NightOwl

Hi Lynn, I recently started shooting with a sony set up. Can you share your settings on ISO, Mode (A, Auto,etc) , and any more information on the set-up you are using? Off camera flash or anything like that. I switched from a canon set-up where I knew all my settings but now I am trying to force myself to use my Sony set-up.

Thanks Eric! Good catching up with you. wildcrazyjoker81 - I have 3 of his products currently on my tank. A lovely sump and two ATO containers. Loved the work and they are built like tanks! I was trying to find out for a buddy of mine who is about to jump back in the hobby and needed a quality sump. Was trying to support local.

Anyone know if pure Reef Systems changed name or is officially closed? Looking for who makes PVC sumps like they were doing or if Brendan is still around somewhere.

A couple of things to do when trying to take a good top down. Cut off all pumps and let the tank settle. This will in most cases let your corals relax and get better polyp extension. Depending on your light set up move the lights or adjust your angle to limit the light going inside the top down box. I find I can get some of my best shots shooting directly above the coral but it may be an issue if you can't move your lights. Good luck...and also unlike the good old days where each photo costs you can take as many pictures as you want in digital. For example the picture below took me 10 shots until I found one I liked and this is still not a great photo. IMG_6683 by LifeThrough_TheLense, on Flickr

I think you may have quoted me instead of darkseeker but post your picture so we can see what the possible issue may be.

Another vote for 100mm. Make sure you get a tripod and turn off all pumps when you take your pictures and let the tank settle a bit. The crop sensor actually helps you out since a 100mm becomes bigger with the crop.

They were open picked up a few items. Pretty friendly staff.

Thanks guys...

Is this place still open? Was thinking about heading out to VA tomorrow to check them out. Checked their Facebook and vendor section and looks like not updates recently...

jamal - Thanks for the offer. Let me know what you decide to get...I think I remember your name from back in the day as being one of the DC reefers. I don't mind lending a hand. YHSublime - I spend the majority of my time over at RC and have a thread there. I tried the having threads on multiple sites and it was a pain :(. If you search in the large tank forum look for Finally My Custom Miracle Build with Fish Room. I use the same name on the board as well. Its slowing coming along.

Mike that stand is heavy duty. Top is made from 2 x 4 steel the rest is 2 x 2. It's overbuilt for sure but I did not want to take any chances. The guys over at Capitol Heights Iron Works did a great job. Check them out if you need a custom stand! That's actually the back side of the tank in the picture. It's in the fish room. The front will be framed like a picture. So you will be able to look through the front and see into the fish room. Three sides starfire glass so no painting it. More sides to keep clean but this was my dream tank.

Mike as promised a few pics...I still have a long way to go... IMG_9434 by LifeThrough_TheLense, on Flickr IMG_9486 by LifeThrough_TheLense, on Flickr

I will be sure to post some once everything is set up...

I may need some extra hands to move a new tank next Saturday (June 17th) around 8:00 AM. I know it's Father's Day weekend so trying to get the tank moved in the house early and letting people get back to their families. If there are any reefers near Capitol Heights or volunteers that may be able to help please send me a PM. Some details about the move and what needs to be done. Will need to offload from a UHaul truck (Tank is going to be kinda heavy - 82" x 40" x 26") Will have to be moved through an basement egress window around the back of the house. When we moved he stand in i built a ramp so this will help not having to hold the weight of the tank the whole time. Will need to be lifted up onto a 40" stand in the fish room. Thanks

Yea I reached out to them yesterday. They have some pretty cool looking stuff. Looks almost like the old AquaBox sumps.

Thanks Tom!

Does anyone know if Pimped out Aquariums and Artfully Acrylic are the only two custom acrylic builders in our area? If you know of others please let me know. Thanks

New tank will be roughly around 315 -320 gallons. I have had some delays in getting everything squared away on my design. Should be around 80 x 40 x 26 peninsula style tank. Eight inches of that will be the overflow area with a viewable area of 72 x 40 x 26. Three sided Starfire glass and viewable from a hole in the wall like my last tank. I am still finishing up the viewing/walk-up bar area. Then I can get back to my fishroom work. I think their customer service has always sucked :(. They rely heavily on the forums for support which is good and bad. I looked back through some old emails and saw an interaction I had with them on an Apex head unit and it brought up pain and frustration...lol. Like it was said before Tunze and EcoTech have some of the best customer service in the business.

I have the old version and looking at just getting some new stuff once I get my new tank up and running .

That says a lot. I am glad I asked here first. Thakki was the second person that mentioned the customer service and its a headache when you spend that much. At this rate they won't be making pumps long. I have had Ecotech in the past I love their customer service too but I actually gave away a MP10 back when they were the released because it was too noisy. My gripe with them it is cost too much to make that much noise. I think I am going to stick with old reliable Tunze and call it day. I just hope Neptune focuses on their controllers. I like them for that.

Thanks that's all I need to know . Tunze customer service and even though I don't like them EcoTech is second to none. I will just get new Tunze pumps and call it day.

Hey just wondering if anyone is currently using these pumps and if so how have they been? I am looking at getting some new pumps for my new tank that will replace my Tunze 6105 and wanted to know if these are quiet and provide good flow. Looking for people with the actual pumps and some honest feedback on them. Thanks in advance

DCReefer1964, Thanks for the info! I have a general idea but wanted to get some idea of cost. I am not sure I want to go wood or steel. Did they do work for you in the past? Just checked and its like 10 mins from my house...niiiiice.

Does anyone locally build steel stands that can be two parts and with leveling feet? Looking to have something built roughly 80 l x 42 w x 40 h I have not fully decided yet but just looking for some rough estimates. Thanks

cpu933k - thanks for putting the distance into perspective. I have only been to QR a few times but the guys there are pretty good. Tropical Lagoon is think is on Georgia Ave and is the place where I found the the guy who sold me my first saltwater tank (2004). Its been all downhill...since then...lol.