100gal Build: New Pics

[Myka]

A delayed, thanks!!!

How's your tank doing these days?

Originally Posted by sphelps

Not at all

All taken with Nikon D300 and Sigma 150mm (225mm equiv) Macro
Aperture priority set to minimum (greatest DOF) F/22
Exposure time depending on the picture but around 2-10sec
ISO 200
Preset white balance
Hard sharpness
Noise reduction set on camera
No flash
tripod used
Backgrounds removed in photoshop CS4

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I get it. I was wondering how you got the nice black backgrounds. =] I should get a tripod for my cam.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Myka

A delayed, thanks!!!

How's your tank doing these days?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I get it. I was wondering how you got the nice black backgrounds. =] I should get a tripod for my cam.

No problem. Yes I get the black backgrounds by removing the originals in photoshop and replacing them with plain black, it's a simple process if you have a defined line to go by. I believe long exposures are key to good macros so yes a tripod is a good tool to have.

Tank is pretty good, the reduced skimming is improving LPS and other coral health but of course it's also increasing algae and since I don't have any algae eating fish it's hard to keep under control. However some of the algae growth is probably connected to a lower than usual ALK and Ca levels since I've added a few clams and corals while also cutting back on water changes. I'm going to be setting a dosing system right away to keep levels up which should help.

Couple new pictures of new additions:

[Myka]

Nice new additions! That's two lionfish isn't it?? Does the pipefish eat frozen?

[sphelps]

Yeap two new lions and the pipefish eats frozen cyclopeeze

[manaf]

hey just wondering u have a amazing reef and i love the different fish u have together but arent lionfish predators and wouldnt they eat ur other fish?

just wondering because i really want one! hah

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by manaf

hey just wondering u have a amazing reef and i love the different fish u have together but arent lionfish predators and wouldnt they eat ur other fish?

just wondering because i really want one! hah

Lionfish will eat small fish which is why I don't have any in my tank. I only keep fish that are of appropriate size so they do not become food. I do however have one exception which is a green spotted Mandarin fish but I've kept this fish with lions before without issues. Marine predators recognize psychedelic/bright colors as a warning sign and don't usually eat such fish.

[manaf]

thx for the heads up i know what im getting now!