Video

Japanese Pygmy Angelfish

melev — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 23:42:18 +0000

Japanese Pygmy Angelfish

I've wanted this fish for 17 years

melev Thu, 06/16/2022 - 02:42

This fish had a back story, so I made a video about it. It's a rare fish, and considered reasonably reef safe. When I first saw it so long ago, I was blown away and always wished I could get one. C. interruptus is usually wild-caught, but I was able to get this one from a fish breeder who raised it from eggs. It's still a juvenile, at 9 months old.

Hatched Sept 7, 2021, "Flare" has a new home with me. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMJ6avhG6Rw

Reef Blog

8 Year Anniversary

melev — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 00:14:36 +0000

8 Year Anniversary

The 400g reef AND the 60 anemone cube celebrate this date together

melev Sat, 11/13/2021 - 03:14

8 years ago today, all the livestock in a temporary aquarium were placed in their new homes. We've been through a lot together all these years, and overall I'm very happy where things are currently despite the unpleasant experience that happened three months ago.

Reef Blog

Video Category:

Events

Youtube during 2018

melev — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 02:10:47 +0000

Youtube during 2018 melev Sun, 01/06/2019 - 05:10

For fun, being curious about how many videos I'd uploaded to my youtube channel last year, and after checking analytics as well as metrics, these are some interesting statistics:

Total videos released in 2018: 87
Total edited videos: 42
Total livestreams: 45
Views: 2.2 million
Total time viewed: 275,386 hours (11,474 days, or 31.4 years worth of view time)
Geographical Location: United States 59.1%, UK 9.5%, Canada 4.7%, Australia 3.6%
Audience Age range: 60.5% of viewers are between 25 and 44 years old, 17.1% between 18 and 24 years old, 13% are between 45 and 54 years old.
Gender: 12.7% are women, 87.3% are men
Current subscribers: 47,116

And these devices are what people watched videos upon:

I haven't compiled data from 2017 to compare, but growth is clearly occuring. Seeing that nearly 20% of people are watching youtube on their televisions last year is notable, and seeing that more women are following the channel shows (finally) that there are women hobbyists in what has been considered male-dominated for decades. I believe the female percentage is even higher; perhaps they aren't logging into youtube under their own account to accurately represent their group.

Most popular 2018 edited video was Confessions of a Well-Seasoned Hobbyist (Duane's SPS reef) with 66,905 views. Most popular livestream was Let's Discuss Water Changes with 21,990 views.

The Clowntube Slide video has reached a current 1.2 million views, and the follow up video about that subject has been viewed 133,000 times. That's amazing to me, and I still remember how I filmed that process with two iPhones back in 2015.

The 20,000g Long Island Aquarium video is over 475,000 views, in second place. And in third place is the Bubble Tip Anemones - What you need to know video that has resonated with people the most, just shy of 400,000 views.

2019 has started off well. I've decided to add a mid-week series of videos about how the 400g reef was built from scratch in addition to the regular content that is being put out.

Reef Blog

Setting up an aquarium the right way

melev — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 13:55:16 +0000

Setting up an aquarium the right way melev Thu, 10/25/2018 - 16:55

BRS just uploaded all the MACNA presentations from this year's event in Las Vegas. Here's my presentation, which focuses on the decision-making process and the types of equipment you'll want to consider for that next build.

Reef Blog

Win a $25 Gift Card! Winners chosen daily!

melev — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:06:06 +0000

Win a $25 Gift Card! Winners chosen daily! melev Thu, 12/14/2017 - 02:06

Melev's Reef is giving out $25 gift cards from today until Christmas! All you have to do to enter to win:

Like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/melevsreef
Tag three friends
Share the post from the melevsreef page PUBLICLY on your wall.

Winners will be announced daily on the melevsreef page. Check daily to see if you won!

Gift Cards are for merchandise from Melev's Reef, Inc.

Only one prize per person.

Winners!

12/14: ** Crystal Fewell

12/15: ** Angel Lee

12/16: ** Mike Clark

12/17: ** Joseph Seimo

12/18: ** Mike Shifton

12/19: ** Brad ReefJunkie Freimuth

12/20: ** Tim Kenagy

12/21: ** Chris Hedrick

12/22: ** Tyler Spikes

12/23: ** Chrisand Maribel

12/24: ** Zachary Maahs

Reef Blog

An Acrylic Power Panel to hide all those messy wires

melev — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 01:26:30 +0000

An Acrylic Power Panel to hide all those messy wires melev Mon, 07/10/2017 - 04:26

This week's video is about a power panel I've been wanting to build for my frag system. All the gear that was on the floor is now finally up on the wall in a nice tidy panel, which looks nice and is easily accessible for me. There's no cover for this project because I didn't want one -- I like to just reach over and press a button or unplug something easily.

Extra details here: http://www.melevsreef.com/blog/well-worth-the-wait

Reef Blog

A difficult decision

melev — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 20:57:47 +0000

A difficult decision melev Sat, 04/01/2017 - 23:57

I tend to overthink everything, and like to work systematically toward growth both for my business as well as the youtube audience I've acquired over the past couple of years. Some videos are easy to do, others are very involved both in the filming process as well as the editing portion. My goal is to be informative and still semi-entertaining so as not to bore people. We all lead busy lives, and don't have the time to watch every last word / frame of a video, yet I actually worry about every last word and frame before I compile and upload it for the world to see.

I don't work from a script. I speak from the heart, and share what I've learned over time. I don't want to mislead anyone, because that won't help their aquarium thrive. Sometimes I say the wrong word during the filming process, and don't notice until I'm in editing mode which is pretty much too late... unless I'm doing a voiceover. Those I can fix on the spot. Friends that have followed me for years get my sense of humor, know where I'm coming from and tag along for the ride. Newer hobbyists that don't know me may read the situation differently, at least at first.

Today I uploaded a series of videos about the RO/DI system I sell. I've been selling them for many years, but only had written online instructions to follow. These videos are LONG OVERDUE, considering the quality of content I've been putting out for the past 24 months. When I wanted to shoot some installation videos, I didn't have the time. Finally I had the time, but my inventory was depleted - not a great time to promote my product when I knew there would be a wait for new orders. So they waited until the timing was right, until my pallet of parts arrived so I could build more units.

With trepidation, I uploaded six videos today and wasn't sure how that would be received. They needed to be online so I could link them to my products, and to help my existing customers that are buying RO systems and filters and membranes. This evening I saw a few people unsubscribed. That's the first time I've observed this, ever. Maybe they felt my channel will only be self-promoting ads? Or that I'll blow up their notifications with new uploads? I do have to eat, and it only makes sense to showcase things I offer from my shop. And heads up y'all, I have more plans in the works, and hope that won't chase away more people during this transitional period. I'll be releasing the newer version of melevsreef.com soon, and part of the newer site will include short video clips to enhance the Critter ID section of the website. When people are shopping in their favorite fish store and google a critter, I'd hope when they land on the item on my site, they'll like the information provided as well as a brief clip of the live animal on display. Heck, they may want to point out that what is on my site doesn't match what the store says they are selling, incase something was mislabeled. So if you happen upon a slurry of youtube activity, you'll know why.

There's no reason to upload them in stealth mode, because invariably someone out there was waiting for this exact information and should be able to access it.

My channel will continue to be about education and fun things to see, but it will also include videos about products I sell because this is what I do for a living. In a world of youtube first, read articles later, I've adjusted my stance on how I share content these days. My blogs will continue to be posted when I have something useful to share, and the same goes for my channel. I still shoot for my goal to release weekly videos, I can assure you.

All I'm really asking you is to trust me, and see where this goes. If you run off too soon, you may miss out on the fun. If you still think the same way, no harm no foul.

Happy reefing.

Reef Blog

Video: Installing XHO lighting over my reef

melev — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:20:17 +0000

Video: Installing XHO lighting over my reef melev Fri, 03/03/2017 - 12:20

I replaced the VHO Super Actinics over my reef at last: These are XHO LEDs from ReefBrite, and do they ever deliver. The former bulbs were installed high above my tank, and my concern was "could XHOs provide enough light from that same installed spot?" I'm happy to say yes, and then some. Some corals down the sandbed have begun to get their former color back, something I didn't think was ever going to happen.

These are 72" fixtures, and they were pretty easy to install. Today, I got a visit by Tullio Dellaquila and grabbed him for a quick interview to include in this video. He shares some pretty good knowledge.

Reef Blog

What's in the box? A brand new work surface!

melev — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 01:44:22 +0000

What's in the box? A brand new work surface! melev Wed, 12/21/2016 - 04:44

I ran up to Home Depot today to get some new router bits, and as I was walking down the main aisle I spotted this awesome adjustable-height workbench. The table's surface is completely smooth, unlike many I've inspected. I need one that is 100% flat for my acrylic work, and the fact that this one could be raised up nice and high was even better.

Not only can I build stuff while standing, but this table will surely double as a great surface for Youtube demonstration videos I'll be uploading in 2017. Often I'm sitting at my desk or kneeling by the regular work station but I really wanted something taller. This one raises up to 43" high simply by twisting a small crank.

Here's a height comparison to my old kitchen table.

Speaking of which, that table is going to Goodwill after all these years. I've been wanting to replace it for some time. Now if only I can manage to not clutter up this new one, right?

Having a second workstation will allow me to work in even more acrylic projects at the same time, which I'm definitely in need of.

Reef Blog

Unexpected puddle

melev — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:17:44 +0000

Unexpected puddle melev Tue, 08/23/2016 - 02:17

Earlier today, the SmartATO began beeping while I was working at my desk. Thinking nothing of it, I ignored it for about 4 minutes while I wrapped up what i was doing. When I went over to unplug it, I saw a small flood in the fishroom and grabbed my camera. The cause of this was by a quick-disconnect I shorted out a week ago, and hadn't fixed yet. I tried to fix it, got frustrated and blew it off. You know what happens when you leave something unfixed on a reef, right? Well... storms in the area had changed barometric pressure, causing my skimmer to overflow leading to a messy fishroom floor. Grabbed my camera to share the mess with you and why it happened, because only another reefkeeper can relate and all of you are my family.

Reef Blog