Addiction wins, 450 gallon system begins

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7367698#post7367698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
PICS!!

I tried, the lights are about to go out. Here is a full tank shot:

And here is one of my brittle stars that comes out every once in a while:

If I get time in-between running my PT test tomorrow and interviewing applicants, I'll try to break out the work camera. I've got to get picture taking down. Most of my pics are horrible

 

[jnarowe]

very cool!

 

[Hop]

Hmmm... Apparently bringing up the fact that an 897 gallon tank is in the planning stages for when we move wasn't a great idea... Has anyone seen my wife?



But anyways, all the new guys seem to be doing pretty well. My LMB has really stolen the show though, what a riot to sit and watch. Been too busy at work for pictures, but hopefully this weekend, I'll settle down with a hot cup of coffee and kaluha and the instruction manual for my work camera:rollface:

 

[jnarowe]

mmmm.....kaluha. Sounds good. You crack me up. :lol:

 

[Hop]

Still plugging away trying to get some decent pics. Should post more later

 

[Hop]

Just looking back
10.05.05:

Today:

The mystery green algae on the sides is slowly going away. I think a mix between new fuge lights, my LMB and new DI resin taking TDS back to 0 may have something to do with it. Plus I'm trying to decide whether I should run with a clean, black background or let the pink stuff fly? Dunno....

 

[11fishes]

sweet fancy moses!

 

[jnarowe]

Hard to decide about the coraline but I think in the end keeping it clean looks better but letting it grow gives you a healthier reef.

 

[Hop]

11fishes: Thanks! I think "sweet fancy moses!" is good

J: I know, I'm leaning toward scraping

Just another little shot. I don't know how I can take a picture of a penny with so much detail in the macro-mode it's scary, but the instant I point the camera at the tank, the pics $^&*

 

[jnarowe]

That's a good one considering the depth of field and motion. I am having a horrible time reproducing color accurately and it may be because all I have on my tank are 20K halides. It's making me nuts because I have some really cool looking stuff and I can't show anybody!!!

 

[11fishes]

your are amazing! I say you are because it takes a great amazing person to care for something so beautiful. Plus the setup looks great "lucky!"

 

[melev]

Hop, you need to set your white balance. You too Jonathan. Once you have those set, you'll get much better pictures.

To avoid motion, turn off the pumps.

To increase sharpness, lean the lens against the glass/acrylic panel of your tank, and take the shot.

You should be in AP mode, f/2.8, ISO 100 or less.

And always clean the viewing panel first, including along the bottom where the sandline is. You'll see all kinds of neat stuff at that level, but if the glass is dirty, you'll never get a nice shot.

 

[Hop]

Thanks Melev. I don't think I have an Fstop, and white balance is hit or miss. I did just triy what you said on the rest and got some better shots I'll try some more in the morning, but it's almost lights out time for the critters...

 

[jnarowe]

What should the whitebalance be set at?

My camera has Auto, sun, tree w/shade, something I can't discern, what look like 2 presets, and manual.

Edit: Ok I looked them up onlie:

1. Normal conditions: Auto
2. Outdoor daylight Clear day
3. Outdoor daylight on a rainy or cloudy day, shade
4. In the shade of a building or any area where the color temp. is high
5. Under white or daylight white florescent light
6. Under daylight florescent lighting
7. Under incandescent lighting
8. Manual

# 5 & 6 have a note: Supresses color fogging

 

[melev]

You'll want to set it manually. Put the camera in the White Balance menu, and set it to Manual. Now take a piece of PVC and place it in the tank. Aim the camera at the white PVC (try to make sure it is focused as that seems to be important, then click the shutter (or do whatever your manual states) to capture the setting.

Now the camera knows what white should look like, even under 20,000K lighting. If you did it correctly, your next shot should amaze you with way different colors on the LCD as well as your monitor. You may have to set it manually a few times until you get it right. Don't use the BACK button, but rather use the OK button when done. I never realized the difference with my camera, and right after setting the WB, I'd click Back to get out of the menu and it undid what I just set. Pressing OK set it permanently.

HTH (Hope that helps)

 

[jnarowe]

Sweet. I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[Hop]

Well I'm looking into getting something to help with my calcium levels. In between water changes my level seems to drop to about the 350 mark. Now, this isn't going to be a SPS dominated tank, but obviously I'll still need to keep the levels up. Now keeping with my KISS approach to this tank, what do you guys think of a Nilsen Reactor?

I was thinking about the medium MRC model. This in theory should work perfectly with my gravity fed auto-top-off system.

I'm also starting to get the design going for plumbing in my dual becketts. I think I'm going to have to move the skimmer so things flow better in the room. Also if I drop the skimmer in height, I think I can cut about two feet of head loss.

 

[jnarowe]

let's see some back room pics man!

 

[Hop]

LOL. I am actually cleaning the wet room and organizing the 20 years of fish stuff I have accumulated. I found heaters that look more like Bunsen burners and filters that are over 15 years old. Some of this stuff just has to go, I can't hold on to everything, so I'm exercising the 10 year rule:lol: Maybe I'll get some pics, but everything pretty much looks the same as always...

 

[jnarowe]

But I can't remember what it looks like and you haven't updated your web site since man walked erect. And to think you were a major inspiration to me and I don't know what your stuff looks like now...