[charlie]

Awesome!!! great pics, thanx

[Samper]

Mike I don't have a link to it but on the invoice they spelled it Tonga Fussion.

Here are some more pics of the rock prior to aquascaping.

[kgeorge]

How's this thing comin man? Give us an update!

[Samper]

Sorry I have finals coming up and haven't had time to really update. Will do so when I can get some new pictures together but I definately can't do it until this weekend.

[kgeorge]

Ok, I'll prolly be comin down Saturday to try and find the wife somethin for Christmas so I may come by to see it if it's ok...

[Samper]

That's fine!

[Samper]

I thought I should update a little bit.

Parameters right now
pH 8.3
SG 1.026
PO4 0 ppm
Ca 430 ppm
11 dKH
Mg 1300 ppm
Temp 79 F
NO3 0

Slightly hazy due to some reactor maintenance. I really like the shapes of the tonga fusion but it had a lot of die off. The fiji however had very little. It has remained purple and it's full of worms, starfish, feather dusters, sponges and even got quite a few sweet zoanthids here and there. I can't wait to grow them out...a few have green tentacles yellow centers and a blue mouth . Coralline algae is spreading everywhere and all is well. Anyway here are a few updated pics.

[Samper]

And a few more.

[charlie]

Things are really looking good. Despite the die off on the fusion rock, the coralline will cover it before long, I am sure.
Did you go barebottom in the fuge?

[Samper]

No there is an 8" oolitic sandbed in the fuge. That tank is sunk down into the stand with a rubber liner so you're only seeing the top 3/4 of it.

[Samper]

I take that back....it's more like 5"

[scubadude]

Nicely done Chuck! I love the fuge....is that an LOA 65w PC?

[Samper]

Why yes it is Rocky. You know the ones don't ya.

[scubadude]

Yeah they work great for fuge lights just watch out for how hot they run though. Hey is that an ASM or other ER knockoff...if so whats the brand and how do you like it? Comparitive to ER? Looks like its one bad mama jama

[Samper]

It's an ASM G4. Function wise I have absolutely no complaints. It produced some of thickest foul smelling sludge during the cycle and since has been skimming really well. It did take a while to break in and stop foaming from underneath the lid. They aren't as well made as the Euro Reef and I feel like if I'm not careful I could break it. I never screw down the cup or the lid because they get stuck if I do so they just sit on the skimmer. I'd buy another but if I had the cash it'd be ER.

[Samper]

I have to say that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. There was a write up about the aquarium in the schools news paper a few weeks ago and since that time it has become such a crowd pleaser that I have a hard time getting the doors open for maintenance during regular school hours. Students and faculty come from all over campus to check it out regularly. It never fails...someone is always standing in front of the display pointing at something. We just finished two posters for the doors of the stand briefly describing the fish, corals and other invertebrates that we are keeping as well as a nice sign with my contact information on it. I have made so many contacts both on and off campus that it's hard to keep up. I really feel lucky to have been a major part of this exhibition. We are having an up coming open house and I've been asked to come speak to the faculty, board members and alumni who will be present for the ceremonies. The lobby is simply amazing and the compliments I have been receiving are making my step a little lighter. I've been told that it will draw students to the university for years to come.



Opening of ASU's 'Hall of Science' kicks off 'Week of Science' activities

Jan. 29, 2008 -- The lobbies of buildings are normally spaces through which people pass to get where they are going. In the Laboratory Sciences Center, East Wing at ASU, the lobby is a destination unto itself.

On Monday, February 11, a new science exhibit, encompassing features ranging from a porpoise skeleton to a meteorological station, will be inaugurated in the Laboratory Sciences Center, East Wing. Dr. Dan Howard, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Research, will officially open this display that showcases some of the ongoing scientific research and educational opportunities at Arkansas State.

Among the unique features of this exhibit is the skeleton of a porpoise that was stranded off the coast of Massachusetts and was subsequently dissected and studied by ASU students. The exhibit also includes the cast of the skull of a minke whale, and a marine aquarium with some 50 species of fish, corals and other invertebrates aimed at explaining the new marine science program that is under preparation. A vivarium is also on display, containing some live individual specimens of basiliscus, the “Jesus Christ lizard,” so named because of its capabilities in walking on the surface of water, and blind cave fishes. All these live animals were bred in captivity to avoid any collecting and removing them from their natural environments.

Other features on exhibition include current research on subjects as varied as the ivory-billed woodpecker, flying squirrels, effects of nicotine on the brain, and mine salamanders. Of special interest is an exhibit on the recent documentary filmed by the BBC’s Sir David Attenborough. This nature documentary, "Life in Cold Blood," contains footage filmed in Arkansas, dealing with research conducted by ASU's Dr. Stan Trauth, professor of zoology. A complete specimen of the American alligator, “Big Arkie,” is also being exhibited.

Some exhibited material will also be available online. The data output from a local seismograph and meteorological station will be displayed on monitors in the lobby, as well as being fed to an online server for public access and study. This data will also be used by researchers who are studying the New Madrid Fault Zone and by students in climatology classes.

A major part of the exhibit is a selection of rocks and minerals from the Karl Estes Mineral Collection. This massive collection was donated to ASU last year by Estes's daughter, Brooke Estes, and includes minerals that Karl Estes had collected from all over the world. On a regular basis, minerals fitting a particular theme will rotate into the display cases to show the rich diversity of specimens that can be found in nature.

In future, other additional features will include a DNA statue at the entrance of the building and a prairie garden with native plants from Arkansas.

The opening of ASU's "Hall of Science" on Monday will be the first event of a week-long celebration. The "Week of Science” at ASU will include the showing of science-related movies, the celebration of the birthdays of Galileo Galilei and Charles Darwin, and the release of high-altitude atmospheric probes.

This exhibit, a joint project of the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Physics, has been almost an entire year in preparation. At the cost of nearly $50,000, this science exhibit has been fully funded by private donations and funds generated by the university’s research activities.

[CubsFan]

Its awesome that they are giving you credit for your work. The tank looks awesome. GREAT JOB

[charlie]

That's a large attaboy!!!!!!!!


CONGRATS.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Totally awesome to hear and see!

But I have one dumb question...

Where the heck are the darn pics?! I wanna seeeeeeee it!

[Samper]

Tomorrow will be a busy day for the display. I have been instructed to dress up and be on hand. The Batesville Daily Guard newspaper as well as the Jonesboro Sun and Arkansas Times will be down and I was asked today if I was camera shy. I'll have to miss class but the head of the department has my back so it's ok. We got our posters mounted and a do not tap on glass sign as well as a plaque with my name and stuff on it. I also have a sponsor and am kicking off an ASU aquarists club in the next few weeks. We are installing video cameras in the lobby and a webcam on the display so anyone at any time can log in and check it out!

This appeared in the batesville newspaper already and I wish they would have taken some of my photographs to use.....someone didn't understand white balance adjustments. You can't see anything.

http://www.guardonline.com/?q=node/43705A

Anyway I'm stoked because Batesville is over an hour away and I've received two calls from people in that area inquiring about systems. The Arkansas Times is currently working on an article for their newspaper too.

I've been contacted by two of the major high schools here in Jonesboro as well. They are extremely interested in getting something going.

Today I did a ton of maintenance including a wc and cleaning of all pumps and equipment and testing. I also changed out 2 of the daylight coralvue bulbs with 2 Geisemann pure actinics and with them the icecap reflectors to top it off. It gave the display a better look IMO and really brought out some colors not normally noticed when all the fixtures are running. I'm getting crazy growth from most of these and my aussie duncans have gone from 2 heads to 7! Coralline is taking off everywhere.

Temp 79F
pH 8.2
Ca 430 ppm
Alk 11dkH
PO4 undetectable with colorimeter
Mg 1320 ppm
NO3 undetectable

TDS from RO 0

I'm attaching a ton of pictures in the next few posts. Gene take a look at the anemones. I forgot to mention that I am having a problem with my Sarcophyton elegans. It arrived with those benthic ctenophores on the tissue of the coral. Sinularia flexibilis has feathers

I have tried plucking them with tweezers but am not getting anywhere. I am convinced they are harming this coral. When the polyps are out the ones around these 4 creatures appear burned and badly irritated. It doesn't open up very often and I've tried 3 different locations.