The 4th Annual Prince George Reef Tank Tour

[whatcaneyedo]

Since 2006 Prince George has been host to what we like to call The Reef Tank Tour. Founded by Karen Allan, The Reef Tank Tour was started as a means of educating new arrivals to the hobby of saltwater aquaria in the north by providing them with an opportunity to see first hand some of the thriving and successful reef aquariums in the area. Already close to 60 people have hand a chance to view over 2000 gallons of saltwater in Prince George homes! Every tank provides a little something different for its viewers to learn and grow from... and I'm not just talking about frags. :mrgreen: So I hope you'll join us all again this year as we once again showcase some of the most spectacular reef aquariums in the north!

The Prince George Reef Tank Tour will run for the months of October 2009 through to March 2010 with one tank being featured each month (if all goes as planned). At this time we are still in the planning stages of this years Tank Tour so I will continue to post information as it becomes available. In the mean time here are some pictures of previously featured reef aquariums in Prince George:

Doug's 2007
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/dougs3.jpg

George's 2007
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/georgessml.jpg

Lonnies's 2007
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/pic003-1.jpg

Russell's 2008
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture015.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Subject to further notice this is the lineup for this years circuit of reef tank showings. Of course if anyone else in the area would like to show their tank in the Tank Tour there is always room for more!

George in December
(myself) Russell in January
UNBC in February
Doug in March
Hopefully others?

Once we get closer to each month I'll post the exact dates, times, locations, contact information and anything else of relevance in this thread.

[whatcaneyedo]

Lonnie's tank showing has been postponed until until further notice. Stay tuned for an update with a new time in the new year. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[whatcaneyedo]

The second showing of this years Reef Tank Tour will be George Leven's meticulous 225gal reef tank! The open house will take place on Saturday December 12th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at 2363 Panorama Cres (in the Hart area). Once more the community frag tank will be available for anyone interested in buying or selling some of their frags during this tank showing. Email ahead to RSVP your space ASAP to whatcaneyedo@gmail.com. In addition to frags people are also welcome to bring used equipment and drygoods for sale for which no reservations are necessary.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/georgesmap.jpg

[Lego]

usally pretty good to check out others tanks! i will be there... and a person usally can get some cheap coral!! Might have to throw mine in there... but my showing wouldn't be as nice as these showings.

[whatcaneyedo]

Quick update. Lonnie's tank showing has been postponed until the new year. George is now showing his on Saturday December 12th from 1:00 to 5:00pm. Sorry any inconvenience.

[whatcaneyedo]

To start off the new year I will be showing my own 'high tech' 120gal reef aquarium. The open house will take place on Sunday January 10th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at 4049 Campbell Ave. As always the community frag tank will be available for anyone interested in buying or selling some of their frags during this tank showing. Email ahead to RSVP your space ASAP to whatcaneyedo@gmail.com. In addition to frags people are also welcome to bring used equipment and drygoods for sale for which no reservations are necessary.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Campbellavemap.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Another update. The Prince George Free Press (http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/pgfreepress/) newspaper will be doing a story (with a large color picture) on George's tank showing this weekend. You will be able to find the story in next weeks Wednesday edition so keep your eye out for it! Once its published I'll either scan it or try and find the article on their website and post a link/image here.

[christyf5]

Wow! Those are some stunning tanks, please post updated photos if you have them!! :cool:

[Veng68]

That's pretty cool. Post a link or a scan of the article when it comes out :)

Cheers,
Vic

[whatcaneyedo]

Wow! Those are some stunning tanks, please post updated photos if you have them!! :cool:

The picture of mine up top is actually from 2008 so I'll edit that in a moment. I have plenty of current pics of my own tank in the link in my signature so I wont clutter this thread with them until its actually my turn to show. But here are some pictures of Doug's and George's. Unfortunately I forgot my camera during last years showing of Lonnie's... and I haven't seen Kelvin's yet. Enjoy!

I believe this is a 2008 picture of Doug's tank.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture003-1.jpg

These are some 2008 pictures of George's

Right side.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture051.jpg

Middle.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture052.jpg

Left side.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture053.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Now normally I wont scan and post pictures of our simple ads but this one is exceptional...

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/reeftanktourad.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

A big thanks to everyone who braved the cold today and came out to see George's 225gal reef tank! There were a lot of new faces this time around which was really great to see. For those of you who couldnt make it or dont live in the area here is some of what you missed (full tank shot and a few of my favorites).

Unfortunately the Free Press was a no-show. I'm not sure what happened but I'm guessing the weather and timing had something to do with it.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture461.jpg

I was able to snag a frag of this chalice! :biggrin:
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture441.jpg

BIG acan!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture445.jpg

Really green plate.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture447.jpg

Lots of orange rics!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture449.jpg

Nice table!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture451.jpg

Unusual platygyra(?)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture456.jpg

Sweet blastos!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture463.jpg

BIG bubble!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture467.jpg

[Lego]

His tank sure changed!! WOW. too bad i couldn't make it. Would have liked to get some frags.

Great photos!

[whatcaneyedo]

I tried my hardest to get either George's or Lonnie's story and picture in the paper but what ended up happening was that I got featured instead. I guess I shouldn't complain I just don't want to make this event all about me... I'm just the organizer. :biggrin:

But anyways, here is our Reef Tank Tour story in the paper in full color for your viewing pleasure! There are a few little mistakes like: the Tank Tour began last month not last week and the last paragraph would make more sense to say "...from experienced local hobbyists" rather than "...from experienced.". My father was a perfectionist so sue me.

(note that I lost a little off of the top and bottom when scanning)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Scan_Pic0001.jpg

[Lego]

That was a good read! Another one I will miss!!! But I admit I have seen it a lot ;) But I want 2 peaces of coral you have... I guess I better hurry now.

[whatcaneyedo]

A big thank you to everyone who came and saw my tanks today. I really enjoy having the opportunity to entertain and show off my little ocean oasis. I'm sorry that the walkway was so slippy but I have to use that ice melting salt as a magnesium supplement! :mrgreen:

There are already many pictures of my display and frag tank in the link in my signature so I wont clutter this thread with them. Instead here are some pictures from the seldom photographed and slightly under appreciated nano reef:

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture634.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture635.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture637.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture639.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture640.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

I may have slipped a tip to our local university student paper about the Tank Tour too... :mrgreen:

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Scan002.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Scan001.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Courtesy of Staffan Lindgren, this February's Reef Tank Tour showing will be the 135gal public saltwater aquarium at UNBC. Staffan is the appointed caretaker of the university's tank and will be available to answer questions and show the behind the scenes operations of the aquarium Sunday February 7th from 12:00 to 4:00pm. The aquarium is located on the third floor of the Teaching Laboratory (location #8 on the map) at UNBC. Anyone unfamiliar with the layout of the campus can follow the link provided to see a map showing the building's location. http://www.unbc.ca/assets/communications/photos/maps/2007/campus_directory_december_2006_no_details_web.jpg However if you still become disoriented please don't hesitate to contact me on my cell at (250) 617-1843 or ask for assistance at the security desk.

As always a frag tank will be provided for anyone wishing to buy, sell or trade coral fragments during this event.

[christyf5]

Wow how did I miss this one?!

Great newspaper coverage and fantastic looking tanks. That table up the page some made me drool. Simply gorgeous!

Thanks for the pics!!:biggrin:

[whatcaneyedo]

Sunday February 21 from 12:00 to 4:00pm I'll be hosting a small fragmenting workshop at 4049 Campbell Ave for anyone who is interested in the fine art of coral propagation. While I am no industry expert like Borneman or Calfo I am trying to follow in their footsteps. For this event I will be demonstrating the techniques of cutting and then caring for several different types of coral. I will show how to safely cut with a razor, clipper, dremel, wet tile saw and diamond blade bandsaw. Then I can show how to care for and attach newly fragmented coral using epoxy, super glue, rubber bands or fishing line.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture351-1.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Here are some tank pictures submitted by Doug taken during the UNBC Reef Tank showing today. Note: the camera's yellow balance was a bit off, the tank is slightly bluer in person. I forgot my own camera (again...) but I need to go to the school tomorrow for a class so I'll try and get a full tank shot while I'm there.

Funding for the UNBC Reef Tank is provided largely by tax-deductible donation (http://www.unbc.ca/giving/give_now.html)* and also through fund-raising by the UNBC Biology Club (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=172553175531)

*donations must specify for the "UNBC Reef Tank"

One of three new rainford's gobys.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/aquarium047.jpg

Sailfin Blenny
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/aquarium045.jpg

This one is obvious.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/aquarium042.jpg

Middle
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/aquarium038.jpg

Right side
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/aquarium033.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

FTS (full tank shot)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture711.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

I almost forgot! Next weekend Sunday March the 28th from 12:00 to 4:00pm is Doug's mature 135 gallon reef tank showing. After a few setbacks last year Doug had said that he wanted to be featured last. So we left his showing until the end of March... which happens to be now! His address is 647 Kerry Street which you can see on the map. I'll be a little late getting there that day but I will try to get the frag tank setup in advance for anyone who wants to bring some coral for sale.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/kerry.jpg

[whatcaneyedo]

Well thats all folks. The Fourth Prince George Tank Tour is done for another year. Here are a few quick pics from Doug's showing:


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture832.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture831.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture830.jpg