The Ultimate Eight Foot Softie Reef
- Thread starter InsaneClownFish
- Start date
oldreefer76
New member
Center of the tank the really fuzzy yellow/green coral I have some thing similar and has been identified as a Nepthea species, what was yours sold to you as or it's identification?
Great video btw and I also noticed that film as Mark did also
Great video btw and I also noticed that film as Mark did also
InsaneClownFish
New member
melev and stunreefer: Thanks for the compliments!
The video was actually taken right before I spent a few hours cleaning out the sumps and changing water. I also took the time to turkey baste detritus from the rocks.
From my little rant right before posting the video:
I have a bit of a slick on the surface of the central sump and the tank. I think this is from the phyto mixed in the food. I now feed with the blocks directly in the tank, so I think this leeches onto the surface.
The water this morning was SUPER clear. There wasn't any sign of the slick and for the 6 months the tank has been running there's been no slick. Once again I fed the tank with my new method and bingo, a faint slick and what looks like dust on the surface(fine organics).
Looks like I'll be going back to my turkey baster. It's a shame because my fish are more like dogs and I really enjoy feeding them by hand. :fish1:
Marc, I don't have my camera in front of me, but I believe it's Sony's CDX-100 HD with the Carl Zeis Exmor lense. The internal zoom hits 120. It's a memory stick version that uses 8 GB internal memory. I'm a Mac user, so I'm using Final Cut Express to upload the vids and convert them from Sony native to Quicktime...basically H.264 compression. This was the first tank video I didn't shoot in HD, it's actually standard def
. When I shoot in full 1080p the files are just unwieldy. I shot some new videos tonight and used HD/HQ 9m which I believe to be a slightly upscaled 720p- but not quite the 1920+ of 1080i/p.
To be honest once the videos go from conversion to compression to upload, there is very little lost to the eye once it is viewed, be it SD or HD, at your computer. This is why I am very pleased with YouTube now. They seem to be spot on with their conversion and compression software. Please let me know if you can spot any differences between the videos I'll be posting tonight which are all true HD and the standard one above.
Skipper: Thank you! Now that You Tube is hosting up to 1G in true HD it's made them a viable source. From what I read their conversion used to be terrible, but their new engine seems to be spot on, and embedding is seemless. It's way better than the photobucket sister site I was using.
I had always guessed that to be Nepthea as well. It hitchhicked in with the two pink frilly mushrooms I picked up from a fellow reefer. The camera is color correcting pretty heavily for the Phoenix 14ks, but under actinics that think is neon green.
The video was actually taken right before I spent a few hours cleaning out the sumps and changing water. I also took the time to turkey baste detritus from the rocks.
From my little rant right before posting the video:
I have a bit of a slick on the surface of the central sump and the tank. I think this is from the phyto mixed in the food. I now feed with the blocks directly in the tank, so I think this leeches onto the surface.
The water this morning was SUPER clear. There wasn't any sign of the slick and for the 6 months the tank has been running there's been no slick. Once again I fed the tank with my new method and bingo, a faint slick and what looks like dust on the surface(fine organics).
Looks like I'll be going back to my turkey baster. It's a shame because my fish are more like dogs and I really enjoy feeding them by hand. :fish1:
Marc, I don't have my camera in front of me, but I believe it's Sony's CDX-100 HD with the Carl Zeis Exmor lense. The internal zoom hits 120. It's a memory stick version that uses 8 GB internal memory. I'm a Mac user, so I'm using Final Cut Express to upload the vids and convert them from Sony native to Quicktime...basically H.264 compression. This was the first tank video I didn't shoot in HD, it's actually standard def
. When I shoot in full 1080p the files are just unwieldy. I shot some new videos tonight and used HD/HQ 9m which I believe to be a slightly upscaled 720p- but not quite the 1920+ of 1080i/p. To be honest once the videos go from conversion to compression to upload, there is very little lost to the eye once it is viewed, be it SD or HD, at your computer. This is why I am very pleased with YouTube now. They seem to be spot on with their conversion and compression software. Please let me know if you can spot any differences between the videos I'll be posting tonight which are all true HD and the standard one above.
Skipper: Thank you! Now that You Tube is hosting up to 1G in true HD it's made them a viable source. From what I read their conversion used to be terrible, but their new engine seems to be spot on, and embedding is seemless. It's way better than the photobucket sister site I was using.
I had always guessed that to be Nepthea as well. It hitchhicked in with the two pink frilly mushrooms I picked up from a fellow reefer. The camera is color correcting pretty heavily for the Phoenix 14ks, but under actinics that think is neon green.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Here's the fish feeding tonight; filmed in true HD:
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melev
Well-known member
LOL - I liked the first video better.
Did you already discuss the frozen ball of food and I've already forgotten about it? Let's see pictures of that.
Thanks for answering my question. I'm looking for seomething affordable, does video in 720p or that simply looks good and not like the typical YouTube garbage that I loathe. I realize there is a HD version on some videos, but many are not.
I'd love to start sharing more video, so I need to find a camera and some viable software that isn't a beating to use. If it's hard to do, it is less likely to get done.
Did you already discuss the frozen ball of food and I've already forgotten about it? Let's see pictures of that.
Thanks for answering my question. I'm looking for seomething affordable, does video in 720p or that simply looks good and not like the typical YouTube garbage that I loathe. I realize there is a HD version on some videos, but many are not.
I'd love to start sharing more video, so I need to find a camera and some viable software that isn't a beating to use. If it's hard to do, it is less likely to get done.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Marc, yup. 
Since I'm down close to the end of my pre-made, ziplocked fish food, I've been taking the chunk out and just hanging it in the water and letting the fish go nuts. It's fun to feed them by hand. My normal method is to cut off a 3/4-1 inch square, dissolve it with tank water in a turkey baster, and dispense in front of a power head.
You can see the chunk of food right in that video, and right in the middle of my build I discuss my food recipe along with many pictures.
I would recommend Sony or Cannon. They are flat out the best available right now. MiniDV and HD are usually the best formats. Stay away from DVD ones as they are the new dinosaur of cams and are being phased out. Comparatively the quality is not there.
Hard drive ones are the way to go, but they are pricey. The main reason I didn't get a hard drive version had to do with Mac compatibility(kind of a moot point considering the software I now use).
Mine was $600 and the software was $200.
One of the nice features about mine is the 8 GB of internal memory. I have yet to use or need a memory stick. Just keep in mind if you need one of Sony's you're looking at another $50. +
Another factor to consider is what you'll be using it for. If your answer is the reef, then you'll NEVER surpass the internal memory. If you want to record a 4 hour opera in full res HD you're going to need a large stick or Hard Drive. Also keep in mind your computer. How up to date is it? HD files ARE massive. Nope, not large like you think. MASSIVE. The first few raw files from our honeymoon(the longest was maybe 18 minutes) took up 60GB on my hard drive. :eek1:
I'm currently uploading a longer video, a full tank shot video if you will, and a short video of my lil softie garden. Compare the softie garden one to the first video. In this one I think you'll notice the difference.
Back lighting is a major factor as well. The room the tank is in is actually lit via a single ceiling mounted CFL. The feeding video looks a bit dim because of this. It's also massively color corrected via the cameras superb white balance. Comparatively, the Nikon D40 I had tried out couldn't adjust the white balance via a white background- it was just out of it's range. The sony camcorder does this like a champ. It takes decent still pics too. One of the things I noted while I played around with it in store was the exceptional, compared with more expensive HD camcorders, stills it took. Take a look at the last two pages of pics I posted. They're all raw from the camcorder. They're not Nikon D40, but they're better than my point and shoot by far. The only complaint I've received from fellow reefers is how there is seemingly not enough blue/actinic in the tank. That is how much the camera color corrects to what you're actually seeing in person.
Since I'm down close to the end of my pre-made, ziplocked fish food, I've been taking the chunk out and just hanging it in the water and letting the fish go nuts. It's fun to feed them by hand. My normal method is to cut off a 3/4-1 inch square, dissolve it with tank water in a turkey baster, and dispense in front of a power head.You can see the chunk of food right in that video, and right in the middle of my build I discuss my food recipe along with many pictures.
I would recommend Sony or Cannon. They are flat out the best available right now. MiniDV and HD are usually the best formats. Stay away from DVD ones as they are the new dinosaur of cams and are being phased out. Comparatively the quality is not there.
Hard drive ones are the way to go, but they are pricey. The main reason I didn't get a hard drive version had to do with Mac compatibility(kind of a moot point considering the software I now use).
Mine was $600 and the software was $200.
One of the nice features about mine is the 8 GB of internal memory. I have yet to use or need a memory stick. Just keep in mind if you need one of Sony's you're looking at another $50. +
Another factor to consider is what you'll be using it for. If your answer is the reef, then you'll NEVER surpass the internal memory. If you want to record a 4 hour opera in full res HD you're going to need a large stick or Hard Drive. Also keep in mind your computer. How up to date is it? HD files ARE massive. Nope, not large like you think. MASSIVE. The first few raw files from our honeymoon(the longest was maybe 18 minutes) took up 60GB on my hard drive. :eek1:
I'm currently uploading a longer video, a full tank shot video if you will, and a short video of my lil softie garden. Compare the softie garden one to the first video. In this one I think you'll notice the difference.
Back lighting is a major factor as well. The room the tank is in is actually lit via a single ceiling mounted CFL. The feeding video looks a bit dim because of this. It's also massively color corrected via the cameras superb white balance. Comparatively, the Nikon D40 I had tried out couldn't adjust the white balance via a white background- it was just out of it's range. The sony camcorder does this like a champ. It takes decent still pics too. One of the things I noted while I played around with it in store was the exceptional, compared with more expensive HD camcorders, stills it took. Take a look at the last two pages of pics I posted. They're all raw from the camcorder. They're not Nikon D40, but they're better than my point and shoot by far. The only complaint I've received from fellow reefers is how there is seemingly not enough blue/actinic in the tank. That is how much the camera color corrects to what you're actually seeing in person.
melev
Well-known member
Thank you for the in-depth answer. That's what I needed to hear. I saw a very handy POS that was only $160 from Best Buy, and I have a feeling it would probably shoot the brief 4 minute stuff I have in mind, and of course if it really is crap, I can take it back.
I've always used Microsoft Movie Maker, which results in .wmv files. What file format do your videos become?
I've always used Microsoft Movie Maker, which results in .wmv files. What file format do your videos become?
InsaneClownFish
New member
Mine are Sony AVCHD converted to .mov(quicktime). Compression is H.264.
Best Buy is where I get mine. Just keep in mind they don't take returns on electronics. You only have 15 days to exchange it. If you have to return it I believe the restocking fee is 20%.
Best Buy is where I get mine. Just keep in mind they don't take returns on electronics. You only have 15 days to exchange it. If you have to return it I believe the restocking fee is 20%.
InsaneClownFish
New member
My softie garden on the far left side of the tank:
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InsaneClownFish
New member
My reef has passed the 6 month point! Here's the celebration video! :celeb1: :celeb3: :celeb2:
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Insane,
I just read your entire post and i love the size of the tank. I was wondering if you have enough flow in the tank? I am in the process of doing an 8' long tank, probably a little taller than yours and was wondering if you had the chance to do it again, would you put an overflow on the left hand side too? or is one overflow enough for the tank?
thanks.
eric
I just read your entire post and i love the size of the tank. I was wondering if you have enough flow in the tank? I am in the process of doing an 8' long tank, probably a little taller than yours and was wondering if you had the chance to do it again, would you put an overflow on the left hand side too? or is one overflow enough for the tank?
thanks.
eric
oldreefer76
New member
Utterly Amazing is all I can say
zackdastack
New member
Really good looking tank... congrats on the whole system
.::Jun77::.
Member
congratulations on your success! good job!
i have the same video cam, got it from bestbuy, i use the PMB to edit my videos, how did you convert your video file to .mov ?
i have the same video cam, got it from bestbuy, i use the PMB to edit my videos, how did you convert your video file to .mov ?
BigTuna321
New member
wow it really looks great
Have read whole thread- truly inspiring
I am a softy-dominated lover and I want a big giant tank!
Your humor and well written posts as well as numerous updates from Melev have made this thread so enjoyable and educational.
I have a quick question- I have had a duncan colony 6 months + (mm maybe about 10 heads) and the heads seem to close if I point enough flow at it to have it move like that- should I give it more time? I want those long stringy happy duncans- I have fat tentacled short duncans!
(can provide pics if it would help)
I am a softy-dominated lover and I want a big giant tank!
Your humor and well written posts as well as numerous updates from Melev have made this thread so enjoyable and educational.
I have a quick question- I have had a duncan colony 6 months + (mm maybe about 10 heads) and the heads seem to close if I point enough flow at it to have it move like that- should I give it more time? I want those long stringy happy duncans- I have fat tentacled short duncans!
(can provide pics if it would help)
