Dr Mack's Clams??

Graf-X · 05-08-2001, 10:48 AM

One of my Aqua buds told me of a Online vendor that sells High Quality livestock-- especially high grade/unique Clams. I believe his name is Dr. Mack... anyone know the web address--anyone Ordered from here??

JG · 05-08-2001, 10:59 AM

http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/door/

**Ninong** · 05-08-2001, 11:50 AM

Dr. Mac and one of his sons are registered members of this board. He has an excellent reputation on all the boards.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

------------------
Irrational Exuberance!

Graf-X · 05-08-2001, 01:26 PM

Thanks!
Tiger-Striped Derasa Clam is SWEET!!!!!!
Anyone have any experience keeping this beaut?? I've Never seen one of these anywhere...
http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/...lams&UID=10003

Chris_Gillespie · 05-08-2001, 07:21 PM

Looks like Dr. Mac has been taking lessons from GARF--Shame!

That picture of the derasa clam has been altered big time. Tiger derasas look nice, but not that nice.

------------------
Chris Gillespie

Red River Valley Aquarium Club

Puffer Daddy · 05-08-2001, 07:24 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
are you serious???? Funny, when I saw it I went sweeeeeeeet too.

djheywood · 05-08-2001, 07:41 PM

Ya as soon as I saw that clam I too thought the picture has been altered. All blue-rim deresa's look similiar, just not as much orange in the mantle.

SomeHairyOldGuy · 05-08-2001, 09:17 PM

taking lessons from garf? what do you mean? i dont know much about garf. si there something i should know. i think that is where the lfs her in tulsa gets their stuff.
SHOG[img]/ubb/eyemouth.gif[/img]

tlc · 05-08-2001, 10:11 PM

i seriously doubt dr mack used trick photography. perhaps the camera did it all on its own. fwi i have a derasa nearly that orange. i have not yet ordered from him yet. he has an excellent reputation and is well respected. lets not make accusations that lead to rumors. this hobby is confusing enough already..

Mac · 05-08-2001, 10:44 PM

No alterations what so ever on the photos, I don't do business like that. Every clam or coral is very individual in coloration and markings and the clams must be viewed from directly above or at a downward angle to see the coloration properly, but that is what they look like when viewed from directly above with metal halide lighting. I get all my clams as farm-bred at 3/4" (Maximas) or 1.5"-2" (Tiger striped Deresas) and grow them myself the rest of the way in my tanks until I sell them at 1.5"-2" on the Maximas and 4" on the Deresas. On the Deresa clams, the bright Orange/Pink Tiger Striped are rare, only about 5-10 out of every 250 have this coloration. I personally pick each one from an importer specializing in only farmed clams. I also "cherry pick" lots of other clams I don't list on my site and I get the wildest colors because I am there when they arrive. I can understand how someone uninformed would think the photo is altered because they are use to the LFS Deresa clams that seldom if ever have this rare coloration. So, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not that good at Photoshop alterations.

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.drmaccorals.com" TARGET=_blank> Lots of new photos added Jan 2001. www.drmaccorals.com[/url]

djheywood · 05-08-2001, 11:29 PM

Let me be the first to apologize. I didn't mean to discredit you; I have personally never seen a deresa with that intense coloration but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Bravo to you Mac for hand-picking only the best examples of Deresa's and offering them up to us. I guess it's good vendors like you that make the hard-to-find items easy!

Puffer Daddy · 05-09-2001, 12:05 AM

Bravo, When I first saw the pic, I said sweeeeeet. Then I said "honey, come here, this is what I want" Needless to say, the penny saving starts now!!!!!!

36 · 05-09-2001, 03:54 AM

I have purchased softies, SPS, and clams from Dr. Mac. They are all top quality. All have done well. While the Desera is not as orange as the picture, it is still very nice looking. The Maxima I got is really beautiful and has grown quite a bit in only a few months.

Rod Buehler · 05-09-2001, 04:31 AM

Nice clam. I thought the tiger stripped were the ones with more of a stripped pattern. Maybe I have been putting the wrong name on mine.

------------------
Rod Buehler
http://www.rodsreef.com

reefaddict · 05-09-2001, 06:26 AM

hmmmm blue eggcrate?

must be those 20KK lamps [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Graf-X · 05-09-2001, 06:44 AM

I’ll be ordering soon…I’ve heard only good things about your quality of livestock…As for the Photoshop creation theory; I am a 3D artist/ graphic designer by day (hence the name Graf-X). It would take an Expert CG artist to fabricate the intricate design patterns and color variations of this clam, I think the film is just a little “HOT” (in contrast) and that’s why people may be accusing this Clam of being computer generated.

ravenmore · 05-09-2001, 09:11 PM

It's actually VERY "hot". The highlights are completely blown out. However, this is what happens when you expose the film properly for the important part of the animal - the colored part of the clam is darker than the shell(you bring the exposure up to lighten the darker part and the existing highlights go even lighter - eventually rendering little if any detail in the highlights). If the film (or digital camera) is too high contrast it'll make the problem worse. I agree with graf-x, the blown out highlights might be why folks are thinking the pic was altered. You can trust Dr. Mac - got a great rep amoung his customers.

-Mike

DanConnor · 05-11-2001, 11:10 AM

That picture shows an unusual histogram in Photoshop. Usually an image will show the highest number of midtones with the chart tapering off on the dark and light ends of the scale. This one is the reverse- with the most tonal density at either end- resulting in a very contrasty image. Although I'm sure the clam is very bright I don't think this is a naturalistic rendering of one. It is not necessarily an intentional manipulation- perhaps it is in the settings of the camera, if a digital is being used. I was unable to reproduce the same effect in Photoshop.

DanConnor · 05-11-2001, 11:13 AM

Graf-x- I don't think anybody was saying the clam was fabricated- just possibly some liberties taken with saturation and contrast.

Graf-X · 05-11-2001, 01:37 PM

Ok.... I did a little scientific color test and found that about 10% of the color in this image is out of the reflective color range and is in-fact of projected color hues (some of the lighter-brighter blue in the outer mantle, and the brighter orange hues within). Maybe this shot was captured w/ a digital camera and interpreted weird b/c of the intense light of the MH, or maybe the color levels were automatically ”heightened” while compressing/converting to a mid quality .jpg. Whatever the reason it doesn’t matter, the Clams intricate detail and beauty is amazing....And I've aready got a spot saved for one in my tank!!

05-08-2001, 10:48 AM	#1
Graf-X Just Moved In Join Date: May 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 30	Dr Mack's Clams?? One of my Aqua buds told me of a Online vendor that sells High Quality livestock-- especially high grade/unique Clams. I believe his name is Dr. Mack... anyone know the web address--anyone Ordered from here??

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05-08-2001, 10:59 AM	#2
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/door/

05-08-2001, 11:50 AM	#3
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,691	Dr. Mac and one of his sons are registered members of this board. He has an excellent reputation on all the boards. Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] ------------------ Irrational Exuberance!

05-08-2001, 01:26 PM	#4
Graf-X Just Moved In Join Date: May 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 30	Thanks! Tiger-Striped Derasa Clam is SWEET!!!!!! Anyone have any experience keeping this beaut?? I've Never seen one of these anywhere... http://www.drmaccorals.com/sys-tmpl/...lams&UID=10003

05-08-2001, 07:21 PM	#5
Chris_Gillespie Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Fargo, ND USA Posts: 19	Looks like Dr. Mac has been taking lessons from GARF--Shame! That picture of the derasa clam has been altered big time. Tiger derasas look nice, but not that nice. ------------------ Chris Gillespie Red River Valley Aquarium Club

05-08-2001, 07:24 PM	#6
Puffer Daddy Just Moved In Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sherman, TX Posts: 9	^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ are you serious???? Funny, when I saw it I went sweeeeeeeet too.

05-08-2001, 07:41 PM	#7
djheywood Council Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: El Segundo, CA Posts: 367	Ya as soon as I saw that clam I too thought the picture has been altered. All blue-rim deresa's look similiar, just not as much orange in the mantle.

05-08-2001, 09:17 PM	#8
SomeHairyOldGuy Mayor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: OU Posts: 736	taking lessons from garf? what do you mean? i dont know much about garf. si there something i should know. i think that is where the lfs her in tulsa gets their stuff. SHOG[img]/ubb/eyemouth.gif[/img]

05-08-2001, 10:11 PM	#9
tlc Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: canon city ,co,usa Posts: 86	i seriously doubt dr mack used trick photography. perhaps the camera did it all on its own. fwi i have a derasa nearly that orange. i have not yet ordered from him yet. he has an excellent reputation and is well respected. lets not make accusations that lead to rumors. this hobby is confusing enough already..

05-08-2001, 10:44 PM	#10
Mac Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Salisbury, MD Posts: 111	No alterations what so ever on the photos, I don't do business like that. Every clam or coral is very individual in coloration and markings and the clams must be viewed from directly above or at a downward angle to see the coloration properly, but that is what they look like when viewed from directly above with metal halide lighting. I get all my clams as farm-bred at 3/4" (Maximas) or 1.5"-2" (Tiger striped Deresas) and grow them myself the rest of the way in my tanks until I sell them at 1.5"-2" on the Maximas and 4" on the Deresas. On the Deresa clams, the bright Orange/Pink Tiger Striped are rare, only about 5-10 out of every 250 have this coloration. I personally pick each one from an importer specializing in only farmed clams. I also "cherry pick" lots of other clams I don't list on my site and I get the wildest colors because I am there when they arrive. I can understand how someone uninformed would think the photo is altered because they are use to the LFS Deresa clams that seldom if ever have this rare coloration. So, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not that good at Photoshop alterations. ------------------ <A HREF="http://www.drmaccorals.com" TARGET=_blank> Lots of new photos added Jan 2001. www.drmaccorals.com[/url]

05-08-2001, 11:29 PM	#11
djheywood Council Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: El Segundo, CA Posts: 367	Let me be the first to apologize. I didn't mean to discredit you; I have personally never seen a deresa with that intense coloration but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] Bravo to you Mac for hand-picking only the best examples of Deresa's and offering them up to us. I guess it's good vendors like you that make the hard-to-find items easy!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

05-09-2001, 12:05 AM	#12
Puffer Daddy Just Moved In Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sherman, TX Posts: 9	Bravo, When I first saw the pic, I said sweeeeeet. Then I said "honey, come here, this is what I want" Needless to say, the penny saving starts now!!!!!!

05-09-2001, 03:54 AM	#13
36 Citizen Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mabank,TX Posts: 180	I have purchased softies, SPS, and clams from Dr. Mac. They are all top quality. All have done well. While the Desera is not as orange as the picture, it is still very nice looking. The Maxima I got is really beautiful and has grown quite a bit in only a few months.

05-09-2001, 04:31 AM	#14
Rod Buehler Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DeKalb, IL. Posts: 54	Nice clam. I thought the tiger stripped were the ones with more of a stripped pattern. Maybe I have been putting the wrong name on mine. ------------------ Rod Buehler http://www.rodsreef.com

05-09-2001, 06:26 AM	#15
reefaddict Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: USA Posts: 46	hmmmm blue eggcrate? must be those 20KK lamps [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] ------------------

05-09-2001, 06:44 AM	#16
Graf-X Just Moved In Join Date: May 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 30	I’ll be ordering soon…I’ve heard only good things about your quality of livestock…As for the Photoshop creation theory; I am a 3D artist/ graphic designer by day (hence the name Graf-X). It would take an Expert CG artist to fabricate the intricate design patterns and color variations of this clam, I think the film is just a little “HOT” (in contrast) and that’s why people may be accusing this Clam of being computer generated.

05-09-2001, 09:11 PM	#17
ravenmore Mayor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: dallas, tx, USA Posts: 896	It's actually VERY "hot". The highlights are completely blown out. However, this is what happens when you expose the film properly for the important part of the animal - the colored part of the clam is darker than the shell(you bring the exposure up to lighten the darker part and the existing highlights go even lighter - eventually rendering little if any detail in the highlights). If the film (or digital camera) is too high contrast it'll make the problem worse. I agree with graf-x, the blown out highlights might be why folks are thinking the pic was altered. You can trust Dr. Mac - got a great rep amoung his customers. -Mike

05-11-2001, 11:10 AM	#18
DanConnor Just Moved In Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 49	That picture shows an unusual histogram in Photoshop. Usually an image will show the highest number of midtones with the chart tapering off on the dark and light ends of the scale. This one is the reverse- with the most tonal density at either end- resulting in a very contrasty image. Although I'm sure the clam is very bright I don't think this is a naturalistic rendering of one. It is not necessarily an intentional manipulation- perhaps it is in the settings of the camera, if a digital is being used. I was unable to reproduce the same effect in Photoshop.

05-11-2001, 11:13 AM	#19
DanConnor Just Moved In Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 49	Graf-x- I don't think anybody was saying the clam was fabricated- just possibly some liberties taken with saturation and contrast.

05-11-2001, 01:37 PM	#20
Graf-X Just Moved In Join Date: May 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 30	Ok.... I did a little scientific color test and found that about 10% of the color in this image is out of the reflective color range and is in-fact of projected color hues (some of the lighter-brighter blue in the outer mantle, and the brighter orange hues within). Maybe this shot was captured w/ a digital camera and interpreted weird b/c of the intense light of the MH, or maybe the color levels were automatically ”heightened” while compressing/converting to a mid quality .jpg. Whatever the reason it doesn’t matter, the Clams intricate detail and beauty is amazing....And I've aready got a spot saved for one in my tank!!