Jakedoza

ok.. so the tank I was looking at sold...so I will keep it and risk drilling to make it reef ready..

I have a 135 for sale... Here is the CL add.. This is a 135G tank. Dim are 72"L X 18"D X 24"T . Will include the lift pump AW-20 and the overflow box. Will also include the stand and canopy. (nothing fancy, I built them myself) Photos are Here http://jakedoza1.ftpaccess.cc:90/images/aquarium Please email or TXT for questions. [email protected] 512-569-8866 Let me know if you are interested

I'm looking at another tank, but I have to sell this one before I can purchase the other one. This is a 135G tank. Dim are 72"L X 18"D X 24"T . The tank is not drilled. I am using an overflow with a lift pump system on it now. If wanting FW setup I will include the rock and sand. Photos are here photos Jake

Thanks for the replies. I have been doing a lot of research for the past couple of years on this. I do know that the larger tank will be easier to manage, but for me it will be more costly as of right now. The more I think about I want to wait until I get the funds to get the larger tank up and going. There are so many choices with SW that I'm not sure what I want to do. There are Fish only tanks, and reef tanks.. and certain types of fish will kill certain reef types and vise versa. I know I want a reef tank, but I also don't want the tank jammed full of coral either. On the other hand I have to remember that a lot of SW creatures can get pretty large and some you will never see. I would like to have some sort of eel with mollusks, and lots of little crustaceans... and fish.. but, I don't know what will live together in a 135g habitat. I have all of this in my head, but I know it will be years before I can get it all together.

As the title suggests, I do have some questions. I do have FW tank experience, and from my understanding there is not too much difference in starting up a SW tank. Currently I have a 135g FW tank that I will keep as a FW tank for now. I do, however have a 20g tank that I would like to set up to get the hang of things, and to (hopefully) get some things growing so when I convert the 135 it will not hurt the pocket book as much. What are the basic necessities in starting a tank? I do have an over flow filter for that tank and a working light that needs to be replaced. What is the water/salt ratio or are there differences depending on what I want to to put in the tank? Can I use sand from a freshwater setup if rinsed very through? Is cycling the tank similar to FW on start up? Thanks in advance!

ahh ok.. good photo for a P&S. I started out with a canon a520 which I think is in the same family. It was pretty versatile as far as having the aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode. It even had manual focus to an extent. I have an underwater housing for that camera now and use it for scuba diving. You can do a lot with that little thing.

Nice photo Dave, looks good. Not to be a critic but it looks slightly out of focus. It could be the aquarium glass. Might want to increase the DOF and if you didn't use manual focus may try that, seems to work for me.

some of us don't have saltwater tanks... and its a photo contest, not a rock-scape contest

as a scuba diver and a photographer Ill be the first to tell you that you need a TON of light for underwater photos because of the light spectrum. Red light is the first light to be lost and Blue is the last, thus most underwater photos have a blue tint. Since most aquarium lights are suppose to replicate the light spectrum for plants and fish underwater you will get that same effect, that is why your photos look blue. Since you are taking photos of your tank and are not actually underwater you can accomplish this with less equipment. Now there are several different ways to corect the color of your photos, this is called white balance. You can use a flash (with a bounce card or diffuser). You can set up lights to shine on the aquarium that are not set up to simulate the underwater light spectrum (also diffused). or.. you can use the camera software and computer software to correct this. Probably the easiest thing to do is to set up a diffused light source and shine it in the tank. Since you are shining light through glass you will need a reflected/ambient (diffused) light source so you dont take photos of the reflected light on the glass and to help glare. If you want to use a flash it will also need to be diffused to reduce glare. For ALL photos taken of aquarium life through glass you want to get as close as possibe to the glass when shooting and ALWAYS use manual focus. You'll be suprised that the camera will actually focus on the glass. Now if you want to do all of this through the camera or through software you be prepared to lose a lot of quality in your photo. You can never only use software for a perfect image, but will always need it for one. Regardless of the method you use you will want to adjust the white balance of your camera according to your manual to help correct the image, OR you can do what I do and shoot in RAW and adjust the white balance through software. You always have to remember that detal not captured in the initial image weather it be underexposed or overexposed will never show up, and no software will ever be able to bring it back. Exposure in itself with white balance all works together in making a photograph. All of this is done through the shutter speed, aperture (F-stop), and film speed (ISO). When you throw off the light spectrum (taking photos underwater or of a simulated environment) this becomes more difficult because it goes against everything a photographer is taught in taking a photograph. Bottom line is a lens will not make a good photograph, it will make a good photograph better. To make a good photograph you will need knowledge on how to do that through your camera settings (Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO). different lenses allow you to adjust these settings differently. Here is a link to a site that may help you better understand the science side of photography. My http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18891/lessons Have fun and good luck and the best way to learn is to fail and to try again until you get it right.

50mm lens is a great lens depending on what you are wanting to take photos of. I bought my 50mm thinking I could use it in some of my concert photography because it is fast and was very inexpensive.. now not to say that I wont because I have not shot a concert since I have purchased it, but after shooting with it I need a way wider lens for concerts. I have tried taking photos of my fish with the lens, but it is not a macro and it is also a prime. About the only things prime lenses are good for (IMO) are landscapes and portraits, for everything else I prefer a zoom lens. Are you going to be using it for anything specific or do you want a new lens to have a new lens?

Photography is a funny thing.. You cant "teach" how to take a photograph, its something that either you have or you don't. What can be taught is the technical side of photography and how to take a good photo in regards to exposure, lighting, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, what lenses will work for your application,.... ect.. If you want to take a class, probably the best thing you can do is get online a start doing some research on things such as exposure and the other things I mentioned above. I don't want to sound like I know everything, because I don't, but you can take a look at my website (http://www.jamsessionphoto.com) and see what I have learned by just doing research online. I have never had a formal photography class in my life. Good luck with it and most of all have fun with it.

I do have cichlids in the 135. They love their new home... 20gal to 135 is a big jump.

Yes it will fit your Rebel. The Rebel takes an EF mount lens like my 40D. BTW... I figured out where I recognized you from. You worked at RCA for a while didn't you? I came in taking photos one day. I finally got my 135 up and going though its not a saltwater tank. I have been using my 28-135mm lens to shoot with, but a macro lens is on the list for me as well.

Its showing up for me.. I'm not sure why you are unable to see it.. Here is the photo again. Ok.. I guess I'll go first. This is a photo of one of my favorite fish in my tank, a Neolamprologus sexfasciatus (Gold). I have had him since he was about an inch long and now he is about 3.5 inches. Enjoy! All Images copyright 09 JAM Session Photography the photo quality is better off my server than off this server... ??? unless you click on it.

Ok.. I guess I'll go first. This is a photo of one of my favorite fish in my tank, a Neolamprologus sexfasciatus (Gold). I have had him since he was about an inch long and now he is about 3.5 inches. Enjoy! Jake All photos copyright 09 JAM Session Photography

Thanks for all the welcomes... here are some photos of my setup. Enjoy

soooo I'm guessing you don't want to sell the light or you are ignoring me. I did PM you twice I believe.

Thanks.. Ill have to post some of the tank and the fishies I have..

I'd love to get that 135 going as a saltwater tank, but its just not in the budget right now after buying the new house and all. It will definitely be one one of these days though.

I'm Jake and I joined the forum yesterday. I do not own a saltwater tank, but I would like to set one up eventually. I have just set up a 135 gallon tank that will be freshwater and I have thoughts of using my 20 gallon as a reef tank, but I'm still undecided. I am looking for some lighting for my new tank and it should be complete after that. A little about me... My wife and I have just bought a new house in Leander, it is also our first house. We cannot be more excited about it.... she actually agreed to let me put a 135 in the dining room.. I am a photographer and I absolutely love it. You can check out my portfolio at http://www.jamsessionphoto.com. I also enjoy scuba diving, but have not got a good underwater rig as of yet. I am looking for a case for my 40D but it is a little out of the budget right now. I also enjoy working on my car (tuning/performance) and computer gaming, even though I have not had much time to do that. I am currently looking for a full-time job since the photo biz is not bringing in much at this time. I hope to learn a lot on here about saltwater setups and share some cool photos with you guys.

I have just set up a 135 freshwater aquarium and am in need of a good light for it. This is in my price range and I would like to take a look at if if it is still available. Thanks Jake