a simple sps tank

[glaukos]

Damn Mike, the reef is looking great mate. Your rock scape is one of my favorites on RC just so ya know :beer :

Been a year since you last posted a pic mate............. A YEAR Mike ! : p

Thank you so much biggles buddy!Your kind words mean a lot my dear friend:beer:

I hope you'll like the new layout too
I hate my self mate...i find it really difficult not to change things,whenever i put my hands in the tank:headwally:
After i cleaned the pumps,flow became stronger and i was tempted to change sides to the islands.Tbh i always considered the wright island to be a better choice for the left side as it would hide my overflow better compared to the left one,which is shorter.........(the things a man can say to find excuses to himself.... )
Joking aside,i really like it much better now....it looks more random and has a more natural approach(at least in my eyes )
I'll post some pics tomorrow to tell me what you think guys:thumbsup:

Lol with the year comment!

Happy New Year Mike ..are you sure you weren't just busy playing advance warfare...

Happy new year to you too dan my friend:celeb3:
Hope you had a great time during holidays!

Nah,for unknown reasons my nat type is strict....and that means lag....which means my tank will pay the price...which ended in the changes i mentioned above
Think i'll give destiny or assassins,a chance now

A year... Ouch.. There's the public shaming again.

I know matt:lmao::lmao :
Loving all these jokes and that's a big reason i love our community so much guys !:beer:

Glaukos, you can get decent pics even with a smartphone(if that is what you are using), here is how.
1) First I have found that taking a picture as soon as you open the camera. A few seconds later the blue starts to increase. You can also turn of your dawn dusk blues while taking the picture to decrease the blue in the shot.
2) Keep the tank only in the frame, the lights will throw off the color balance.
3) once you have the shot, use Biggles incredibly helpful tutorial to post correct the photos. It's located here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=23332879&postcount=116
Using the guide, I adjusted one of your shots:

With a better source photo you can really make the pics look good and true to life.

Mhucasey i can't thank you enough,not only for your tips but also for the time you devoted to fix that pic my friend!:beer:
Really appreciate it!
I'll do as you adviced me in my next pics!
The pic you adjusted,is probably one of the best in this thread
Thank you!

 

[sahin]

Mike has one of the best minimalist aquascapes...but not so nice photos

Biggles, please send Kevin to Greece for a short holiday. Of course the main aim is to get Kevin to take photos of Mikes tank. :lol2:

 

[reeflover62]

Everything is looking great Mike and corals are growing in nice. I am also GUILTY of cutting and moving corals around :uhoh2:. That's the one of the best parts, if you don't like it move it. I will sometimes move a frag around 10 times before I am happy with its placement and then after a few months move it again.

 

[biggles]

Mike has one of the best minimalist aquascapes...but not so nice photos

Biggles, please send Kevin to Greece for a short holiday. Of course the main aim is to get Kevin to take photos of Mikes tank. :lol2:

Oh for pete's sake stop trying to be bloody diplomatic Sahin - Mike, you're a crap photographer and since we all want to see your yummy acros true colors you better well do something about it mate......... and there ain't one of these like after Sahin's subtle slagging of your pics.

Never mind Kevin, a gummy bear could take better pics...........

This is an SPS Pic Intervention by your good mates Mike, it's because we care........:love2: :thumbsup:

 

[sahin]

Oh for pete's sake stop trying to be bloody diplomatic Sahin - Mike, you're a crap photographer and since we all want to see your yummy acros true colors you better well do something about it mate......... and there ain't one of these like after Sahin's subtle slagging of your pics.

Never mind Kevin, a gummy bear could take better pics...........

This is an SPS Pic Intervention by your good mates Mike, it's because we care........:love2: :thumbsup:

Poor Mike...I bet he's smashed his camera now because of your post Biggles...:deadhorse:

Nice way to put it Mr Seargent Major :headwally:

 

[glaukos]

Mike has one of the best minimalist aquascapes...but not so nice photos : p

Biggles, please send Kevin to Greece for a short holiday. Of course the main aim is to get Kevin to take photos of Mikes tank. : lol2:

Really happy you like it sahin my friend!: beer:
And you are sooooo right about my photo skills....one thing comes into my mind when i see my pics buddy...titanic

I'd love to see kevin here:beachbum:
Of course i'd have a nice talk with him before he leaves biggle's yard...just to let him know what i want from B's tank....then it's up to him

Everything is looking great Mike and corals are growing in nice. I am also GUILTY of cutting and moving corals around : uhoh2:. That's the one of the best parts, if you don't like it move it. I will sometimes move a frag around 10 times before I am happy with its placement and then after a few months move it again.

Thank you reeflover buddy,glad you like it and i wish you'll like the new changes too!
Your last words rested my soul my friend
Happy to see i'm not the only one that doesn't leave his corals in peace:inlove:
That's exactly what i do too!

Oh for pete's sake stop trying to be bloody diplomatic Sahin - Mike, you're a crap photographer and since we all want to see your yummy acros true colors you better well do something about it mate......... and there ain't one of these like after Sahin's subtle slagging of your pics.

Never mind Kevin, a gummy bear could take better pics...........: rolleyes:

This is an SPS Pic Intervention by your good mates Mike, it's because we care........: love2: : thumbsup:

:lmao:....love you too mate!:beer:
The most tragic part is that after all of my photos Mhucasey did far better job than me with just one pic....he even managed to show that i do have sand lol
Thanks again for that Mhucasey buddy!

Tbh honest even if i manage to snap some descent ones they won't involve great acro colors ,since they are not in their best state,colorwise.
All these changes stressed them a bit.Not all but most of them.

Thanks buddy for tickling me about my photo skills and the intervention....truth hurts

Guys if i want to adjust the photos from a mac what do i use?I mean is there a good default app or i should get(by get i mean free ) one?

Poor Mike...I bet he's smashed his camera now because of your post Biggles...: deadhorse:

Nice way to put it Mr Seargent Major : headwally:

love you guys:love1::beer:
Thank for the laughs!
I was stuck in traffic when i was reading it and you prevent me from breaking stuff!

 

[biggles]

Sorry Mike i know nothing about Mac stuff mate. Good tubes to run for good color results would be a coral+, aquablue special & B+. If you can run those three only you will see much better results color wise. Turn off all LED sups, all actinics and most blue tubes so the tank looks yellow/whitish to your eye, if you think the results aren't blue enough just turn another single B+ type tube on and try again.
T5 tanks are the easiest tanks to photograph because there's bugger all contrast issues compared to halides and LED's. Experiment with different tube combos until you get the one that your camera likes - remember it won't look right to your eye but the camera will blue it up much more. :thumbsup:

 

[reefmutt]

Mike, not sure if you have white leds over the tank but I have had some success getting better cri by turning my warm white leds up to full blast when taking picks. But if you only have blue leds, Biggles advice is great. Assuming the bulbs give you enough light to take photos..

 

[mhucasey]

Really happy you like it sahin my friend!: beer:
And you are sooooo right about my photo skills....one thing comes into my mind when i see my pics buddy...titanic

I'd love to see kevin here:beachbum:
Of course i'd have a nice talk with him before he leaves biggle's yard...just to let him know what i want from B's tank....then it's up to him



Thank you reeflover buddy,glad you like it and i wish you'll like the new changes too!
Your last words rested my soul my friend
Happy to see i'm not the only one that doesn't leave his corals in peace:inlove:
That's exactly what i do too!


:lmao:....love you too mate!:beer:
The most tragic part is that after all of my photos Mhucasey did far better job than me with just one pic....he even managed to show that i do have sand lol
Thanks again for that Mhucasey buddy!

Tbh honest even if i manage to snap some descent ones they won't involve great acro colors ,since they are not in their best state,colorwise.
All these changes stressed them a bit.Not all but most of them.

Thanks buddy for tickling me about my photo skills and the intervention....truth hurts

Guys if i want to adjust the photos from a mac what do i use?I mean is there a good default app or i should get(by get i mean free ) one?


love you guys:love1::beer:
Thank for the laughs!
I was stuck in traffic when i was reading it and you prevent me from breaking stuff!

The same app is available for mac and is for free, it just has a different name: "Pinta". The Paint.net freeware has been converted for multiple platforms with a different name for each.

 

[biggles]

The same app is available for mac and is for free, it just has a different name: "Pinta". The Paint.net freeware has been converted for multiple platforms with a different name for each.

Now you're cooking with gas Mike, thanks mhucasey

Hopefully Sahin will stop slagging your pics now, he's pretty rude when it comes to dissecting other peoples photos mate.

 

[Scotty freddy]

Stop picking on my mate Mike you lot! :angryfire: :lolspin:

I'll come over and give you some camera lessons buddy don't listen to them, we will have them eating their words in no time :wildone: :lol2:

 

[glaukos]

Sorry Mike i know nothing about Mac stuff mate. Good tubes to run for good color results would be a coral+, aquablue special & B+. If you can run those three only you will see much better results color wise. Turn off all LED sups, all actinics and most blue tubes so the tank looks yellow/whitish to your eye, if you think the results aren't blue enough just turn another single B+ type tube on and try again.
T5 tanks are the easiest tanks to photograph because there's bugger all contrast issues compared to halides and LED's. Experiment with different tube combos until you get the one that your camera likes - remember it won't look right to your eye but the camera will blue it up much more. : thumbsup:

Thanks for the tips biggles buddy!
My bulb combo atm is
Front
blue plus
Purple plus
Blue plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
Coral plus
Blue plus
and tbh honest i'm thinking of changing the last cp to a blue plus.
Will try it just to see how it'll look and if i like it,will leave it.

Regarding my photo skills(or...luck them of ) t5 are not the problem...it's me...or the camera(always nice to have something else to blame )
No leds for me
Tried them with no luck or results and went back running,to my dear t5's
The only way i'd try them(not as a main light though) again is with the ati hybrid but it's tooooo expensive for me!
Thank you so much for the tips mate:beer:

Mike, not sure if you have white leds over the tank but I have had some success getting better cri by turning my warm white leds up to full blast when taking picks. But if you only have blue leds, Biggles advice is great. Assuming the bulbs give you enough light to take photos..

No leds for me matt my friend,not a big fun of them:-(
I see some tanks use them successfully but not in my case!
Really appreciate the time you spent for wrighting those tips:beer:

The same app is available for mac and is for free, it just has a different name: "Pinta". The Paint.net freeware has been converted for multiple platforms with a different name for each.

Thank you buddy,downloading it as we speak(write )

Now you're cooking with gas Mike, thanks mhucasey

Hopefully Sahin will stop slagging your pics now, he's pretty rude when it comes to dissecting other peoples photos mate. rolleyes:

:lmao::lmao:

Stop picking on my mate Mike you lot! :angryfire : : lolspin:

I'll come over and give you some camera lessons buddy don't listen to them, we will have them eating their words in no time :wildone : : lol2:

:love2:...thank you for the support scotty...they needed a lesson,lol
Just because they have awesome tanks and great photo skills(...i think it's due to their great the cameras...not them,though ) they think that it's ok to mock me:lmao:
Would love to see them bow for one of my photos :lmao:

Sorry guys for not posting the pics i promised!Still relocating some corals and until i find their right place,i don't want to bother you with many photos....not to mention their quality
I'm almost there:thumbsup:

 

[Scotty freddy]

Mike I was just looking at your tube combo, I would try swapping out a Coral+ for an ABS and also a blue+ for an actinic I think there's something to actinic tubes other than just making colours pop

 

[mhucasey]

Mike I was just looking at your tube combo, I would try swapping out a Coral+ for an ABS and also a blue+ for an actinic I think there's something to actinic tubes other than just making colours pop

Yep, I'm in agreement with that! I have become a big fan of the actinic bulb and its pretty cool what one(or two) can do in a bank of T5s!

 

[sahin]

Yep, I'm in agreement with that! I have become a big fan of the actinic bulb and its pretty cool what one(or two) can do in a bank of T5s!

+1 to that. I've been using Actinics in my 8 tube lineup and a couple really make a difference.

Mike, dont listen to Gibbles or Nibbles...whatever his name is...he was the one slagging you off and is now acting all like a saint. :rolleye1: So typical of him shifting the blame on me. As you know, our long lost friend Bello called Nibbles a sneaky reefer for some very good reasons.

PS the latest news from Bello is that he has finally figured out how to communicate using coconut shells and a piece of string. :facepalm:

 

[glaukos]

Mike I was just looking at your tube combo, I would try swapping out a Coral+ for an ABS and also a blue+ for an actinic I think there's something to actinic tubes other than just making colours pop ;-)

I love them too scotty!Before the rescape i was using two of them and where the first ones to open/close.
But corals where big and i wasn't interested in boosting their growth.
So after the rescape i thought to choose something that'll give them some help towards that direction.
Now that they are a little bigger(some of them....i feel awkward talking to you about big corals ) i'll use one new actinic bulb that i have.
Aquablue on the other hand was never my favorite:-(
Always gave a yellowish look in my tank.Plus,whenever i combined it with a purple, it gave the tank a redish look.
Just my experience off course.
Maybe i'll try them again though
Front
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Actinic
Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Playing with bulb combos is always a pleasure
Thanks for the tips mate!

Yep, I'm in agreement with that! I have become a big fan of the actinic bulb and its pretty cool what one(or two) can do in a bank of T5s!

Thanks mhucasy,for sure i'll put at least one again!
Here is a photo before the rescape when i had two of them on.

Maybe you are wright and it'll be better to put two again!
Thanks guys!

+1 to that. I've been using Actinics in my 8 tube lineup and a couple really make a difference.

Mike, dont listen to Gibbles or Nibbles...whatever his name is...he was the one slagging you off and is now acting all like a saint. : rolleye1: So typical of him shifting the blame on me. As you know, our long lost friend Bello called Nibbles a sneaky reefer for some very good reasons.

PS the latest news from Bello is that he has finally figured out how to communicate using coconut shells and a piece of string. : facepalm:

:lolspin:
I know sahin...he started the fire and now he is pretending to be the fireman
Well....i always thought bello was a wise man!
I thought he called him sneaky only about his tank and corals....not his behaviour!
Well despite that i still like him:beer:
....after all he gave me some very good advice regarding my bad photos...

Where is he(bello) btw?
Hope all is well with him!
Last time i saw him,biggles was threatening him that he would send kevin over there.....and then nothing...bello disappeared

Lol,lol,lol with the coconuts and the string!

 

[mhucasey]

+1 to that. I've been using Actinics in my 8 tube lineup and a couple really make a difference.

Mike, dont listen to Gibbles or Nibbles...whatever his name is...he was the one slagging you off and is now acting all like a saint. :rolleye1: So typical of him shifting the blame on me. As you know, our long lost friend Bello called Nibbles a sneaky reefer for some very good reasons.

PS the latest news from Bello is that he has finally figured out how to communicate using coconut shells and a piece of string. :facepalm:

Sahin, i'm interested in what you think of the visual effect of the actinics(as well, of course, as the effects on the corals) of the actinics. I kinda feel like I was missing out on the benefits of the actinic light as everyone said they were unnecessary, or only used if you want to lower par. Well a blue bulb and an actinic bulb are two different things entirely and I'm glad to see other reefers using them!

 

[mhucasey]

I love them too scotty!Before the rescape i was using two of them and where the first ones to open/close.
But corals where big and i wasn't interested in boosting their growth.
So after the rescape i thought to choose something that'll give them some help towards that direction.
Now that they are a little bigger(some of them....i feel awkward talking to you about big corals ) i'll use one new actinic bulb that i have.
Aquablue on the other hand was never my favorite:-(
Always gave a yellowish look in my tank.Plus,whenever i combined it with a purple, it gave the tank a redish look.
Just my experience off course.
Maybe i'll try them again though
Front
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Actinic
Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Playing with bulb combos is always a pleasure
Thanks for the tips mate!


Thanks mhucasy,for sure i'll put at least one again!
Here is a photo before the rescape when i had two of them on.

Maybe you are wright and it'll be better to put two again!
Thanks guys!


:lolspin:
I know sahin...he started the fire and now he is pretending to be the fireman
Well....i always thought bello was a wise man!
I thought he called him sneaky only about his tank and corals....not his behaviour!
Well despite that i still like him:beer:
....after all he gave me some very good advice regarding my bad photos...

Where is he(bello) btw?
Hope all is well with him!
Last time i saw him,biggles was threatening him that he would send kevin over there.....and then nothing...bello disappeared

Lol,lol,lol with the coconuts and the string!

I'm mental about playing with bulb combinations Glaukos...its on the verge of mental illness. I just leave the whole thing running while I pull out a running bulb and replace it with a new one, that way I can retain good visual memory of the color before and after. Years of handling hot stainless steel parts has left me with asbestos fingers. If I have a particularly hot bulb I use gloves, but most of the time I just go bare skin:spin1:

 

[biggles]

How am i suddenly the bad guy in all this.............. I'm saying nothing about your pics from now on Mike and will instead get back on topic. I always found that actinics give many pigments extra vibrance, not just when they're on but i mean they will have a positive effect on the 'pop' of many pigment colors without the actinics being on. If i had 8 T5's i would have two actinics in the mix.

This is Mike's actinic lit tank after he ceased dosing blue loo............. i said nothing about your pic as promised Mike :thumbsup:

 

[biggles]

How is the reef going Mike, update time please mate......