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Someone find me a good one!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I just saw a 'keychain camera' at a local tech shop. It's a 3 megapixel thing with a flash and datacable but no display. It was $5.99. Yep a whopping 6 bucks. It wouldn't be perfect by a long shot, but it would be better than nothing. I used to take great pics with my old 3 megapixel canon. Maybe you can find something like that?

:j

Thanks for the input plankton but I think my wife and I are holding out for something a little better.

Tetra - What mp is your camera?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings,
My camera is 5.0mp, It is also about two years old, but unless your printing pics bigger than 8 x 10 the 5.0mp will do fine, most are probably higher these days anyway.



My Scapes

If you really want nice shots and have a bit of a budget, go for a digital SLR. You have complete control of your shutter speed, iso, field of view, focus, colour temp etc. Even the older Canons and Nikons are WAY better than any of the new fixed lens cameras. While a comperably priced fixed lens may take more information (megapixels) they are still gathering that info through a tiny optic. If you are going for a point and shoot, both Canon's and FUJI's have nice colour and even a higher range megapixel camera wont break the bank. Look for one that offers manual control of the shutter speed at the very least.

Thanks for the camera info.

My wife and I are thinking of an SLR for "our" Christmas present but that is up in the air. I personally would like a nicer point and shoot as I would want to take it on fishing outings where I would want the extra weight and space. Maybe I will start looking around. I have a bit of cash on hand from selling plants.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hey wings, I believe Olympus makes pretty decent digital point and shoot cameras that can take a fair bit of weather. Perfect for watery adventures! I think they also have fairly good zeiss optics.

Good luck!

Wings this is the most recent version of my camera. You really can't go wrong with it. Mine is the S2 now there up to the S5. This is a GREAT camera for the price. It also has an amazing video mode and 12x Optical zoom and super macro. My ISO (film speed) only goes up to 800 on this one it goes to 1600

Canon S5 IS

Holy #$%^ I was just reading the camera detail and it has an "Aquarium Mode"

22 Shooting Modes, including 9 Special Scene Modes

Auto The camera chooses all the settings so you can concentrate on your subject.
Program Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically.
Av Aperture-priority You define the aperture to either isolate your subject or have clarity throughout the entire picture, and the camera will choose the corresponding shutter speed.
Tv Shutter-priority You select the shutter speed to stop or blur action, and the camera finds the appropriate aperture. With slow exposure times, Canon’s noise reduction system activates to ensure low image noise.
Manual The ultimate in creative control, you set ISO speed, exposure compensation and white balance.
C Custom Define and store your own settings to achieve the effects you prefer.
Portrait The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject "pop."
Landscape For front to back sharpness, the camera sets a small aperture.
Sports Ensure highly accurate autofocusing when shooting fast-moving subjects.
Night Snapshot Get natural-looking pictures with brighter backgrounds and subjects lit by flash.
Super Macro Close to almost touching distance to capture the subject detail.
Stitch Assist Build awe-inspiring panoramas by neatly aligning sequential images.
Movie Shoot in VGA (30 fps/30 fps LP) and QVGA (60 fps/30 fps) for up to 1 hour or 4 GB).
Night Scene For impressive sunset or nightlife shots, the camera properly exposes the background and uses slow-sync flash for the subject.
Foliage Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.
Snow Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.
Beach Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.
Fireworks Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
Aquarium Achieve proper flash-free exposure and natural hues at indoor aquariums.
Indoor Reduce blur and improve color accuracy when shooting handheld indoors.
Color Accent Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome.
Color Swap Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects.


My Scapes

Planton,

I have thought about that one. Some of my favorite tank shoots are using an Olympus.

Tetra,

Thanks for all the info. I think if I am going to spend around that amount we might as well go in for the big deal camera.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings , That camera is a bargain . If you want a Digital SLR , go for the Cannon EOS 400D but you will pay 3 to 4 times the one Tetra gave you. It is however continually rated as the best in all the computer mags I read .

Garry

Really quick update!

I was looking at my female BN this weekend and she looked quite this compared to earlier this week. I then noticed that the male BN was back in his log. I got out my flashlight and found a large clump of eggs he is guarding.

Spawn #2

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Congrats wings! I hope you can find a home for any & all that survive.

I was looking at my female BN this weekend and she looked quite this compared to earlier this week. I then noticed that the male BN was back in his log. I got out my flashlight and found a large clump of eggs he is guarding.

Wings, seeing is believing. You don't expect us to take your word for this, do you?

My Scapes

Just rub it in a little bit more that I don't have a camera!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Well, not long to Christmas now Wings. By then, you can show us a picture not of eggs, but a nice little batch of young BN's, taken courtesy of a nice new christmas camera

Cheers
TW

Well I think we might actually get a camera! Looking at a Canon TX right now.

BN pleco update:

The second set of babies came out of the cave a couple of days ago. I have counted about 10 of them hanging out in the tank. The one from the last batch that I see on a daily basis is at least 2x's as large as the current batch.

I took a few pictures will the wifes film camera. We will see how the pictures turn out.

All the algae issues seem to be taken care of. I am now dosing 6 days a week. Growth is pretty good. I want to get a few stems in there but I am not sure what yet.

Thats all for now.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings , great news about the BN's also the Camera .Bring on the Photo's .

Garry

Not the greatest pictures. Taken with my wifes old Canon SLR film camera.

Dad BN hanging out in his cave
Baby BN hanging out around the filter output
Close up of a baby BN

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hmmm , not very easy to see , but I'll take your word for it . You definately need to shout yourself a digital camera .

Garry

You definately need to shout yourself a digital camera .

I know! We had one all picked out then realized that we should probably fix our cars instead.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Man! That baby is tiny! How exciting!

I understand your camera situation. There's always something else to spend that money on & not enough to go around.

I know! We had one all picked out then realized that we should probably fix our cars instead.

So you've been teasing us with talk of getting a camera. We've been getting all excited for nothing Seriously though, there's always some sort of expense that eats away any extra cash you think you have for luxuries (like cameras).

Pleased to hear the baby continues to do well.

Cheers
TW

1st year teachers really don't make enough to have toys like nice cameras.

I really thought we were going to get one too. Then a couple of things needed fixed from our cars and we made the wiser choice.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Quick update, more to come at a later time. I brought home the schools camera for the weekend so I will have a few pictures to post later after I crop them and such.

Also, my BN just spawned for the third time. Only one has survived from the first batch but I have quite a few from the 2nds stuck to pretty much anything in the tank. I will try and get a picture of the eggs today but they are not in a good photo spot (Stuck way back down in a wooden cave).



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Here are just a couple of pictures.

These are all the same tank
Center
Left
Right

Nana Roots
ET

Male Cherry

Giant Danio

Male BN
Female BN
Baby BN One
Baby BN Two
Baby BN Three
Baby BN Four



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wow wings.......your tank in turning into a jungle!
Awww those babies are so tiny! And your plants look so good on closeup!

fish patty,

Thanks! Any ideas for the left side of the tank? That is the side I am not really happy with.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I think it looks great wings. Those babies are awesome, congrats! I really like the center part of the tank. It's nice to see swords being used after all the negative commentary they receive. I just think the left needs a little taller hardscape and it would fit in well with the rest of the tank.

BTW where does one find hollow DW like the one where the BNs are hanging out in/on? Is it real? I've seen it elsewhere and it looks pretty neat.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

My idea for the left side of the tank would be to put a tall plant in front of that equipment, or else a piece of driftwood with plants attached or even moss on it.

BTW where does one find hollow DW like the one where the BNs are hanging out in/on? Is it real? I've seen it elsewhere and it looks pretty neat.

I actually found it in a river back home in MI. So yes, it is real.

The other half of it(I cut it in half so it wasn't so huge) is poking out in the foreground on the right hand side.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings ..Great shots mate ... especially of the BN Babies ....Love what you've done with the tank ...very lush . If it were me I'd have a beach on the left side just to give a contrast to the jungle.

Garry

If it were me I'd have a beach on the left side just to give a contrast to the jungle.

That is kind of what I am thinking. I have a guy I am going to make a plant trade with here in a couple of weeks or so. My anubias for his ET and some stems.

Thanks for the comments!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

You certainly have lush green plants growing and the fish must love it if they are breeding. You know what happens when fish breed tho? Another tank required = mts.

You certainly have lush green plants growing and the fish must love it if they are breeding. You know what happens when fish breed tho? Another tank required = mts.

Thanks for the comments on my plants. The fish do seem pretty happy in there.

MTS... Right now I am running three tanks. Before I moved from MI to NC I had six running. I know all about MTS!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi,
I guess it's just old age, tired eyes, or not enough
coffee in the morning...but, When I look at the pictures
of "Tank One, Tank Two, and Tank Three, I could swear I'm
looking at the same tank, a 55 gallon tank, in three
different views. In which they were tank front, a little
left, and a little right?

I was expecting three tanks with vastly different
arrangements.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank,

Sorry! Let me change something for you.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I am not much of a fan of vals. I see nice fat leaved plants in the middle and then skinny stuff in the back.
I would get more amazon sword or even a mottley marble sword for contrast.
The left side corner in front of the rock needs a little something but I don't know what. Something to frame the picture like a special plant?

Wings,

Albeit you got some quite large plants in your tank, usually an entity that makes a tank look small, this is the largest your tank has ever looked. All looks healthy and your hardscape is nicely visible, I like it.

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Brengun,

Not a fan of vals? The plant I think you are referring to is my Crypt balansae (just to the right of the sword?). I do have vals in this tank but you can't see them in the picture. They are in the back ground on the left side. They are spreading but not growing tall.

LF,

Thanks for the nice complement. How do you think it would look if it removed the big rock on the left and filled in that space with more ET?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

That's a really nice looking set up Wings. I like it a lot

Cheers
TW

Well it has been a few months since I last posted some pictures. The tank has changed just a little bit. Let me know what you think!

Whole tank from back in the room.
Whole tank from the right.
Left side.
L. repens.
A. reineckii.]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/55G%20new/55G%20Feb%2007/Alternantherareineckii.jpg[/link
Rotala I
Rotala II

Overall I am becoming very happy with the tank's layout. I am still unsure what to do with the right side but for now it works.

Any ideas on the actual species of rotala? I got them from two different people here and I am not quite sure? Roundifolia and Indica?

Also any tips to growing Alternanthera reineckii? It seems to be getting a little better but the leaves are still tiny compared to the ones that melted off when I got it.

Thanks for looking!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings... Fantastic mate ...love the right to left slope of the scape . Its got a hint of Island about it as well when you look at the longer shots . Very good scaping to give hints of a couple of different styles in one scape.
I wouldn't change to much if it were me . Well done .

Plant growth as always looks very healthy .

I'm sorry I can't help with your plant questions ..don't get to see rotala much around here and Alternanthera reineckii is something I haven't tried because of it's reputation as being hard to grow .

Garry

Wings,

Tank looks wonderful, I like the scape and all. Given that you show a full shot of the whole setup, how about doors on the stand?

With the Alternanthera: can it be that the Star Grass sucks away all the nutrinets from it? Also, it seems a little shaded and it does not like that at all.

Rotala Shmotala, LOL: I think in this hobby the names rotundifolia and indica are used interchangably, but HERE IS A LINK that speaks about them as two plants. As you will note, indica is mentioned as an annual plant.

Give us a head on shot of the tank please to judge the scape proportions better

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Nice tank.

The first Rotala looks like Colorata, but it's hard to be sure. These plants grow differently under different conditions.

I like the open cabinet look. That's a hell of a feed bag you have there. Do your fish end up on the wall if they get too big for the tank?

Looks great wings!

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks everyone for the comment! I will get back with you a bit more this weekend about them. Until then here is a picture of just the tank.

Just the tank

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Great plant growth you got there Wings! But then you always do. It seems you are more into scaping than you used to be.

Given that you show a full shot of the whole setup, how about doors on the stand?

I would eventually like to close it in but as of right now I don't have the time, tools or space to do so. The stand serves its purpose of holding the tank and equipment so I can't complain.

With the Alternanthera: can it be that the Star Grass sucks away all the nutrinets from it? Also, it seems a little shaded and it does not like that at all.

Interesting thoughts. Shade might be a little more of a problem than anything though. Star Grass grows pretty fast. It is in need of another trim and thinning this weekend.

Give us a head on shot of the tank please to judge the scape proportions better

Its posted so let me know what you think!

Wings... Fantastic mate ...love the right to left slope of the scape . Its got a hint of Island about it as well when you look at the longer shots . Very good scaping to give hints of a couple of different styles in one scape.

Thanks Countryfish! I seemed to be influenced by many different styles and it probably shows.

I like the open cabinet look. That's a hell of a feed bag you have there. Do your fish end up on the wall if they get too big for the tank?

Funny funny! But they really funny thing is I have Convict that I have had for about 6 years. I think when something happens it it I might try and get it mounted. It's small so it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

It seems you are more into scaping than you used to be.

Not that I haven't been into it but I think I am figuring some things out now.


Thanks everyone for stopping in and for all the comments and complements! Keep it coming because I probably wont have new pictures for a while.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

That is fantastic looking Wings. I love how you have the upward slope. Is it a lot of work to keep the slope so even.

I'm sure, being the youngster you are, you know all best the photobucket linking tricks. Hope you don't mind an oldie asking why you don't post pics from photobucket using [IMG][/IMG] choice. Your pics are open for immediate view (no need for lazy bones me to click each link). You can still put multiple pics one post. Best of all, your admiring viewers can look at several pics at a time, instead of looking at each pic individually.

Eg pic loaded as photobucket [IMG][/IMG] choice
Same pic loaded as direct link: http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/000_1307.jpg

I'm a premie member here, but prefer to post my pics this way. Just my 2cents.

Back to your tank, I love your work - keep it up

Cheers
TW

For some reason this forum won't let me do that. I think it is because I am a not a premium member. This is what happens when I try it.

[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/55G%20new/55G%20Feb%2007/wholetank.jpg[/ IMG]

Is it a lot of work to keep the slope so even.

Well I have only been running this set up like this for maybe a couple of weeks so I am not sure yet. I am going to need to do some more trimming today as the star grass is getting huge and super thick. I will let you know how it goes.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

For some reason this forum won't let me do that. I think it is because I am a not a premium member. This is what happens when I try it.

[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/55G%20new/55G%20Feb%2007/wholetank.jpg[/ IMG]

Ah, that explains it. I wondered why you didn't use that option, as I thought it worded for premmie & non-premmie alike. Look forward to hearing how your timming goes.


Cheers
TW

As my eyes travel to the right upwards, your nice fully planting becomes thin with your long thin plants (Crinum?) and breaks down the slope. Perhaps something fuller that will grow into the upper right-hand corner will help to create a better sense of the overall shape of your scape. But hey, you've definitely got quite a nice tank.





--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

As my eyes travel to the right upwards, your nice fully planting becomes thin with your long thin plants (Crinum?) and breaks down the slope. Perhaps something fuller that will grow into the upper right-hand corner will help to create a better sense of the overall shape of your scape. But hey, you've definitely got quite a nice tank.

Over time the Crypt balansae should fill in. I am however thinking of pulling up that area and making it an island feel. This might be a few weeks down the road though. I need to make sure I have enough ET to fill in the area.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

TW,

This one is for you! I trimmed the Star grass and Rotala. Pretty much everything else stayed the same.

Full tank shot

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings ... The more I look at your scape the more I agree with the idea of going to an Island look...I think it would be spectacular .



Garry

I guess married life agrees with you. The tank and picture look excellent. I would tighten up the rotala group (too wide across the back) and is it possible to get a full foreground or is it too narrow and shaded.

My Scapes

Wings ... The more I look at your scape the more I agree with the idea of going to an Island look...I think it would be spectacul

Thanks for the conformation on what I am feeling.

I guess married life agrees with you. The tank and picture look excellent. I would tighten up the rotala group (too wide across the back) and is it possible to get a full foreground or is it too narrow and shaded.

Wow tetra lives! Thanks for stopping by! Married life is good. If I end up doing the island thing they the rolala group will be tightened up for sure. Right now I am using it to take up space. As for the foreground, I am slowly working on thickening it up. My plecos do a number on up rooting my new plants of ET. The space in the front of the tank is pretty small in places though and the A. nana is starting to crowd it even more. Or at least shade it out.

I will post a few more pictures later. Thanks!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks for the pic Wings. I think this is nicest version of your tank that I've seen. Incorporating an island would make a great look even better.

Do you have a camera, or are you borrowing one more often now?

Cheers
TW

Do you have a camera, or are you borrowing one more often now?

Borrowing more often. It is the schools that I work at. I have been using it for some science stuff lately.

And here are a few more pictures. Some of the shots show the ET and foreground pretty well. Tetra might be interested.

ET
Left side
Leftside from a bit farther out.
A Cherry Shrimp on some DW
Rotala with some bubbles

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric