not the most cost effective greenhouse you ever heard of

[Mr James]

Expensive, but worth it. I am trying to find the ultimate plastic greenhouse. Watching the first X-Men inspired me. ha ha ha... At the end, they put Magneto into a plastic cell. If they can do it, so can we!!

[RedSonja]

Originally posted by redox
rusty I have no clue what you just said but from your pics I really should try to understand. pictures for dummies should come to mind for you when you are talking to me. Does that help

Redox there are a couple or three gadgets that help me a lot with pictures, and most of my pictures are top down as well. First of all, a tripod that's set up to point downward is GREAT! Greg showed me a trick of setting it up so one leg is longer than the others and it "leans" forward. Then pivot the camera mounted on it to point straight down. You want to put a bag of sand or something on that longer leg so it doesn't lean too far and take your camera for a swim though.

Second is a remote button for the camera. We got this one: Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3. Even having the camera on a tripod, you can cause motion just pushing the shutter button.

Third is not a cheap one but makes a world of difference: a Speedlite flash and off-camera cord. You can have your light source directly above the coral, or to the side or whatever.

I haven't had the attention span to read the manual on our camera either, darn ADD. But using those three gadgets has made a huge difference in my picture quality. I can post some before and after pictures if you like, it's pretty amazing.

-Sonja

[rustybucket145]

A tripod will make a larger difference in anybody's picture taking ability. It may not seem like you're moving.... but you are. You won't realize it until you snap a few off the tripod and see the difference. I'm personally a real big fan of using no flash at all in aquarium photography. Sometimes you just have to but you will get better shots if you don't. A flash just introduces too many variables like glare, reflection (off the water and back reflection off equipment). I must have shot 100 images one night with my flash on and could tell in the veiwfinder they were turning out great..... Opened them on the computer and I could clearly read the 'Canon' Logo on every single pic It was reflecting from the flash, to the water, back to my Cannon logo on my camera and then back down to the water..... DOH!!! 100 pics!! Would have made a great Canon Ad...

[RedSonja]

Originally posted by rustybucket145
A flash just introduces too many variables like glare, reflection (off the water and back reflection off equipment).

That's why the remote cord is so nice for the Speedlite. And thanks to digital, I can take 2 or 6 dozen shots of the same coral with the light in different places and keep the best one. I've found that holding the light aimed at a slight angle, above the camera but pointed toward the subject (the same as if you were shooting outside, keeping the sun behind you) gives me the best results.

It's fun to play with this stuff and see what you can do, isn't it?

Redox are you turning off your pumps/airlifts when you take pictures? That helps a lot too.

-Sonja

[rustybucket145]

It's fun to play with this stuff and see what you can do, isn't it?

hehe.. just gives me another reason to stare at the tank for hours...

[redox]

Mr.James I see the fun in your avatar now. Just got me a CRF 450R (one bad dirt bike)I finally got to ride it today and man was it fun. My friend has 60 acres and trails everywhere.

[H20ENG]

Ahh the Red Devil. Sweet ride Redox. I have a pimped out WR426 and NO time to ride it. Now I envy you even more

[Mr James]

I don't own a sled, but they we do get to "test ride" them!! We rigged them to run on pavement. Pretty freaky going into the corners. I can't wait till it snows. I get a pretty killer discount and will see later if I get one.

[JCTewks]

EDIT: stupid post...missed a whole page

[redox]

ok fun is fun but here are tonights pics[IMG][/IMG]
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all taken in the dark with flash comp

[redox]

3 more[IMG][/IMG]
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[FUA]

what are all the little black dots on your encrusting algae? Are the little filter feeding worms or something?

[redox]

not really sure? im sure they are a filter feeder

[redox]

heres my nest egg. When I bought it years ago I had the feeling it was gonna get hard to come by. Heck I paid 2.30 a bag . Now if I ever decide to go with a sand bottom I will have what i need [IMG][/IMG]

[redox]

took these about 30 minutes before sunset and the 14k is already burning[IMG][/IMG]
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[redox]

different settings again. this first one shows how the zip ti is getting covered[IMG][/IMG]
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that stag looks like its got aptasias growing out its side but its just fpe

[chrisjet]

Hey redox, i tried to pm you but your pm thing isnt working. Anyway I am starting an LFS in GA and was wondering if I could get your info - so i can send you $$ , so pm me so we can work something out.

[redox]

no I am not in it for the$$$$$$ .I just want to learn

[redox]

here are some fresh pics [IMG][/IMG]
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[redox]

more ?[IMG][/IMG]
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[redox]

a couple more[IMG][/IMG]
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[JCTewks]

what wattage and brand of 14K's are you using?

[redox]

400w de 14k hamilton

[redox]

got the ozone going again today and my orp is on the rise. I will start slow. The main pain is having to regen the beads . [IMG][/IMG]
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polyp exstention is already getting better

[H20ENG]

Did you get a new unit or have the other one fixed?