Chris' 29 gal SPS

[blackcloudmedia]

So this isnt the first time Ive kept SPS corals but it is the first time Ive actually set up a tank specifically for SPS corals. Its a 29 gallon tank, which goes perfectly with the 150 Watt MH light>> I dissassembled a sunpod I got for 50 bucks and am using just the ballast and the reflector adn got a 20,000K HQI Superdaylight bulb.

29 Gallon tank
125 Gal Venturi Skimmer
150 Watt 20,000K Metal Halide

Orange Montipora Cap
2 Montipora Digitata
1 unidentified teal acropora
1 Elkhorn Coral
1 Mushroom
1 T Maxima (army green)

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Heres some pics of my setup.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

So I dont know how you guys post such pristine pictures of your corals, mine look a million times more beautiful in person than my camera shows. Guess my camera budget is overwhelmed by my coral budget.

lol so in the middle of me taking tank shots my snail ejaculated, I tried to get it on camera cause it was so random but the current was too high, guess I know hes a male now. No females though

I will keep this thread updated as time continues.

 

[Brian5000]

I think snails are hemaphodites; they line up side by side and simutaneously impregnate each other...

I'm right there with you. I take pictures with a Fugifilm FinePix 3MP camera. It does ok, but conditions have to be absolutely perfect to get a remotely clear shot.

I think the majority of the "great" photos are with cameras that cost at least half of what their tanks cost
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resession

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Yea mines a Sony 5.1 Megapixel from back when that was a lot of megapixels, the problem however is it may take clear pictures, but the colors suck and the zoom sucks. I basically cant take close ups with it.

 

[simple]

i have the same problem cant get it to zoom in and focus. i guess i should invest in a better camera, i just never save money long enough because i end up using it on my aquarium.

 

[Brian5000]

I went to Ritz Camera once and asked about it. For the really nice macro shots, she showed me a couple choices in the $500-$600 range (price when digital cameras get the nice exchangeable lenses).
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Toyota Cars

 

[Scoopy]

Thats the whole problem with these new digital cameras. Its all in the glass. The new cameras have the power to process huge megapixel images, but lack the glass to get the light that you need. We went with a digital SLR (one that looks like the old 35mm with the changeable lenses) And a few good lenses. Its amazing how much better pictures it takes than the small all in one units.

Here is a picture of my sun coral (died, probably starved)

 

[Scoopy]

And here is a macro picture with a different lens. These pictures have been WAY downsized for the forums sake. Just remember this, Anything 6 megapixle and up with produce huge prints (something like 24x32) without pixelization if taken in RAW mode instead of .jpg. All other camera properties lie in what lens you have on the front. If your gonna buy a all in one unit, buy the one with the biggest lens, and with OPTICAL zoom, not digital. All digital zoom does is crop the picture down, and get grainy. Hope this helps.

 

[Scoopy]

Most people have figured this out as well.. but if your going to use a flash, take the picture at an angle so you dont get any glare. Here is one more of my favorite pics I took of my brain when it had its feeding tentacles out.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Great advice man. Im thinking of just busting out the old 35mm camera I have, it takes great zoom shots. :wink:

 

[blackcloudmedia]

SO I found a way to make my water changes a lot easier For only five bucks at walmart too!

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Some pics of my complicated yet sophistocated timing setup
2 Coralife light fixtures 8 AM to 11AM
MH 150 watt 20000k 11 AM to 5 PM
Coralife Lights back on 5 PM to 8 PM

 

[blackcloudmedia]

So an explanation for my change in Light timing. I got off work today to discover my tank temp was 88 degrees, I was not comfortable with this because I am used to my rooms tank staying around 75. SO I changed my lighting schedule so that the MHs are only on for 6 hours so that the 30 gallons wouldnt b like bath water at the end of the day.

 

[herpencounter]

It look like you have a Coralife skimmer if im not mistaken.
If you don’t mind I got some questions :roll: ...

What model is it?
How do you like it (pros, cons, opinion ect.)?


Keep up the good work :wink: .

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Hey there, yep I have three corallife skimmers; I cant remember the models but My LFS only has three, a small medium and large and I have all three. I know for sure two are 125 and 225 gall.

Anyways they run great and have little noise when kept clean. I take them outside and run the high pressure garden hose backwards through it and a lot of **** comes out (I suggest this for any skimmer theres soooo much hidden organics in there). Honestly its the only brand skimmer Ive used but I dont have any complaints. Ive had the smallest model for a year now.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Update the corals did not appreciate the new lighting schedule and the tank remained uncomfortably warm. So I combined the 29 gallon tank with the 75 gallon and now have a blend tank which looks stupid becuase half of it is beautiful and half looks boring. So I'll set off to get another 150 watt MH setup later. But for now the corals seem better.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

MOre

 

[blackcloudmedia]

MOre

 

[blackcloudmedia]

The Clam is the weirdest colored T. Maxima Ive ever seen. I know its a T Max due to the growth pattern of the shell. When viewed from above it is army green with camo colors, through the glass it is coralline purple, and it photographs blue.....weird.