chrisfowler99

As an example, I'm still using my D40 I purchased 2 years ago and haven't reached it's limits yet(except in low light situations which I don't really find myself too much anyways.) Do I _want_ a D90 or D7000? Yes. Do I really need it? No. Did I spend the same amount of money on two lenses that I did for the body plus two kit lenses to take great macros and general pics? Yes. Am I happy with the overall setup? Yup. And I bet most others would be satisfied with it too.

The other thing, to get really great photos, is it takes a really good computer behind the viewfinder first.

I'd still be using the D40 I bought originally if it hadn't been for a mistake from Amazon.com that they refused to acknowledge.

I ordered an 18-200 VR lens and they sent me two...charging me for one. They arrived the same day, both with the same tracking number, both listed as "Box 1 of 1".

I tried to return it the extra, but they were so confused they just let it go.

So I sold the extra lens and the D40 and bought the D90...and came out even.

It's impressive that you were able to keep so much of that stuff (mostly) alive and (mostly) unbroken.

I've had a D40 and now a D90. Really like them.

The lenses are what make the difference, though.

the kit lenses on the D40 were decent, but nothing compared to the lenses I ended up buying later.

Still need to get a macro lens...

Spoke with Don about 20 minutes ago and he was still north of Waco.

He's going to move the tank from his truck inside tomorrow, it appears.

Oh no, as was said I'm even down for helping on Friday after work. I was just wondering if you had them and if so are they still in good condition? I had someone tell me that 2 of them didn't work but I chalked that up to user error.

They worked great moving Chad and Belinda's tank to my place. Would have sucked without them.

Very nice!

Really like the SWC 160 Cone on my 75.

For my upgrade I'm looking at getting a larger SWC or possibly a Super Reef Octopus.

What are you going to do for lighting?

http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/14469-led-light-diy

You know you want to!

Sound perfect for Mark's new project: http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/14746-brooks-inspired-me/

complete reef, please. My fish love the stuff!

I won! Free Rod's Food!

Thanks Don!

I have a box of 24 CREE bulbs I plan on using over an EcoCube.

XR-E or XP-G?

A more detailed version of my question.

ack! frog spawn spawn! run away!

Woo! Thanks!

It's disabled until the server is fixed.

As is search.

Check the News area for a few more details.

Ugh...after the great help I got this weekend I feel guilty about not being able to help, but the wife and I are "getting away" this weekend. Sorry.

which bulbs are you going to use?

Yeesh...hope prof has his PMs forwarded to email then.

Good luck getting them resolved.

I'm glad to see it back at all...but lacking Active Content hurts.

Of course, there's apparently no active content right now either...so maybe it doesn't hurt so much.

I'd like to second that.

It was an adventure, to say the least.

If you edit your post and go to the "Full Editor" you can fix the title.

That would definitely be interesting.

Like I said above, the commercial systems are nowhere near worth the price. And they aren't anywhere near customizable.

My setup, as designed at the moment, should run me about $1,500 total...I'll itemize when it's complete.

And it should be running somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-600W. We'll see how it ends up with lighting, but I think it should be fine.

I'm not heading into this as a "money saver". I realize I'll probably come out behind in the end.

I'm heading into this one because it seems like a fun project. I'm dipping into an area most people wouldn't want to go into. But it interests me.

I definitely wouldn't recommend this project to most people...

congrats!

General consensus is that reflectors don't make much sense because the light is directional.

Optics are. Definitely easier on smaller tanks. Don't need them. The deeper the tank the more narrow optics you need, but not on everything or you'll spotlight. I think that's going to be the major issue that commercial systems run into...you can't do a "one product suits all" solution.

But think about most of the systems we are running today. Which bulbs do you need for the best color with T5s? Which MH reflector is best? Which MH brand bulb should I run? Which spectrum? 400W? 250W? 150W? Dimmable ballast? Should I supplement with T5s? Or maybe VHO?

There's no "one package fits all" outside of LEDs. But there is a lot more experience from which to draw.

I'm just going to be adding to the experience for LEDs.