Auburn University Anemone Study!!

[Whitten]

To go along with his update I have some pictures to show you all of how things are progressing.
Here are some pictures from the test last Wednesday,

And then ofcoarse we had to do some kind of goof up shot so the one and only Green Bean makes his debut.

Here is the lab as of today, and just before we under go a big change in systems. I have been busy collaborating with everyone about what things like about the 20 gallon grow out tank as well as their dislikes, and in the mean time designing the layout for the lab. Our lab will be getting new counters, as well as a custom anemone propogation tank built by Me, Greenbean, and our Lab Manager Stuart, as well as a coral prop tank.

Anyway, here are the pics.

And a picture of what the little old coralife is pulling out of our tanks on a regular basis. I am still trying to dial it in to get really dark skimmate.

 

[Whitten]

Thought I would post about what things got done today in the lab as of 10/24/2005.

The UPS man showed up today....and it was like Christmas.

So far we recieved a 6' long x 8 39 Watt T5-HO fixture, 10 Turboflotor Skimmers, and are now waiting on our return pumps all from Mike at Aqua-Medic.
Here are some pics for you to check out...this thing is bright as all get out.
Off...

On...

Jay over at Premium Aquatics is helping us out with a few more odds and ends like heaters, SCWDS, Sand, and other basic needs.

Also The folks over at The Logical Reef in Florida said that they would be willing to give us some sponsorship which was most exciting. I am thinking that their help could prove to be some of, if not the best. We are very excited about their help and think the world of them for offering this to us.

Rollin', a local reefer here to Auburn came through in a big way for us Saturday by building us this internal overflow box which is working out great. I got it attatched today, and I will get pics of the tank after it settles down again.

 

[Whitten]

Lastly are some shots of the animals...after all this is why we are doing all of this.
This GBTA was placed in the grow-out tank(20 long) to help get it back to health. He is already looking 100 times better.

Other Specimines under VHOs

 

[Clarkii Clowns]

Gary , Phil, am i missing something with all the PM's ?

 

[aquadog]

I get the idea. Thanks

 

[Whitten]

Did I miss something?

 

[Rollin]

Ha! I'm just scrolling the thread, not even reading, and there's my hand!

If those dimensions are good on the one box I'll see about getting the other ones squared away when I find some acrylic.

 

[Whitten]

Hi ya Chris, glad you stopped by. The box is looking great, and it is actually working better than I had anticipated.
As far as the dimensions we could make sure the next few tanks all are drilled in the same place and I will let you know.

Got some better pictures of your box as well.

Sorry about not having any pics of you building it that showed more than your hand, they all came out out of focus...I think I still had Macro on.

Got our next shippment in from Premium Aquatics...and I should say that 500 lbs + Hand Truck= shakey and unstable hand truck going down the ramp.

Got a bunch of sand and some dead rock which accounted for most of the weight, but we also got in a few other things like Won Pro-Heat II heaters and a chunk of SCWDS.

Another shot of the Lab, along with our Lab Manager Stuart doing a salinity check on the grow tank.

Got a whole lot accomplished today. Got our new T5 lights up and running and moved a few more anemones into the grow out tank. I will have pics of that by tommorw or so. We are moving forward and plan to have new counters built by next week some time, as well as about 4-5 new systems.

 

[speedracer02]

This is why I love being a student at Auburn, War Eagle.

 

[aujay]

Is that third ot last shot behind Rouse between it and Funchess???

 

[Whitten]

Is that third ot last shot behind Rouse between it and Funchess???

It most definately is.

 

[eclecticvibe]

Hi Michael. Jay from Premium Aquatics here. I just found your thread. Very interesting study! I'm glad that I have the opportunity to help you guys out. As to the question of whether the anemone changes for the clown, or the clown changes for the anemone, I think that the study will shed some light on the subject regardless of what it finds. Even if the study shows that the anemone doesn't change at all, at least there's scientific confirmation of that idea, rather than just speculation. Sometimes you can only prove a theory, by disproving other ideas.

 

[gkarshens]

Hi. Very interesting study. I will be curious as to the results. For some reason I don't get any of the pics.

 

[Whitten]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6259219#post6259219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eclecticvibe
Hi Michael. Jay from Premium Aquatics here. I just found your thread. Very interesting study! I'm glad that I have the opportunity to help you guys out. As to the question of whether the anemone changes for the clown, or the clown changes for the anemone, I think that the study will shed some light on the subject regardless of what it finds. Even if the study shows that the anemone doesn't change at all, at least there's scientific confirmation of that idea, rather than just speculation. Sometimes you can only prove a theory, by disproving other ideas.

Hey Jay, glad you found it. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I have been really busy with all the work in the Lab and School and just haven't had the time to keep up with it.

GKarshens, Sorry about the pics, hopefully we can get another web host to put the pictures up. We have webspace but need to get our website reorganized so that we can put up update pictures. As soon as that happens we will be back in business.

As for the Lab, the new countertops are built, and we are currently having custom tanks built for our larger needs. The tanks are being built by a company called Precision Clarity. These guys are top notch and very easy to work with.

Also on the way are eight 6 bulb T5 Tek Light fixtures for each of our tanks as well as two 48"x 250 watt +2 54 watt t5 fixures. The boys over at Premium Aquatics are filling that order as we speak and have been ever so patient with us our accounting department.

Stay tuned for some picture updates.

~Michael W

 

[greenbean36191]

Yeah, it's been a while since this thread has been updated, but a lot has been going on since the last update. Like Michael mentioned, the lab remodel is almost done and it looks really great. It's changed a lot since the begining of the year. Michael's really put a lot of hard work into it.

Modi and I ramped up the excretion experiments from once every other week to twice a week by the end of the semester and might even go to three times a week next semester. We're doing them for both the fish and the anemones. We're also taking samples within the tanks to see how the ammonia concentration correlates with proximity to the anemone and how that changes when fish are present.

I'll probably work on another small (since I'm only going to be around for one more semester) project next semester in addition to the other work. I'll probably work with what it seems like everyone is really interested in; who is really responsible for the "immunity" to the stings, the fish or the anemone. It probably won't be anything formal though. Just a series or short tests.

 

[seabisquit2]

In the mean time here are some pictures of the beginning stages of the lab to tide you over.

I'm sure no pum intended javascript:smilie('')

WAR EAGLE!!!!

Hey Whitten,
Congrats on the research opp. That is an awesome experiment to have the privilege of working on. I hope all is well on the plains...Next time we are in Auburn, (In-laws live there), we will have to visit this display. Is this setup at the Veterinary School?? I am as excited as you are to watch this thread and to learn more about the wonderful animals.

BTW, I work for Brasfield & Gorrie, General Contractor in Atlanta. I have been with them for 24 years and can toss in a heads up at recruiting time.:wave: I also had the privilege to work on the new Georgia Aquarium because...You guessed it, Brasfield & Gorrie was the general contractor on that project.

Keep on posting and "Go Tigers!!!"

Rick Parker

 

[new2u]

Sounds awesome, but I can't see any of the pics...

 

[simonmr]

little red x's

 

[hesstondc]

WDE People!

AG Grad 2001! Keep up the good work

 

[Whitten]

I would like to appologize for all of the missing pictures. I am working a bunch in the Lab right now and just haven't had the time to update as I like.

Anyway, to make good I do have some update shots for you all to take a look at until I get the rest up and going.

We are currently hanging light fixtures in the area where their used to be cabnets, and also getting 5 new systems up and running. It is my intention to have this thread fully functioning and back up to speed with all new updates to corresspond with the rapid changes we are under going.

Old defunct tanks being phased out along with a bunch of new equipment.

T5 Tek Lights