[Samper]

KAIT - Jonesboro, AR: Home

Here is a short video clip from the nightly news of the aquarium. If you click on the video tab and scroll down in the video window there is a link that says new exhibit opens at ASU. Check it out guys.

[zhenya]

Nice, Chuck!
I'm glad your school is willing to go the extra mile to bring something like the reef aquarium to the school. I am sure it will do wonders for the students and faculty alike.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Whooolllyyyyy crap!!! There is a winter storm warning going on!

Oh wait...that wasn't the part I was supposed to watch?


Seriously though, Chuck....that is friggin' awesome bro!!!! Totally cool! You're famous now. Hehehe...

Really cool though. Most times all you hear about is bad stuff on the news (hence, why I never watch), but it's great to see them cover something that is cool and educational.

[Samper]

I just saw your post SouthBay. I wasn't trying to ignore you or anything but thank you for all your kind words.

Even though this isn't really a big deal in the grand scheme of things I'm proud of it. My parents especially my dad aren't the type to say too much but they saw the news and called to say they were extremely proud of me.

They're pretty busy people but are trying to make it up here to see it in person.

On another side note the school is discussing the possibility of an aquaculture facility in the eco toxicology building. It's not a facility open to most students but I was invited to go check it out today. It is a huge building with wall to wall aquariums and tubs and on and on. I've never seen anything like it. They wanted me to come check it out to see what it would take to put an aquaculture tank in it. They already have the aquariums, RO/DI and stand so that really cuts the price of the build down. I'm pretty excited to have something like that at my disposal and really feel like I'll get to put it together for them.

The idea is to have a place where we can run some controlled experiments, a backup of corals for the display in the lobby and possibly generate enough funds through local coral sales to support the upkeep of the display without relying on other funding. Either way the display will remain but this gets me pumped up.

I'm working with our Sponsor to get the aquarists club going on campus. I really think there is enough interest and knowledge lurking around to make for interesting discussions come meeting time. I know of atleast 10 people right now that would be willing to participate. It won't be for just marine aquariums but that's fine with me.

[charlie]

Wow, go for it man!!!!! The question is are you gonna have enuf time in between, you know what I mean? You don't want to stretch yourself to thin.

[Samper]

Yeah I'm working on recruiting some eager to learn undergrad help. I can handle this most of the time but come finals I'm going to be oerwhelmed.

[charlie]

Yeah, keep your ducks in a row that's for sure. Good help is hard to find, good luck.

[SouthBayPhoto]

That's awesome to hear Chuck! Nothin' like expansion!

I hear ya about the parents thing....mine are the same way! When I finally got some of my photography work in big magazines, they saw it and told me how proud of me they were. It's like you know they are always proud, but it's nice to hear it now and again!

Definitely don't spread yourself too thin, especially around finals. But it is really cool that they are taking an interest in what you're doing and even trying to support that interest as well. Totally cool!

[Samper]

I thought it was time to update this. Things are moving along nicely and comparing pictures I'm getting pretty good growth. The lobby that this system is in is under 24 hour surveilance. Technical services is upgrading the security system to outfit it with an extra camera trained on the aquarium. We are going to have a link to this camera at some point for viewing. My idea is to record this system and after some time we will put it all together and time lapse it I'd love to see two years of this aquarium condensed and sped up. I'm not sure when this will all take place and be ready but the camera and components for it are already here. I didn't order it or anything so I don't know any details but I'm hoping to get a good crisp picture. The link should be available on the ASU website at some point.

A month ago I changed out half of the bulbs to 54w Giesemann PureActinics. Today I changed out the other half with 54w UV 14Ks. Other than that all livestock is in place and healthy. I have now had to remove 5 of Genes BTA clones and I still have one extra for a total of 5 in the display.

Here are a few recent pictures.

[charlie]

Looking REALLY good Chuck!!!!!!!

[SouthBayPhoto]

I want that blue starfish darn it!

Really nice lookin' tank, Chuck. Glad to see it's going so well.

[Samper]

Thank you for the comments. The Linkia is a really neat blue/silver. At first when it arrived I was worried because the one I've been keeping at home is a brilliant pepsi blue. I've grown to love both.

[Poseidon]

FAntastic update! It does look like that tank is doing VERY well!

[SouthBayPhoto]

Believe me...if my tank could support a beautiful Linkia like that, I'd be all over one.

The tank looks awesome...

[Samper]

Thank you guys very much for the .

I got to see the webcam Friday. Hopefully it will be in operation next week. I'm not sure what it takes to get it online for viewing but IT services are going to handle that.

[Poseidon]

Well hurry up!!!

[SouthBayPhoto]

That would be one webcam that would be worth watchin'! Especially since all I can do is sit here anyway and I don't have crap in my tank to look at.