Seth Kolker
08/08/1954 – 11/05/2020

President of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society
1989 – 2001

Seth was a dedicated aquarium hobbyist his entire life. He was the youngest member ever elected, in the Society’s 109 years, to the Brooklyn Aquarium Society’s Board of Directors while still in his early teens. Seth was a visionary in the aquatic industry. His keen eye for the hobby and insight into the future helped propel the Brooklyn Aquarium Society into unknown areas. In the 1970s and 80s, it was Seth’s influence to move the club into African cichlids and then into marine environments with saltwater fish and corals.

Seth Kolker was the inspiration for many aquarists to try new areas of the hobby; to dabble into the arena of African cichlids and marine species. He was patient and resourceful to novices and experts alike. He would go to hobbyist homes to help resolve aquatic problems.

Seth loved to auctioneer at aquarium society events. He would travel to neighboring states to assist clubs large and small donating his time to help the clubs remain financially solvent. Not only would he know the species about to be auctioned, but he understood the species origins and the best foods to bring out the fish’s colors and health condition.

Seth increased the Society’s membership from as small as six members to close to 500 members when African cichlids and marine species hobbyists were included.

Thank you, Seth, for all you have given to this wonderful hobby.
May God bless and comfort you.

Dear Members,

I hope this note finds everyone in good health during these troubling times.

Not having our usual monthly events is strange to us. I know we miss the normalcy of everyday life, especially our fish club meetings, but our health and those of our loved ones is the most important thing we can consider. Social distancing prevents our events from happening.

The Brooklyn Aquarium Society wants to assure all our members that no one will lose membership dues payment time while we are not meeting during this pandemic. When we are back to normal, all regular members will be credited with the months we have lost.
Everyone stay safe and healthy, continue your water changes, and we hope to see you soon.

Steven Matassa
President

“Copepods are changing the face of aquaculture” –  By Chad Clayton

BAS Presents Chad Clayton Online Presentation – Copepods are Changing the Face of Aquaculture When Fri Jun 12, 2020 8pm – 9pm Eastern Time – New York Where Online Presentation (Virtual Meeting) Joining info Join with Google Meet meet.google.com/fzs-khee-rfh Join by phone +1 706-750-9569 (PIN: 963062243)

With passing of our Editor, John Todaro (R.I.P John – read here) The Aquatica and The Bulletin are being archived and replaced by our new publication AquaticNews.

We are excited to announce that the position of BAS Editor was filled and our new editor, Virginia (Ginny) Cahill will be working on our beautiful new publication – AquaticNews.

Please note: Archived copies of our previous publications: The Aquatica & The Bulletin can be found here and here.

The officers and board members of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society decided that for everyone’s safety and to minimize possibility of contracting the Corona Virus (COVID-19), our April 10th event titled “Successful Strategies for Reef Keeping by Bob Stark is canceled. Bob owns and operates ESV Aquarium Products and has been long standing supporter of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society (Thank you Bob).  His company makes outstanding products for saltwater and reef aquariums. To show your support in these hard times, please visit his website and review his offerings.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and hope you stay healthy throughout the rest of the flu season.

Stay Home – Flatten The Curve!

Hoping to see you all soon.

The officers and board members of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society decided that for everyone’s safety and to minimize possibility of contracting the Corona Virus, our March 13th event should be canceled.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and hope you stay healthy throughout the rest of the flu season.

We’ll see you at the next meeting.

Win a 170 gallon (total water volume) system complete with Tank, Refugium / Sump, Lighting, Pumps, Fish, Corals, Rock, Substrate, Pods and Phyto for a YEAR, Macroalgaes, Chemicals and Cleaners, and Salt!

No Tricks, No Scavenger Hunts… Simply visit pages and sponsors and say “Happy Holidays” “Merry Christmas” or whatever you would like to thank them for helping us to setup this incredible giveaway!

New Videos, Blog Posts, Sponsors Pages and more every Monday until 2020!

As a bonus, You will RANDOMLY be given gifts of REAL PRODUCTS for free, from us here at Algaebarn, As a Thank you for an incredible 2019! Two Runners up will get Ecopods and phyto subscriptions for a YEAR!

ENTER HERE

It is with deep sorrow that we must report the passing of our Editor John Todaro. For BAS, moving forward will be difficult. As you are aware John created the Bulletin and the Aquatica – he was truly a special person.

John Joseph Todaro
1938 – 2019

Born and raised in New York City, John
Todaro served in the U.S. Army in Fort Rucker,
Alabama. John published a children’s book –
Phillip the Flower Eating Phoenix. He was an
art director for the McCann, Erikson and Ted
Bates advertisement agencies. A man of creative
pursuits, his hobbies included photography,
pottery, watercolors, woodworking and tropical
fish.

John’s passion and love for the Brooklyn
Aquarium Society (BAS), of which he was a club
member for greater than 50 years, combined his
creative genius and his leadership abilities. John
was the Corresponding Secretary, Exchange Editor
and Editor of two of the Societies publications
The Bulletin and The Aquatica (The Brooklyn
Aquarium Society was the only club in the
United States to publish two aquatic magazines
thanks to John). John became President of the
Brooklyn Aquarium Society in 2001 through 2003.
As President, John created the club’s Education
Program which brought aquariums to public
and private schools throughout New York City
and allowed our talented members to provide
presentations to schools, community centers and
senior citizen facilities. As President Emeritus, he
created the Centennial Journal of the Brooklyn
Aquarium Society and the 100th Birthday party at
the New York Aquarium in 2011.

In 2004 John and his son Andrew moved to
Vermont. John passed peacefully in his home on
Thursday, October 17, 2019. He was 81 years old.
John is succeeded by his three children (Christie
Potter and Andrew and Anna Todaro) and his two
grandchildren (Riley and Ella Potter).

RIP John – you will be deeply missed.

Our last speaker, Ralph Chi, owner of Pacific Aquarium at 46 Delancey Street (near the Manhattan Bridge) really knows his fish, plants and marine livestock.

His store has everything. This generous person is having a huge sale and giveaways.

You must bring your active membership card.

This special weekend is on
Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28
and only for BAS members!

The first 19 members, for each day, who spend $50 each, will receive a Pacific Aquarium Easter egg. Inside the egg will be a note on what you have won – all prizes are exclusive giveaways of equipment, filters, lighting or a complete Fluval (or equivalent) setup that includes tank, filter, lighting, etc.

Can’t go wrong with great sale and we can’t thank Ralph Chi enough for extending such exclusive offer to our members.

You will not be disappointed

ATI is running a contest where one winner will receive up to 8 – T5 bulbs of their choice. Good Luck.

• Brighten up your tank this spring with a set of ATI T5 bulbs!
• One winner will receive their choice of 8 ATI T5 bulbs for their fixture.
• Open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18+.
• Simply use the Gleam.io entry form to enter, winners will be drawn 4/23/19.

ENTER HERE

Brooklyn Aquarium Society Holiday Party
All you can eat buffet with Asian, Spanish and American foods plus plenty of sushi and desserts on the menu.
We will have our awards ceremony to thank our sponsors, donators, Board members and regular members.

Friday, December 14, 2018 from 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Members, family and friends come and enjoy with us! BAS is picking up part of the cost so it’s only $15.- p/person
We must know if you plan on attending so please contact: Marie Licciardello at 718-377-7749; or Steve Matassa at 347-277-4793; or Joe Graffagnino at 917-922-5108

At:

Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet
3839 Nostrand Ave., (Between Ave. Y & Z), Brooklyn, NY 11235 (718) 648-6888

Parking is available in front mini mall parking or roof parking at Aldi’s supermarket. DO NOT USE bank parking lot on Ave. Z

Update: 11/15/2018 – SOLD To The Highest Bidder

Announcement

Rare for the Brooklyn Aquarium Society and will sell at Auction for the Right Price

When: October 12th, 2018.

Where: Brooklyn Aquarium Society

Brand New – 55 gallon Ocean View seamless cube bow tank set with furniture

Bidding will start at $200 – Retail Price $1300.

Lot includes: 55 gallon seamless cube tank, Stand and Canopy

Tank is ready for a sump and filtration.

Item must be picked up from storage within two weeks of auction.

Please see photo bellow. Pictures do not represent the actual tank. Color is Premium Cherry

Donated by Aqua Vim

Looking for an aquarium-loving coworker or contractor – with potential to become a business partner or co-owner.

We are a small yet dynamic company, based in Queens, New York, that designs, manufacturers, and wholesale unique, up-scale aquariums in variety of sizes and styles and supply them to pet stores, hotels, restaurants, offices, as well as to interior designing contractors of residential or commercial projects.

It is because we are small, you will have the opportunity to learn various skills from doing a little of everything, developing a full range of hands-on experience. Rest assured, we will train you on the job – who knows, you might have something we don’t, that will place yourself on a ladder to greater success!

As the owner of this business for more than 15 years, I am looking for someone to share my profits as well as my workloads with, so that I can free up some time for my family.

So contact me if you are the individual with following qualifications:

a). You are enthusiastic about aquariums, and have the motivation to turn this enthusiasm into a greater success by partnering with this company.

b). You are honest, responsible, willing to learn, treat customers in a sincere manner, and have a positive attitude.

c). You are in good physical condition: – You will need to occasionally lift 100+ lbs of merchandise by hands, although the work place is equipped with forklift and other tools and usually has other helpers to do that kind of work.

d). You can use, or can learn to use, variety of power hand-tools, in case we are short-handed.

e). You have a valid driver license and verifiable history of drug-free, crime-clean background and are legally allowed to work in the country.

f). To begin, you will coordinate with the sales rep, to help multi-tasking in connection with before-sales, during sales, and after-sales.

g). Please note, we will try you just as you will try us, first as a part time or independent contractor, for maybe 3 to 6 months (depending on how quick you learn and what skills you already have) before we can decide to have you as a coworker, co-owner, as a partner, or as a privileged contractor. During this period of training here, you will be paid $120 per day.

If you are interested, please email a resume with a list of references to alexz828@yahoo.com.

Official Info Music Video for the All-Species All-Hobbyist Extravaganza celebrating the non-profit Northeast Council of Aquarium Society’s 44th Convention!

Speakers, vendor & hobbyist sales, IGEES Guppy Show, Silent & Live Auctions, Hospitality Room, 3 Full Course Buffet Meals, Prizes, Raffles, Freebies, MORE! Come for a day or stay the weekend.
ALL WELCOME! http://northeastcouncil.org

See flyer here.

• The Brooklyn Aquarium Society will have a 50/50 auction split for all livestock at our April event.
• You must inform the BAS officer at the donation table that you want to participate in the 50/50.
• The limit is 10 bags per member and it must be either fish, plants or coral in healthy condition.

We will once again be having a 50/50 split on donated livestock only (corals, fish and plants in good health) for members only. Members must sign in at the donation desk that they want 50% of whatever their livestock items are auctioned for (no reserves). The total of all donations must be greater than $5 and your return check will be available for pickup at the next regular meeting or during our board meeting on April 13th, 2018.

If you have any questions regarding this event please don’t hesitate to contact us or just post your questions below.

Not a member yet? No problem, become one today http://membership.basny.org/

New York Aquarium has a GREAT opportunity for Aquarium Aficionados.

New York Aquarium is seeking volunteers to help share its new exhibit Ocean Wonders: Sharks as it prepares to open this summer! We are looking for volunteers to be part of the education department and fulfill roles as Ambassadors and WCS Now Interpreters.

Ambassadors act as way finders, helping guests plan their visit, and help gather groups for special talks within the exhibit spaces.

WCS Now Interpreters are trained to run Quest Stations, fun educational activities that help connect our guests to sharks and their conservation. In addition, Interpreters are trained to facilitate our new shark touch pool with the opening of the new exhibit.

All volunteers are asked to make a 1 year commitment, where they volunteer a minimum of 3 times per month, full or half days. All volunteers are interviewed and trained before being accepted into the program. Training dates are as follows: April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, and 20th. Ambassadors only need to attend the first two dates of training, add’l dates are optional but encouraged.

More information can be found on our website and under the “Apply Now” Button, where in-depth information is shared: http://bit.ly/NYAvolunteers

Deadline for applications has been extended to April 8th, 2018.

Questions can be addressed to Jen Kepler: NYADocent@wcs.org or 718-265-3450

More information can be found at: http://bit.ly/NYAvolunteers

See Flyer Here

All members,

If you act now and you can still make it to the Holiday party dinner.
Call Marie Licciadello our 2nd VP at 718-377-7749 and tell her you want to attend
the dinner and how many are in your party. The cost is $41 per person.

You can bring your payment, either check or cash that night.

•The dinner starts at 8:00 pm, Friday, December 8th at the renowned
Mama Rao’s Restaurant, 6408 11th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, known for their excellent Italian food and service.

THE MENU INCLUDES:

Cold antipasto, Fried calamari, served with a spicy
or mild sauce. A choice of pasta:

A CHOICE OF FOUR ENTREE:

• Veal Cutlet: .
• Shrimp Oreganata:
• Chicken:
• Vegetarian Entree:

Including a bottle of wine, both red and white per table. Soda or juices, cake, coffee, tea, cappuccino and homemade lemon drop cookies.

Let’s CELEBRATE!

Dear all,

Here is a special we’ve never done before.

Between today and June 9th, 2017 if you sign up or renew your membership we will extend your membership length two-fold.

Example you sign up or renew and pay for a year; we’ll give you two!

Sign up or re-new for 2 years and we’ll extend you membership for four!

Sign up or re-new for 4 years and we’ll extend your membership for eight years total!!!

This is a great opportunity to save on membership fees. Combine this with multi-year discount and you can get an 8-year membership with this for $68 or family membership for $85.  That is an amazing deal!

This is available to all. New, Expired or Current.  You don’t have to wait for your membership expires.

Sign up or renew online or at one of our meetings before June 9th.

Click Here to Proceed.