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.

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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.

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New Year Reefing Resolutions

We 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.

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Raise the Reef: Inside the World of a High-End LPS Retailer

Chris, 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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Signature Frags – From Hobbyist to Coral Farmer

Chris, 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

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Reefing Radio - AQUAH 2025 Debrief

Chris 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 most

• Aquatic Emporium’s show-stopping booth and why it stood out from the rest
• New tanks that caught our eye – including a tempting D&D peninsula and nano options from UNS
• Gear highlights – from ATI’s latest Stratons to Chris’s new PARwise Pro purchase
• Networking 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

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