JoeBlog

~$150+

Nice! What lens are you using? Did you get any of the Canon macros?

I have four T5 actinics that I run for 8 hours. I eventually want to get the three MH (250W DE XM) down to only a few hours (4 or so) and then run two 10K T5s and two actinic T5s for 7 or 8 hours.

7 hours, soon to be less.

Sorry Reef. I totally had it backwards and you are right. I originally wanted the 5D and they all suggested to get the 20D or 350D. You can get a package deal on Ebay (brand new), which includes multiple lenses, tripods, multiple carrying cases, large memory cards, etc... for less than the price of just the camera body in a retail store here. I will be picking up this deal soon!

I was seriously looking at these, but the sales person at every shop that I went to talked me out of it. They all suggested getting the 5D instead, which is a fairly significant savings. I said that I wanted flexibility, which included the reef picture stuff, but also sports, diving, etc... They said that the 20D is more of a landscape/portrait camera and has a relatively slow picture rate. If you want action photos (pictures of fish while diving, sports, etc...), then they said go for the 5D or even the Rebel (350D) instead of the 20D.

Don't have any seios, but... skimmer pump was making an awful racket this morning and found my lawnmower blenny jammed/smashed into my skimmer needlewheel pump. He must have jumped into the overflow and was unlucky enough to go down the pipe to the skimmer instead of the sump.

I’ve just gotten back from lduncan’s to check out the new additions. They are absolutely amazing and certainly one of the most beautiful fish that I’ve ever seen (and probably the biggest marine fish!). All the pictures I’ve seen of the crosshatch have blown me away, but unbelievably the pictures don’t do them justice. Unfortunately, my wife would NEVER let me make that kind of expenditure on anything with a pulse. I’m just stoked that one of my mates did so that I can at least live vicariously.

Isn't this called "competition"? By definition, no one would enter a market if there wasn't economic profit to be made.

Do you lose any clarity with the lamination?

Sweet! Please put me down for 4 of them.

Are these really a better option than the streams? I say "better" since I would assume that they would be given that the expected price (as stated by Reef) is going to be more. From the video, they appear to be only marginally smaller than the streams, which is what I gather is the main selling point along with the lack of wires in the tank. Are there other benefits that I am missing, which would warrant paying a higher price than the streams (which people already seem to bitch about constantly). The main concern that I have (as already stated) is that the flexibility seems to be less, i.e. the angles of swivel for directional flow. This is one of the complaints that I had of the original configuration of the streams when using the magnets and it seems like the vortex will actually be less. Apparently, the new streams come with a longer pivot arm, but unfortunately I only have the older version. Does anyone have the newer black units? There are concerns of reliability with the vortex due to it being a new product as well as speculation of less efficiency. Hmmm...

I didn't need any holes drilled, so I can't comment on the drilling aspect. I just needed a rectangular piece of hardened glass. So, I just took the measurements of the area in my reflector, called the glass shop and they had it made for me. I picked it up the next day. Not all places have the ability to make toughened glass. I believe that there is only one place in ChCh (Glass Tech).

I would think that the bronze would reduce the amount of light getting to the tank, change the spectrum, etc... I just used some clear 4mm (can't remember, but it is fairly thin) toughened glass about that size and I believe it cost me less than half of the price you paid for the bronze.

WOW!! I went out and checked out some cameras around town today. DAMN, they are expensive here. I will definitely be buying mine during my trip to the States. I’ve decided that the Canon 5D ($5000NZ+) is pretty much complete overkill (in terms of functions and cost) no matter how much I get into photography. So, now I’m considering the Canon 20D (~$2300NZ, ~$1300US Amazon.com for body only) with a sweet macro lens, EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM (~$1300US Amazon.com). I should be able to get some nice pictures of my little beauties with that setup!! 8) Thanks for all your comments. Excellent suggestions Pies. I was checking out dpreview.com last night and the review section is very useful. I will continue to search/annoy camera store staff and probably change my mind another 10 times before I make my purchase in March. Cheers, Steve

Thanks all for your comments. Ira - I totally hear what you are saying and getting "overkill" is certainly what I want to avoid since I can always spend the saved money on the tank. However, I'm hoping to make photography a nice extension to the hobby and possibly make my life less one dimensional. I took some photography class WAY back in the day and I think that it would be cool to take some more to really get into it. Given that, I don't want to get a camera that only suits my needs/ability now. Fay - I'm going to the States in March and will probably pick up the camera there since they seem to be a bit cheaper. I've was looking online at a few shops and the prices for the higher range were around $2500-3000US and $500 for a 100mm macro lens. I'd be willing to spend this for a sweet combination. Slappers - Excellent advice. Getting chummy with the sales/help people is always a great idea. I didn't know about the 7 day return policy either, so if I do end up purchasing it here, that is very helpful information. Thanks! Brianemone - That's basically what I figured especially since Canon seems to be one of the most popular brands in the photography section of RC and there are some crazy pictures in there. Drifty - Awesome purchase!! Is this your first digital camera? Did you end up getting a macro lens for it as well? If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it and how much did it cost you? This is just to help me to decide whether it is cheaper for me to buy it here or in the States. Thanks again everyone!!

There are many of you on this forum that post absolutely amazing pictures and want to ask your advice on what camera to get. I am currently thinking of something in the Canon range from a EOS 350D, EOS 20D, to possibly the EOS 5D. The latter can be a bit pricey, but seems to have all the bells and whistles, plus comes very highly rated by those on RC. Do any of you use these cameras? If so, what do you think of them? If not, what cameras do you use and are you happy with them so far? Also, what macro lens are you using?

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Bit of a generalization! :roll:

I have A LOT of flow in my tank (4 x 6100’s, AM3000 CL, two Laguna 7’s as return, and looking to get a couple 6080’s), but am still able to keep a few LPS, e.g. Blasto, meaty brains, etc... It just takes a bit of creativity with the rock work. I put together specific nooks and crannies to give them the shelter they need from the flow as well as the light. It can be a bit of a PITA, but I think totally worth it to have a few of these beauties mixed in with all the SPS.

Yeah, but the problem may be that my return pump is too restricted. Almost all the water needs to go to the skimmer to meet the required flow. I may redo the return plumbing first to increase the flow so that there is more water to redirect. In the mean time, it is working sweet and already pulling out some crud. Reef, I'm hooking up the UV now. Can I run the UV vertical? There seems to be some loud spashing noises inside when I do this regardless of how much flow I push through it. I do have the input to the unit from the top. I may switch it to the bottom to see if that helps. Steve

Well, it is beyond me. I tried to plumb it up as presented in the links I previously posted and there were still an incredible amount of VERY LARGE bubbles entering the skimmer. Also, the water level would rise and fall about an inch or two cyclically. :evil: I’ve ditched that whole design for now (the main reason being that I just want to get this beast up and running) and will try a gravity feed again at a later date. I'm currently running it as presented by Ghostface Maybe after you figure it out Chimera, I will copy your design. 8)