Taqpol's 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! - Page 21

psteeleb · 03/18/2012, 10:25 PM

awesome - its great to see an updated tank shot, things are realy looking nice

Michael B · 03/18/2012, 11:18 PM

Great looking tank and really enjoy the open swimming area (great pic's of the clown & anemone - would love to see more)

Taqpol · 03/19/2012, 04:33 PM

Thanks guys, things are finally starting to take a turn for the better. All the corals on one side of my tank look great, the corals on the other side are still definitely lagging behind.

Taqpol · 03/19/2012, 04:34 PM

Some of the nice corals:

Tort:

No-name (Bonsai-like):

Tri-color, with the hawkfish on his favorite perch:

psteeleb · 03/19/2012, 07:35 PM

wow - that is one cool looking fish

it looks like he has his war paint on

ayobreezie · 03/19/2012, 08:58 PM

That fish looks crazy.. haha. Nice shot.

Taqpol · 03/20/2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psteeleb

wow - that is one cool looking fish

it looks like he has his war paint on

Its an Arc-eye hawkfish. I saw them hiding in the corals while snorkeling in Bora Bora and fell in love with them. This guy seems to have a lot of personality, he's totally fearless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayobreezie

That fish looks crazy.. haha. Nice shot.

Thanks!

Taqpol · 03/20/2012, 11:18 AM

Recent fish pictures:

Female maldives lyretail anthias:

Christmas Wrasse, he sure has grown a lot since I added him over a year ago:

Solar fairy wrasse, this guy is fat:

My lone remaining Chalk Bass. He is as grumpy in person as he looks in this picture:

Face on shot of the bigger of my two ORA spotted Mandarins:

drummereef · 03/20/2012, 11:23 AM

Great pics! That hawkfish is awesome. I'd name him Andy Warhol if it was mine.

kudora · 03/20/2012, 03:48 PM

looking great had to read a years worth of post to catch up but everything looks great glad to see everything has been going well.

pookstreet · 03/20/2012, 05:27 PM

I do like the wide open look you have. Sometimes I wished I hadn't stacked so many rocks in mine but I like a lot of fish and wanted to provide as much hiding spots for them as possible.

I also like your photography a lot. What equipment do you shoot with?

psteeleb · 03/20/2012, 09:33 PM

Beautiful!!!

Taqpol · 03/21/2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kudora

looking great had to read a years worth of post to catch up but everything looks great glad to see everything has been going well.

Hey! Long time no see. I hope everything is starting to turn around for you after that horrible flooding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pookstreet

I do like the wide open look you have. Sometimes I wished I hadn't stacked so many rocks in mine but I like a lot of fish and wanted to provide as much hiding spots for them as possible.

I also like your photography a lot. What equipment do you shoot with?

Thank you! It was important to me to have a very open and minimal tank, but I have also been considering adding a few more rocks strategically for extra hiding spaces. That being said, I think my tank is about as stocked as I could ever want it fish wise and every one has their own little place and no regression occurs besides a tang butt shake every once in awhile.

I have a Canon Rebel T1i. The lens that shot all of the above images was a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 telephoto, but my favorite lens for aquarium photography is my Canon 100mm f2.8.

Quote:

Originally Posted by psteeleb

Beautiful!!!

Thanks! I have a ways to go before I catch up to your tank, though!

psteeleb · 03/21/2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taqpol

Thanks! I have a ways to go before I catch up to your tank, though!

I don't know, your looking pretty darn good with the health of the tank and quality of the photography. Keep it up, everything looks great.

rpjaws74 · 03/22/2012, 12:18 AM

nice build!!

Padrino · 03/27/2012, 08:35 PM

Just trying to catch up with this thread, Nice photos Alex, I really like the face shot of the mandarin. Beautifully done!

Rob

Taqpol · 03/28/2012, 08:46 AM

Thank you!

Dejavu · 03/30/2012, 04:22 PM

Tanks looking great Alex!

prop-frags · 03/30/2012, 06:38 PM

Great pics as usual Alex, and it sure brings a smile to see how well things are going in your system!

We've always been fond of the ornate wrasse - yours is looking so healthy. NICE!

acbaro · 05/08/2012, 03:57 PM

Any updates of this fabulous tank? Love the led setup by the way, and the whole canopy and stand is excellent craftsmanship! I hope to achieve something along these lines once my wife and I seperat from the military and purchase our first home! Then the craziness will begin!

andyvalk · 05/09/2012, 07:20 AM

Love the Christmas Wrasse and the Mandarin

Taqpol · 05/18/2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acbaro

Any updates of this fabulous tank? Love the led setup by the way, and the whole canopy and stand is excellent craftsmanship! I hope to achieve something along these lines once my wife and I seperat from the military and purchase our first home! Then the craziness will begin!

No real updates. All the fish are doing extremely well. All the established corals seem to be growing really well, but most new (albeit maricultured corals) I've been adding do fine and then rapidly succumb within three weeks. I'm having some serious problems with my skimmer that I might make a more detailed post about if I cant figure out whats going on. Thanks for the compliments!

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyvalk

Love the Christmas Wrasse and the Mandarin

Thank you!

Taqpol · 05/18/2012, 09:20 AM

Underwater Cameras

I know many people that follow this thread have used or own their own waterproof underwater cameras, and I would like to directly ask their opinions about waterproof cameras. I have a waterproof "bag" for my DSLR, but it is bulky, cumbersome, fogs up, and enough moisture got in the bag while we were in Bora Bora to ruin the battery grip. I am now looking for a fully waterproof point and shoot. Some features I want are:

-Takes decent video and can auto-zoom/focus while recording

-Can take good photos on land without being too bulky or too distinct from a regular point and shoot. Our current point and shoot is breaking and I would be looking for a replacement.

-White balance adjustment

-Ability to stand saltwater to a decent depth

-And obviously, good picture quality.

I love Canon's, and it appears they have to good models out right now, the D20 and the less fancy D10. I'm pretty sure I heard that Fuji also makes good point and shoots. Basically I am open to any and all suggestions.

drummereef · 05/18/2012, 11:49 AM

What's the deal with the skimmer? What's it doing?

kalgra · 05/18/2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taqpol

Underwater Cameras

I know many people that follow this thread have used or own their own waterproof underwater cameras, and I would like to directly ask their opinions about waterproof cameras. I have a waterproof "bag" for my DSLR, but it is bulky, cumbersome, fogs up, and enough moisture got in the bag while we were in Bora Bora to ruin the battery grip. I am now looking for a fully waterproof point and shoot. Some features I want are:

-Takes decent video and can auto-zoom/focus while recording

-Can take good photos on land without being too bulky or too distinct from a regular point and shoot. Our current point and shoot is breaking and I would be looking for a replacement.

-White balance adjustment

-Ability to stand saltwater to a decent depth

-And obviously, good picture quality.

I love Canon's, and it appears they have to good models out right now, the D20 and the less fancy D10. I'm pretty sure I heard that Fuji also makes good point and shoots. Basically I am open to any and all suggestions.

I have a panasonic Lumix which is water proof to 40' and has a reef setting that does a pretty good job with correcting the white balance. Its small and takes great pictures. When my wife and I went to Maui last summer I researched this allot. The underwater Lumix had the top rating for underwater point and shoots. Some pics I have taken with mine.

By the way your photos are incredible! Wish I had skills like that

03/18/2012, 10:25 PM	#501
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,213	awesome - its great to see an updated tank shot, things are realy looking nice __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

03/18/2012, 11:18 PM	#502
Michael B Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 429	Great looking tank and really enjoy the open swimming area (great pic's of the clown & anemone - would love to see more) __________________ Mixed Reef Tank - 1,000L

03/19/2012, 04:33 PM	#503
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,202	Thanks guys, things are finally starting to take a turn for the better. All the corals on one side of my tank look great, the corals on the other side are still definitely lagging behind. __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

03/19/2012, 04:34 PM	#504
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,202	Some of the nice corals: Tort: No-name (Bonsai-like): Tri-color, with the hawkfish on his favorite perch: __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

03/19/2012, 07:35 PM	#505
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,213	wow - that is one cool looking fish it looks like he has his war paint on __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

03/19/2012, 08:58 PM	#506
ayobreezie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 65	That fish looks crazy.. haha. Nice shot.

03/20/2012, 11:18 AM	#508
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,202	Recent fish pictures: Female maldives lyretail anthias: Christmas Wrasse, he sure has grown a lot since I added him over a year ago: Solar fairy wrasse, this guy is fat: My lone remaining Chalk Bass. He is as grumpy in person as he looks in this picture: Face on shot of the bigger of my two ORA spotted Mandarins: __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

03/20/2012, 11:23 AM	#509
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,675	Great pics! That hawkfish is awesome. I'd name him Andy Warhol if it was mine. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278g system, Vortech MP40W, MSX250A, Lumen Bright Mini, Galaxy Select-A-Watt Ballasts, 250w Radiums, CREE RB LEDs, Reeflo Dart Return, NextReef Reactors, Neptune Systems Apex, some coral and a couple fish. Click My Homepage To See The Build.

03/20/2012, 03:48 PM	#510
kudora thread reader Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 1,648	looking great had to read a years worth of post to catch up but everything looks great glad to see everything has been going well. __________________ You must use "Regular Clorox" Any scents like "New Fresh Scent Clorox" will kill all of your animals in a few minutes (don't ask) "Paul b" Current Tank Info: 84 gallon(60x18x18) tank, 40 breeder frag, 30 gallon lps

03/20/2012, 05:27 PM	#511
pookstreet Reformed Stick Killer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upland, California Posts: 7,217	I do like the wide open look you have. Sometimes I wished I hadn't stacked so many rocks in mine but I like a lot of fish and wanted to provide as much hiding spots for them as possible. I also like your photography a lot. What equipment do you shoot with? __________________ Kenny Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart - Confucius All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful - John Wooden Current Tank Info: 300G: 8/07; Fish still leading by a head;100G Sump;45G Prop;5xLM Elite w/250W Radium 20K;Galaxy Ballasts;2x6' VHO;2x5' T5;GEO 618 Ca Reactor;GEO Kalk Reactor;Deltec TC2560;6305;3x6205;2x6095;ATB return;blah, blah, blah...

03/20/2012, 09:33 PM	#512
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,213	Beautiful!!! __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

03/22/2012, 12:18 AM	#515
rpjaws74 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northeast- El Paso,Tx. Posts: 1,123	nice build!! __________________ rpjaws Current Tank Info: 500 glln soft coral tank

03/27/2012, 08:35 PM	#516
Padrino Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,926	Just trying to catch up with this thread, Nice photos Alex, I really like the face shot of the mandarin. Beautifully done! Rob

03/28/2012, 08:46 AM	#517
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,202	Thank you! __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

03/30/2012, 04:22 PM	#518
Dejavu ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,446	Tanks looking great Alex! __________________ Brian June 2013 TOTM http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/134-tank-of-the-month Current Tank Info: 270 Starphire by Miracles in GlassBK 250 InternalSequence Blackfin 1800(2) 6105 Tunzes Streams(3) 400 watt Blueline E-Ballast400w 20k Radiums(3) Lumanarc IIIGEO 624 Ca ReactorTunze OsmolotorPM SR45 and TLF PhosBan Reactor 150Apex

03/30/2012, 06:38 PM	#519
prop-frags SPS Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,159	Great pics as usual Alex, and it sure brings a smile to see how well things are going in your system! We've always been fond of the ornate wrasse - yours is looking so healthy. NICE! __________________ - Mike & Terry "Less technology, more biology ... indeed." - Gary White Current Tank Info: 300g sps-dominated reef

05/08/2012, 03:57 PM	#520
acbaro Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 31	Any updates of this fabulous tank? Love the led setup by the way, and the whole canopy and stand is excellent craftsmanship! I hope to achieve something along these lines once my wife and I seperat from the military and purchase our first home! Then the craziness will begin! __________________ wordd. Current Tank Info: 29 gal mixed tank

05/09/2012, 07:20 AM	#521
andyvalk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 65	Love the Christmas Wrasse and the Mandarin

05/18/2012, 09:20 AM	#523
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,202	Underwater Cameras I know many people that follow this thread have used or own their own waterproof underwater cameras, and I would like to directly ask their opinions about waterproof cameras. I have a waterproof "bag" for my DSLR, but it is bulky, cumbersome, fogs up, and enough moisture got in the bag while we were in Bora Bora to ruin the battery grip. I am now looking for a fully waterproof point and shoot. Some features I want are: -Takes decent video and can auto-zoom/focus while recording -Can take good photos on land without being too bulky or too distinct from a regular point and shoot. Our current point and shoot is breaking and I would be looking for a replacement. -White balance adjustment -Ability to stand saltwater to a decent depth -And obviously, good picture quality. I love Canon's, and it appears they have to good models out right now, the D20 and the less fancy D10. I'm pretty sure I heard that Fuji also makes good point and shoots. Basically I am open to any and all suggestions. __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

05/18/2012, 11:49 AM	#524
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,675	What's the deal with the skimmer? What's it doing? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278g system, Vortech MP40W, MSX250A, Lumen Bright Mini, Galaxy Select-A-Watt Ballasts, 250w Radiums, CREE RB LEDs, Reeflo Dart Return, NextReef Reactors, Neptune Systems Apex, some coral and a couple fish. Click My Homepage To See The Build.

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