48 x 18 x 18 High Tech Rimless Build (photo heavy)

[Iotari]

This build is simply inspiring. Its that magic combination of tons of electronics in close proximity to water.

[GDominy]

Did some tinkering with the Raspbery pi tonight and got the first test of audio working for thunderstorm sim. The Vortech is quite loud during the storm as I had it cranked up pretty high, but its normally much quieter.

Profilux Thunderstorm test

Profilux Thunderstorm test

[synaethetic]

Great video! Your setup is something out of a science fiction novel, it even sounds like darth vader. The lights are super cool, brightest I've ever seen.

Wonder what you will use in the foreground for this one.

[Green_Flash]

I wonder if those flashing lights are safe for the fish? I would think they would get stressed out or something, maybe even jump out.

[hunterlook]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

I wonder if those flashing lights are safe for the fish? I would think they would get stressed out or something, maybe even jump out.

If anything, it should make it feel more natural, thunderstorms do occur in the wild.

[Green_Flash]

True, but most of the fish we keep are tank raised and have never been exposed to wild conditions. This would be like a strobe light in their face compared to the open expanses of the wild even, and has no real benefit for the health or well-being of the livestock.

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

True, but most of the fish we keep are tank raised and have never been exposed to wild conditions. This would be like a strobe light in their face compared to the open expanses of the wild even, and has no real benefit for the health or well-being of the livestock.

Not entirely true... in my area its much more common to find wild cardinal tetras and blue rams than farmed. A ton of common bread and butter fish are farmed but many fish are still wild caught.

Even then the farmed fish I have kept dont seem to mind the lightning at all. Ive even had some fish that would predictably spawn within 24 hours of a storm day as well (when I have them scheduled that way).

The tank is programmed to simulate a lunar cycle as well, so I usually have storms more often during the new/full moon. Hard to say if fish are more in tune with storms or lunar cycle or some combo of both but I do believe it contributes somehow.

[Couesfanatic]

Pretty cool to see those fish start schooling when the storm starts.

[GDominy]

added a few more pieces of food, began manually fertilizing while I try to determine my nutrient consumption. Added a couple of plants and moved a few things around. My HM melted but I suspect it wasn't fully acclimated to submersed growth before I bought it so I'm not too worried. A few stems are still hanging on so I might be able to salvage a few, but overall its going well. No algae outbreaks yet (partially due to the UV killing an initial green water explosion).

Its looking a bit rough now, but since I started fertilizing things have taken off. My Rotalla Wallachi has doubled in size in 5 days so its a good indication that things are going ok.

This pic was taken with the lights at minimum, just got home from a night out and was just farting around with the tank a bit.

[GDominy]

The Rams seem to be doing well so far

[GDominy]

full brightness shot..

[GDominy]

Well as predicted one of our cats just totally fell into the aquarium.

Nothing harmed but her pride but holy crap was it funny.

She tried to jump on the edge to drink from the tank and did a header right into the water.

[SouthernCichlids]

Ahahahahaha that is great. You can't beat cats and fish, especially when they are accidentally combined.

[GDominy]

Girlfriend bought a Canon Close-up lens (500 P) today. Its not as nice as a full blown macro lens, but its going to really make do until I buy a 100mm Macro.

[lamiskool]

that yellow fish is stunning! whats it called?