Reef Alchemist

Just make a post if you decide to.

If you ever make it up to the portland area I will take 2 frags...but at 4.20 a gallon the drive is a tad expensive for the frags. So let me know if you decide to make a trip up here or if you just come up here for any reason, just PM me.

There was a huge thing on HDT the other day that talked about all of this...It was very interesting and mind opening...

I really like a tiger tail to keep the sand clean...they do a great job!!!!

You have a PM

It is all looking really good!!!!!! Your photos are looking great. I have photoshop cs3, but I also purchased corel paintshop pro x2 for like 49 bucks on ebay (nothing illegal and full version and most of the functions of photoshop that the average person will use.

Andy, did a very good job covering everything...The most I can emphasize, is just go shoot and pay attention to what your settings are so you know the outcome of the picture...I would also go through each thing, shutter speed, aperture, iso...only adjust one and see the differences and then start mixing them up together to get a feel a for what you will get as an outcome of a photo...

You have a PM

I apologize for my wrong answer in saying that the kit lenses will not take a filter. But I am totally with you Andy, no need for a filter. I am not sure why you have had such trouble getting the remote, ebay might be a place to try, call I can say is that the remote is one of my best investments, not just for the tank, but night shots and big ND filter shots that require a slow shutter speed. Like you said Andy, the self time works, just kind of a pain, but it does work just as well :-)

I have a killer Tamrac Express 7 Camera Bag model 3537 http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm, I got it brand new for 45 shipped. Perfect for what you have and walking around. Some people get UV filters for their lenses, I do not...I do not think you can get one for the kits lenses, cause they do not allow screwing of filters on the front of them. you should be ok, just be careful. if you are really worried about the camera and lens you can get nikon armor, but just be careful and you should be ok. Get the nikon wireless remote, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207373-USA/Nikon_4730_ML_L3_Remote_Control_Transmitter.html Also I would suggest getting a flash, amazing investment, I would either get the sb-400, good for most family shots and what not, if the budget allows get the sb-600, not quite as powerful as the sb-800, but the read out screen is way better then the sb-800. I am telling you a good flash is worth its weight in gold!!! If you do get a flash you will want a diffuser to go with it, they are cheap (clap)

The one thing I would do is read the manual front to back to understand all the little features it has.

I have seen this before, it would be so cool to stay here!!!!!!!

Good and accurate info... The flash off the reflector is a very interesting idea I may have to look into.

Do you have pics of the gen x pumps?

You will need to get manual focusing down, but you will not be able to get the super macro shots that you see on boards sometimes. However you should get some shots you are happy with. It will take some time to figure it out. If all else fails you will need to get a micro (what nikon calls macro) lens.