Featured Member Series May 2004

[Reefland]

Our next Featured Member is 64Ivy and his dreamy 500 gallon Reef.



Be sure to check out all of the details on this beauty. 64Ivy has provided us with a great write up for this month!
http://www.reefland.com/feature504.php

Congratulations Michael!

Scott Z.

[Tie]

These featured members continue to amaze and inspire me. That's truly a gorgeous tank!


I enjoyed your comments and candid flavor on the ethical issues.

Congrats Michael!

[SteveP]

Stunning. Simply stunning. Not sure what else there is to say !

Steve

[Ninong]

Gorgeous tank!

I have always had your site linked in my favorites so that I would have a ready reference when I get ready to set up my "dream tank."

BTW, aren't you glad they can't blame any of the new "reality" TV programs on you?

I know it's sweeps week and everything but don't you think ABC was a little over the top promoting a baby giveaway? I didn't watch it but I believe five prospective adoptive couples were all competing to be chosen as the new parents by the baby's 16-year-old biological mother. Barbara Walters was the "host" of this lastest bizarre offering from the network geniuses. I hope a truly deserving couple was chosen and that the other couples didn't cry openly in front of the cameras. Or maybe the biological mother changed her mind during the last 10 minutes of the show? That would have been cool. :eek3:

I'm sure Fox will come up with something to top this feeble attempt by ABC to muscle in on their territory. How about five orphans all wanting to be adopted by the nice wealthy prospective adoptive family. The "host" could interview each of the cute little tykes and ask them why they felt they should be chosen for the one available vacancy. Then they could be sure to get closeups of the sore losers crying all over the set.

Or they could combine Trauma: Live in the ER with this new concept and have five people in need of organ transplants waiting to see which one will get the most call-in votes to "win" the new liver. Will the audience choose the cute 12-yr-old or the well known retired baseball player who drank a bit too much for his own good? Tune in tommorrow to see who lives or dies?

There is just no end to this new reality TV craze. The possibilities are endless and they don't have to pay scriptwriters. I can hardly wait. :eek3:

[zhenya]

Congratulation,Michael! I've been long time admirer of your tank and your website as well.You have created something truly inspirational with your tank

Did I say I loved your website as well?

[64Ivy]

Thanks all. I am truly honored to be chosen this months FM; especially given the trails and tribulations I've been going through with the tank lately. Can't beat those pats on the back.

Ninong: In regards to television (more specfically, in regards to the tastes of the current NETWORK prime-time TV viewer) there is probably no one more cynical than I am. But, as my Sohal as my witness, even I could've never imagined what the medium has turned itself into. And to think, WE got in trouble for just saying the word 'scrotum'. :eek3: Anyway, unless there's a football or baseball in it, I'm never near network TV...okay, I'll occasionally watch Judge Judy, but that's it. So I don't even know about the Barbara Walters thing. Sounds perfect though; educational, relevant, and obviously a crack-up.

Look, if you ask me, the funniest stuff on tv today is Nick At Night which just happens to show the funniest stuff on tv 20 years ago or before. I'd take the very WORST of the old Bob Newhart's, MTM's, or Sanford and Son's over 98% of todays best any day. But maybe that's just me.

Anyway, thanks again for the nod, guys. If there's any question I didn't already answer for you in the write-up, please ask. I may not know, but ask you can tell, I WILL probably have an opinion. Later.

[kevinpo]

Hi Michael,
What a wonderful write up about one of my favorite tanks! I really hope I can see your tank in person some day. Having a large tank myself I know how pictures can never show the true look. Well-deserved selection! Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough description.

Best regards,
Kevin

[JB NY]

Great write up Michael. A truly magnificent accomplishment you have in that tank. I feel you pain over last year, as it seemed we had the exact same problems with salt and then the mysterious STN due to high alk (at the same time no less). I keep my alk lower now as well and haven't had any recession show it's ugly face for a while.

Next time I'm in Stamford for work I'll have to get in touch to see the tank.

How do you find the time to write such detailed descriptions? Mine was 1/3rd of yours and it took me forever! :LOL:

Once again, super nice!! and congratulations.

[scubadude]

Very Well deserved!

Michael I have spent LOTS of time browsing your threads and your website, and just got done reading your writeup. Great Job! I know your trials and tribulations will just make you become a better reefer, and you are one of the few ppl I know that bounce back with tenacity after you have had problems. Keep it up bro...your a great deal of encouragement to many ppl including me.

Favorite SPS (of yours)
Tort or Echinatae....who cares, thats one sweet coral

Rocky

[Elmo18]

That is one HOT tank michael!

Awesome!!!

- Elmo

[montepora]

Michael:

Congrats!!

Do you have any pics of the Acropora horrida you got??? Also the nobilis that you purchased????

Andrew

[64Ivy]

Michael:

Congrats!!

Do you have any pics of the Acropora horrida you got??? Also the nobilis that you purchased????

Andrew

The A. nobilis came from ReeferMadness a few months ago and has done very well, losing none of its color and actually developing a hint of purple at the tips. It has also developed several budding new branches. Obviously, it is one of 'Wiseguy's' favorite perches.




As for the horridas, I have two. This one came from Cquarium about a month ago. It is aquacultured and came paired with a wonderful A. 'enchinata'. Despite being packed very well, this piece came in with just about every tip broken and, combined with the stress of the journey, I wasn't sure it was going to survive. But, so far, it's doing okay; a little bleached due to my rushing it into its spot high in the tank but it has demonstrated very good polyp extension.




This one came from Blowfish Aquatics some two months ago and like Cquariums, came in with several branch tips broken off. Sold as a Bali aquaculture (I can't wait until they overgrow those monsterous plugs), it too seems to have recovered and is even beginning to show a little color, although it's original color was slightly purple. By the way, if you haven't guessed by now, I have a bit of a 'thing' for A. horridas.

[Poseidon]

Super Cool tank, I think I came upon your site about a year ago, and have kept an eye on it ever since.... Congrats!

Oh ya, in your write you mentioned photography, what camera and lens do you use? The pictures certainly look great that's for sure.

[64Ivy]

Super Cool tank, I think I came upon your site about a year ago, and have kept an eye on it ever since.... Congrats!

Oh ya, in your write you mentioned photography, what camera and lens do you use? The pictures certainly look great that's for sure.

Thanks P. Most of the shots were taken with a Canon D60. The lens I use most often is the 100mm macro, although I also use the 180mm macro quite a bit too because the tank is so big. Unfortunately, it is also made of 3/4" acrylic, which is now over 8 years old, so many images aren't quite as sharp as I'd like.

[Reefland]

Michael,

Your A. nobilis is spectacular! What was the size of the frag when you received it?

Scott Z.

[montepora]

Michael:

Great to know that they are doing well in your tank, I have the THINGS for A.horrida too and that is why I asked. LOL!

[64Ivy]

Michael,

Your A. nobilis is spectacular! What was the size of the frag when you received it?

Scott Z.

Not very much smaller than it is now. It's one of the few pieces I have left that was purchased as a wild caught colony. That's why I'm surprised it has kept its color for so long.

[Poseidon]

That is the lens I have been debating on.... I have the 10D and LOVE it!!! I also have been toying with the idea of using my 70-200 2.8L with a 500D close up lens... But I'm afraid to spend $130.00 on a screw on filter theat I may dissapointed with....

As far as the Acrylic goes, you can always replace the current tank with a BIGGER one!!! LOL!!

[DEE]

Hey Michael-

As a fellow nutmeger I feel especially proud just living in the same state as a tank so beautiful. Seriously though your tank is spectacular and something I would love to aspire to. I know things were a little tricky this last year but it looks like you are truly on the mend.

Good luck-

Dee

[Samper]

Hey Michael,

I'm very new to this site as well as the hobby but I just wanna say its tanks like yours that are my inspiration. I love what you've done it's truly a work of art.
Congratulations.