President's Message

President’s Message – September 2026

Dear Aquarist,

I hope you are all as excited as I am to get back to our meetings! On September 11th we start another year at BAS, and will have Andrew Sandler giving an update on his 17,000 gallon reef tank!

I hope everyone had a great summer. I was lucky enough to go to Europe, with a stop in Spain. I visited the beautiful aquarium in Barcelona. It is always interesting to see how other cities set up their aquariums. In Barcelona they have a walk-through shark tank. Whenever I see aquariums in other states or countries, there’s always different livestock that we don’t have in our area. As a lifelong hobbyist, I love that part!

Continue reading President’s Message – September 2026 →

President's Message

President’s Message – July 2026

Dear Aquarist,
Last month we completed our 115th year at BAS. It was a very hot night, with the air conditioning on the fritz, and yet our diehard members stayed for the whole night. I guess they wanted to get their fix of our club before the summer. I am sure come September, we will have a much more comfortable night. Thank you members for putting up with that.
We also held club elections, to appoint new and existing board members. Thank you to our wonderful staff who work so hard to bring you the best club around. I might sound a little bias, but I believe it’s true.
Ever since Covid we continue to bring up our membership, with the diligent work behind the show. We are always looking for ways to improve our club, in numbers and quality.

Continue reading President’s Message – July 2026 →

President's Message

Presidents Message – May 2026

Dear Aquarist,
 
Our May Giant Auction was a packed house, with both salt and freshwater enthusiasts attending. We continue to fill the hall with over 100 members as we attract members from all forms of fish keeping. We had saltwater items, we had freshwater items and even pond items. I thank our staff for picking up donations all over the city — without them we would not thrive. We bring in more and more 50/50 from our members. It is nice to enjoy this hobby, and make a few bucks to support it. Reminder: we offer 50/50 on 10 bags only of livestock, for active members. We accept all donations, but we will not give 50/50 on anything but plants and fish.
 

Continue reading Presidents Message – May 2026 →

President's Message

President’s Message – March 2026

Dear Aquarist,

We have James Perrenod speaking this April 10. James always brings a great talk — I for one am looking forward to it. Hope to see you all there!
 
We had an excellent meeting for March, with almost 100 members showing up, and over 270 items for raffle plus our sales table. We are bringing in new members and new sponsors every month, thanks to our hard working staff. The meeting went well with the new format of having members KEEP THEIR HANDS UP when bidding on items you are interested in. Once your hand goes down, the auctioneer will move to the next bidder. This saves us time so we can get out on time. We finished at 11:45 which is perfect. Once the meeting is over, please exit quickly as we have to cleanup and put everything back to the way we found it. We need to work with the Aquarium, so we can keep having our meeting in Education Hall which we have been doing so for almost 50 years, and would like to continue for another 50!

Continue reading President’s Message – March 2026 →

President's Message

Presidents Message – February 2026

Dear Aquarist,

We had a terrific meeting this month, attended by over 100 members, and with more than 200 items for raffle. Guess everyone knew we’d have a huge birthday cake to celebrate the club’s 115th birthday! The meeting went well with the new format where NYA is letting us use the parking lot from 7–8 p.m. then again from 11 p.m. to midnight. We were done by 11:30 for February’s meeting, which is perfect. The days of auctions ending after midnight are gone. Once the meeting is over, please exit quickly, as we have to cleanup and put everything back to the way we found it.

Continue reading Presidents Message – February 2026 →

President's Message

Presidents Message – December 2025

Dear Aquarist,
This month we had our annual holiday party, and we held it in the Aquarium’s Education Hall. We had over 50 members and their family who we catered with tasty food from Landis Pork store. It was really satisfying to have it in Ed Hall again! It’s been many years since that’s happened. Thanks so much to our friends at the NY Aquarium! It always heartwarming to gather in that space for something other than a meeting.
We had raffles and prizes to give away, which is all thanks to our wonderful board members who make it all happen! Our board members work hard all year to bring you the best society around, and they didn’t stop during our holiday party!

Continue reading Presidents Message – December 2025 →

Announcements, President's Message

Presidents Message – November 2025

Dear Aquarist,

We had another great meeting this month with over 250 bags for auction, and a insightful talk by Harry Faustmann who shared his knowledge on Killifish. Harry always brings an informative talk — even pointing out the Cadillac of Killifish! He has a vast knowledge on many topics and we love having him here! Thank you Harry.

We continue to build our saltwater membership, and as a result we have more and more saltwater items for auction. With many new sponsors, our number keeps growing. We had some terrific coral pieces this month, thanks to donations from Pop Coral, Bull Reef, Absolutely Fish and others. Thank you all.

Continue reading Presidents Message – November 2025 →

Tips & Tricks, DIY

How to clean your pumps and powerheads.

Seasonally cleaning your pumps and powerheads will increase their efficiency and longevity.  Removing the gunk and algae growth from your equipment will help it perform at its peak, and its quick and easy.

Let’s get started!
You’ll need a small container to hold your pump or powerhead, water, and citric acid.  Yep, that’s all.

First, pre-mix 8 oz. of citric acid powder with 1 gallon of water to create the cleaning solution. Then submerge your pumps, powerheads, or whatever you want to clean in the solution.  After 8-24 hours, remove the pumps from the solution and rinse them well in clean water before returning the to your aquarium or sump.  You may need a soft brush to clean some of the gunk, but most everything will be dissolved by now.

That’s it, it’s that easy. Keep your pumps clean and working their best.

You can get your citric acid here.

 

 

Announcements

Membership Special – Two For One! Only Until End Of This Year.

Here’s something you brag about to your friends and family.

From now until end of December, you can snag a great deal!

You get double the years you sign up or renew for.

So, if you sign up for a year, you get an additional year. If you renew for 5-years, you’re good for 10!  I mean, where else can you get a 10-year membership for 75 bucks?!?

Head on over to our online membership center and take advantage of this amazing deal before it’s gone for good.

MEMBERSHIP CENTER ONLINE

P.S. Don’t forget to share :)

President's Message

Presidents Message – October 2025

Dear Aquarist,
We opened back up in September with a great talk from Marc Levenson of Melev’s Reef. Marc spoke on how to move your tank. Something we all run into at least once or twice. It was a thorough discussion on everything you have to think of and how to avoid last minute surprises. We had a full house for the auction too, with over 270 items for auction, plus our usual sales table.

Continue reading Presidents Message – October 2025 →

Announcements

R.I.P Dear Friend – Lou Ekus, CEO of Tropic Marin USA passed away. :(

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lou Ekus, CEO of Tropic Marin USA, who passed away on September 27, 2025.

Lou led Tropic Marin USA with vision, integrity, and unwavering dedication for 28 years. Under Lous leadership, the company grew to be a household name within this industry. Lou was not only a leader but also a mentor, a friend, and a passionate advocate for marine life and sustainability. Lous knowledge and passion for this hobby was well known as he was always eager to share his knowledge to help industry experts and hobbyists alike. Continue reading R.I.P Dear Friend – Lou Ekus, CEO of Tropic Marin USA passed away. :( →

President's Message

Presidents Message – August 2025

Dear Aquarist,

The summer is coming to a close, but that means another new year at BAS. I for one am excited to get back. We will open up September 12th with Marc Levenson from Melev’s Reef. Marc will give a talk on moving your tank. Most of us had to do that atleast once or twice, so that should be interesting. Marc is known among reefers for his site Melev’s Reef, I am looking forward to his talk.

As most of you probably know we visited the Long Island Aquarium, this past week. For those of you that missed it, it is your loss. Joe Yaiullo gave us an amazing behind the scenes tour second to none! We got to see just how much work is put into running an aquarium, and how many people it takes to do it. It was fun and educational. There was also a terrific boat ride to a remote island. The staff there was so helpful and knowledgable. We thank you Joe for your long support of our club!!

Continue reading Presidents Message – August 2025 →

President's Message

Presidents Message – June 2025

Dear Aquarist,
We finished up our season with a terrific meeting!  Our own Dan Puleo gave a great talk on water changes. Dan, who also is one of our auctioneers and a board member, stepped up with an informative presentation; which happened to be our last of the season. But no worries — we will be back on September 12th  with Marc Levenson who will give a talk on moving your tank. Marc is known for his site Melev’s reef.

Continue reading Presidents Message – June 2025 →

Announcements, BAS Events

We’ll be back shortly – September 12th, “Moving a Tank” By Marc Levenson

Before you know it, we’ll be back at it.

For our September 12 Event we’ll be hosting Mark Levenson (Melev’s Reef) who will be talking about moving his tank.

Marc “melev” Levenson has been in the hobby since 1997, blogging his experiences about his own reef on his website melevsreef.com to help others learn good husbandry skills. Most recently he’s become an online personality with over 67,000 followers on his YouTube channel (melevsreef) also geared at helping other reefers through his personal experiences, including a weekly livestream for roughly two hours every Saturday where anyone can hop on and ask a question.

Continue reading We’ll be back shortly – September 12th, “Moving a Tank” By Marc Levenson →

Announcements, BAS Events

We are going to the Long Island Aquarium! – Saturday, August 16th

BAS is going to the Long Island Aquarium on Saturday, August 16th, and everyone is invited. All members, family, and friends are welcome. It will be fun day!

We will be collecting money at the June 13th meeting. The price is as follows:

  • For the aquarium only is $22.00
  • The boat tour with the aquarium is $40.00
  • Butterfly exhibit adds $2.00 to any package
  • All three total $42.00.

Please pay by the June meeting. Please note that these are club discount prices. Anyone not paying before, will not get the discount the day of the trip.

We will meet at the aquarium at noon on the 16th.
Transportation is not included; see address below.

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM
431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901

Visit their website here.

See Flyer Below, click HERE to Download

 

 

President's Message

Presidents Message – April 2025

Dear Aquarist,

April was a terrific meeting with the help of our long time friend and speaker for the night, Joe Yaiullo. Joe always gives a great presentation for us. He spoke on his 38 years of creating of the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. We got to see his early drawings and watch the installation of the shark tank panels. It was sensational! We enjoyed his talk so much that we’ve setup a day to go visit the his aquarium. BAS is going to the L.I Aquarium on Saturday, August 16th, and everyone is invited. All members, family, and friends are welcome.

We will be collecting money at the next two meetings. The price is as follows: for the aquarium only is $22.00, the boat tour with the aquarium is $40.00 and the butterfly exhibit adds $2.00 to any package. All three total $42.00. Please pay by the June meeting. Please note that these are club discount prices. Anyone not paying before, will not get the discount the day of the trip. We will meet at the aquarium at noon on the 16th.

Continue reading Presidents Message – April 2025 →

President's Message

Presidents Message – March 2025

Dear Aquarist,

Hopefully the frigid months are behind us. The older I get, the more I hate the cold. February was COLD, but our members are hearty and came out to hear Bob Likins of Pet Advocacy Network speak on important issues facing the hobby both here and abroad. Since there was a storm in the forecast, we featured him virtually. He answered a lot of questions at the end of his presentation.

Pet Advocacy Network is a great organization who fights for the fish trade and keeping us up to date. We thank Bob for taking time to enlighten us on the work his of organization.

Continue reading Presidents Message – March 2025 →