Foam Rockwall w/ built in refuge for a 26 gal bowfront

[Michael Hoaster]

Looks great! Video yes!

 

[sam.basye]

saf1 - I appreciate the concern and feedback!
I don't think it is an imminent threat for the time being.. but it definitely has the potential to.
That's a bridge I hope to never cross, but I'm kinda making that an easy bridge to cross. Lol

The amount of flow that thing takes will blow your nuts away. Haha.

Thanks for the compliment!

I'm on a wife/landlord imposed one tank rule.. (my wife is not my landlord!) - just to clarify. Lol


Thanks, Michael!

I knew after I posted that I had shot myself in the foot. Lol

I attempted taking one on my phone, but it doesn't have any editing capability like it does for the camera...
The iPad might be the answer. Took one earlier, but haven't looked at it yet.

Going to mess with the lighting to see what works best for videoing. We'll see if I can rig up the tripod too. Lol

Looking like potentially tomorrow evening for a video post!

 

[saf1]

All good Sam I won't be shy and say my wife is my landlord! J/K. We both have expensive habits or hobbies. Mine is the car and reef tank, hers is Napa and Wine.

Again, nice job on the tank. Over time, and growth, you are going to have some amazing looking depth.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I had similar issues trying to shoot video. I was very aware of my shakiness and lack of focus. I wanted to be 'pro' on the first try! I did several tries and got somewhat better at it. I eventually just settled for the least bad one. Once I got it on youtube, they had a few tools. I used the image stabilizer, which helped.

In the end, it's no big deal. Just some aquarium geeks showing off their tanks…

That caulerpa is coming back to haunt you! (balls) There is a small herbivore fish I considered, that might work for your tank. It's called a Green Blotch Parrot. They have them at KP aquatics. Take a look. They might get too big for your tank. Don't worry, it's not a coralavore. Anyway, it might help and they are pretty.

 

[sam.basye]

All good Sam I won't be shy and say my wife is my landlord! J/K. We both have expensive habits or hobbies. Mine is the car and reef tank, hers is Napa and Wine.

Again, nice job on the tank. Over time, and growth, you are going to have some amazing looking depth.

Haha, same here. If we didn't have to rent, my wife would be my landlord too. Lol
Those are my same two hobbies - what kind of car?? Side note, where in CA? I used to live in Torrance.

I'm really loving the corals growing out and filing it in. It's s nice sight!

 

[saf1]

Haha, same here. If we didn't have to rent, my wife would be my landlord too. Lol
Those are my same two hobbies - what kind of car?? Side note, where in CA? I used to live in Torrance.

I'm really loving the corals growing out and filing it in. It's s nice sight!

2015 Mustang GT / PP. Outside Sacrament between Folsom and Grant Line.

I used to have a 89 Mustang that I had set up to run @ Sears Point and Laguna Secca at club events. I got rid of it years ago and was just waiting for something to catch my eye. I was leaning towards the Raptor truck believe it or not (more dog friendly). Drove both. In the end picked up the mustang. Fun to drive, can get you into a lot of trouble like most cars today. Long distant driving is actually very comfortable. Did a loop to Vegas, then over to L.A. for a stint in Disneyland, then back home.

On topic again - your tank will look amazing has it grows. You can already see it happening with what you have

 

[sam.basye]

I had similar issues trying to shoot video. I was very aware of my shakiness and lack of focus. I wanted to be 'pro' on the first try! I did several tries and got somewhat better at it. I eventually just settled for the least bad one. Once I got it on youtube, they had a few tools. I used the image stabilizer, which helped.

In the end, it's no big deal. Just some aquarium geeks showing off their tanks"¦

That caulerpa is coming back to haunt you! (balls) There is a small herbivore fish I considered, that might work for your tank. It's called a Green Blotch Parrot. They have them at KP aquatics. Take a look. They might get too big for your tank. Don't worry, it's not a coralavore. Anyway, it might help and they are pretty.

Yo Michael, you need to check out CJ'S AQUARIUMS channel on the YouTube.
(All you lurkers as well)

This is something that severely chaps my balls! There's no excuse for "sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures"!!! It's not the crappy iPhone, it's the crappy user!!!!!! Damn blue pictures.
End rant

He has a 4 part mini series on using an iPhone for video capturing. All his videos are shot with a 6s+. They are some of the best quality reef videos imo and very informative.
Of course, it will vary since your main lighting is MH, not all LED.. but well worth a look!

Interesting fish, thanks for the suggestion! Laziness got ahold of me and I quit picking at it. Lol
It is starting to sprout out of the wall in the area I completely picked clean D:


I went to the LFS today to kill an hour. Lol
Ended up leaving with a $2 hermit crab and new fish ideas..

I really liked that Blacker Ice clown from a few weeks ago, but I really inspected it today and it appears to have a slight mouth deformation. So slight it would go unnoticed to anyone but me, but it may get worse as it grows... So that's out.
There's a really nice black snowflake clown with a nice high dorsal fin, but I'm not paying $110 for any clownfish! Downer...

Still want a yellow clown goby and considering a pigmy cherub angel. Just a little risky!

 

[sam.basye]

2015 Mustang GT / PP. Outside Sacrament between Folsom and Grant Line.

I used to have a 89 Mustang that I had set up to run @ Sears Point and Laguna Secca at club events. I got rid of it years ago and was just waiting for something to catch my eye. I was leaning towards the Raptor truck believe it or not (more dog friendly). Drove both. In the end picked up the mustang. Fun to drive, can get you into a lot of trouble like most cars today. Long distant driving is actually very comfortable. Did a loop to Vegas, then over to L.A. for a stint in Disneyland, then back home.

On topic again - your tank will look amazing has it grows. You can already see it happening with what you have

Pretty sweet!
Got any pictures? Lol

I'm a corvette guy myself
I appreciate all cars, but have my favorites.

I'm still trying to get used to the new mustang design. Lol

I really like the raptor, but they aren't very off-road capable. They look great, unlike the regular line of f series imo.
I've really researched it in the past and they just don't perform well off the pavement. Not enough wheel travel. It's a start, but not there yet.

A highly modified Silverado long travel prerunner is in my books for the not so near future. Lol
Before that, a highly modified '69 corvette will be next.


My first 2 cars were Corvettes, an '05 and then '06. Sold it for something more practical (said the wife...) - the current 4runner.



Once the wife gets her house in Charleston SC, then I can start building my cars. Lol


How does the dog like riding in the mustang?? [emoji14]

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I'll check that out, thanks! Sounds awesome.

Clown gobies would be great in your tank! You could probably do more than one. A cherub angel would be risky. Could be another ball-buster. I'm considering a small harem of them for my tank. I was thinking, having each other to mess with might keep them from bothering everyone else. No rush though. Cherubs are a last-fish-added kind of fish.

 

[saf1]

Yeah - cars are cars, right - outside what we prefer. I always remember the Vette's coming in, checking lug nuts, air pressure, and that was it. Me, on the other hand (89 stang) pulling tires, swapping break pads, etc. You have a good kit there right out of the gate. Also nice car and stance.

Car is stock at the moment. There are some suspension items I'm looking at since that is my thing (Sonoma Raceway being so close and great road course) like coil overs and swapping items with more durable components. Then some minor engine work along the lines of natural aspirated GT350 intake items to stretch RPM band. I already have 3.73 gears so it gets up and go. I am interested in pushing the RPM range now and tweaking the brembo breaks.

Dog. Well, she is my wingman. What can I say. German Shepherd. She is a lot bigger now and really doesn't do well in the front seats. However, trying to get her to stay home is another story! She just likes to go wherever I do and she is spoiled. I'm a bad trainer I guess!

I was trying to find a picture of my tank - will find one and update so I don't derail this more. Apologies!

 

[sam.basye]

I'll check that out, thanks! Sounds awesome.

Clown gobies would be great in your tank! You could probably do more than one. A cherub angel would be risky. Could be another ball-buster. I'm considering a small harem of them for my tank. I was thinking, having each other to mess with might keep them from bothering everyone else. No rush though. Cherubs are a last-fish-added kind of fish.

I just happened to stumble across his channel and it's all good stuff. From the sweet instrumental jams to the overall quality. Lol

I like your idea of multiple yellow clown gobies. I've been wanting more yellow! Lol

I was talking to a very knowledgeable guy at my LFS and I'm leaning towards giving the cherub angel a shot. The real issue is that it may nip at half my corals.. my wife says don't risk it, but I kind of want to. Lol

Any suggestions on yellow things?
Yellow Clown goby
Yellow coris wrasse - no (aggressive/big)
Yellow tang - no
Lemon peel angel - no
False lemon peel angel - too big?
Yellow watchman goby - no (not snappy compatible)

Yellow coris?
Sea whip - no (haven't had any prior luck)
Yellow hammer - expensive?
CO sunburst bta - no (no room/expensive)


Yellow will really make the reef POP. That's the goal!

 

[sam.basye]

Yeah - cars are cars, right - outside what we prefer. I always remember the Vette's coming in, checking lug nuts, air pressure, and that was it. Me, on the other hand (89 stang) pulling tires, swapping break pads, etc. You have a good kit there right out of the gate. Also nice car and stance.

Car is stock at the moment. There are some suspension items I'm looking at since that is my thing (Sonoma Raceway being so close and great road course) like coil overs and swapping items with more durable components. Then some minor engine work along the lines of natural aspirated GT350 intake items to stretch RPM band. I already have 3.73 gears so it gets up and go. I am interested in pushing the RPM range now and tweaking the brembo breaks.

Dog. Well, she is my wingman. What can I say. German Shepherd. She is a lot bigger now and really doesn't do well in the front seats. However, trying to get her to stay home is another story! She just likes to go wherever I do and she is spoiled. I'm a bad trainer I guess!

I was trying to find a picture of my tank - will find one and update so I don't derail this more. Apologies!

Sounds like a fun project!
How do you plan to tweak the brakes?

Nice looking dog
My dad takes his dog with him all the time. He takes my sister to school, after he drops her off, the dog moves up front and they get breakfast together. Pull through the McDonald's drive through: One sausage biscuit for my dad and one for the dog. Haha
Shocked the dog hasn't had a heart attack yet. Lol

Keep the derailing coming!
Sometimes it's nice for a change once in a while.

I spent all day yesterday trying to "make" LED's work for a little lighted cupholder project. Lol It's tough trying to make something work that isn't supposed to. Need to order proper voltage LED's for it to work right..

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Yellow huh? Isn't there a yellow acropora? How about a yellow assessor? Mystery wrasse?

What did the knowledgable guy at your LFS say about the cherub?

A lighted cup-holder project? Do you wake up everyday and say to yourself, "what can I make with LEDs today?"

 

[sam.basye]

Yellow huh? Isn't there a yellow acropora? How about a yellow assessor? Mystery wrasse?

What did the knowledgable guy at your LFS say about the cherub?

A lighted cup-holder project? Do you wake up everyday and say to yourself, "what can I make with LEDs today?"

I like the assessor, just not the price. Lol

Michael, check out Pacific East Aquaculture. It was recommended by the guy at my LFS. I was looking around their site and they have some nice looking/nicely priced sponges. (In the bargain bin)

He was saying of all the pygmy angels, the cherub is the best bet for a reef tank. They are initially shy, but will swim actively amongst the rocks once comfortable. They are the smallest of the pygmy angels and one of the least aggressive (by itself).
The main issue is that they can nip at corals like lps and some sps. They can try eating the slime coat off sps and go after the more meaty lps like euphylia's.
Torch, cualastrea, some zoa's, etc. are all subject risk. Then again, you may get one that's a perfect model citizen. Luck of the draw for the most part..
I asked if he thought I should risk it, and he said that was up to me. lol He wasn't about to make the decision for me.


You are exactly right about the LED's
I get bored and think, what can I put LED's in today?? Lmao

 

[sam.basye]

Expect a video later this evening!

 

[sam.basye]

Here's a 6 min video of the tank!

https://youtu.be/PYggR8Dw86A

 

[sam.basye]

Here's my sweet $10 Craigslist tripod with custom phone mount. Lol

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Great video! Rock solid. Love the custom mount. No LEDs? I'm totally ripping that off. We've got 2 or 3 tripods around here. I watched the first 3 CJ vids, which reminds me I want to watch the forth as well.

I'm liking the video format thingy! We should do more.

Your tank looks awesome in the vid too. FTS, close ups, all good! Corals all look happy. Tank needs something more yellow though…

 

[sam.basye]

Great video! Rock solid. Love the custom mount. No LEDs? I'm totally ripping that off. We've got 2 or 3 tripods around here. I watched the first 3 CJ vids, which reminds me I want to watch the forth as well.

I'm liking the video format thingy! We should do more.

Your tank looks awesome in the vid too. FTS, close ups, all good! Corals all look happy. Tank needs something more yellow though"¦

Good ole nilla wafers. Lol

The custom nilla cup phone mount prototype could use a revision. A little on the floppy/loose side.
I made a hole in the bottom of the cup and used a washer/nut to secure it.

No LED's!


The video came out pretty good. I used an app that uses the camera and has all the various features. The videos looked great saved to my phone, but after uploading the videos to my laptop they seemed to revert to what it would've looked like without the app...
The white balance was gone after uploading! Oh well.

The music wasn't my first choice either, but I didn't want to fool with it any longer being 1am. Wanted some fun instrumentals, but that required more researching and effort than I felt it was worth. Lol
Don't wanna add music and have it muted for copyright blah blah blah.


Next go around I'll be using the wife's DSLR and see what I can do with it.

Next time hopefully there will be more fish in there too look at. Lol


I think your right, the videos must continue!


I think it's visible in the vid, but you can see the GSP had been glued! I went to town on the caulerpa yesterday and picked the wall pretty clean, not perfect, but pretty good.


I'm now thinking 3 yellow clown gobies, a clown, and possibly the pygmy cherub angel n addition to my sheepshead minnow and bicolor blenny.

 

[sam.basye]

Sold the clowns with the rbta I got for them today. Also sold an elegance and a few other coral frags as well.

Tank is starting to look empty!

Now it's fish shopping time.