectinia obsession, to James’ mangrove tank and one extremely naughty hogfish, to Chris’ shut down of the nano lagoon and build-out of the new UNS 90LA.We also dive into a brilliant listener question on “marginal gains” in reefing. Are those ultra-precise tweaks actually worth the effort? Or are we all guilty of overthinking it? Expect calibration chat, food-washing scepticism, and a surprisingly sensible framework for working out what actually matters.To finish, we share the animals we wish we could keep but realistically can’t — from clams and Moorish idols to the fish Chris still dreams of one day finding a way to make work.A relaxed, honest, reef-nerdy episode — thanks for sticking with us, and enjoy!👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week.

In this special bonus Reefing Radio On Tour episode — our very first video podcast — we head to co-host Gareth’s home to check out his stunning 5-foot Red Sea peninsula reef.This LPS-dominant system has been carefully built and refined over time. Gareth talks us through the full setup — from coral and fish choices to sump layout, flow, and lighting — and the lessons learned along the way.It’s an insightful look at a beautiful home reef — and a milestone first video outing for the Reefing Radio crew.🔗 Watch on YouTube or on Spotify, or listen on your favourite podcast platform. 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat

Charterhouse Aquatics – Behind the Counter of One of the UK’s Leading Reefing Retailers Chris, Gareth, and James are joined by Ryan from Charterhouse Aquatics — one of the UK’s largest and best-known reefing retailers. If you’ve ever searched for aquarium gear online, you’ve almost certainly come across them.We dive into the story behind Charterhouse — from its humble beginnings in a garage back in 2005 to becoming a household name in the UK reefing scene. Ryan shares what it’s like running a major online store, how they decide which products and brands to stock, and why good customer service is still at the heart of everything they do.Along the way, we chat about industry trends, the rise of nano tanks, what drives reef equipment prices, and how Charterhouse balances online convenience with hands-on hobbyist experience. Plus, a look at their “white glove” delivery service, their livestock partnership with EcoMarines, and the story behind Charterhouse TV.It’s a fascinating conversation offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s cornerstone reefing businesses — packed with insight, perspective, and a lot of love for the hobby.🔗 Check out Charterhouse at charterhouse-aquatics.com👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Signature Frags – From Hobbyist to Coral FarmerChris, Gareth, and James are joined by Christian, the founder of Signature Frags — one of the UK’s best-known coral farms and a name synonymous with colourful, tank-hardened Acropora.We dive into Christian’s journey from hobbyist to coral farmer, what sets Signature Frags apart (from rigorous quarantine to long grow-out processes), and the realities of running a high-end coral farm in the UK. Along the way, we cover coral husbandry, pests and pathogens, the role of dissolved oxygen and microbiomes, and why seeing colonies alongside frags is such a different customer experience.It’s an inspiring conversation full of insights into the future of the hobby, the challenges of coral farming, and what makes corals thrive long-term in home tanks.🔗 Check out Christian’s coral at signaturefrags.com👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Reefing Radio - AQUAH 2025 DebriefChris and Gareth sit down for an impromptu episode fresh from the AQUAH trade show. We share first impressions, standout corals (including a jaw-dropping Colorado Sunburst anemone), and the vendors that nailed it on the day.We cover:The balance of coral sellers vs dry goods – and what surprised us mostAquatic Emporium’s show-stopping booth and why it stood out from the restNew tanks that caught our eye – including a tempting D&D peninsula and nano options from UNSGear highlights – from ATI’s latest Stratons to Chris’s new PARwise Pro purchaseNetworking wins – vendors and suppliers lining up to join Reefing Radio in future episodes🎧 Tune in for a relaxed debrief full of coral chat, kit talk, and a peek behind the scenes of one of the UK’s biggest reefing events👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Reefing Radio – “Does Size Matter?” Chris, Gareth, and James tackle one of the most common questions in reefing: what are the real differences between running a small tank and a large one? Inspired by a listener upgrading from a nano to a four-foot setup, we dig into the trade-offs between scale, cost, and enjoyment.We cover:Stocking strategies – why small tanks highlight tiny fish & critters, while big tanks let you go big on tangs and foxfacesAggression & space – does a larger tank really reduce conflict, or just give you more battles to manage?Coral growth – bonsai colonies vs basketball-sized torches, and how aesthetics shape your choicesMaintenance – the speedboat vs oil tanker analogy: stability, water changes, and how much muscle it takes to shift 60 litresEquipment – what you can get away with second-hand, and why return pumps aren’t the place to cut cornersThe “perfect size” tank – from cubes to peninsulas, we each share where we’d land if we had to start againFrom James flooding his kitchen to Gareth finally rehoming his foxface, it’s a wide-ranging chat packed with lessons learned and plenty of debate on whether bigger really is better.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Reefing Radio – “Keeping It Stable” pt. 2Chris, Gareth, and James return to wrap up our deep dive into reef tank stability — this time we cover the parameters and approaches we didn’t get to last week. From magnesium mysteries to nutrient balance, trace elements, and the pros and cons of different dosing strategies, it’s a packed episode.We cover:Magnesium & calcium – does magnesium really matter, and why do some tanks never consume it?Alk/Ca balance – James’ strong views on why the two need to be pairedTrace elements & ICPs – useful tool, false reassurance, or just a money pit?Nutrient stability – balancing nitrates & phosphates, high vs low nutrient systems, and how lighting ties inDosing approaches revisited – All-for-Reef, two-part, DIY mixes, and kalkwasser (including slurry and reactors)Quick-fire round – the one parameter we’d peg forever, and the most overrated one in reefingWe also announced the winner of our £50 Prestige Reef gift card giveaway – congratulations to the winner!🎧 Tune in for one of our longest episodes yet, full of debate, confessions, and a few surprising takes on what really matters in reef stability.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

Reefing Radio – “Keeping It Stable” pt. 1In this episode, Chris, Gareth, and James dive into one of reefing’s biggest challenges – keeping things stable. From alkalinity and calcium to pH, magnesium, and even the microbiome, we share how we approach stability in our own tanks and what we think really matters.We cover:Using (and questioning) things like Chemiclean and bottled bacteriaWhy salinity might be the most underrated parameterThe role of microbiome diversity in a healthy reefBalancing stability with observation – testing vs just watching your coralsOur own tank updates: pipefish, pectinia, Apex setups, summer struggles, and moreThere’s also still time to enter our £50 Prestige Reef gift card giveaway! Just comment on our Instagram or Facebook post for this episode to be in with a chance.🎧 Tune in for an hour of reef chat, laughs, and maybe a few disagreements about what really matters in reefkeeping.👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@reefing_radio⁠⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠Reefing Radio⁠⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

🎙️ Episode 2 – Reefing SuccessWelcome back to Reefing Radio! In this episode, your hosts — Chris, Gareth, and James — dive into the topic of reefing success . 🌊 What does success look like in the reefing hobby?💡 How do we define it for ourselves?🏆 And what wins (big or small) have we had in our own tanks?💬 We want to hear from you: What does reefing success mean to you? Comment on the episode or send us a message!👉 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@reefing_radio⁠📘 Find us on Facebook: ⁠Reefing Radio⁠💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week

🎙️ Episode 1 – Meet Reefing RadioWelcome to the first episode of Reefing Radio! In this kickoff episode, your hosts — Chris, Gareth, and James — introduce themselves, share how they got into reefing, and give you a peek into their current tank setups, reefing styles, and salty obsessions.We also chat about why we decided to start the podcast, what you can expect in future episodes, and how we hope to build a relaxed, hobbyist-focused space for reefkeepers of all kinds.Whether you’re fragging zoas in a nano or tweaking calcium reactors on a 6-foot SPS beast, there’s something here for you. Thanks for tuning in — and welcome to the Reefing Radio community.👉 Follow us on Instagram: @reefing_radio📘 Find us on Facebook: Reefing Radio💬 Got feedback or questions? Drop us a message!🎧 Subscribe to hear more reefing chat every week.