Christian got his first haircut yesterday. I will be posting some of those pictures here as soon as humanly possible... (As always, the full set of those pictures will be available in the Pictures of Christian link to the right)
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Saturday, October 23, 2004
What a morning! Today something happened that I will always remember.
I usually sleep on my stomach, and sleep with my head facing toward the inside of the bed. In between 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning, Christian wakes up and Christy either gets up with him or brings him to our bed. This morning, when Christy brought Christian to our bed, he climbed over to me, laid his head on the side of my arm, looked right at me, and said "Dadda".
Of course, Christy was instantly jealous. :)
I usually sleep on my stomach, and sleep with my head facing toward the inside of the bed. In between 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning, Christian wakes up and Christy either gets up with him or brings him to our bed. This morning, when Christy brought Christian to our bed, he climbed over to me, laid his head on the side of my arm, looked right at me, and said "Dadda".
Of course, Christy was instantly jealous. :)
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Just to let you know...
I just finished processing 85 pictures, preparing them for this blog. It is actually taking a little while for them to upload. When they finish uploading, I'll start working on the actual links to them. What should happen is that several posts should pop up earlier than this post, and as a result, you might need to hit the "refresh" button to see them. [The "F5" button will cause this page to refresh.]
And as always, the pictures can also be found in the three links to the right: Pictures of Aquarium, Pictures of Christian and Other Pictures.
I will also place a "final" post to let you know that I am finished with the links...
I just finished processing 85 pictures, preparing them for this blog. It is actually taking a little while for them to upload. When they finish uploading, I'll start working on the actual links to them. What should happen is that several posts should pop up earlier than this post, and as a result, you might need to hit the "refresh" button to see them. [The "F5" button will cause this page to refresh.]
And as always, the pictures can also be found in the three links to the right: Pictures of Aquarium, Pictures of Christian and Other Pictures.
I will also place a "final" post to let you know that I am finished with the links...
For website space reasons, I have stopped making the pictures posted "clickable" to a full size image - meaning that the pictures posted here are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). If you would like to have a copy of the full size picture emailed to you, simply email me which picture you would like, and I will send it to you.
This also means that the images in the Pictures of Christian to the right are also WYSIWYG. Sorry, but I was getting fairly close to my maximum of storage at www.toddcomp.com.
This also means that the images in the Pictures of Christian to the right are also WYSIWYG. Sorry, but I was getting fairly close to my maximum of storage at www.toddcomp.com.
I've fallen behind in updating this blog. I've taken a bunch of pictures for the blog, I just haven't had the time - or felt well enough to do anything about them.
On the aquarium side, I injected CO2 into the aquarium using the Jungle Labs CO2 Fizz Factory this morning. I also fed the killifish in a new way: I simply killed a few of the small pond snails with the aquaclips. The killifish attacked the remains of the snails with gusto! Hmmm... I may have found a renewable (and free!) food source for my killifish.
Anyway, I've got a ton of work to do and quite a few picture posts to prepare. I'll post back here when both are finished (at least, when the picture posts are done.)
Later!
On the aquarium side, I injected CO2 into the aquarium using the Jungle Labs CO2 Fizz Factory this morning. I also fed the killifish in a new way: I simply killed a few of the small pond snails with the aquaclips. The killifish attacked the remains of the snails with gusto! Hmmm... I may have found a renewable (and free!) food source for my killifish.
Anyway, I've got a ton of work to do and quite a few picture posts to prepare. I'll post back here when both are finished (at least, when the picture posts are done.)
Later!
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Meg Cardin is one of my nieces. She turned 9 this week and her parents gave her a birthday party at her grandparents' house. Meg was so busy that I didn't really get a chance to take a great picture of her, but that's ok - it was her birthday party and I'm glad that she got to do what she wanted to do.
Here's Meg
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Here's Maddie (Meg's younger sister)
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I've put the other picture from this set in the Other Pictures link to the right.
Here's Meg
Here's Maddie (Meg's younger sister)
I've put the other picture from this set in the Other Pictures link to the right.
Actually this post would be better titled: "The Cat Has Discovered The Aquarium".
This morning I couldn't find the cat anywhere - usually Thumper will walk around with you looking for an opportunity to trip you. She's a little more persistent in doing this if you haven't given her food yet. But this morning I didn't notice her anywhere, but when I went back to feed the fish, I found the cat. Specifically, I found the cat staring, almost in a trance, watching the killifish. Here's a picture:
Thumper Checking out Aquarium
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The rest of the set can be found in the Other Pictures link to the right.
This morning I couldn't find the cat anywhere - usually Thumper will walk around with you looking for an opportunity to trip you. She's a little more persistent in doing this if you haven't given her food yet. But this morning I didn't notice her anywhere, but when I went back to feed the fish, I found the cat. Specifically, I found the cat staring, almost in a trance, watching the killifish. Here's a picture:
Thumper Checking out Aquarium
The rest of the set can be found in the Other Pictures link to the right.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Does not the title say it all?? Two pictures here, the rest in the Pictures of Christian link to the right.
Christian Playing with His Bugs
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Christian Is Quite Ticklish on His Neck
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Christian Playing with His Bugs
Christian Is Quite Ticklish on His Neck
I'm just now getting started on work. I should note that I have four blog posts that are sitting in "draft" mode and as soon as I get a chance to edit and clean them up, they will be posted. I also have an additional post that I need to make that has some new pictures of the boy from last night. So that makes five posts that I am *behind* on. Anyway, I have lots of work to do...
Later!
Later!
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
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I got home this afternoon and found that a good portion of the water in the aquarium was MISSING!!! I immediately realized that I forgot to remove the flexible tubing connected to gang valve on the back of the tank, and as a result of the CO2 injection this morning, a siphon started and emptied at least 3 gallons of aquarium water onto the floor.
I went to work immediately on cleaning up the mess. Fortunately, most of the water stayed in a small area directly below the aquarium, and I used my Wet/Dry ShopVac to vacuum up as much water as possible. I also used our Bissell Little Green deep cleaner to vacuum up the remnants of the water that the ShopVac couldn't get. After a good hour or so on my knees vacuuming and drying, I was ready to refill the water that my aquarium decided to change out. I quickly mixed some replacement water - this time just treating the water with SeaChem Prime, and added it back to the aquarium.
Right now, it looks as if everything is ok. However, I'm not sure how the plants might react to being exposed as they were for as long as they were. I'll post updates as to the status of the aquarium later this week. (I'm a little surprised that my Visi-Therm submersible heater survived being half out of the water for as long as it probably was exposed.)
I went to work immediately on cleaning up the mess. Fortunately, most of the water stayed in a small area directly below the aquarium, and I used my Wet/Dry ShopVac to vacuum up as much water as possible. I also used our Bissell Little Green deep cleaner to vacuum up the remnants of the water that the ShopVac couldn't get. After a good hour or so on my knees vacuuming and drying, I was ready to refill the water that my aquarium decided to change out. I quickly mixed some replacement water - this time just treating the water with SeaChem Prime, and added it back to the aquarium.
Right now, it looks as if everything is ok. However, I'm not sure how the plants might react to being exposed as they were for as long as they were. I'll post updates as to the status of the aquarium later this week. (I'm a little surprised that my Visi-Therm submersible heater survived being half out of the water for as long as it probably was exposed.)
I injected approximately 175 ml of CO2 into the aquarium this morning. I also added 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel and 1.0ml of SeaChem Flourish Iron. Everything looks ok, except the japanese trapdoor snail hasn't been moving too much recently. I'll keep a close eye on him, hoping that everything isn't just looking "ok."
Off to work! Later!
Off to work! Later!
Monday, June 21, 2004
Here's a picture from Christian coming to the office (he played while Mommy worked! 
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Christian in Playpen at RainGard
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There are three pictures in this set - all can be found in the Pictures of Christian to the right.
)Christian in Playpen at RainGard
There are three pictures in this set - all can be found in the Pictures of Christian to the right.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
These are a few of the pictures that were taken today with my *NEW* Konica Minolta Dimage Xg camera. These pictures were taken throughout the day, and are shown here in approximately the same order in which they were taken.
Christian Playing with The Gift Paper (that the camera came in)
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My Family on Father's Day
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Christian Playing with Nana's Necklace
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Christian Playing with Forest (my nephew and Christian's cousin)
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Christian Ready for Bed
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As always, the rest of the pictures can be found in the Pictures of Christian to the right.
Christian Playing with The Gift Paper (that the camera came in)
My Family on Father's Day
Christian Playing with Nana's Necklace
Christian Playing with Forest (my nephew and Christian's cousin)
Christian Ready for Bed
As always, the rest of the pictures can be found in the Pictures of Christian to the right.
It's Sunday, so it must be water changing day... I removed 3.5 gallons and added back almost 4.0 gallons, as always, I performed some cleaning/removing of dead leafs. For the replacement water, I used a *new* recipe:
I collected two samples of water - the replacement water and the existing water before the change. After I finished with the water change and cleaned up the room, I tested the two samples:
- 4.0 gallons of tap water
- 0.25 teaspoon of SeaChem Acid Buffer
- 0.5 teaspoon of SeaChem Equilibrium
- 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish
- 2.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel
- 0.4 ml of SeaChem Prime
I collected two samples of water - the replacement water and the existing water before the change. After I finished with the water change and cleaned up the room, I tested the two samples:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0.1-0.25 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 8 drops = 8*20 = 160 ppm = 8.96 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 6 drops = 6*10 = 60 ppm = 3.36 dCH |
| pH (low test) | 7.0 pH |
Yes, that pH is low as compared to what the water in the aquarium will test, but I think that it will be buffered fairly quickly back up to the tank normal. However, I am also hoping that the lower pH will help to drop the overall pH in the aquarium
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 9 drops = 9*10 = 90 ppm = 5.04 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 8.0 pH |
Yep, the pH in the aquarium is as I thought - still high...
I just wanted to show a picture of the aquarium taken with my new camera! I took a few pictures and wanted to picture document the aquarium.
2004-06-20 Aquarium
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The rest of the set of aquarium pictures can be found in the Pictures of Aquarium to the right.
2004-06-20 Aquarium
The rest of the set of aquarium pictures can be found in the Pictures of Aquarium to the right.
This was my first *true* Father's Day.
I can't express how much I love my wife and what she has done for me, but I can tell you that I can't imagine life without my beautiful son. (One day, Christian is probably going to be upset that I wrote that about him being "beautiful".) Children truly are a gift from God, and I am grateful to Him that He gave me my beautiful wife - who has become a wonderful mother - and my son.
So this day was a special one for me as I reflected on how priveleged and blessed I am to have both my wife and my son in my life. Thank You, Lord.
On a totally different track, my wife did give me a gift - one from my wishlist: a Konica Minolta Dimage Xg digital camera. I have already taken a bunch of pictures with it, and I need to get some of them posted for you all to see. I've also updated my wishlist to reflect Christy's gift to me on Father's Day.
I can't express how much I love my wife and what she has done for me, but I can tell you that I can't imagine life without my beautiful son. (One day, Christian is probably going to be upset that I wrote that about him being "beautiful".) Children truly are a gift from God, and I am grateful to Him that He gave me my beautiful wife - who has become a wonderful mother - and my son.
So this day was a special one for me as I reflected on how priveleged and blessed I am to have both my wife and my son in my life. Thank You, Lord.
On a totally different track, my wife did give me a gift - one from my wishlist: a Konica Minolta Dimage Xg digital camera. I have already taken a bunch of pictures with it, and I need to get some of them posted for you all to see. I've also updated my wishlist to reflect Christy's gift to me on Father's Day.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
The morning is over, and it's time to relax a bit. I just got back from playing a round of golf at Eagle Point Golf Club. I played decently well - "well" considering that this was only the 6th or 7th time I've played golf this year. I shot an 85 from the Blue tees - the back ones. Not bad at all! I played with the Saturday morning dogfight group from Church at Brook Hills. I was a "donater". (Meaning I put my $5.00 into the pot and never saw it again. That's not completely true, I could have seen the money being distributed to the winners....)
I got back to the house, and the little boy was in bed, so it's time for me to take a shower, and try to get presentable for the afternoon.
More posts later!
(Meaning I put my $5.00 into the pot and never saw it again. That's not completely true, I could have seen the money being distributed to the winners....)I got back to the house, and the little boy was in bed, so it's time for me to take a shower, and try to get presentable for the afternoon.
More posts later!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Yippee! (No sarcasm intended.) Shortly after Christy and I got here in Birmingham, I decided to login and check my blog settings and activity at Blogger.com. I immediately noticed an invitation on the Blogger home page to join in the Gmail beta. I wasted NO time in accepting the invitation. In fact, I need to go back and read the "terms of acceptance" because I sort of skipped through them to get my gmail account active.
I've wanted to get a Gmail account since I first read about the offering of the Gmail beta in InfoWorld. Little did I know that opening and maintaining an active blog was a *shortcut* to an invitation. (See, I told you to start a blog Al!)
Anyway, if you want to email me, you can now Gmail me!
Now, back to Gmail.com to read that terms of acceptance that I accepted.
I've wanted to get a Gmail account since I first read about the offering of the Gmail beta in InfoWorld. Little did I know that opening and maintaining an active blog was a *shortcut* to an invitation. (See, I told you to start a blog Al!)
Anyway, if you want to email me, you can now Gmail me!
Now, back to Gmail.com to read that terms of acceptance that I accepted.
Oops. I almost forgot that we were headed to Birmingham for part of the weekend.
So when I got home today, I went ahead and jumped a day ahead of schedule on my aquarium stuff: I injected 175 ml of CO2 and added 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel and 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Iron. I've noticed that the japonica amano shrimp sort of freaks out when adding the Flourish Iron, I wonder if it does something to the shrimp. I also fed the killifish some frozen brine shrimp. As soon as I finish this post, it's time to get in the car (my wife's car... a 2003 model) and head to B'ham!
Later!
So when I got home today, I went ahead and jumped a day ahead of schedule on my aquarium stuff: I injected 175 ml of CO2 and added 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel and 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Iron. I've noticed that the japonica amano shrimp sort of freaks out when adding the Flourish Iron, I wonder if it does something to the shrimp. I also fed the killifish some frozen brine shrimp. As soon as I finish this post, it's time to get in the car (my wife's car... a 2003 model) and head to B'ham!
Later!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
As I blogged a few days ago, I am keeping to a new schedule for nutrient/fertilization for the aquarium. This morning I injected 175 ml of CO2 into the aquarium, added 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel and 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Iron. Since Sunday is my new water change day, I will check pH tonight to make sure it's ok. On Sunday, I will have a pre-water change sample to fully test.
As far as I can see, everything looks ok (I'm not saying good - the last time I blogged that, a few animals died within days.)
Off to work!
As far as I can see, everything looks ok (I'm not saying good - the last time I blogged that, a few animals died within days.)
Off to work!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Ugh. I have finally finished blogging the history of my aquarium. It should be fairly complete - as it contains all of my computer based notes that were made before I started this blog. I do have a few housekeeping items that I want to create and keep up to date here (as links off of the main page): a graph of the water test results over time, a list of maintenance tasks (how often performed and corresponding results), and a current *recipe* list for the replacement water (I always have to come and find my latest recipe before the weekly water change.)
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
I got a juror summons a few weeks ago.
This was the second juror summons that I have received since moving back from Portland, Oregon. The last time I was summoned, I was dismissed because I had not been living in Etowah County for the previous twelve months - as is required for a prospective juror.
So this morning I showed up at the county courthouse to perform my civic duty. One major difference between last time and this time is that I remember that only a few of those who had been summoned did not show up, but this time, it seemed like at least half of those summoned were not there. Which meant that I was pretty sure that I would be chosen for jury duty. But Alabama has changed... Ever since the budget crisis in Alabama happened, the state has been looking for ways to save money. One way they decided to save money was by having the judges schedule jury trials for the same time - so that the juror pool spends the least amount of time waiting. However today only a few judges had jury trials on their docket. Of those, one juror pool was assembled of thirty prospective jurors. Once that group was seated and organized for going to the court, the rest of us were asked to wait for a possible second juror pool for the next possible jury trial. Shortly before 11:00, another group was assembled for the second juror pool. I was the last one chosen. After we were seated, we were given some instructions and were told that we would know shortly if we were going to be called into court. We then received news that both possible jury trials that we were gathered for had been settled and that we might be needed later - but for the time being, we were free for lunch.
When we came back from lunch, the two prospective juries were again seated. The first prospective jury was taken to their trial for questioning by the attorneys. The second prospective jury - of which I was still a member - was told that only one judge left had a possible jury trial. Later, we were assembled again to be told that no judge would need another and we were going to be dismissed.
To complete our civic duty we were asked if we need a certificate of juror service for our employers and how many miles were travelled from our homes to the judicial building. Of course, I didn't need a certificate but I reported my round trip was about 22 miles. For my "civic duty," I was paid a total of $11.10 - $10.00 for the day, and $0.05 per mile for the travel.
Yippee!
Oh well, back to work tomorrow...
This was the second juror summons that I have received since moving back from Portland, Oregon. The last time I was summoned, I was dismissed because I had not been living in Etowah County for the previous twelve months - as is required for a prospective juror.
So this morning I showed up at the county courthouse to perform my civic duty. One major difference between last time and this time is that I remember that only a few of those who had been summoned did not show up, but this time, it seemed like at least half of those summoned were not there. Which meant that I was pretty sure that I would be chosen for jury duty. But Alabama has changed... Ever since the budget crisis in Alabama happened, the state has been looking for ways to save money. One way they decided to save money was by having the judges schedule jury trials for the same time - so that the juror pool spends the least amount of time waiting. However today only a few judges had jury trials on their docket. Of those, one juror pool was assembled of thirty prospective jurors. Once that group was seated and organized for going to the court, the rest of us were asked to wait for a possible second juror pool for the next possible jury trial. Shortly before 11:00, another group was assembled for the second juror pool. I was the last one chosen. After we were seated, we were given some instructions and were told that we would know shortly if we were going to be called into court. We then received news that both possible jury trials that we were gathered for had been settled and that we might be needed later - but for the time being, we were free for lunch.
When we came back from lunch, the two prospective juries were again seated. The first prospective jury was taken to their trial for questioning by the attorneys. The second prospective jury - of which I was still a member - was told that only one judge left had a possible jury trial. Later, we were assembled again to be told that no judge would need another and we were going to be dismissed.
To complete our civic duty we were asked if we need a certificate of juror service for our employers and how many miles were travelled from our homes to the judicial building. Of course, I didn't need a certificate but I reported my round trip was about 22 miles. For my "civic duty," I was paid a total of $11.10 - $10.00 for the day, and $0.05 per mile for the travel.
Yippee!
Oh well, back to work tomorrow...
Today, I started a new schedule of maintenance on the aquarium: I injected 175 ml of CO2, and added 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel and 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Iron. I plan to add these items every other day. I'm hoping that with this new regimen I can lower the pH in the tank, and sufficiently nourish the plants. I will test the water tomorrow to find out if the new regimen is having any effect.
I am also going to build a snail trap using a 35mm film canister. Since my homemade projects for the aquarium haven't panned out, I'm hoping this one works out a little better than the others... Pictures of this and more, later!
I am also going to build a snail trap using a 35mm film canister. Since my homemade projects for the aquarium haven't panned out, I'm hoping this one works out a little better than the others... Pictures of this and more, later!
Sunday, June 13, 2004
I'm still fighting the pH battle, so I injected approximately 175 ml of CO2 this morning using the modified nursery enclosure and the CO2 reaction chamber from the CO2 Fizz Factory. By the time I got home from church, the 175 ml of CO2 had already been absorbed into the water. I'm planning to inject this same amount into the tank every other day - as well as adding appropriate amounts of SeaChem Flourish Excel and SeaChem Flourish Iron.
I didn't get around to my normal Friday water change, so I did it today - Sunday. Before changing the water, I spent about thirty minutes killing snails. It looks like they are going to be a bigger pain than I thought that they would be: I found another egg sack - even though the largest of the snails is very small - less than a quarter of an inch in length. Anyway, I killed snail after snail after snail before finally removing water for a water change. I removed approximately 3.5 gallons of water and added back in approximately 3.80 gallons of replacement water. I used the same mix as I did last time (with the reduced amount of SeaChem Equilibrium and reduced amount of SeaChem Acid Buffer). After the water change, I cleaned up around the tank and then replaced the hood. After replacing the hood, I was able to see more snails and so I ended killing at least eight more of the suckers.
I then tested both the existing aquarium water and the replacement water with the following results:
I didn't get around to my normal Friday water change, so I did it today - Sunday. Before changing the water, I spent about thirty minutes killing snails. It looks like they are going to be a bigger pain than I thought that they would be: I found another egg sack - even though the largest of the snails is very small - less than a quarter of an inch in length. Anyway, I killed snail after snail after snail before finally removing water for a water change. I removed approximately 3.5 gallons of water and added back in approximately 3.80 gallons of replacement water. I used the same mix as I did last time (with the reduced amount of SeaChem Equilibrium and reduced amount of SeaChem Acid Buffer). After the water change, I cleaned up around the tank and then replaced the hood. After replacing the hood, I was able to see more snails and so I ended killing at least eight more of the suckers.
I then tested both the existing aquarium water and the replacement water with the following results:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 8 drops = 8*20 = 160 ppm = 8.96 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 8.0 pH |
I can only hope that that pH doesn't represent a mid-low due to the addition of CO2 this morning (meaning that the pH was running much higher.
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0.1-0.25 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 8 drops = 8*20 = 1600 ppm = 8.96 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 7.6 pH |
That pH is still high on the replacement water. I think that I will go back to adding more SeaChem Acid Buffer to the next replacement water
Friday, June 11, 2004
As the title states, I have added Christy's wish list to the blog... You can find the permanent link to the right under the area titled "Links"! I'll try to keep it as up to date as possible (removing items that have been purchased as they are received!)
This development is your fault Dad!
One quick note on Christy's wish list: I've checked with Brown's on Fifth, and the Ming pattern of Vera Bradley is retired and so any piece of that pattern might be easier found on eBay.com than anywhere else.
Later!
This development is your fault Dad!
One quick note on Christy's wish list: I've checked with Brown's on Fifth, and the Ming pattern of Vera Bradley is retired and so any piece of that pattern might be easier found on eBay.com than anywhere else.
Later!
Well, this picture post took a while to get here! The pictures are from June 1st and June 2nd. There are a total of ten pictures from June 1st, and four from June 2nd.
Enjoy!
Christian Playing in Box
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Thumper Checking The Box
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Christian Trying out A Sippy Cup for The First Time!
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Don't forget to check the rest of this set in the Pictures of Christian link.
Enjoy!
Christian Playing in Box
Christian thought that this box was just his size!
Thumper Checking The Box
And then Thumper wanted to know what was so special about this box! More pictures of Thumper in the Other Pictures link.
Christian Trying out A Sippy Cup for The First Time!
He missed his mouth a little as evidenced by the amount of juice on his shirt.
Don't forget to check the rest of this set in the Pictures of Christian link.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
There is one tooth that can be felt - Christian won't let you see it, he sticks his tongue out if you try to hold his mouth open. Actually, you can see it, you can really only see it briefly.
I'm sure am glad that the boy is cutting teeth. When Christy came back from Knoxville on Sunday, I asked her where were the aliens that took and replaced our son with this whining, crying, fussy boy? We both were wondering what happened to our always happy and laughing boy. But on Tuesday, Christy's dad came and visited and while here, felt the tooth. It was sort of a relief! Based on the fact that the boy still is cranky and fussy, I've got to believe that there's more teeth just shortly around the corner.
Oh well...
On the aquarium side, I did some aquarium maintenance after getting home from work today: I went snail hunting! I removed at least 4 1/8" size snails (the larger of the pests) and about 5 to 10 of the microscopic size snails. After a short while of removing these, I went into exterminator mode and simply started squeezing the suckers. Hopefully to death! Lots of fun!
I'm working on some pictures to post, and will post here when they are uploaded.
Later!
I'm sure am glad that the boy is cutting teeth. When Christy came back from Knoxville on Sunday, I asked her where were the aliens that took and replaced our son with this whining, crying, fussy boy? We both were wondering what happened to our always happy and laughing boy. But on Tuesday, Christy's dad came and visited and while here, felt the tooth. It was sort of a relief! Based on the fact that the boy still is cranky and fussy, I've got to believe that there's more teeth just shortly around the corner.
Oh well...
On the aquarium side, I did some aquarium maintenance after getting home from work today: I went snail hunting! I removed at least 4 1/8" size snails (the larger of the pests) and about 5 to 10 of the microscopic size snails. After a short while of removing these, I went into exterminator mode and simply started squeezing the suckers. Hopefully to death! Lots of fun!
I'm working on some pictures to post, and will post here when they are uploaded.
Later!
Dad pulled a big one on me yesterday... He claimed that something was wrong with my wish list at Amazon.com. I checked everything out and could duplicate what he saw - namely that externally my wish list was empty even though when I accessed it from my Amazon account, it wasn't empty. So I fired off an email to customer support at Amazon.com asking what was wrong.
Then I talked to Dad. He laughed. He had purchased everything on my Amazon.com wish list and that was why it was empty. Of course, he didn't tell me until after I had emailed Amazon.com.
As a result of the above, two things have happened: 1 - I updated my Amazon.com wish list, and 2 - Christy wants me to get her a wish list created! I'm working on that one and will of course, provide a link and post when Christy's wish list becomes available.
Later all!
Then I talked to Dad. He laughed. He had purchased everything on my Amazon.com wish list and that was why it was empty. Of course, he didn't tell me until after I had emailed Amazon.com.
As a result of the above, two things have happened: 1 - I updated my Amazon.com wish list, and 2 - Christy wants me to get her a wish list created! I'm working on that one and will of course, provide a link and post when Christy's wish list becomes available.
Later all!
I checked Charter Communications website last night and since it showed that cable internet is *still* available for my home, I ordered it again.
This is now the third time that I have ordered cable internet from Charter - the two previous times, I was told that it is not available in my area. But my feeling is that if they say it's *available* on their internet site, then it should be available at my house! I'm fighting stupidity / willful ignorance with feigned stupidity and willful ignorance!
One day DUB shall die!
This is now the third time that I have ordered cable internet from Charter - the two previous times, I was told that it is not available in my area. But my feeling is that if they say it's *available* on their internet site, then it should be available at my house! I'm fighting stupidity / willful ignorance with feigned stupidity and willful ignorance!
One day DUB shall die!
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Yeah, I haven't posted anything in a while. I do have some pictures to get up here, but I also need to get caught up on some work...
In the mean while, Dad reported that the Amazon.com Wish List is showing nothing, so I will need to try to figure out what is going on there. I'll post back here when everything is updated and working.
In the mean while, Dad reported that the Amazon.com Wish List is showing nothing, so I will need to try to figure out what is going on there. I'll post back here when everything is updated and working.
Friday, June 4, 2004
Today was Friday - and that means that I did a water change! I removed four gallons of aquarium water and added back in four gallons of replacement water. This time I *dosed* the replacement water as follows:
I also took some time to kill some more snails. Ever since that false identification of "killifish eggs" that were, in fact, snail eggs, I'm seeing a large number of egg batches and tiny snails. I'm planning to kill any snail that I can get to with my Azoo Aqua aquaplant clip.
On another note, my CO2 injector has thus far proven to be a failure: I'm pretty sure that I created something that *could* regulate CO2 and even could inject CO2 into the aquarium. However, I failed to think or plan for the fact that my CO2 holding tank would simply be holding CO2 at atmospheric pressure (or even a little above that). The reason that this caused (and causes a failure) is that the diffuser and even pumping air into a tank needs to be under a greater than the pressure exerted by the water at whatever depth the CO2 receptacle will be (whether that be a glass diffuser or a holding tank for CO2). At this point, I guess I will be looking for a more professional CO2 injection system - and hoping that I don't have to spend a bundle to get/create one...
- 4.0 gallons tap water
- 0.5 teaspoon of SeaChem Equilibrium
- 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish
- 2.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel
- 0.125 teaspoon of SeaChem Acid Buffer
I've noticed that my general hardness has been rising fairly drastically in the aquarium, so I cut back on the usage of SeaChem Equilibrium, and I also didn't want to spend a great deal of time aerating the water after the acid buffer addition to raise the pH back up to normal, so I reduced the amount of SeaChem Acid Buffer added.
I also took some time to kill some more snails. Ever since that false identification of "killifish eggs" that were, in fact, snail eggs, I'm seeing a large number of egg batches and tiny snails. I'm planning to kill any snail that I can get to with my Azoo Aqua aquaplant clip.
On another note, my CO2 injector has thus far proven to be a failure: I'm pretty sure that I created something that *could* regulate CO2 and even could inject CO2 into the aquarium. However, I failed to think or plan for the fact that my CO2 holding tank would simply be holding CO2 at atmospheric pressure (or even a little above that). The reason that this caused (and causes a failure) is that the diffuser and even pumping air into a tank needs to be under a greater than the pressure exerted by the water at whatever depth the CO2 receptacle will be (whether that be a glass diffuser or a holding tank for CO2). At this point, I guess I will be looking for a more professional CO2 injection system - and hoping that I don't have to spend a bundle to get/create one...
I just wanted to post a quick note this morning on what's going on - what's changing and what will show up sooner or later...
I've been requested to put a "wish list" somewhere - so in the "Links" section to the right, I will put a Byron's Wish List link. The items are, of course, things that I would like, NOT need! And of course, you can get a basic idea of the kind of stuff I usually like. That list should be available later today.
I've got two separate days of pictures of Christian. I'll post them later also. Note: I will post them on the date that they were taken, so if you don't want to scroll down this page, simply hop over to the Pictures of Christian link to the right.
I've got some news/development concerning the snails in the aquarium... I'll be posting what steps I'v taken and what I will be doing next. I also need to complete the setup and testing of my CO2 injector. I have pictures of it that I will post in the Pictures of Aquarium link.
Later!
I've been requested to put a "wish list" somewhere - so in the "Links" section to the right, I will put a Byron's Wish List link. The items are, of course, things that I would like, NOT need! And of course, you can get a basic idea of the kind of stuff I usually like. That list should be available later today.
I've got two separate days of pictures of Christian. I'll post them later also. Note: I will post them on the date that they were taken, so if you don't want to scroll down this page, simply hop over to the Pictures of Christian link to the right.
I've got some news/development concerning the snails in the aquarium... I'll be posting what steps I'v taken and what I will be doing next. I also need to complete the setup and testing of my CO2 injector. I have pictures of it that I will post in the Pictures of Aquarium link.
Later!
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Wow, I just can't get caught up...
Work stuff: I'm trying to get us converted to another accounting program, keep us up to date with the current financials (I'm the comptroller), and perform miscellaneous duties concerning employees...
Todd Computer Solutions stuff: aTON of computer related reading, logging and billing of customers, financials to catch up through May, and get computer(s) ordered and installed for same customers...
Personal stuff: a bunch of pictures organized, new pictures of Christian touched up, organized and blogged, and old aquarium related posts...
But I'm working toward that "caught up" state...
Work stuff: I'm trying to get us converted to another accounting program, keep us up to date with the current financials (I'm the comptroller), and perform miscellaneous duties concerning employees...
Todd Computer Solutions stuff: a
Personal stuff: a bunch of pictures organized, new pictures of Christian touched up, organized and blogged, and old aquarium related posts...
But I'm working toward that "caught up" state...
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Since I discovered that the eggs that I thought were killifish eggs are really snail eggs, I need to get them out of the aquarium before the snails take over. I came home and used a 1/8 teaspoon measuring spoon to remove what eggs I could see off of the plant leaves. I then also removed the five snails that are the cause of these eggs. I noticed that I already have some smaller snails that must be the offspring of the ones I just removed. If I couldn't remove them, I used my Azoo Aqua aquaplant clip that I purchased from Drs. Foster Smith online to kill the little suckers. I know now that I'm probably going to be fighting the snails for quite a while.
After messing with the snails, I went ahead and removed the Penn-Plax Aqua Nursery (no need to have a *nursery* for snails that I don't want in the tank!) I also re-installed the moonlight that I purchased from Fish Tails in Rainbow City.
I just recently finished reading "The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums" by Jeffrey Kurtz. Based on something that he wrote about replacing carbon filtration (waiting a few days after a water change before changing carbon to lessen the impact on beneficial bacteria), I waited until tonight to change out the carbon filtration in the aquarium. I'm also going to forego my "48-hour" water testing and check the water tomorrow to check water quality. As the aquarium stands, the killifish seem to be acting normal, as well as the japanese trapdoor snail and japonica amano shrimp.
After all that, I cleaned up the outside of the aquarium and the took a few pictures - some "daytime" and some "nighttime":
Daytime Version
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Nighttime Version
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As always, the rest of the pictures can be found in the Pictures of Aquarium link to the right.
After messing with the snails, I went ahead and removed the Penn-Plax Aqua Nursery (no need to have a *nursery* for snails that I don't want in the tank!) I also re-installed the moonlight that I purchased from Fish Tails in Rainbow City.
I just recently finished reading "The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums" by Jeffrey Kurtz. Based on something that he wrote about replacing carbon filtration (waiting a few days after a water change before changing carbon to lessen the impact on beneficial bacteria), I waited until tonight to change out the carbon filtration in the aquarium. I'm also going to forego my "48-hour" water testing and check the water tomorrow to check water quality. As the aquarium stands, the killifish seem to be acting normal, as well as the japanese trapdoor snail and japonica amano shrimp.
After all that, I cleaned up the outside of the aquarium and the took a few pictures - some "daytime" and some "nighttime":
Daytime Version
Nighttime Version
As always, the rest of the pictures can be found in the Pictures of Aquarium link to the right.
I check out a few baseball columns on the internet almost daily (They're listed on my front page.) I do this to keep up on the thinking side of baseball: Too much of today's baseball coverage is full of tired, old cliches and sometimes unfortunately WRONG information.
One *thinking* reporter I have read since 1997 or so in ESPN's baseball coverage is Rob Neyer. Since I've been reading Rob's columns, they've always been provided as part of the free ESPN baseball coverage. But today, I read that ESPN has decided to move Rob's columns to their "ESPN Insider" coverage.
Combined with the ESPN dumbing down of baseball (How the heck does just playing the game, make someone an expert and/or a worthy commentator/columnist?), this just reduces the amount of truly knowledgeable sources of baseball information available for free on the internet. I'm probably going to subscribe to ESPN's "Insider" so I can get my daily fix of Neyer from time to time, but it is sad to see the site move...
One *thinking* reporter I have read since 1997 or so in ESPN's baseball coverage is Rob Neyer. Since I've been reading Rob's columns, they've always been provided as part of the free ESPN baseball coverage. But today, I read that ESPN has decided to move Rob's columns to their "ESPN Insider" coverage.
Combined with the ESPN dumbing down of baseball (How the heck does just playing the game, make someone an expert and/or a worthy commentator/columnist?), this just reduces the amount of truly knowledgeable sources of baseball information available for free on the internet. I'm probably going to subscribe to ESPN's "Insider" so I can get my daily fix of Neyer from time to time, but it is sad to see the site move...
I called Charter Communications back today. The person that I talked to told me upon initially checking that "Yes, cable internet is available in your area. Let me get your account setup."
I thought "Woo Hoo, DUB is coming to an end!!!" But alas, only after giving my social security number (for checking my credit, I was told), did the customer representative tell me "Whoops, cable internet is NOT available for your area yet."
DARN!
I guess I'll wait another week and then check Charter's website again. If cable internet still shows available there, then I'll order it again...
I thought "Woo Hoo, DUB is coming to an end!!!" But alas, only after giving my social security number (for checking my credit, I was told), did the customer representative tell me "Whoops, cable internet is NOT available for your area yet."
DARN!
I guess I'll wait another week and then check Charter's website again. If cable internet still shows available there, then I'll order it again...
We got home from Birmingham and then visiting with my parents around 8 PM last night. I checked the aquarium and found more of the egg batches all over several leaves of the amazon sword plants. Which leads me to believe that that picture labeled "Killifish Eggs?" should really be labeled "Snail Eggs - Uggghhh!" Crud. The bad part is that now I have to try to remove the gellish batches of eggs off of the plants without destroying the plants themselves. This is going to be fun...
One other note of interest about the aquarium is that my homemade CO2 injector progress has been stymied by the lack of holding ability of silicon. The silicon that was used to hold the airline connectors in the cap of the Aquafina bottle broke loose last night and I'm probably going to have to use some epoxy to do the job. I thought I might end up using epoxy anyway, I just wished I had found out before last night.
Last night I also installed the moon light that I purchased from Fish Tails in Rainbow City. I'll take some pictures and upload them as soon as I get some time (which may be a while!)
Last note - I checked on the mocking bird chicks this morning before leaving for work, and they're gone. Wow, on Sunday afternoon, they were squawking, chirping and making a general racket and just two days later, the nest is empty. I guess I didn't realize how close they were to leaving the nest.
Well, off to work I go - with the holiday, this week is going to be very busy: Five days of work to be squeezed into four days...
Later!
One other note of interest about the aquarium is that my homemade CO2 injector progress has been stymied by the lack of holding ability of silicon. The silicon that was used to hold the airline connectors in the cap of the Aquafina bottle broke loose last night and I'm probably going to have to use some epoxy to do the job. I thought I might end up using epoxy anyway, I just wished I had found out before last night.
Last night I also installed the moon light that I purchased from Fish Tails in Rainbow City. I'll take some pictures and upload them as soon as I get some time (which may be a while!)
Last note - I checked on the mocking bird chicks this morning before leaving for work, and they're gone. Wow, on Sunday afternoon, they were squawking, chirping and making a general racket and just two days later, the nest is empty. I guess I didn't realize how close they were to leaving the nest.
Well, off to work I go - with the holiday, this week is going to be very busy: Five days of work to be squeezed into four days...
Later!
Sunday, May 30, 2004
The Todd family headed down to Birmingham to the Holliman residence (Christy's parents) for our Memorial Day events. We left after church and when loading our car / backing out of the garage, I heard a loud chirping noise. I checked the holly bush on the side of the house and discovered a nest of mocking bird chicks. I took a couple of pictures which turned out surprisingly well:
2004-05-30 Mocking Bird Chicks
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The other picture can be found in the Other Pictures link on the right side of this page under "Links".
2004-05-30 Mocking Bird Chicks
The other picture can be found in the Other Pictures link on the right side of this page under "Links".
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Well, I checked the aquarium and it looks as if the killifish have laid another batch of eggs. I decided not to take any chances this time that the female might eat them and purchased a Penn-Plax Aqua-Nursery from Fish Tails in Rainbow City.
I fully rinsed the "nursery" and placed it in the tank. I then took some of the hornwort and placed some of it in the "maternity" section of the nursery. I used some aquarium scissors to cut off the portion of the amazon sword leaf where the egg batch was visible. I then used a toothpick to scrape the batch off into the nursery. The batch was surprisingly "gellish." I thought that killifish eggs would be more like eggs... Well, I'll find out in 12-21 days (according to the American Killifish Association, that is how long killifish eggs incubate.)
I've also almost finished creating my *home-made* CO2 injector. Just a quick note: I did purchase some of the equipment and will note those parts in a separate post, when I show the injector (if it works!) later.
I fully rinsed the "nursery" and placed it in the tank. I then took some of the hornwort and placed some of it in the "maternity" section of the nursery. I used some aquarium scissors to cut off the portion of the amazon sword leaf where the egg batch was visible. I then used a toothpick to scrape the batch off into the nursery. The batch was surprisingly "gellish." I thought that killifish eggs would be more like eggs... Well, I'll find out in 12-21 days (according to the American Killifish Association, that is how long killifish eggs incubate.)
I've also almost finished creating my *home-made* CO2 injector. Just a quick note: I did purchase some of the equipment and will note those parts in a separate post, when I show the injector (if it works!) later.
Can the boy be any cuter? Mommy and Daddy certainly don't think so. This afternoon we took the little guy to the pool, but before we did, we played with him in his bedroom. Christian is getting closer to crawling: he can turn around using his arms and just in the last couple of days, he's started pushing himself backwards. That backwards movement resulted in a funny situation - one that he thought was funny too.
Here's just one of the pictures (and as usual, the rest can be found in the Pictures of Christian link to the right):
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Here's just one of the pictures (and as usual, the rest can be found in the Pictures of Christian link to the right):
Friday, May 28, 2004
During the water change, I removed the Jungle Lab's CO2 Fizz Factory in preparation for the placement for my *homemade* CO2 injector. The parts that I have purchased and used so far include:
I'm waiting on silicon to cure on the joiner airline fittings that are now *installed* into the cap of the Aquafina bottle. The silicon should be cured sometime Monday afternoon, and when I get home from our family's Memorial Day celebration, I will be assembling and testing my homemade CO2 injector. I also plan to take some pictures and get some testing done as to the efficiency of the CO2 reservoir and the approximate pH changes.
- One CO2 Glass Diffuser purchased from Drs. Foster Smith
- Approx. six feet of Airline Tubing purchased from Drs. Foster Smith
- One Hagen 2-Way Ultra Gang Valve purchased from Fish Tails in Rainbow City
- One Hagen Plastic Check Valve purchased from Drs. Foster Smith
- One Plastic Needle Valve purchased from Gadsden Industrial Distributors
- Two Joiner Airline Fittings purchased from Drs. Foster Smith
- One Aquafina 1-liter bottle
- One small needle valve given to me by Fish Tails
- And finally, the Airline Connector and CO2 Reaction Chamber from the aforementioned CO2 Fizz Factory by Jungle Labs.
I'm waiting on silicon to cure on the joiner airline fittings that are now *installed* into the cap of the Aquafina bottle. The silicon should be cured sometime Monday afternoon, and when I get home from our family's Memorial Day celebration, I will be assembling and testing my homemade CO2 injector. I also plan to take some pictures and get some testing done as to the efficiency of the CO2 reservoir and the approximate pH changes.
Performed the weekly water change. This time I was able to use the water that I had prepared a week ago - that had too low a pH. By using the Hagen Elite 801 airpump that I purchased from Drs. Foster Smith online with a Coralife Limewood Airstone, I was able to aerate the replacement water for about 20 minutes. I kept checking the pH periodically and only after the 20 minutes of aeration did the pH finally creep up to 7.0 (it initially tested at 6.2 pH).
Before performing the water change, I took a couple of pictures. Here's one picture of what the tank looked like beforehand:
I removed 3.75 gallons of tank water and added back in almost 4.0 gallons. The following two tables show the test results of the water:
Before performing the water change, I took a couple of pictures. Here's one picture of what the tank looked like beforehand:
Notice the almost complete lack of algae - I'm guessing that the combination of plant usage of nutrients and the snails in the tank have virtually wiped out the algae.
I removed 3.75 gallons of tank water and added back in almost 4.0 gallons. The following two tables show the test results of the water:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0.10 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 9 drops = 9*20 = 180 ppm = 10.08 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 4 drops = 4*10 = 40 ppm = 2.24 dCH |
| pH (low test) | 7.0 pH |
As you can see, the pH is lowered and the carbonate hardness is almost eliminated. I am a little concerned about that general hardness though and I might need to cut back on the amount of SeaChem Equilibrium being added.
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 5-10 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 7.6 pH |
Wow! Finally, it looks as if the pH is starting to come under control. I'm thinking that with the addition of a CO2 injector, I won't have to use SeaChem Acid Buffer to lower my carbonate hardness, and my pH should stay much more stable
I took three pictures before I started the water change. Here's one of the pictures:
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As usual, the other pictures can be found in the Pictures of Aquarium link.
You ever feel that a day has just gone by and you got NOTHING done? I know that I got some things done yesterday, but it sure felt like the day disappeared on me... I guess it could be the result of a lot of time being taken to do very little. Almost like there's not much to show for the day... That was yesterday!
I'm hoping today is better...
By the way, I am still trying to catch up on the older posts...
I'm hoping today is better...
By the way, I am still trying to catch up on the older posts...
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Heh, Charter Communications called and left a message on my answering machine at the house. They called about my "interest" in cable internet that I had placed on the Internet ("The DUB (Dial Up Blues) Saga..."). I'm going to call tomorrow to see what they say this time. Of course, I'll report back here in this war of ignorance (Charter) vs. stubborness (me!)...
Later!
Later!
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
I was going to title this "What A Morning!" but then I realized that I didn't have spend much time doing much of anything this morning. I did get to feed the little boy though: He just wouldn't take his post waking-up nap and with Christy still suffering from a lingering migraine, I held him for a while until he just wanted to talk (baby-talk) and get up. At that point, I took him to the living room and let him watch the end of The Wiggles on Disney Channel, and then Stanley. By the time Stanley was going off, Christian was ready to be fed - which I got to do. If you've seen the boy, you know he loves to eat, and this morning was no different. After he started to take his bottle, I started getting ready to get to work.
I've been needing to go by Gadsden Tool, Inc. for a while and I finally got by there shortly before 10:00AM. I finally got some of the work done there and then headed back to my "real" job at RainGard. By the time I had addressed the morning fires it was no longer morning!
I was able to finish getting a Jerry Well's prayer letter (can be seen here in Adobe Acrobat format) prepared, printed and ready for mailing - so the morning wasn't a total loss.
And when I looked at my watch next... It's after noon...
I've been needing to go by Gadsden Tool, Inc. for a while and I finally got by there shortly before 10:00AM. I finally got some of the work done there and then headed back to my "real" job at RainGard. By the time I had addressed the morning fires it was no longer morning!
I was able to finish getting a Jerry Well's prayer letter (can be seen here in Adobe Acrobat format) prepared, printed and ready for mailing - so the morning wasn't a total loss.
And when I looked at my watch next... It's after noon...
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Well, I just went to MSN.com and click on the "High-Speed 'Net Deals" link. Now, MSN.com is showing broadband is available again through Charter Communications. So I placed my order (again).
Hey, if Charter Communications cannot provide me with cable internet or if they don't want me ordering it, then they need to make sure that they correct their online information! Until they do so, I will continue to order it, and will be hoping for the best!
Hey, if Charter Communications cannot provide me with cable internet or if they don't want me ordering it, then they need to make sure that they correct their online information! Until they do so, I will continue to order it, and will be hoping for the best!
Christy and I took Christian to the GCC pool again on Sunday afternoon. The boy had lots of fun then too. He even enjoyed getting splashed in the face - usually by his cousin Forrest. Here are two of the pictures (with the rest available in the Pictures of Christian link):
Christian Is Ready to Go to The Pool!
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Christian in Pool
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Enjoy!
Christian Is Ready to Go to The Pool!
Christian in Pool
Enjoy!
Monday, May 24, 2004
I didn't test the "48-hour" water, so I'm going to test the water from today - which represents 3 days after the water change. The results should give me a good feel for what the water is like mid-week, if you will. Meaning that this water is halfway through to the next water change - due this coming Friday.
The water testing results:
Oh, I almost forgot. The japonica amano shrimp has molted again. (You can see a pre-molting picture of the fella here). The molted skin didn't freak me out as much this time - though I was still a little anxious about the fella - since it molted about two weeks ago too.
The water testing results:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0.25 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 8.0 pH |
Again, that pH looks (and is!) high. However, it does represent the end of day pH - meaning that the aquarium water is probably saturated with oxygen. That notion is confirmed by watching bubbles appear and escape off of the bottom of some of the leaves on the plants. I still need to get the pH lowered. I've tried the water change method, but I don't think that that alone is going to work. I'm still going to add SeaChem Acid Buffer to the replacement water, but I wonder if I should start adding it directly to the tank. I am also planning to make a homemade CO2 injection system. I'll report here with progress and pictures.
Oh, I almost forgot. The japonica amano shrimp has molted again. (You can see a pre-molting picture of the fella here). The molted skin didn't freak me out as much this time - though I was still a little anxious about the fella - since it molted about two weeks ago too.
I just wanted to use this post as somewhere to record how I sort, edit, scan, and print the pictures that I have taken with my wife's Minolta Dimage F100 or have taken with my Nikon N70 SLR 35mm camera. With the F100, I usually take images in the 1280x960 format at a "fine" setting. This results in an digital image that is 1280x960 x 72 dpi and a 24 bit depth. If I scan in a developed picture taken with the N70, I scan it with my Epson Perfection 2450 Photo scanner at 240 dpi. A scan of that picture results in an image almost in the exact same format as the digital images.
For publishing on this weblog, with scanned photos, I simply thumbnail the photo down to a 480x360 format, and with a digital image, I edit the image for red-eye, and any other edits, and then also thumbnail it down to a 480x360 format. I primarily use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 and Photoshop Album 2.0 for these tasks. This results in a thumbnail image that is decently fast on broadband and a normal image that is suitable for digital printing.
Anyway, the above represent the basics of my photo handling...
For publishing on this weblog, with scanned photos, I simply thumbnail the photo down to a 480x360 format, and with a digital image, I edit the image for red-eye, and any other edits, and then also thumbnail it down to a 480x360 format. I primarily use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 and Photoshop Album 2.0 for these tasks. This results in a thumbnail image that is decently fast on broadband and a normal image that is suitable for digital printing.
Anyway, the above represent the basics of my photo handling...
Saturday, May 22, 2004
We visited the Gadsden Country Club pool yesterday. It looks as if Christy and Christian are going to be spending a lot of time at the pool this summer. Christy has already told me that I can play golf on Tuesdays and Thursdays after work, and again on Saturdays - as long as I meet them at the pool afterwards...
Anyways, here are two of the pictures (as always, the rest of the set can be found in the Pictures of Christian link to the right):
Christian "Chilling Out" before Getting into The Pool
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Christian Playing in The Pool
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Christy also recorded a short movie clip of Christian in the pool. You will need Quicktime to view the clip. Make sure that you install the Quicktime player before you try to view the clip. Here's the clip: Christian's First Pool Visit
Hope you all enjoy!
Anyways, here are two of the pictures (as always, the rest of the set can be found in the Pictures of Christian link to the right):
Christian "Chilling Out" before Getting into The Pool
Christian Playing in The Pool
Christy also recorded a short movie clip of Christian in the pool. You will need Quicktime to view the clip. Make sure that you install the Quicktime player before you try to view the clip. Here's the clip: Christian's First Pool Visit
Hope you all enjoy!
Christy and I took the little boy to the GCC pool last night. I can already tell you that Momma and Christian are going to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer. Christian loves the water! I will attach a picture or two here and add the rest to the Pictures of Christian link to the right.
Here are a couple of pictures from the tank from this morning.
2005-05-22 Aquarium
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2005-05-22 Killifish Eggs?
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Send comments to me at byron-port@toddcomp.com if you think that they are something else or just want to confirm that they are eggs. As always, there are more pictures of the aquarium that can be found by clicking on the Pictures of Aquarium link to the right.
2005-05-22 Aquarium
2005-05-22 Killifish Eggs?
I think that these are killifish eggs in the center of the java moss. You might have to click on the picture and look at the larger image to see them well.
Send comments to me at byron-port@toddcomp.com if you think that they are something else or just want to confirm that they are eggs. As always, there are more pictures of the aquarium that can be found by clicking on the Pictures of Aquarium link to the right.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Today, I received the order of aquarium plants from AquariumPlants.com. After cleaning the sides of the tank and removing what was dead and/or decomposing of the temple - narrow leaf, I started a water change - removing 3.75 gallons of water and adding back almost 4.0 gallons of replacement water. After adding back the replacement water, I placed the new plants in the areas where I want them to stay: the hornwort floating in the upper leftmost area of the aquarium, and the java moss on top of the SUV. Within six hours of placing the new plants into the tank, I found what I believe to be killifish eggs in the java moss. I will take pictures tomorrow morning and post them here.
For now, I am going to record the water tests here. The water taken out of the tank tested:
And the replacement water tested:
For now, I am going to record the water tests here. The water taken out of the tank tested:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 5-10 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 8 drops = 8*20 = 160 ppm = 8.96 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 11 drops = 11*10 = 110 ppm = 6.16 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 8.0 pH |
And the replacement water tested:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 4 drops = 4*20 = 80 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0.10 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 10 drops = 10*20 = 200 ppm = 11.20 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (low test) | 6.8 pH |
That low pH is going to be a temporary low since the pH was lowered when using the SeaChem Acid Buffer. This number should fairly quickly get to the tank pH - but slightly depress it. The water test in 48 hours should tell me more about the pH readings.
The replacment water was mixed as follows:
- 4 gallons tap water
- 0.4 ml of SeaChem Prime
- a little less than 1/2 teaspoon of SeaChem Equilibrium
- 1.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish
- 2.0 ml of SeaChem Flourish Excel
- 1/4 teaspoon of SeaChem Acid Buffer
Thursday, May 20, 2004
I've been alternately accused of spending too much time doing this and then by other people for not spending enough time doing this. So for the record, I wanted to throw up a quick post just to show how long it took to create and post this entry - even when working over a dial-up (slow as molasses) connection. I started this particular post at 10:09PM, and am now just about finished at 10:10PM.
However, that said, whenever I need to add a picture, and the thumbnail of that picture, I do have to take some time: first, I have to process the picture by copying it off of the SD card that Christy's camera uses, I then have to rename the picture to something that makes sense on my local computer (sort of like filing it), then cleaning/fixing the picture, and finally making the thumbnail version of the picture. If I have to upload the picture, then dial-up really adds some *processing* time.
Well, it's now 10:15PM, and I am for all purposes finished with this post. Which means that the bottom line is that a text only post (even those with tables) takes very little time (less than 10 minutes), but a picture related post can take up to an hour or more but usually at least 30 minutes per picture.
Good night!
However, that said, whenever I need to add a picture, and the thumbnail of that picture, I do have to take some time: first, I have to process the picture by copying it off of the SD card that Christy's camera uses, I then have to rename the picture to something that makes sense on my local computer (sort of like filing it), then cleaning/fixing the picture, and finally making the thumbnail version of the picture. If I have to upload the picture, then dial-up really adds some *processing* time.
Well, it's now 10:15PM, and I am for all purposes finished with this post. Which means that the bottom line is that a text only post (even those with tables) takes very little time (less than 10 minutes), but a picture related post can take up to an hour or more but usually at least 30 minutes per picture.
Good night!
Christy took a couple of pictures and a video of Christian when he was in his duck bathtub for the first time. There are only 4 pictures, so only one is shown here (while the rest can be found in the Pictures of Christian link to the right).
Christian in Duck
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Christy also took a movie of Christian while he was in the duck. You will need Quicktime to view the clip. Make sure that you install the Quicktime player before you try to view the clip. Here's the clip: Christian in His Duck Bathtub
Christian in Duck
Christy also took a movie of Christian while he was in the duck. You will need Quicktime to view the clip. Make sure that you install the Quicktime player before you try to view the clip. Here's the clip: Christian in His Duck Bathtub
Just a heads up for those looking for new pictures of Christian. Christy took a couple of pictures, and one short video of Christian taking his first bath in his new duck bath tub. I've got to edit one of the pictures - Christian didn't like using the washcloth for modesty.
But before I post the pictures and video, I've got to get sales taxes reports and remittance ready. As soon as those are done, I'll try to get the pictures post and another blog done...
But before I post the pictures and video, I've got to get sales taxes reports and remittance ready. As soon as those are done, I'll try to get the pictures post and another blog done...
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
I just spent 45 minutes on the phone talking to Mark at AquariumPlants.com. I have been ordering most of my aquarium related stuff from Drs. Foster Smith. However, they don't have a great collection of freshwater plants - hence my looking for somewhere else to order.
I know that I really have one major problem with my tank - pH. Mark suggested that I use an airstone to stabilize pH. He suggested that I tested using an airstone to stabilize pH for a while and let him know the results. Since I've been checking the internet for information on how to stabilize my tank pH, I have an idea how to create a carbon-dioxide injection system on my own. I'll report here on how I make it and if it actually works.
I ended up ordering four things from AquariumPlants.com: java moss (vesicularia dubyana), hornwort (ceratophyllum demersum), a book, "Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants" by Peter Hiscock, and plant anchors. The two plants I ordered are listed in another book on aquarium plants that I have as low light needing plants - which means that they should do well in my tank. As a bonus, both plants should serve as a spawning medium for the killifish in my tank.
Mark at AquariumPlants.com could not have been more helpful, and I am looking forward to getting my plants and putting up some new pictures of the tank after they are planted.
I know that I really have one major problem with my tank - pH. Mark suggested that I use an airstone to stabilize pH. He suggested that I tested using an airstone to stabilize pH for a while and let him know the results. Since I've been checking the internet for information on how to stabilize my tank pH, I have an idea how to create a carbon-dioxide injection system on my own. I'll report here on how I make it and if it actually works.
I ended up ordering four things from AquariumPlants.com: java moss (vesicularia dubyana), hornwort (ceratophyllum demersum), a book, "Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants" by Peter Hiscock, and plant anchors. The two plants I ordered are listed in another book on aquarium plants that I have as low light needing plants - which means that they should do well in my tank. As a bonus, both plants should serve as a spawning medium for the killifish in my tank.
Mark at AquariumPlants.com could not have been more helpful, and I am looking forward to getting my plants and putting up some new pictures of the tank after they are planted.
I was wrong. The Dial Up Blues continue.
I received a call from Charter Communications this morning concerning my cable internet order. First I was asked whether I would be leasing a cable modem or would I be providing my own. I told the lady that I would prefer to purchase one and she suggested that I check Best Buy or Circuit City for one. I explained that that was just ok with me, and that I would be happy to do so. But then, she said that she couldn't set up an appointment for installation, but that I should call another number to take to a local Charter service office. The number that she gave me belongs to the Birmingham, Alabama Charter office. When I called there, I was told that the internet information was wrong, that cable internet is not and would not be available in my area for some time.
I guess I can't get too mad, I mean I am upset that I can't get high speed internet. I am almost resigned to the fact that for all the grandstanding that the government has made about broadband and "widspread deployment", cable and telephone companies in this area just don't give a rip and aren't going to make high speed internet available. On top of that, despite what the local Charter Communications people say, if I (or anyone else) goes to MSN.com and clicks on the "High-Speed 'Net Deals" link, inputs my home address, the listed plans include ones from Charter Communications. I wonder if I should continue to *order* it in the hope that they will actually expand the cable internet service into my area.
Oh well...
I received a call from Charter Communications this morning concerning my cable internet order. First I was asked whether I would be leasing a cable modem or would I be providing my own. I told the lady that I would prefer to purchase one and she suggested that I check Best Buy or Circuit City for one. I explained that that was just ok with me, and that I would be happy to do so. But then, she said that she couldn't set up an appointment for installation, but that I should call another number to take to a local Charter service office. The number that she gave me belongs to the Birmingham, Alabama Charter office. When I called there, I was told that the internet information was wrong, that cable internet is not and would not be available in my area for some time.
I guess I can't get too mad, I mean I am upset that I can't get high speed internet. I am almost resigned to the fact that for all the grandstanding that the government has made about broadband and "widspread deployment", cable and telephone companies in this area just don't give a rip and aren't going to make high speed internet available. On top of that, despite what the local Charter Communications people say, if I (or anyone else) goes to MSN.com and clicks on the "High-Speed 'Net Deals" link, inputs my home address, the listed plans include ones from Charter Communications. I wonder if I should continue to *order* it in the hope that they will actually expand the cable internet service into my area.
Oh well...
I took a sample of aquarium water and tested the pH. This pH reading should represent the low of pH as it represents a night without any oxygen production in the tank. The reading was 7.6-7.8. I then tested the replacement water that I prepared last night. I received a pH reading of < 6.0. This water is definitely not ready for the tank. It looks like I'll need to get some sort of airstone and peripheral equipment to raise prepped water pH back to neutral...
But I've got work to do and to go to...
But I've got work to do and to go to...
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
As per SeaChem's recommendation, I added 1/4 teaspoon of SeaChem Acid Buffer to the 4 gallons tap water and then tested carbonate hardness. Carbonate hardness tested to 60 ppm. I added an additional 1/8 teaspoon Acid Buffer, and retested carbonate hardness at 50 ppm. I then added 1/4 teaspoon more Acid Buffer, and the carbonate hardness then tested at 0 ppm. Finally! Before this replacment water can be added to my tank, I need to make sure that its pH is at least neutral - however, the pH tested at well below 6.0. I can't use it!!! I'm going to wait and see if the replacment water will oxygenate (and therefore pH will rise) without the use of an air pump and aeration.
Here is a picture of another family member. She used to think that she ruled the house, but now with Christian around, she's not so sure. I caught her napping (I don't know that she does much else!) and snapped four pictures of her tonight.
Thumper in Chair
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Thumper in Chair
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I'm sure that Christy will enjoy this post...
Thumper in Chair
Thumper in Chair
I'm sure that Christy will enjoy this post...
I just finished talking to a technical support rep at SeaChem. As a result of that phone call, I've got a better idea of how to fight and stabilize the pH problem in my tank.
The bottom line is that the plants are really utilizing the CO2 and I need to plan around that *problem*. One way that was recommended to help get the pH down with the small water changes is to dose the water with enough SeaChem Acid Buffer to eliminate all carbonate hardness in the water. I was told that I should let this water sit for a while (overnight) to allow pH to climb back to neutral (by the natural addition of CO2) before adding it to the tank. I should also look at using my CO2 Fizz Factory midday to provide CO2 during the day for photosynthesis, and possibly using an airstone at night to bleed off excess CO2 when photosynthesis cannot take place.
I will be trying to perform these changes to the aquarium schedule over the next few days and will report here about the results.
Thanks again for all your help at SeaChem. [I forgot to write down your name, so if you'll drop me a note, I'll give credit to where credit is due.]
Later!
The bottom line is that the plants are really utilizing the CO2 and I need to plan around that *problem*. One way that was recommended to help get the pH down with the small water changes is to dose the water with enough SeaChem Acid Buffer to eliminate all carbonate hardness in the water. I was told that I should let this water sit for a while (overnight) to allow pH to climb back to neutral (by the natural addition of CO2) before adding it to the tank. I should also look at using my CO2 Fizz Factory midday to provide CO2 during the day for photosynthesis, and possibly using an airstone at night to bleed off excess CO2 when photosynthesis cannot take place.
I will be trying to perform these changes to the aquarium schedule over the next few days and will report here about the results.
Thanks again for all your help at SeaChem. [I forgot to write down your name, so if you'll drop me a note, I'll give credit to where credit is due.]
Later!
Ughh.. Got behind the eight ball yesterday. I didn't post anything - though I need to post some information on my aquarium. One of the reasons for getting behind the eight ball was because it was my birthday (Thanks to all that called and wished me a happy birthday, thank you too for the thoughtful gifts, and thank you especially Mrs. Annette Campbell for the Chocolate Trifle - which was absolutely wonderful - you went beyond the call of duty ).
Well, it's another day, and I still need to get caught up... If you're a customer, I should be getting those bills out this week, as well as catching up with you to make sure that I am caught up with IT work at your locations. And as for the blog, well, I'll catch up the later posts ... LATER!
For those of you looking for more pictures of Christian, I'll post a short notice whenever the pictures have been updated.
).Well, it's another day, and I still need to get caught up... If you're a customer, I should be getting those bills out this week, as well as catching up with you to make sure that I am caught up with IT work at your locations. And as for the blog, well, I'll catch up the later posts ... LATER!
For those of you looking for more pictures of Christian, I'll post a short notice whenever the pictures have been updated.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Tested the water this afternoon - before doing a small water change. The existing water tested as follows:
I tested the replacement water before I added it to the tank. It tested as follows:
| Test | Results |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 10 drops = 10*10 = 100 ppm = 5.60 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 7.8 pH |
Again, the pH reading is sort of high - which is why I'm doing this partial water change.
I tested the replacement water before I added it to the tank. It tested as follows:
| Test | Results |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8 drops = 8*10 = 80 ppm = 4.48 dCH |
| pH (low test) | 7.0 pH |
I will test the tank water for pH in the early morning to see what if it will change for the better.
Yes, I know these are boring and they don't add much to the *content* of my blog, but it's easier to put it here than to put it anywhere else...
I took a pH reading of the tank before I left for work. I ended up testing with both the high and low tests - both resulted in a pH reading of 7.6 - which, of course, is still high, but not as high as it has been in the past.
I took a pH reading of the tank before I left for work. I ended up testing with both the high and low tests - both resulted in a pH reading of 7.6 - which, of course, is still high, but not as high as it has been in the past.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
I took a few pictures of the boy tonight before he had his before bed bottle. Here are two of the pictures:
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There are a total of 9 pictures from tonight (found in the "Pictures of Christian" link to the right). Enjoy!
There are a total of 9 pictures from tonight (found in the "Pictures of Christian" link to the right). Enjoy!
The Todd household is getting ready for church this morning. For us, getting ready for church is usually a big production. Little Bits - Christian - has to be fed, washed, put down for a nap, and dressed just so Christy and I can start to get ready. It's usually a tag team effort with one of us doing one of those things while the other tries to get ready as fast as possible. Even so, I don't think we've been on time to church but two or three times...
Everything is still alive in the aquarium - including the snail that didn't look so good last night. It still hasn't moved that much, but at least it is still alive. The male killifish still chases after the female pretty hard. I'm hoping that that is not a bad indication, that it is normal behavior. I really just don't know though.
Oh well... Later today, I should test the water pH and KH, and then probably perform a small water change to try to continue to bring down the pH slowly.
Everything is still alive in the aquarium - including the snail that didn't look so good last night. It still hasn't moved that much, but at least it is still alive. The male killifish still chases after the female pretty hard. I'm hoping that that is not a bad indication, that it is normal behavior. I really just don't know though.
Oh well... Later today, I should test the water pH and KH, and then probably perform a small water change to try to continue to bring down the pH slowly.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Hmmm. Something has changed. I went to Charter's website just to check on cable internet again, and now it shows that cable internet is available in my area. Yippee! Of course, I ordered it immediately. I even got to print out a confirmation page for the order. I'm supposed to be contacted by phone to setup the installation sometime soon. I'm hoping, but not holding my breath on this.
Nothing new to report on the aquarium front. Although my wife is upset with me for messing with the tank at all. She sort of blames me for the death of the elephant nose fish - because she warned me not to add anything else to the tank after the clown loaches died.
I tested the sample of tank water taken yesterday before the water change:
I checked the 24-Hour water (water from 24 hours after the last water change):
After the water change, I went ahead and fed the killifish some frozen brine shrimp. I also noticed that the last japanese trapdoor snail was not moving too well. I'm afraid that that snail may not make it... Oh well, I guess that I can take solace in a statement that a friend of mine made (and this friend is the head of an Aquatic Science Department at the local college): "You're not a real aquarist hobbyist until you've killed a bunch of fish." Not that that makes me or my wife feel any better.
I tested the sample of tank water taken yesterday before the water change:
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 10 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 11 drops = 11*10 = 110 ppm = 6.16 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 7.8 pH |
I'm bothered most by that pH reading. I've been trying to lower the pH (trying to get to somewhere around 7.4 pH) since it spiked a few weeks ago. To that end, I was performing partial water changes daily last week. I guess I stopped too soon. It also looks like the plants are taking ALL of the available nutrients but cannot utilize them well because of the high pH, high alkalinity causing a low CO2 availability.
I checked the 24-Hour water (water from 24 hours after the last water change):
| Test | Results |
| NH3 (ammonia) | 0 mg/L |
| NO2 (nitrite) | 0 mg/L |
| NO3 (nitrate) | 0-5 mg/L |
| CA (calcium) | 3 drops = 3*20 = 60 mg/L |
| PO4 (phosphate) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #1 (toxic iron) | 0 mg/L |
| FE #2 (chelated iron) | 0 mg/L |
| GH (general hardness) | 7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 10 drops = 10*10 = 100 ppm = 5.60 dCH |
| pH (high test) | 7.8 pH |
The above pH reading caused me to do another partial water change - I removed 3 gallons and added back 3 gallons. This time I used replacement water dosed only with SeaChem Prime and SeaChem Acid Buffer. While doing the water change, I ended up removing the last of the temple - narrow leaf in the back right corner of the tank. It was decomposing and none of it was really alive.
After the water change, I went ahead and fed the killifish some frozen brine shrimp. I also noticed that the last japanese trapdoor snail was not moving too well. I'm afraid that that snail may not make it... Oh well, I guess that I can take solace in a statement that a friend of mine made (and this friend is the head of an Aquatic Science Department at the local college): "You're not a real aquarist hobbyist until you've killed a bunch of fish." Not that that makes me or my wife feel any better.
Friday, May 14, 2004
I came home from work and found the elephant nose fish in distress. I could tell that the fish was rapidly breathing and was listing to one side. I'm guessing that the pH spike seen in the last couple of weeks has finally taken a toll on the elephant nose. I tried giving the fish a salt bath to see if that would improve the breathing but it did not. I finally removed the fish when it completely stopped moving.
This pH problem is beginning to bother me big time. I know that the pH is high, and I don't want to stress the tank inhabitants by dropping it extremely fast. To that end (and in the interest of plant care) I purchased something called a CO2 Fizz Factory by Jungle Labs from Drs. Foster & Smith and I'm trying to lower pH using SeaChem Acid Buffer. The problem, I guess, is that the pH is really moving to that recommended environment for the aquarium inhabitants.
Anyway, I did go ahead and perform a water change - removing 3.75 gallons and adding in 4.0 gallons of recipe replacement water. I took a sample of tank water before the change for testing later. I will post those results here when I catch up.
This pH problem is beginning to bother me big time. I know that the pH is high, and I don't want to stress the tank inhabitants by dropping it extremely fast. To that end (and in the interest of plant care) I purchased something called a CO2 Fizz Factory by Jungle Labs from Drs. Foster & Smith and I'm trying to lower pH using SeaChem Acid Buffer. The problem, I guess, is that the pH is really moving to that recommended environment for the aquarium inhabitants.
Anyway, I did go ahead and perform a water change - removing 3.75 gallons and adding in 4.0 gallons of recipe replacement water. I took a sample of tank water before the change for testing later. I will post those results here when I catch up.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
I wish I had broadband at home. I'm to the point that I check EVERYDAY at BellSouth's website for DSL availability. Since I have been checking, the result has been the same: "BellSouth FastAccess Service Unavailable." I've also tried to get cable internet, but that was an exercise in futility.
What does it say about the corruption of government - especially at the local level - when only ONE cable company is *allowed* to operate in your area? Furthermore, what does it say when this ONE cable company doesn't even locate any sort of office in your home area? Less you believe that I live in Podunk USA, let me state that my hometown ranked in the top 20 per-capita income in the state of Alabama. That may not mean much to you, but my hometown was ranked the highest in this section of the state! And yet, people who live just across the Coosa river (in Rainbow City, Gadsden, even Hokes Bluff!!), and have a *decent* cable company, have not only the choice of getting cable internet, but also can get DSL!!!!
Meanwhile, I write and complain and respectfully request a time frame for the possibility of getting cable internet and I receive this stupid response:
What!?!?! "based on many specific details which we do not have...."?!?!?! How can anyone make a decision based on many specific details which you don't have? I work at a small business, and if one of the employees made that kind of statement, I'm scheduling a random drug test ASAP!
I thought about NOT making the name of this monopolistic cable company public for a short while. For a VERY short while! Charter Communications is the company. My customer service location is a town over 120 miles away!!!
These guys are living in some fantasy world. Just a few weeks ago, a wind storm caused the cable line from the utility pole to my house to disconnect from my house. Since I don't have cable (I'm a loyal DirecTV customer), I called the Charter Communications customer service office (in Russellville, AL!!!) to inform them that their cable was laying in my back yard and something needed to be done. The customer service rep said that she would send someone out to re-attach their cable to my house. I told her that I didn't want their cable attached to my house - not unless cable internet was available. I was told that the only way that they would do anything with the line was by them re-connecting the cable to my house. "FINE", I said. "Send someone out." The contractor arrived in a short while to re-attach the cable to my house. I told him that I didn't want it attached to my house. I told him to do something with it so that it's not laying across my yard. He said that it would be no problem and I left him. The next day, I checked to see what he had done. Great Job -> he wrapped the excess cable around the bottom of the utility pole.... I hope I don't offend anyone when I say "MORONS!"
What does it say about the corruption of government - especially at the local level - when only ONE cable company is *allowed* to operate in your area? Furthermore, what does it say when this ONE cable company doesn't even locate any sort of office in your home area? Less you believe that I live in Podunk USA, let me state that my hometown ranked in the top 20 per-capita income in the state of Alabama. That may not mean much to you, but my hometown was ranked the highest in this section of the state! And yet, people who live just across the Coosa river (in Rainbow City, Gadsden, even Hokes Bluff!!), and have a *decent* cable company, have not only the choice of getting cable internet, but also can get DSL!!!!
Meanwhile, I write and complain and respectfully request a time frame for the possibility of getting cable internet and I receive this stupid response:
High speed Internet service requires a two way fiber optic plant. In order to provide this to service to you, we would need to either upgrade the existing cable system or construct new cable lines. Construction of such projects requires a significant capital investment. While we would love to offer advanced services to all our customers and provide our services to everyone who wishes to have them, we must determine if the capital investment will produce a reasonable payback.
At this time, based on many specific details which we do not have, there are no plans to upgrade the cable plant in your area.
What!?!?! "based on many specific details which we do not have...."?!?!?! How can anyone make a decision based on many specific details which you don't have? I work at a small business, and if one of the employees made that kind of statement, I'm scheduling a random drug test ASAP!
I thought about NOT making the name of this monopolistic cable company public for a short while. For a VERY short while! Charter Communications is the company. My customer service location is a town over 120 miles away!!!
These guys are living in some fantasy world. Just a few weeks ago, a wind storm caused the cable line from the utility pole to my house to disconnect from my house. Since I don't have cable (I'm a loyal DirecTV customer), I called the Charter Communications customer service office (in Russellville, AL!!!) to inform them that their cable was laying in my back yard and something needed to be done. The customer service rep said that she would send someone out to re-attach their cable to my house. I told her that I didn't want their cable attached to my house - not unless cable internet was available. I was told that the only way that they would do anything with the line was by them re-connecting the cable to my house. "FINE", I said. "Send someone out." The contractor arrived in a short while to re-attach the cable to my house. I told him that I didn't want it attached to my house. I told him to do something with it so that it's not laying across my yard. He said that it would be no problem and I left him. The next day, I checked to see what he had done. Great Job -> he wrapped the excess cable around the bottom of the utility pole.... I hope I don't offend anyone when I say "MORONS!"
I took some pictures of the little guy last night. He's a happy boy, at least most of the time. He's not crawling yet, but he's thinking about it.... :)
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I know, I know. These pictures take forever to get on dial-up, and I'm probably overdoing it by putting this many up at one time, but I don't care. I get to upload them on broadband (but not from home - that post I am leaving for another time...)
Enjoy the pictures of your grandson "Nana", "PawPaw", "Grandmama Candy", and "Big Daddy"...
I know, I know. These pictures take forever to get on dial-up, and I'm probably overdoing it by putting this many up at one time, but I don't care. I get to upload them on broadband (but not from home - that post I am leaving for another time...)
Enjoy the pictures of your grandson "Nana", "PawPaw", "Grandmama Candy", and "Big Daddy"...
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