Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread - Page 27

melev · 06/24/2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Freemans Reef
wow i just got done reading this all the way from the start
took about a week but it was so worth it

you inspired me to keep working on the new system i have under way

thank you for the awesome documentary

You're quite welcome. At least you finished before we hit page 300.

highquality · 06/24/2006, 12:52 PM

Melev, why would you want it to eat your green star polyps?

melev · 06/24/2006, 01:03 PM

They are an invasive coral, and can and will grow on anything they touch. I don't mind seeing them here and there, but I have 4 individual zones that have it spreading, and it will outgrow SPS easily, smothering those corals to death. Having this little guy eating away at the GSP would be an easier solution to trying to peel it off the rockwork in the reef.

Before yesterday, I didn't even think there was such a critter. Nibbles, the Powder Blue Tang I had last year used to eat the polyps daily so that it couldn't spread. Since she died last November, they've got nothing to keep them in check.

melev · 06/24/2006, 06:53 PM

Here's the best I can do with my Fuji S602Z. It shoots video, but not in macro mode. I'd suggest Right Click, Save As to your harddrive.

Corals in Motion (41 megs)

Hop · 06/24/2006, 08:25 PM

Wow. Pretty nice little video. Feels like a movie trailer

Stile2 · 06/24/2006, 08:31 PM

Really nice video! Definately felt like a trailer. I have been thinking of doing the something like that. Maybe tomorrow since I just worked on aquascaping today.

melev · 06/24/2006, 08:33 PM

Thanks guys.

andyjd · 06/24/2006, 08:54 PM

Looks great, I need to turn the vortech's up on my 90!

Lordhelmet · 06/24/2006, 09:46 PM

beautifull video marc. you truly have a gift.

melev · 06/24/2006, 09:49 PM

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys! I downloaded the video from the CF II card directly to my laptop, and did the editing in Microsoft Movie Maker, compressed it and uploaded it to my site.

I wanted to make sure my laptop could handle that so when I go to MACNA this September, I can make some videos (vidcasts) available to those of you that are unable to attend. We will be recording some brief podcasts as well, but I was worried the laptop with 1/2 a gig of RAM wouldn't be able to handle it.

melev · 06/25/2006, 10:52 AM

Here's something new I found at the super market for $0.99.

I call it the Phosban Reactor Filler Upper.

They call it a Canning Funnel, but what do they know...

I insert a wooden fork in the riser tube to keep media from pouring into it. I've always done so, but apparently others use their finger or put some tape on top. This fits perfectly, and allows me to keep the tube centered when filling it up with carbon to the top. I run three reactors on my tank, two with phosphate remover and one with carbon.

With the PRFU, you can't miss!

And the obligatory coral pic:

A. granulosa

Lordhelmet · 06/25/2006, 11:41 AM

thanks for the pictures on changing the media of the phosban reactor. My wife is in california with my tank and has to change the media this week and has no idea how to. no i can just send her this link.

melev · 06/27/2006, 05:15 PM

For those that might be curious, the new video has been downloaded over 500 times, and bandwidth has doubled over the past couple of days.

Yesterday I tinkered in the garage with some stuff I had available. My 55g barrel is very heavy once full of saltwater (55 x 8lbs = 440 lbs) and pushing this across the kitchen floor seems rather rediculous. Plus it is a tad hard on my back. So I gave it some thought, and looked online for barrel dollies. Everything seemed so expensive to me, with prices around $80 each.

I had 2 x 6's in the garage, and recently replaced the wheels on my BRAND-NEW pickup machine (floor stripping) that left marks behind it. Those wheels, plus $8 in bolts from Home Depot, and some woodwork resulted in this:

It needs some rubber on top of the stand for the barrel to keep traction, or maybe some uprights on the front and back ends. I may decide to put a solid surface on the roller after it has been tested as is.

Hope it holds up.

melev · 06/27/2006, 06:28 PM

Typically, I never see these guys during the daytime, so I was shocked and quickly ran for the camera.

Still need some help?

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And even the other Harlequin Shrimp was out, sort of.

Finally, check out what I found growing in the live rock recently. A little bit of the Scripps Acopora. All polyped out and happy. Just below it is an over-exposed Xmas Tree worm.

BrianPlankis · 06/27/2006, 10:34 PM

How long have you had that Christmas tree worm Marc?

Brian

melev · 06/27/2006, 10:40 PM

Since MACNA, I believe. That was some pink pocillopora from Dr Mac, if I recall correctly. Amazingly, my CBB hasn't has any interest in it yet.

Nor my new clam.

BrianPlankis · 06/27/2006, 10:45 PM

Marc,

Cool

I forgot to ask, what video camera do you use?

Brian

melev · 06/27/2006, 10:51 PM

I'm using my Fuji S602Z, like always. It can shoot video, and will continue until the card is full or the batteries die. I shot 21 videos to make this one, editing them all together with Microsoft Movie Maker (comes with Windows XP). It was 300 megs of videos that were mostly 10 seconds long each, and once edited came out to 41 megs.

I'm ready for MACNA. Are you?

melev · 06/28/2006, 07:49 PM

Just a quick picture from today. Some people complain I don't have any Softy Love.

melev · 06/28/2006, 08:46 PM

My club members enjoy poking fun at me when they can. You saw my cool barrel dolly that I posted yesterday (scroll upwards). Well, now it's been pimped!

BrianPlankis · 06/28/2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
I'm using my Fuji S602Z, like always. It can shoot video, and will continue until the card is full or the batteries die. I shot 21 videos to make this one, editing them all together with Microsoft Movie Maker (comes with Windows XP). It was 300 megs of videos that were mostly 10 seconds long each, and once edited came out to 41 megs.

I'm ready for MACNA. Are you?

Wow, editing 21 videos together? That takes dedication.

I'm not ready for MACNA yet, but getting there.

Brian

Hop · 06/29/2006, 06:12 AM

I like it. It's a melev's monster garage theme. In fact, I think a theme tank with cold steel and flames are in order

BrianPlankis · 06/29/2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hop
I like it. It's a melev's monster garage theme. In fact, I think a theme tank with cold steel and flames are in order

Or when he finally gets around to doing his woodwork it could be painted cold steel and flames

Waxxiemann · 06/29/2006, 08:12 AM

Hey Marc,

Tank looking sweet as uaual. So someone guessed the EXACT number of JellyBelly flops hey ....

Was it 822? That was my guess (if I remember correctly). Probably not. Once I had a good look at it I figured it was more like 4-500.

melev · 06/29/2006, 10:04 AM

No, that wasn't it. Evan was supposed to get #8 released before he left town, but didn't. The person that guess right will be announced as soon as he gets back, which I believe is this Saturday. We'll have another contest soon, as I just received word that we will get another kit to use as a prize in a couple of days. Episode 9 will discuss the new contest.

Today, I was looking at my reef as it was waking up, thinking how I may have to pull out some of the rockwork on the left side of the tank. It seems to be shifting forward, and I need to get that adjusted soon.

I came to my desk to delete the daily spam mail, and then headed over to the kitchen to make coffee. My MH lights were out. Darn Dole! He jumped, splashed the lights, and tripped the GFCI breaker. That's two days in a row. The breaker has been reset and the lights are on again. I have to wonder what makes a fish skittish like that, especially when I've had him for over a year. He doesn't do this daily, so what is so special now that he feels the need to make things difficult?

06/24/2006, 12:52 PM	#652
highquality Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: n.c. Posts: 550	Melev, why would you want it to eat your green star polyps? __________________ " If you can touch people with wildlife, then they want to save it." Steve Irwin Current Tank Info: One of my tanks is a 50 gallon Mini Reef - 250 wt 20k on a PFO mag. ballast - a 250 wt krystal star 11k on a dynamic E-ballast - ASM G2 1/2 skimmer -TLF phosban reactor with 1 1/2 carbon in it -

06/24/2006, 08:25 PM	#655
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Wow. Pretty nice little video. Feels like a movie trailer __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

06/24/2006, 08:31 PM	#656
Stile2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yucaipa, California (some little town you've never heard of) Posts: 1,624	Really nice video! Definately felt like a trailer. I have been thinking of doing the something like that. Maybe tomorrow since I just worked on aquascaping today. __________________ If you have a college degree, you can be sure of one thing. You have a college degree! Superman owns Chuck Norris Pajamas!! Current Tank Info: 77 Gallon Custom peninsula 3 sides viewable, DIY Steel Stand, OM Squirt, 2 x 250 w MH, 2 x 95 w VHO, DIY Skimmer

06/24/2006, 09:46 PM	#659
Lordhelmet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,008	beautifull video marc. you truly have a gift. __________________ I need a new signiture Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 14 gallon

06/24/2006, 09:49 PM	#660
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Oh, I forgot to tell you guys! I downloaded the video from the CF II card directly to my laptop, and did the editing in Microsoft Movie Maker, compressed it and uploaded it to my site. I wanted to make sure my laptop could handle that so when I go to MACNA this September, I can make some videos (vidcasts) available to those of you that are unable to attend. We will be recording some brief podcasts as well, but I was worried the laptop with 1/2 a gig of RAM wouldn't be able to handle it. Last edited by melev; 06/24/2006 at 10:10 PM.

06/24/2006, 01:03 PM	#653
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	They are an invasive coral, and can and will grow on anything they touch. I don't mind seeing them here and there, but I have 4 individual zones that have it spreading, and it will outgrow SPS easily, smothering those corals to death. Having this little guy eating away at the GSP would be an easier solution to trying to peel it off the rockwork in the reef. Before yesterday, I didn't even think there was such a critter. Nibbles, the Powder Blue Tang I had last year used to eat the polyps daily so that it couldn't spread. Since she died last November, they've got nothing to keep them in check.

06/24/2006, 06:53 PM	#654
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Here's the best I can do with my Fuji S602Z. It shoots video, but not in macro mode. I'd suggest Right Click, Save As to your harddrive. Corals in Motion (41 megs)

06/24/2006, 08:33 PM	#657
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Thanks guys.

06/24/2006, 08:54 PM	#658
andyjd International Nomad Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dunedin, NZ Posts: 1,147	Looks great, I need to turn the vortech's up on my 90!

06/25/2006, 10:52 AM	#661
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Here's something new I found at the super market for $0.99. I call it the Phosban Reactor Filler Upper. They call it a Canning Funnel, but what do they know... I insert a wooden fork in the riser tube to keep media from pouring into it. I've always done so, but apparently others use their finger or put some tape on top. This fits perfectly, and allows me to keep the tube centered when filling it up with carbon to the top. I run three reactors on my tank, two with phosphate remover and one with carbon. With the PRFU, you can't miss! And the obligatory coral pic: A. granulosa

06/25/2006, 11:41 AM	#662
Lordhelmet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,008	thanks for the pictures on changing the media of the phosban reactor. My wife is in california with my tank and has to change the media this week and has no idea how to. no i can just send her this link. __________________ I need a new signiture Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 14 gallon

06/27/2006, 05:15 PM	#663
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	For those that might be curious, the new video has been downloaded over 500 times, and bandwidth has doubled over the past couple of days. Yesterday I tinkered in the garage with some stuff I had available. My 55g barrel is very heavy once full of saltwater (55 x 8lbs = 440 lbs) and pushing this across the kitchen floor seems rather rediculous. Plus it is a tad hard on my back. So I gave it some thought, and looked online for barrel dollies. Everything seemed so expensive to me, with prices around $80 each. I had 2 x 6's in the garage, and recently replaced the wheels on my BRAND-NEW pickup machine (floor stripping) that left marks behind it. Those wheels, plus $8 in bolts from Home Depot, and some woodwork resulted in this: It needs some rubber on top of the stand for the barrel to keep traction, or maybe some uprights on the front and back ends. I may decide to put a solid surface on the roller after it has been tested as is. Hope it holds up.

06/27/2006, 06:28 PM	#664
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Where's Harley? Typically, I never see these guys during the daytime, so I was shocked and quickly ran for the camera. Still need some help? S C R O L L D O W N W A R D S . . . . S O M E M O R E . . . T H A T ' S A B O U T R I G H T And even the other Harlequin Shrimp was out, sort of. Finally, check out what I found growing in the live rock recently. A little bit of the Scripps Acopora. All polyped out and happy. Just below it is an over-exposed Xmas Tree worm.

06/27/2006, 10:34 PM	#665
BrianPlankis Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,956	How long have you had that Christmas tree worm Marc? Brian __________________ Currently redesigning my 90 gallon tank system to support coral and invertebrate breeding. Click on my red house to see the thread with the progress. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef with 29 gal sump and 8 gal Clownfish species tank

06/27/2006, 10:40 PM	#666
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Since MACNA, I believe. That was some pink pocillopora from Dr Mac, if I recall correctly. Amazingly, my CBB hasn't has any interest in it yet. Nor my new clam.

06/27/2006, 10:45 PM	#667
BrianPlankis Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,956	Marc, Cool I forgot to ask, what video camera do you use? Brian __________________ Currently redesigning my 90 gallon tank system to support coral and invertebrate breeding. Click on my red house to see the thread with the progress. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef with 29 gal sump and 8 gal Clownfish species tank

06/27/2006, 10:51 PM	#668
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I'm using my Fuji S602Z, like always. It can shoot video, and will continue until the card is full or the batteries die. I shot 21 videos to make this one, editing them all together with Microsoft Movie Maker (comes with Windows XP). It was 300 megs of videos that were mostly 10 seconds long each, and once edited came out to 41 megs. I'm ready for MACNA. Are you?

06/28/2006, 07:49 PM	#669
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Just a quick picture from today. Some people complain I don't have any Softy Love.

06/28/2006, 08:46 PM	#670
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	My club members enjoy poking fun at me when they can. You saw my cool barrel dolly that I posted yesterday (scroll upwards). Well, now it's been pimped!

06/29/2006, 06:12 AM	#672
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	I like it. It's a melev's monster garage theme. In fact, I think a theme tank with cold steel and flames are in order __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

06/29/2006, 08:12 AM	#674
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	Hey Marc, Tank looking sweet as uaual. So someone guessed the EXACT number of JellyBelly flops hey .... Was it 822? That was my guess (if I remember correctly). Probably not. Once I had a good look at it I figured it was more like 4-500. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/29/2006, 10:04 AM	#675
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	No, that wasn't it. Evan was supposed to get #8 released before he left town, but didn't. The person that guess right will be announced as soon as he gets back, which I believe is this Saturday. We'll have another contest soon, as I just received word that we will get another kit to use as a prize in a couple of days. Episode 9 will discuss the new contest. Today, I was looking at my reef as it was waking up, thinking how I may have to pull out some of the rockwork on the left side of the tank. It seems to be shifting forward, and I need to get that adjusted soon. I came to my desk to delete the daily spam mail, and then headed over to the kitchen to make coffee. My MH lights were out. Darn Dole! He jumped, splashed the lights, and tripped the GFCI breaker. That's two days in a row. The breaker has been reset and the lights are on again. I have to wonder what makes a fish skittish like that, especially when I've had him for over a year. He doesn't do this daily, so what is so special now that he feels the need to make things difficult?